When I looked down at myself, I was wearing a white dress soaked in river water and other people’s blood, and it was pretty much transparent on me. Dirt caked my bare feet, and I held a sharp shard of mirror that could probably be considered a weapon. In short, I looked like a living nightmare.
My stomach rumbled, and I glanced at the McDonald’s across the street. Holy shit, that would taste amazing right now, but I didn’t have money, and they’d probably call the police.
I started walking. From here, it was about a mile to my old apartment, but that was where Andrew lived. There was no way I would show up looking like I’d had a nervous breakdown. Like I’d fallen apart, unable to handle the shame of the nude photos he’d shared.
It was only another mile more to Shalini’s place. I broke into a run, hoping to get back there before any police officers stopped me with awkward questions. The sidewalk felt cold and grimy beneath my bare feet, and I tried not to think about what I was stepping on.
Gods, I missed Torin already. My mind kept flicking back to the feel of my fingertips on his chest, the glorious smell of him.
As I reached the emptier streets closer to her apartment, I slowed a little to catch my breath. The only people out this early in the morning were a few joggers who studiously avoided my gaze.
Don’t look at the half-naked lady.
Once, I’d enjoyed running through the streets for fun. Now? I don’t think I’d go back to it. What was the point of jogging when you could actually fly?
At last, I turned onto Shalini’s street, and my stomach clenched.
Great ash goddess …
There they were, dressed in tidy gray Lululemon outfits, practically matching: Andrew and Ashley. Out for a morning jog.
I stopped walking, practically freezing in place. Ashely grabbed Andrew’s arm, and her face went pale.
I knew I looked like an absolute monster right now.
Why did this encounter feel more horrifying than a month in the Unseelie dungeon?
I winced and gave a slight wave to Andrew. Unfortunately, the happy couple now stood between me and the entrance to Shalini’s apartment.
I cleared my throat and pointed at the gate behind them. “Just going to Shalini’s.” I really didn’t want to get closer, to have them inspect the absolute state of me and ask why I was covered in blood.
Andrew’s nose was wrinkled, his eyes narrowing like he couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing. “Ava, what happened to you? The gossip columns said you had a nervous breakdown after you were dumped. Is that, like, a psychotic break?”
My jaw clenched. “Is that what they said?”
His gaze darted to the top of my head. “Was it the horns? I didn’t know fae had horns.” His lip curled with obvious revulsion. “Did they cause the breakdown?”
Ashley’s blonde hair was pulled into a ponytail so tight it tugged at her features. Still gripping Andrew’s arm, she cocked her head, her forehead wrinkled. “Are you…okay?” Her voice sounded unnaturally high-pitched, and her words were slowly enunciated, like she was speaking to a confused child. “Should we call someone to come get you? ”
“I’m fine. I can’t really divulge what I was doing,” I ventured. “It’s fae stuff. Magic. Top secret. You wouldn’t understand.” I didn’t realize how insane that explanation would sound until the words were already out of my mouth. “Never mind,” I said sharply.
“What are you holding?” asked Andrew. “Why are you…where are your clothes? Where are your shoes?”
“It’s not really your business, though, is it?” I snapped.
“You nearly ruined my life, you know,” Andrew said sharply. “Everyone was sympathetic to the poor dumped fae woman. I got fired.”
“So you sold nude photos of me.” I inhaled deeply. “You know what? I really don’t care anymore. About any of this.”
He shrugged, his cheeks turning pink. “But maybe people should know what you are really like. Why I couldn’t be with a fae. Maybe then they would understand and have some sympathy that I just wanted a normal life.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You know, Torin really doesn’t like you.”
Andrew’s lip twitched. “He’s not your boyfriend, though, is he? They said you’re not actually marrying him. They said you disappeared after he turned you down at the altar.” His gaze swept down, taking in my tattered state. “Ava, you should really get some help.”
For a blinding, incandescent moment, I could see myself running up to him and ramming the shard of mirror into his shoulder. Not enough to kill him, but enough to make him deeply regret every decision he’d ever made up until this point.