Ever (The Ever Series Book 4) by C. J. Valles

Author:C. J. Valles [Valles, C. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-12-20T00:00:00+00:00

7: Reap What You Sow

For eternities that no human could conceive of, I was a slave to a being whose sole pleasure was derived from the pain of others. The greed in my former dimension was limitless. There was no future to look forward to; there was only pain and degradation.

Discovering the portal in the outlands at first seemed like an impossibility. Simply escaping Victor’s dominion was an extraordinary feat, and while we knew not what awaited us, it could have been no worse than the existence we endured.

Then, in this new dimension, I became the hunter, not the hunted, and my existence assumed a new level of hell. I became what I hated.

Alienating the only creature I have craved to be closer to is a fitting punishment. Before setting eyes upon Wren Sullivan, I had believed a future spent alone was all but inevitable. I had accepted it. Now I feel something has been torn from me. Not something I am owed, but something I want despite knowing I do not deserve it, for how could this girl look upon me with anything but revulsion if she were to know the truth?

I watch her seated amongst her friends in the school’s bleachers. She is grateful that they have included her, yet also acutely aware that she is an outsider as she watches the baseball game with mild interest and much confusion. When the gathered students in the stands leap to their feet, cheering enthusiastically, Wren rises a moment later.

I feel like a tourist trying to keep up with another country’s customs.

I watch as Marcus White walks to the concession stand. When he looks around, he notices the Maserati before he sees me. Perhaps I should have removed myself from view, but some dark part of me wants her to know I am here. The boy grins as he collects a gelatinous pile of nachos before hurrying back to his group of friends.

“Hey, Wren. Check it out. Your stalker’s back.”

I hear her pulse quicken and watch as her eyes dart back and forth, searching for me. The boy points in my direction, and she turns—her features frozen as she stares at me.

“Terrific,” she mutters under her breath.

Her muscles rigid, she turns to face the game, every ounce of her attention focused behind her, as though she can feel my stare. Unable to feign interest in the game, she watches silently through the final inning.

Closing my eyes, I search for Audra and Chasen, only long enough to ascertain their locations. Audra is in Finland; Chasen is in Antiqua. That is all I need know. I do not reach out to them—I am not prepared for their inevitable censure.

My attention shifts as spectators begin to depart the game. Wren’s group begins in the direction of the parking lot. Ashley Stewart has offered Wren a ride, and my sole consolation is that Lindsay Gallo will not be accompanying them. The vehicle they are approaching is only four spaces from the Maserati—another intentional act on my part.

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