Fate Forgotten Read Free Page B

You’re a witch. He’s handsome. You’re gorgeous—”
    “You have similar backgrounds, and you make a cute couple, but if he doesn’t treat you right, then what’s the use in wasting your time?” Hanna explained.
    “I thought you guys wanted me to gain experience with men and…”
    Dianne shrugged. “You should test the waters, explore, but if the guy doesn’t rock your boat, throw him out on his ass.”
    “Date several guys at a time, not just one,” Casey added nonchalantly.
    Hanna sighed and waved her hand in dismissal. “What they mean to say is if the guy doesn’t give you the attention you deserve, like if he cancels plans on a whim, let him go. You deserve better.”
    She nodded, then mouthed, “Right.”
    “Let’s have some drinks and watch a movie,” Shari said. “Get your mind off that warlock.”
    Dianne jumped off her seat. “Oh, I’ll order pizza. I’m starved! What will it be, ladies?”
    “When aren’t you?” Casey flipped her long blonde hair. “And why do you ask if you’ll only get what you want anyway?”
    “Cheese and pepperoni it is then.” Dianne grinned and fished her phone out of her pocket.
    Valerie couldn’t help but smile. She was glad Glen had cancelled. On a Friday night, there was nowhere else she’d rather be.
    After the movie, everyone scattered, heading for bed. Valerie couldn’t sleep, not just yet. Since talking with her coven, she knew she had to end things with Glen, but her nerves were already getting the best of her.
    Sighing heavily, she promised herself she’d have a talk with Glen soon. To get her mind off it, she picked up a book and read until she drifted to sleep.
    ****
    An explosion shattered the windows of the coven’s home in New Jersey, the impact shooting shards of glass throughout, piercing Valerie’s skin and jarring her awake. She screamed. Her instincts forcing her to move, ducking behind the couch, she gasped when pain radiated through her leg.
    Oh God, her sisters. Her pulse raced. Fear clogged her throat. Frantic, she scanned the room filling quickly with smoke. Debris lay scattered around her.
    “Shari! Hanna!” Her voice shrill. “Maggie!”
    She coughed, then on shaky hands, she tried to slide away from the scattered fires. Pain radiating up and down her leg, she glanced down, noticing a large piece of glass protruding from her thigh. Pulling it out quickly, she flinched and muffled a groan.
    Another explosion sounded, nearly shattering her eardrums. Debris flew around her. More flames sparked to life. Smoke thickened around her, quickly filling the room anew until she could barely see. With each passing second, her heart pounded harder, faster. Adrenaline coursed through her.
    “Dianne! Amy!” She coughed, attempting to drag herself farther inside the home.
    Nothing. No voices. No sounds but those of the raging fire.
    Then another explosion rocked the house, louder and much more powerful than the last. The force of it threw her against the fireplace. Her back and head slammed against the stones. The air in her lungs whooshed out. Pain exploded, every inch of her in agony. Too much to bear.
    “Save them.” She meant to scream it, but her voice came out muffled and hoarse.
    She couldn’t fight it anymore, the pain, so much of it, overwhelming her. Her eyes drifted closed.

Chapter 3
    Valerie stirred hours later, groggy and aching. The events of hours before hit her in a rush, making her lose her breath. Her eyes snapped open. She shot to a sitting position in an unfamiliar bed. Breathing deeply, still she smelled the stench of smoke. Coughing, she warily scanned her surroundings.
    The room was large and impeccably decorated. The walls a lovely pale violet matching the comforter draped over her and the curtains.
    A thin brunette appeared at the threshold of the room. Valerie tensed. When their eyes met, a sympathetic expression flashed across her face.
    “I’m Ashley. I’m an Elemental.”
    A figure appeared behind her, a