Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3)(101)

“She took them?” Sasha’s stomach heaved at the thought that she’d stripped him of his gifts.

“No. It seems she can piggyback onto a gift without actually stealing it. He was in bad shape, but you broke him out of it, Sash. You did it. You brought him home. I don’t think we could have gotten through to him any other way.”

“Then what is this?” She threw her hands up in frustration, her eyes bright with unshed tears. Quinn was home. Her was here and he needed her. She could sense his anxiety.

“Calm down. Let’s sit,” Allie said. “What are you talking about?”

“I can feel him, Allie. Like I can feel his heart beating in my chest. Something happened out there when we saw each other.”

Allie paled in the dim light of the common room. “Have you talked to Naeemah?” she asked hesitantly.

“No, I haven’t seen anyone since I got back.”

“Who did you ride home with?”

“I drove home alone. I followed Mom.”

“Where is everyone? Where’s Aidan?” Allie asked.

“I think Aidan's with Emma trying to treat Daniel’s severed hand.” She’d heard his screams when they returned. Naeemah rushed off to help, leaving Sasha behind to wait and wonder about Quinn. Is he okay? She could hear herself babbling but she had no idea what she was saying. Her mind and body were so attuned to Quinn, she couldn’t register anything else.

Allie grabbed her hands. “Deep breaths, Sash. You’ve been alone for hours, not knowing what this is?” Allie wrapped her arms around her. “Just breathe; it’s all going to be okay. But I need you to calm down. Focus on me. Let everything else go.”

The tension finally left Sasha’s shoulders and it hit her. There was something vastly different about Allie. Something in her presence—her bearing—had changed. She could feel her brother’s aura blending with Allie’s.

Sasha pulled away, staring at her friend in disbelief. “What is this bullshit? You too? With Darius?” And not Aidan?

Allie nodded. “Let’s go find your dad. You need to see Quinn, and Gregg needs to explain this to you both.”

Allie pulled her up from the couch, but Sasha felt numb. This was what she’d always wanted, right? To be with Quinn for real. Her mind told her this couldn’t be the Complement bond, but her body told her differently. Why do I feel like this is the last thing I want?

“I always wondered if Quinn might be my Complement,” Sasha whispered as they headed down to the crypt. “But it never felt right. I love him. I’d be proud if he were. It's just never worked; but this feels very … Complementy.” And very much not what I want. I still love him. But so much has changed. With Jayesh.… How can I have feelings for two people?

“Quinn is a huge part of who you are.” Allie pushed on the door leading to Quinn’s cell, but it was locked. She knocked and waited.

Sasha could sense him on the other side of that door. He was upset. He needed her. “I’m going to break it down.” Sasha moved to kick the door. She was desperate to set her eyes on Quinn at last. After all this time, they were about to come full circle.

~~~





CHAPTER

THIRTY-EIGHT





Quinn: Fall—The New Moon


Kelleys Island, Ohio


“Let her in, Darius,” Quinn said. “Sasha’s coming through that door one way or another.” He gripped the edge of the cot, his body attuned to Sasha’s distress.

“Well, this is about to get messy.” Darius glanced at Santi as he opened the door before Sasha could kick it in.

Sasha rushed past him. “Open the cell,” she demanded.

“Sasha?” Quinn leapt to his feet. “I missed you.” He reached through the bars, his heart racing at the sight of her.

“Get him out of there!” Sasha’s eyes blazed with blue fury.

“It’s not safe, Sash,” Quinn said. “I need a few days in here—”

“You will not hurt me. You don’t have it in you. Now get him out of there.” Sasha glared at Darius.

“Will do.” Darius moved to unlock the cell.

Before Quinn could take a step out, Sasha ran in and threw her arms around him, locking her legs around his waist. His heart surged into his throat the second he touched her. Finally, I’m home. His arms slid around her, familiar and comfortable as he inhaled the scent of her hair.

They clung to each other. After so much time, Quinn still felt like Sasha made his world right. The thought should have alarmed him. He was pretty sure he was hopelessly in love with Santi, but Sasha was home. She was … Sasha.

“Who is she?” Sasha asked as her gaze fell on Santi.

Please understand, Sash. “This is my … girlfriend, Santi,” Quinn said carefully. He met Santi’s gaze, begging her to understand even though he couldn’t explain how he could love them both at the same time.

“Hi,” Santi said softly. “He forgot to tell me you were beyond gorgeous.” The hint of pain in her voice knifed right through him.

How can I get through this without hurting either of them?

Sasha slowly slipped out of Quinn’s arms and stared up at him. A little piece of his heart broke at what he saw there. She was no longer the girl he’d grown up with. No longer his childhood sweetheart. They’d both moved on and become different people, set on different paths now.