A Discovery of Secrets and Fate (Chronicles of the Stone Veil #2) - Sawyer Bennett Page 0,30

until I hear that little chime that indicates I have a voicemail.

I jerk into action, diving into my backpack and pulling my phone out. My hand is unsteady as I unlock the screen and see a missed call, as well as a voicemail notification, from Fallon.

I’m barely able to navigate to my voicemails as my hands start shaking so bad. Titus grabs my phone from my hand, taps on the message, then presses the speakerphone option.

The first thing I notice within her first two words is that her tone is all wrong. It’s standoffish and vague. Her voice is huskier than it should be.

Finley… I just wanted to let you know Blain and I are taking an impromptu trip to Switzerland to do some skiing for several days. I’ll call you when I get back.

And… that’s it. No details. No I’ll miss you. No take care of yourself while I’m gone. No goodbye.

My gaze rises to Titus as he hands the phone back to me. “That was not my sister at all.”

“Is it like her to take trips like that?” he asks.

“No way. Blain’s always working, and so is she. Not to mention, neither one are spontaneous at all. She has to meticulously plan everything.”

“I wonder if there’s something special in Switzerland,” Titus mulls out loud. “Or maybe she’s really not even going there.”

I just stare at him as he frowns with concentration, rubbing at his chin. He looks at me, eyebrows raised in query.

I shrug. “I’ve got no ideas. Sorry.”

“You should call Carrick to tell him,” Titus suggests.

A saccharine smile forms, and I wag my finger at him in the negative. “Uh-uh. You call him.”

Titus shrugs. “Doesn’t hurt to try.”

“You really want me back in the fold?” I ask curiously. “I mean… you’re an annihilator. You have your own job, so why do you care?”

“Because I care about Carrick, and I’ve come to care about you,” he replies gruffly. “And yes, I want you back in the fold because that’s where you’ll be safest. It’s our best chance of saving the world.”

All of Carrick’s words yesterday didn’t have much of an effect, but Titus’ “saving the world” hits me low in the belly.

I shore myself up though. “I’m sorry, Titus. I just can’t. But we’ll still train tomorrow?”

“Of course,” he replies with an incline of his head. “But I’m convinced you’re going to eventually take your place, so you should just quit fighting it.”

This gives me slight pause, but I feel compelled to hold my ground. “If that’s the case, then it will be a happy day when I commit to the cause. Until then, respect my decision not to get involved.”

“Touché,” he replies with a grin.

When Titus and I leave the gym, he locks up. We part ways, walking in opposite directions. My car is in a garage the next block over, and I have no clue where Titus is going. For all I know, he returns home to Semper Terra each evening.

I make it only half a block before the emotions hit me again. That call by Fallon who is not Fallon at all. That person was not my sister. That person also scares the shit out of me. Seems like I have a reprieve from at least having to worry about talking to Fallon or seeing her. Maybe I’ll have more time to grieve or even get past some of this denial she’s really dead, and I’ll be more fortified to handle her when she gets back.

Or the prophecy could enact, and I could be dead before she returns.

Two extremes, both plausible.

My eyes sting as my hope I’ll ever get my sister back dwindles, but I blink my eyes rapidly so the tears don’t fall. I’ve already had my one crying session today with Titus, and now it’s time for me to get back to my regular life.

CHAPTER 7

Finley

It’s been eight long days since Fallon changed into a Dark Fae. Four days since she’d left me a voicemail saying she and Blain were taking an impromptu trip to Switzerland for some skiing. She has neither called nor texted me in that time, and I’ve certainly not reached out to her. Frankly, I’m terrified to start any type of conversation, afraid I’ll say the wrong thing and it will make her suspicious. The risk is too great that I’ll give myself away, merely through my fear and anxiety, and she’ll know that I know.

If that happens, then all bets are off, and I might have to consider