Free Indulge by Megan Duncan

Arrick was my only option. I knew I was driving him crazy, but they were important to me.
    “Anything else?” He spoke through clenched teeth. I just stared at him dumbfounded, and he turned on his heel and marched swiftly down the hallway.
    Seeing him walk away made my heart ache. I couldn’t let him leave like this. “Arrick!” I ran to his side quickly, pushing my incredible speed to its max. I grabbed his arm and forced him to turn and look at me. “What’s your problem?” Probably not the most tactful way to go about it, but I wanted answers.
    “What do you want from me, Claire? You want me to be your errand boy?”
    What was he talking about? One simple favor, and now he was throwing a tantrum? “No,” I said, as snotty as I could. “I wanted the person I trust to do something for me that I can’t do myself. I’m sorry that’s too much to ask. Listen, Arrick, I don’t know what your problem is, but you better figure it out. You can’t keep throwing my emotions around like your play toys.” This whole hot and cold thing had to stop. Either he liked me or he didn’t. He was either jealous or he wasn’t. “Decide how you feel about me; I can’t keep playing your games.”
    He stared at me, hard. Despite our connection, I couldn’t sense how he felt. “I know how I feel about you.”
    My heart skipped a beat. Did I really want to know? “Then why are you acting like this?”
    He shifted his weight, considering his answer before he spoke. “I’ll try. I can’t promise I’ll come back with any information on them, but if I see them I will let you know.” He smiled slightly. I could tell it was fake, but I stepped aside and let him continue on down the hallway.
    He stopped and turned to face me. My heart fluttered hopefully.
    “Meet me in the gardens in an hour. I want to show you something”
    I smiled and nodded.
    I made my way out of the Château and onto a secluded area of a beach near Naos. I thought some time alone would clear my thoughts; that way I could be completely relaxed when I met up with Arrick later. Hearing the crashing waves, so close was incredibly soothing. I climbed down the rocky coast, my shoes dangling from my hands. Walking barefoot was much better. I enjoyed the cold feel of the rocks and the gritty texture of the sand between my toes.
    There was a large, washed up log on the shore. It was sandy and the bark cracked in jagged trails along the length of it Seaweed was tangled around one end. Yet, it looked somewhat perfect, lying idly on the beach in the moonlight. I tossed my shoes to the side and plopped down atop the log.
    Twirling my necklace about my finger, I popped the locket open and closed with my thumb. The more I looked at the images inside the more heart broken, angry and lonely I became. Yes, I was happy in Naos and with my new family, but Liz, Robin and Dmitry were all my family too in a way. They were all as dear to me as Ione and Cathair and even Arrick, although I fought those emotions and lost most of the time.
    I stared up at the sliver of moon and prayed that Nyx would keep them all safe. The stars twinkled at my words and I smiled. Maybe Nyx could really hear me. I didn’t know for sure, but it was a comforting thought.
    I dug my toes into the sand and licked my fangs as I enjoyed the sense of peace, until the hairs on my neck stood on end. My nerves vibrated in warning. That familiar sensation that I was being watched returned. I bolted upright and scanned my surroundings. Nothing was around. I focused my hearing, past the crashing waves, past my own breathing. The city came to me, faint by normal. I spun, searching desperately, heart racing.
    That’s when I saw it. A dark figure standing atop a cliff, high above me. I stood frozen, staring at it, trying to push my abilities to their max. I had to see who it was. My body instinctively stepped forward, my toes dragging in the sand. The figure reacted, crouching down, but still very visible. Even with