Maybe Fate: A Novel (New Adult Paranormal Romance) Read Free Page B

at me already. I shouldn't even be wasting my time talking
to you, not if you're going to be playing these word games and not
telling me why you're stalking me.”
    “ I
was only trying to have a little fun,” he said with
exaggerated chagrin. “Upsetting you, well, that was just a
side effect. Besides,” he said with a light laugh, “isn't
this better than feeding the birds alone on a bench?”
    “ Is
what better?” I scowled.
    “ Talking
to me,” he said bluntly, cocking his head to one side.
    Staring
at his sharp cheeks, his even sharper smile, I struggled to find
some words. Anything, if just to avoid dwelling in awkward silence.
    Whoever
this man was, he was throwing me off entirely. Was it because of how
strange he was, or was it perhaps something in the way he spoke to
me without a hint of uncertainty?
    When
was the last time a boy even tried to have a conversation with
me—no, no, stop it Gale! This guy is trouble, and possibly
crazy . At best, he's involved in some fishy stuff.
    Also,
his name is suspiciously weird.
    Nethiun
was quiet, his lips a neutral line. I realized he wasn't watching me
any longer, but something past my shoulder.
    Shivering,
I shot a look behind me, staring at the campus and the lights of the
buildings. It was too easy to feel like I was in some sort of horror
film. “What is it now?” I said, hushed.
    Suddenly
self-conscious about acting so paranoid, I cleared my throat and
spun back to squint at him. “If you don't—”
Cutting myself off, I looked upon the shadow covered grass.
    No
longer was he standing before me. Somehow, in that few seconds,
Nethiun had vanished.
    Trembling,
I shot a wild look around. There was no sign of the stranger, not
even a hint he had existed.
    Standing
out on the commons, stale bread hugged tightly in my arms, I was
entirely alone.

Chapter 2.
    Gale
Everette

    My
dorm was quiet when I arrived. Slipping inside, I set the bread-bag
on my desk. Hanging my backpack on the chair, I flopped down onto my
bed and groaned.
    This
has been a weird night. Staring
up at the ceiling, I counted the wrinkles in the paint, trying to
distract myself from my thoughts.
    It
seemed impossible. That wicked smile kept returning firmly to mind.
Rolling onto my stomach, I dropped my face into my pillow.
    Now
what do I do? Go to the police station tomorrow? Tell them I'm being
stalked by someone with a name like 'Nethiun'?
    Pursing
my lips, I crushed myself further into the fluffy bed. I'm
still going to do it. I don't want to end up like one of those girls
who convinces herself reporting stuff is a waste of time, and then
ends up in a casket.
    Distantly,
I heard the approach of soft voices outside the door. I was drained
of energy, burnt out from adrenaline, or I might have sat up.
    Luckily,
I recognized the feminine voice as it giggled. Sounds
like Becky is back. My
roommate usually stayed out late, hanging out with whatever boy had
her current fancy.
    Not
lifting my head, I heard the distinct 'click' of the door opening,
then closing gently. Louder were Becky's shoes, the heels clomping
on the hard wood. I didn't need to look to know what she was
wearing, it announced itself.
    “ Hey,”
she said cheerfully, moving about the room and tossing things aside.
“You awake?”
    Instead
of answering with words, I lifted an arm. The cool darkness of the
pillow was too wonderful for me to let it end just yet.
    Becky
clicked her tongue, springs creaking when she sat on the mattress
across from mine. “Very friendly. What's up Gale? I didn't see
you all night, usually you're back before now.”
    My
voice was muffled by the pressure of the cloth on my mouth. “I
didn't think you noticed that stuff.”
    Laughing,
she tossed something at me. I felt it land on the middle of my back,
the sensation making me twitch. “Of course I notice. What, do
you think I'm too distracted by a date to know when things are
weird?”
    I
did think that, actually, I
thought in silent guilt.
    “