Eternal Promise: (The Cursed Series, Book 5)

by Kara Leigh Miller

  I wandered back over to my bed and sank down on the mattress. “I miss you,” I said.

  Trent let out a throaty groan that had a shiver wiggling down my spine. “Want me to come over?”

  “Tempting, but I wouldn’t put it past Aunt Beth and Uncle Dean to come up here and try to talk to me. I don’t need them catching you in my room. That will only make things worse,” I said.

  But even as the words left my mouth, I was reconsidering them. Trent was a vampire with enhanced senses. He’d hear my aunt and uncle coming up the stairs and be able to get out of my room before they ever reached my door.

  “If you change your mind, leave your window open and text me,” he said.

  A loud bang sounded on his end of the line, and then he laughed, but it was distant, as if he was suddenly separated from his phone.

  “Sorry, Chloe. Trent’s busy right now,” Colt said around a laugh. “You can have him back tomorrow.”

  In the background, Trent shouted something I couldn’t quite understand. And then the call ended.

  Frowning, I tossed my phone onto the bed. I was truly happy Colt was safe and alive and back in Trent’s life, but I wasn’t happy with how much of Trent’s attention he was taking. Every night this week, Trent had been with his brothers, barely making enough time to have a simple phone call with me.

  My phone buzzed, and I snatched it, excitement and anticipation swelling in my chest.

  Trent: SORRY ABOUT THAT. SEE YOU TOMORROW UNLESS YOU TELL ME OTHERWISE. LOVE YOU.

  Not exactly what I was hoping for, but at least he texted me rather than just disappearing for the rest of the night.

  Me: HAVE FUN WITH YOUR BROTHERS. LOVE YOU TOO.

  I hit send, then contemplated sending him something more, but I really wasn’t sure what else to say. I didn’t want to make him feel bad about spending so much time with Colt and Jax, but I was so used to having him all to myself. Having to share him sucked. Big time.

  CHAPTER SEVEN:

  Reclaimed Memories

  “GIRLS’ WEEKEND AT MY HOUSE,” WHITNEY said, dropping an elegantly written invitation on top of my stack of books, which were already precariously balanced in my arms as I attempted to shove them into my locker without dropping them.

  “A whole weekend?” I asked.

  “Yup.” She smiled. “The boys are going camping or something. I don’t know.” She waved her hand dismissively. “So, I have the house all to myself.”

  I shoved my books into my locker and slammed the door closed. “They’re going camping?” I asked. “Trent didn’t say anything to me about that.”

  And I’d seen him multiple times today. He’d had plenty of chances to say something. Unless he wasn’t going.

  “It’s all they talked about last night,” Whitney said. “Oh, there’s Ellie. See you later.” She rushed down the hall, calling Ellie’s name.

  I stared at the invitation. I’d barely spent time with Trent this week, and now he was planning to be gone all weekend, too? Disappointment landed like an anvil in my gut. I turned to go find Trent and ran straight into his chest.

  “Trying to get away from me?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with humor.

  “No, but apparently that’s what you’re doing.” I crossed my arms. “When were you going to tell me about your camping trip this weekend?”

  He cringed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, sorry about that.” He stepped around me to get to his locker. “It was Colt’s idea, and Dad is now pushing it. He thinks it will help us reconnect.”

  “When are you leaving?” I asked.

  “Tomorrow afternoon.” He shoved his stuff into his locker. “Which means I’ll be cutting out of school early.”

  I sighed. “Well, I hope you have fun,” I said, trying to infuse as much enthusiasm into my voice as I could. I held up the invitation Whitney gave me. “Looks like I’m having a girls’ weekend.”

  “Knowing Whitney, I’m sure you’ll have a great time.” He chuckled.

  It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him I’d have more fun spending the weekend with him, but I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want to make him feel bad or guilt him into choosing me over his family. That wasn’t fair.

  “So, you ready for this?” I asked as I took his hand and walked out to the student parking lot.

  Only then did I realize he hadn’t kissed me. Normally, that was the first thing he did when he saw me. Fresh disappointment crashed down on me. I hated how I was suddenly so needy and clingy and unsure of where I stood in Trent’s life. Whatever I was feeling had to be because of the bond—it was still as strong as ever, and all I seemed to want was him. Not being able to have him like I wanted was making me cranky, and a little crazy.

  “I’m a little nervous,” he admitted and opened the passenger door for me.

  I climbed into his truck and hooked my seat belt. Seconds later, we were headed toward the cabin where I’d spent most of my summer hiding from Ivy. Trent had suggested we go there to restore Abby’s memories because it was quiet and somewhat secluded and the chances of being interrupted were slim.

  “Isach’s a wreck,” I said. “He’s so worried Abby won’t be able to forgive him.”

  “What do you think?” Trent asked.

  I shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I mean, he tried to kill me, and I managed to get over it. Hopefully, Abby will be able to as well.”

  “Yeah, but he did a lot more to Abby than he did to you. He used her, toyed with her emotions, caused issues in her relationship with you… all of that on top of trying to kill you,” he said.

  “I know.” I chewed nervously on the inside of my cheek. “Maybe this is a bad idea. I don’t know anymore.”

  “Hey.” Trent reached for my hand, lacing our fingers. “It’s going to be okay. Abby’s strong and smart. She’ll make whatever choice she’s going to make, and we’ll help her deal with it.”

  I gave him a grateful smile.

  He squeezed my hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the camping trip. We’ll be back early Sunday afternoon, though. Can I see you then?”

  “I’m sure I’ll still be at your house,” I said, trying not to let the hurt show in my words. Since when did Trent schedule me around other things? Normally, it was the other way around. Ugh. I needed to knock it off. It wasn’t like Trent was taking off to go hang out with friends and party—he was spending time with his family.

  The rest of the drive to the cabin was made in relative silence. Hanging out with my friends this weekend would be fun—it always was—but I missed Trent. Maybe I could convince Aunt Beth to let me stay at Whitney’s tonight… If Whitney asked her, she’d probably say yes faster than if I asked her.

  When we arrived, Isach and Abby were already there. My heart lodged in my throat, and nerves fluttered in my chest. No backing out now. I reminded myself that I was doing this for Abby, because she had a right to her memories, all of them.

  “What’re you two doing here?” Abby asked once we were out of the truck.

  “We’re here to talk to you,” I said with a tight smile. “The stuff Isach needs to tell you… it involves me and Trent, so we figured it would be easier if we just all talked.”

  Abby gave Isach a questioning look, but he avoided her gaze. I wanted to smack him. Didn’t he realize avoiding her or being shifty was only going to make this whole thing worse?

  “C’mon,” Trent said. He unlocked the cabin, and we filed inside.

  As soon as I stepped over the threshold, I was hit with waves of memories of my time spent here. Lounging on the couch with Trent. Eating breakfast with Jax. Laughing with Whitney. I momentarily closed my eyes and pushed the thoughts away. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on any of that.

  “Will someone please tell me what’s going on?” Abby asked. “I’m starting to freak out.”

  I took a deep breath. “Remember when I told you Trent wiped my memories?”

  Abby nodded. “Yeah, he wiped mine, too, so that I would
n’t remember him and say something to you.”

  “Yes, but he wiped more than just himself from your mind. There were things that happened that you don’t remember,” I said cautiously.

  “What things?” Abby’s gaze darted from me to Trent, then to Isach, who was doing his best to look anywhere but at her.

  “I’m going to give your memories back,” Trent said. “That’s why we brought you here.”

  Abby was silent for an uncomfortably long time. She crossed her arms and glared at Isach. “It involves you, doesn’t it?”

  Finally, Isach looked up, his eyes tormented. “Yes.”

  “I knew it,” Abby said through clenched teeth. “I haven’t been able to shake this feeling that there was a lot more to this whole story than I knew.” She huffed and shook her head. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”

  “I’m sorry, Abby,” I said, giving her a hug. “We should’ve been honest with you about everything right from the start. But if you don’t want these memories back, we can just forget it.”

  She barely returned my hug before pulling away and giving me a dirty look. “I can’t hardly know if I want the memories when I don’t know what they are.” She crossed her arms and glared at Trent. “Well, do whatever you’re going to do,” she said.

  Defeated, I took a step back. Abby was going to be angry and upset when she learned the truth, but I hadn’t considered that she’d feel that way toward me, too. But I was just as guilty as Isach for hiding this from her.

  “Give me a second,” Trent said. He gently took my arm and guided me into the kitchen, positioning me against the counter so my back was to Abby. “You’re sure about this?”

  “No,” I said. “But it’s too late now.”

  Trent stood in front of me, close enough our bodies were pressed together, and took my face in his hands. He peered into my eyes, then lowered his hands to rest on either side of my neck. His thumb stroked over the bite mark, and I whimpered involuntarily.

  A split second later, his mouth was on mine in a hungry kiss that fried my ability to think clearly. When he started to pull back, I leaned forward, refusing to let him go just yet. I needed another moment or two.

  He dragged his hands over my shoulders, down my arms, and around to my back, yanking me tighter, and I moaned softly as he deepened the kiss. Going all weekend without seeing him was going to be torture.

  Reluctantly, Trent eased back, but not before nipping at my bottom lip. He groaned, then took a deep breath. “You’re not going to want to watch what happens next,” he said, resting his forehead to mine. “It’ll be extremely painful for you.”

  What was he…? My eyes widened. “You have to kiss her,” I whispered, horrified.

  Why hadn’t I thought of that before now? The only way he could give Abby’s memories back was to kiss her, and I was guessing because of the depth of the memories, it wasn’t going to be some quick peck on the lips, either.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “Just remember how much I love you, Chloe. Kissing her means nothing.”

  I nodded, but my throat was slowly closing up, making it impossible to speak or breathe. All I could think about was New Year’s Eve when I’d seen Olivia in Trent’s arms, the way she’d kissed him and giggled. The consuming rage I’d felt—I’d wanted to kill her. And the betrayal I’d felt, despite being totally unwarranted, had left me drained.

  “I’ll make this as quick as possible,” Trent said. He placed a tender kiss to my forehead, and then he returned to the living room.

  I stayed rooted to my spot in the kitchen. A moment later, Isach joined me, standing with his back toward Abby and Trent, too.

  “You failed to mention he had to kiss her,” Isach grumbled.

  “I forgot until just now.” I frowned. “Sorry. Believe me, I don’t like this anymore than you do.”

  “Yeah, well, if this blows up, just remember that it was all your idea.” Isach crossed his arms and stared straight ahead.

  “Well, if you hadn’t done what you did, none of us would be in this position right now,” I shot back, sounding entirely too much like a petulant child.

  He sliced a scathing look at me before once again turning to stare at something in front of him. Arms still crossed, his muscles bulged with tension, and I worried he might tear the sleeves of his shirt. Maybe doing this was a bad idea.

  I closed my eyes tightly, as if that would somehow block out what I knew was happening behind me. Placing my hand over the bite mark, I tried to remember the night Trent had claimed me. How incredible it had felt when he bit me, how gentle and loving he’d been when we’d made love.

  But I couldn’t get the memory to form clearly in my mind. Every time I tried, all I could picture was Trent biting Abby. Trent kissing Abby. Trent undressing Abby and touching her the way he touched me.

  I gritted my teeth and yanked my hand away from my neck. Lava-like rage boiled in my veins, and I focused on curling my hands into fists. It’s not real, I told myself. It’s not real. Trent didn’t claim Abby. He claimed me. He loved me.

  “Hey.” Trent’s voice jerked me back from the edge, and my eyes snapped open. “It’s done,” he said.

  I sagged against him, and he caught me in his arms. Isach was no longer next to me, and I glanced over to find him standing with Abby, who was shaking and crying.

  “You okay?” Trent asked.

  “I’m fine.” As badly as I wanted to stay in his arms, I needed to make sure Abby was okay. I wiggled free from his hold.

  “He tried to kill you?” Abby said to me, her eyes as wild as her red hair.

  “Yes,” I said and gave Isach an apologetic shrug. It wasn’t like we could lie to her any longer.

  “But…” Abby looked helplessly from me to Isach. “You’re friends. Why? I mean, how…?” She wiped tears from her face. “I don’t understand.”

  I took Abby’s hands and guided her down onto the couch. I sat beside her. “I can explain,” I said.

  And for the next half an hour, I told Abby everything about Hannah, how she’d been a victim of the curse, how she went crazy with bloodlust. Trent filled in the details as needed, and Isach explained in gruesome detail how he’d found Hannah, promised her vengeance, and then manipulated her mind to make her think she’d been cured.

  “You tried to kill my cousin,” Abby said and stood abruptly. “And you used me to trick her.”

  “I know,” Isach said cautiously as he stood. He moved as if Abby were a wild animal that he was afraid to spook. “I was doing what I was told back then, but I am not that person anymore, Abby.”

  “He was wrong for what he did,” I said, keeping my gaze on Abby. “He knows that, and believe me, he feels bad. But he rescued me from Ivy. If that doesn’t prove he’s changed…”

  “This is all too much.” Abby threw her hands in the air. “I need to get out of here.” She moved toward the door, but Trent was faster. He intercepted her before she could get outside. “Let me go,” she said, her voice shaky with tears.

  I stood. “Trent, stop,” I said.

  He immediately moved out of the way. Abby barged out the front door, and I went after her.

  “Abby, wait,” I called.

  It wasn’t until she reached the end of the driveway that she finally stopped. She whipped around on me, her face red. “Why, Chloe? Why would you want me to remember all that awful stuff?”

  “Because Isach asked you to become immortal for him, and trust me, I know how huge of a decision that is, and I didn’t want you to make it without knowing the truth about everything.”

  She was clearly upset and angry with me right now, but if she had become a vampire and then learned the truth about all of this, her rage would be a million times worse. As much as I hated knowing she was hurting, working through this now was the better option.

  Her shoulders drooped. “I remember everything about the time I spent with Isach before…” She paused to take a deep breath. “I fell hard for him back then, Chloe, and I ha
ve no idea if my feelings were even real. How do I know they’re real now?”

  I frowned. “I don’t know about back then, but I swear to you, whatever you’re feeling now is real. Isach isn’t messing with you.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “He gave me his word, and I trust him,” I said, my voice steady and unflinching. “Look, when Isach first rescued me from Ivy’s, I was afraid of him, and I absolutely did not trust him. At all. But he’s kept my existence a secret from his coven. He has no reason to do that unless he’s telling the truth about wanting to change.”

  Abby hugged herself and shivered.

  “I’m not going to tell you what to do. If you decide you don’t want to be with Isach, then I’ll support you. If you want to forget everything you’ve learned the past few weeks, then I’ll ask Trent to wipe your memories again, and you can have a clean slate,” I said.

  A gust of wind whipped through the trees, shaking the branches and causing clumps of snow to fall to the ground. I rubbed my hands up and down my arms. I’d give anything to go back inside where it was warm, but this was a conversation we needed to have privately.

  “Back then, did Isach… did he ever hurt you?” I asked, my teeth now chattering.

  “No,” Abby whispered. “Just the opposite, actually. He was so amazing. Always making me laugh, treating me like I was the most important thing in the world to him. The guy he was with me was not the same guy who could manipulate Hannah and try to kill you, and that’s why this hurts so much. I don’t know who he really is.”

  I pulled the sleeves of my sweater down over my hands and crossed my arms tightly over my chest. “Then maybe it’s time to get to know the real Isach. No more lies and secrets. You know everything now.”

  “The day you went missing, I called him,” she said, pacing in front of me. Either from agitation or to stay warm I wasn’t sure. “He didn’t answer any of my calls or texts. Now I know why, but back then, all I wanted was to talk to him. I was in town hanging up missing person posters when I saw him.”

  I shifted on my feet, attempting to get some blood flowing in an effort to warm up.