The Fortunates (Unfortunate #2) - Skyla Madi Page 0,45

Who knows?”

A cracking shout startles me and I snap my hand back in time as Kade slams into Vince and they crash to the ground. My heart spears into my throat as they fumble. Cursing, John Milano steps in, grabbing Kaden by the shoulders. John rips Kade off of a laughing Vince, who spits blood into the grass. Raking my fingers through my hair, I look over my shoulder. The field is quiet.

Dead quiet.

Despite the crowd of people, not a single sound is made. They watch us, their eyes wide and excited—some fearful. At least they got the drama they wanted.

Pushing himself to his feet, Kade rubs his fist and smooths the palms of his hands over his jacket. Vince massages his jaw and chuckles to himself, exposing bloody teeth.

“You’re going to regret this moment,” he warns us, sneering at Kade and me. “Until my death, not a day will pass that you don’t glance over your shoulder in fear of me. I swear it.”

Whirling on his heel, Kade scoops me up in his arms and throws me over his shoulder. My head spins and I grunt, digging my elbow into the nape of his neck.

“You’re going to carry me over your shoulder? Really?” I hiss, struggling against him. “Kade, people are watching.”

He doesn’t utter a word. Naturally. When we reach the back steps, I stop fighting him and let him carry me through the house. Unfortunates avoid us, their eyes cast down and away from the beast that storms by, his powerful steps thundering along the ground.

Kade doesn’t put me down until I’m safely in my room. I barely turn around before he demands I “stay here and lock the door.”

I place my hands on my hips. “Where are you going?”

“Out.”

I jump as he slams the door and I wait…I don’t know what for. I guess I wait for him to return.

He doesn’t.

Huffing, I storm across my room to the window by the bar. Sure enough, Kade stalks from my house in the direction of his. What’s he up to? I pace my room. Four steps in one direction, three in the other. I should follow him. I shudder at the idea. On second thought, I never want to step foot inside the Sario house ever again.

Surprisingly, my stomach groans with hunger, and I hate that I didn’t eat when Kade told me to. I should have…I should have tasted the pancakes. Sighing, I drop against a white stool by the bar and the colourful beverages on the floating shelves above catch my attention.

Browns. Golds. Reds. Blues.

The drinks come in small and big bottles, murky or as clear as water. Surely one or two of these will quell my hunger until Kade comes back? I reach for the clear bottle on the left and pull it down. Freeing one of the glasses from the rack on the left, I fill it up and lift it to my nose.

I inhale, then flinch away as a strange, potent smell burns my nostrils. I pinch my nostrils together and squeeze, trying to scratch the itch.

I can’t believe people willingly drink this stuff. What did Kade say one of its benefits was? Forgetting your problems? I like the sound of that. Still pinching my nose, I open my mouth and swallow a big mouthful of the drink that eerily resembles water.

But tastes nothing like it!

I swallow and clench my teeth with a hiss as fire burns at my throat.

“Uck.”

I shudder violently and inhale, desperate for air to soothe the pain. The burn subsides quickly and I take another swig. And another. And another. I keep going until the glass is finished and my head is spinning. The alcohol makes quick work of me, loosening my muscles until I can no longer hold myself still. Concrete slabs hang from my eyelids and I giggle as I slip off my stool.

Now I get why Fortunates are obsessed with the stuff. It makes everything seem okay. It sucks the stress out and replaces it with nothing.

There is absolutely nothing in this world that can hurt me.

And I love it.

Chapter Fourteen

Kade

“Walk faster,” he snapped at Portia as she lagged behind him, her jaw clenching whenever she put her weight onto her feet.

She cast her gaze to the ground and nodded her head without complaint. “Yes, Master Kade.”

Underneath his shoes, rocks crumbled and twigs snapped. Kade remembered she wasn’t wearing shoes like he was. Exhaling, he slowed his pace so she could take her time as they marched