Free The Third Fate by Nadja Notariani Page B

of an eye, leaving her devastated, helpless, and alone. And to ensure that, Cael could not be a part of her world. She’d have the memories, and that would be enough. It had to.
    The phone pulled her from her reverie, back to the predictable patterns of her life.
    “ Good morning, Brooke.”
    Endless chatter ran together, and Paige could hardly determine whether her cousin was frantic or giddy.
    “ Slow down! I can barely make out what you’re saying.”
    Paige held the phone out from her ear, not believing what she was hearing.
    “ Really? When? How am I supposed to get time off work so quickly?”
    The string of words spilling from Brooke’s mouth was overwhelming, exciting, and downright impossible. Sissy had booked them all a getaway. They were to leave Friday evening. Paige set the phone on her bed-table and flung herself back against the pillows, laughter bubbling up. This was just the thing to divert her attention from Cael Maccinnis and all the strange things happening since meeting him. Two weeks away would give her time to think. Time to forget. But the thought of being away from Cael, not seeing him, not touching him, haunted her.
    Dragging herself from the bed, Paige headed downstairs to start her morning routine. Thursday meant long hours at the library, so she packed a hearty lunch while the aroma of brewing coffee wafted through the air. Busily focusing on the tasks at hand, Paige forced down the nausea that built by the minute, toasting a single slice of bread in hope of settling her queasy stomach. After a few sips of coffee and bite of toast she rallied a bit, brightening the day’s outlook considerably. A brisk walk in the crisp morning air set her mind more at ease, and by lunchtime Paige felt almost normal.
    “ Has the university collection been pulled, Miss Kinnell?” Barbara Ross questioned. “It must be delivered before the close of business today.”
    “ It’s no trouble at all, Ms. Ross. Diana and Ruth are pulling the selections right now. Is there anything special you’d like me to add…”
    Her voice trailed off as she hunched over the desk, gasping for breath and clutching her stomach.
    “ Miss Kinnell! Are you well?”
    Paige knew she must have frightened her boss, for Barbara Ross did not inject emotion into her speech. Ever.
    “ I think so,” she said shakily. “I had a stitch in my side, but it’s going away now.”
    Ms. Ross came near.
    “ Are you certain you’ll be able to complete the collection’s distribution? I can ask someone to handle it for you.”
    “ Of course. Really, I’m fine now,” Paige smiled faintly.
    After a few more minutes of assuring, Barbara Ross reluctantly allowed her to remain at work, but insisted she go home at once if she continued to feel ill.
    Sitting at her desk to double check each title selected for the collection, Paige gathered the paperwork necessary and watched as each title moved to the checked-out column. She wanted Diana and Ruth to finish quickly, for she was deteriorating by the minute. A sheen of perspiration formed on her skin, her teeth chattering intermittently. One minute heat rolled from her, setting her cheeks aflame. The next she wrapped in her coat. All she wanted was to head home and collapse in her bed, but she had to finish. This was the first time Barbara Ross had entrusted her with a project so large – and not supervised her every step of the way. She wanted to prove that she was ready and capable of handling the responsibility. No excuses. No mix-ups.
    It’s the Awakening, lass. Ye shouldna be alone. Ye need me.
    Paige pushed the thought away. Ignoring it, she pressed through the day, determined to beat whatever bug she’d picked up. When seven o’clock rolled around, her delight at being free to go waned as she thought of getting herself home. Before attempting that feat she had to approach Barbara about taking time off. She had plenty of vacation time saved up; that wasn’t the problem. Lately her boss