Free Existence 02 - Predestined by Abbi Glines Page A

wanting to believe the truth hammering in my head, I broke into a run down the hallway Pagan had run to only a few minutes ago. There was no sign of her. I threw open the back door and the parking lot was full of empty cars. Nothing. Closing my eyes I searched for her soul. And for the first time since I met her I was unable to hear it.
    “NOOOOOOO!”

Chapter Eight

    Pagan

    My eyes were so heavy. I couldn’t remember why. I fought to open them but nothing. Where was I? What had I done? Where was Dank? Why wouldn’t my eyes open?
    “Shhhh, it’s okay Pagan. Don’t get all worked up. I’ve got you.”
    Leif’s voice. Why was Leif here?
    “Leif?”
    Abnormally warm fingers brushed hair from my face and I shivered as goosebumps covered my body. They weren’t from pleasure.
    “Yes, I’m here,” he murmured and continued playing with my hair.
    “Where am I? Why can’t I open my eyes?” the panic in my voice was evident.
    “You’re with me for now. Where you belong. Where you’ve always belonged. You’ve been mine since the moment I chose you when we were both just children. And as for your eyes they’ll open soon enough. Your human body had difficulty dealing with the travel and for that I’m sorry.”
    Nothing he said made any sense.
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Just rest. You’ll feel better soon.”
    I used every ounce of strength in my body fighting endlessly to open my eyes. But nothing happened. Everything remained dark. Until, exhausted, I slipped away into the darkness.
    Blinking slowly, I stared up at what appeared to be black chiffon. Studying it in confusion I realized it was draped over the bed I was laying in. Turning my head to take in my surroundings I noticed the room was illuminated by a faint orange glow. I pushed up on my elbows and wondered if this was real or if I was dreaming. Candles covered the room and flickered causing light to dance across the ceiling. The walls were made of stone yet the room was elaborately decorated with silver candelabras and a crystal chandelier. I had to be dreaming. Shaking my head to clear it, I swung my feet over the side of the bed noticing for the first time the black silk sheets I’d been sleeping on. Like the other parts of the room the massive iron bed frame looked out of place in a room with stone walls. Where was I supposed to be and how had I conjured this place up?
    I sat there studying the small flames in front of me and focused on what I could remember: I’d been at Dank’s concert, There had been a girl... a mean girl. A girl Dank had taken up for. Oh, I’d run and Leif had found me.
    Gasping, I jumped up and spun around looking for a door. This wasn’t a dream. I needed to get out of here. Something wasn’t right. Leif had taken me away. Drugged me. Why did I have to be such a drama queen and run away? Before I could work myself into a complete tizzy, the stone wall to the left of the bed began to move and a hidden door swung open.
    Leif walked into the room dressed in his usual jeans and polo shirt. He looked so normal. He looked like a high school quarterback. His blond hair was perfectly messy as if it had been styled to look untouched. The blue eyes I’d once trusted sparkled as they met mine. It was so hard to believe he was evil.
    “You’re awake,” he appeared pleased by this as he closed the door behind him.
    “Where are we?”
    Leif held out his hands and grinned, “My place. You like it?”
    I didn’t break eye contact with him. This wasn’t the answer I was looking for and he knew it.
    “Why am I here Leif?”
    He smirked and lifted one eyebrow. This wasn’t an expression I was familiar with. Leif never appeared cocky.
    “Because you belong to me.”
    Forcing the panic that was trying so hard to break through further down while I held my calm expression I took another step toward him.
    “I don’t belong to you, Leif. I’m not a possession. I’m a person. Please take me back home.”
    Leif let out a hard