Evermore - Alyson Noel [86]
I push the hair from my eyes and race blindly through the fog, hoping to locate the trail, get back to where I started. My lungs threatening to explode in my chest, as my flip-flops break and abandon my feet, but still I run. Running as the sharp cold rocks slice into my soles. Running as a searing hot pain burns a hole through my ribs. Running past trees whose sharp, unadorned branches snatch at my jacket and rip it right off me. Running for my life—even though I’m not sure it’s worth living.
And as I’m running, I remember another time I ran like this.
But also like my dream, I have no idea how it ends.
I’ve just reached the edge of the clearing that leads back to the trail, when Drina steps out of the mist and stands right before me.
And even though I dodge, and try to move past her, she lifts one languid leg and assists me in a face plant.
I lie on the ground, blinking into a pool of my own blood, listening to the derisive laughter she directs right at me. And when I tentatively touch my face, my nose flops to the side, and I know that it’s broken.
I struggle to stand, spitting rocks from my mouth, cringing in dismay as a stream of blood and teeth tumble out too. And I watch as she shakes her head and says, “Wow, you look awful, Ever.” She grimaces in disgust. “Seriously awful. One wonders what Damen ever saw in you.”
My body’s racked with pain, my breath’s shallow, unsteady, as mouthfuls of blood coat my tongue with a taste that’s metallic and bitter.
“Well, I suppose you’ll want all the details, even though you won’t remember them the next time around. Still, it’s always fun to see the shock on your face when I explain it to you.” She laughs. “I don’t know why, but for some reason, I never bore of this particular episode, no matter how many times we re-run it. Plus, if I’m going to be perfectly honest, then I have to admit it allows for a deliciously prolonged pleasure. Kind of like foreplay, not that you would know anything about that. All these lifetimes and somehow you always die a virgin. Which would be so sad, if it wasn’t so funny.” She scoffs. “So, where to begin, where to begin?” She looks at me, lips pursed, red-manicured nails tapping the sides of her hips. “Okay, well, as you know, I’m the one who swapped the picture from the one in your trunk. I mean, you as the woman with the yellow hair? I. Don’t. Think. So. And between you and me, Picasso would’ve been furious. Still, I do love him. Damen, that is. Not that old dead artist.” She laughs. “Any-who, let’s see, I planted the feather.” She rolls her eyes. “Damen can be so—maudlin. Oh, I even planted that dream in your head. How’s that for months of mysterious foreshadowing? And no, I’m not going to explain all the hows and whys because that would take too long, and, quite frankly, it’s hardly important where you’re going. Too bad you didn’t just die in that accident, because you could’ve saved us both a lot of trouble. Do you have any idea how much damage you’ve caused? I mean, because of you Evangeline is dead and Haven—well, look how close she came. I mean, really Ever, how selfish of you.”
She looks at me but I refuse to respond. Wondering if that qualifies as an admission of guilt.
She laughs. “Well, you’re about to exit now, so yes, no harm in confessing.” She lifts her right hand as though solemnly swearing. “I, Drina Magdalena Auguste”—she raises her brow at me when she says that last part—“effectively eliminated Evangeline a.k.a. June Porter, who, by the way, was contributing nothing and only taking up space so it’s not nearly as sad as you think. I needed to get her out of the way so I’d have full access to Haven.” She smiles, her eyes grazing over me. “Yes, just like you suspected, I purposely stole your friend Haven. Which is so easy to do with those lost and unloved ones who are so desperately craving attention they’ll do just about anything for someone who gives them the time of day. And yes, I convinced her to get