Free Chosen by Kristen Day Page A

his.
                  “Well done, Anastasia,” he encouraged me with a twinkle in his eye. “Here I had an extravagant search party planned and you find him like that.” He snapped his fingers and shook his head in amazement. “It’s no wonder he’s so smitten with you.”
                  Feeling the blood rush to my cheeks, I studied my plate like it was the most fascinating thing I’d ever laid eyes on. The delicious smelling bougatsa pastry that Charon had brought us for breakfast was making my mouth water, but the pain in my abdomen was making it difficult to breathe, nonetheless eat.  I slowly took a bite of the cream filled pastry and prayed I could keep it down.  I was going to need as much energy as possible if I wanted to face Nadia again. 
                  “But won’t she just move him somewhere else?” Willow looked up from her empty plate, wiping her mouth. “Now that Stasia knows her hiding place?”
                  “Maybe, maybe not.” Natasha considered. “With the vacuum she has created in the cavern, she will need to keep him there as long as possible.  The moment he leaves, his body will begin to heal at a very rapid pace.  I’m sure that small detail has not eluded her.”
                  “Why is she doing this?” Phoebe set down her fork in frustration. I watched as a slow fury lit up her green eyes. 
                  “I don’t know dear, but I promise you we will find out.” Natasha’s always supportive tone seemed to calm her.  She crossed her arms over her Kings of Leon t-shirt, but remained quiet.
                  “She’ll pay for this, don’t worry.” Ricker winked at her through a mouthful of the baked oatmeal that he had requested separately, claiming it was his favorite. 
                  “She will pay. She will pay. She will pay…” Carmen’s eerie voice began to chant his words from the bedroom. Willow shot me a worried look and Phoebe hopped down from her chair to attend to her.  After second thought, she also snatched up an extra pastry to take to her in the hopes that she would eat it.
                  “How was she last night?” I asked Ricker hesitantly.  His face fell along with his shoulders and he shook his head in defeat.
                  “Not so great,” he muttered. “She just rambles on and on like she’s gone off the deep end.  And she won’t let me touch her or even barely get near her.”
                  “I will be discussing her situation with one of the Nereids later today,” Charon stated. “I believe she will be able to help.”  I was about to ask which Nereid he was referring to when a knock came at the door.  Charon paused as if listening for something, and then nodded to Natasha.  She disappeared into the living room.
                  “I still can’t believe you figured out how to get into the Underworld!” Willow propped up her elbow on the table. “What was it like?”
                  “Quicksand.” I shrugged, “I had no idea what it was until I landed on the bank of the marsh.”
                  “Quicksand?” she asked in surprise, before becoming momentarily distracted by an incoming text message on her phone. “Liam says our new Maven will start Monday.”
                  “Let’s just hope she doesn’t have psychotic tendencies,” I smirked. “That would be a nice change.”
                  “Stasia, dear?” Natasha stuck her head into the kitchen, “Will you please join us in the living room?”
                  I abandoned my half eaten bougatsa and strolled into the next room, followed by a very curious Willow still in her pajamas.
                  Our visitors stood and stared at me wide-eyed until I wondered if I’d forgotten to put on a bra or brush my hair.  Natasha cleared