Page 11 of Tempest’s Torment

Omen leans back in his chair. "If he found you once," he says quietly, "he'll find you again."

The words knock the last bit of hope out of me. "I know."

"You can't stay here,” he tells me, his voice thick with anger, but I know that it’s not aimed at me.

"I know." I've known since the second I heard him say my name; I just needed someone else to say it.

Omen studies me for a long moment before leaning forward. "I've got a friend in Boston."

I look up, my heart racing, my hands shaking. I have no idea what to do right now. The fear I feel is overpowering. I thought I could survive after what happened, but I can’t, not here, not in Connecticut.

"He'll help."

I don't ask how or why, I don't have the energy.

"There are people who do this," Omen says. "People who make sure someone disappears when staying isn't an option anymore."

Disappear. The word settles somewhere deep inside me. I need this. In order to survive, I need to disappear and start over again.

"You'll have an apartment, a job, and a fresh start. No one will know where you've gone.” The way he says it makes me believe him.

I look down at my hands, at the scars that are peeking through. "What if he finds me again?"

Omen doesn't hesitate. "He won't."

I shake my head. "You don't know that."

"No." His voice stays calm. "But I know the man I'm sending you to." I look back at him and swallow past the thick lump in my throat. "He'll keep you safe."

When I look up again, Omen is gone, the office is gone, and I'm back in the cabin. My wrists are tied to the chair, the rope cutting into my skin as I fight against it.

Lucy is across from me, blood covers the front of her clothes.

"No."

She reaches for me, her hand stretches across the space between us, but I can't reach her. I never can.

"Lucy."

Her lips move; at first, I can't hear her, but then her voice fills the room. "Run."

I pull harder against the ropes. "I'm not leaving you."

"You have to."

"No."

The cabin door opens behind her and Evan steps inside, his hands are in his pockets, the same way they were at the cemetery, my stomach revolts as he smiles at me. "I found you."

Lucy shakes her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Run, Lilah."

Evan moves toward her. I scream her name, fighting the restraints until my wrists burn. "Please. Don't touch her."

He pulls the knife from his pocket, and the blade catches the light.

"No!"

Lucy keeps her eyes on me. "Live enough for both of us."