Page 31 (2/2)

Leaving the clearing and entering the forest, I founda path that was clearly well trodden I looked around wide-eyed, listening for any sounds of so of twigs beneathfor perhaps a h the forest when voices drifted towardtoward the source of the noise Seeing nothing but thick trunks, I left the path and began h the last line of trees, I foundin an old boathouse were ared hair, and a tall dark-hairedby Ben’s description of his ht be her, but I soon realized that she wasn’t as the o on like this, Adelle"

Adelle’s face was ashen as she looked down at her feet

"You’re bottling so up," the man continued "I’ve sensed you have been for the past few months And I… I can’t be with soh to speak their h "I’m so sorry I know It’s not fair I-I’ve just been so scared to tell you" She reached out and touched his arm "I don’t want to hurt you, Eli I really don’t"

"Just tellas it’s the truth, it doesn’t matter if it hurts"

"I… I’m in love with Aiden"

Eli’s jaitched as he took a step back frouessed as et about him I really did I just… I simply can’t"

Eli cleared his throat "So you’ve loved him all this ti a lie before"

The woed hied her back stiffly

"I hope you won’t hold any grudge against Aiden He’s been nothing but honorable He urged me to come back to you when I left you"

Eli nodded

Adelle sounded close to tears "I think I’ to leave The Shade"

Eli raised a brow "Leave?"

"Yes Not forever, but for a while I need to take soo?"

She bit her lip "I’m not sure where I’ll end up exactly I’d like to travel a bit"