Page 56 of The Scars Within (Twisted Thorn #1)

“My happy place,” Laney said with a soft smile.

“It could be an actual place, an activity, or something as simple as daydreaming. I love laughing with friends—that’s a place.

I can get lost in a fantasy book—that’s an activity.

And then there’s daydreaming—that’s me imagining my future bookstore-slash-plant shop.

” She grinned wider. “Slash-coffee shop.”

I mulled over her words. It reminded me of what I do when I’m having a panic attack. I close my eyes and focus on my senses. What do I feel? What do I smell? What do I hear? Then I open my eyes and center on what I see. It grounds me, calms my anxiety—gives me a moment of peace to reset my mind.

It’s not a happy place, more like a darker, stressful version of one.

But maybe I could figure out what my happy place is…

“My rooftop,” I muttered under my breath.

“What?”

“My rooftop is my happy place.” As I said it, a warm, comforting feeling washed over me. “I love being up there, feeling like I’m on top of the world. And coffee. And reading… I really love getting lost in our fantasy novels.”

“There you go.” Laney wrapped her arm around my shoulders, and I leaned into her. “That’s your happy place. When you’re feeling down, when you’re pissed the fuck off or ready to cry, just go there. It’s yours, no one else’s.”

We sat there, embraced in each other’s warmth, until the fire started to die down. I added more kindling. Davis and Shayde were still perched at the cliff’s edge, quiet and mysterious but laid-back.

Laney broke the silence. “I need your help picking a name for the bookstore. You know, since you’re my business partner now and all. It has to be catchy. And punny. I love puns.”

“What do you have so far?” I asked.

“Well, I want it to be book-themed but totally unique. It’s not in the town square, but close. You take a left on the square’s east side and head straight down that street. The alleyways I showed you are just a shortcut to avoid the crowds.”

“Left on…” I thought for a second.

“Left on Read,” she huffed. “That would be funny, like leaving your real life to read books. Oh!” She gasped, jumping up and turning to face me, her hands spread wide like she’d just had a revelation.

“Left on Red. You—Scarlet—are the most unique person I’ve ever met.

‘Red’ could be a play on words, like your eyes! ”

Her grin was infectious, and I couldn’t help but admire her creativity.

I glanced over toward the guys and noticed Davis patting Shayde on the back. They looked deep in conversation.

“I’m gonna turn in for the night,” I told Laney as I stood up and crawled into my bedroll.

“Goodnight,” she whispered.

I snuggled up, still wearing my jacket. I am grateful for the small fire but should’ve brought my winter cloak. Even with thick socks, my toes are freezing.

The exhaustion from the day must’ve hit hard because I was listening to the fire crackling one moment, and the next, I woke to the sound of metal clicking together. It was too cold to leave the warmth of my bedroll and check, but I could hear Laney’s voice, so I knew everything was fine.

“Let me try,” Laney whispered.

“Here you go,” Shayde replied.

The clicking continued as Laney worked to revive the fire. Davis must have turned in for the night; his voice was absent from the conversation.

“You’ve been distant lately,” Laney finally said, cutting through the quiet.

I had to bite back a grin. Typical Laney—never one to beat around the bush .

“Everything okay?” she pressed.

“Fine. Just a lot going on,” Shayde muttered, his voice low and guarded.

More clicks filled the silence as Laney kept trying with the flint.

“Damnit, we should just wake Scar,” Laney said, frustration creeping into her voice.

“No, no. Let her sleep. It’ll be okay,” Shayde reassured her. “You go rest. I’ll keep watch and work on the fire. I’ll wake Davis in a few hours to switch.”

I heard Laney approach, her bedroll rustling as she scooted closer to my back. Shayde continued striking the flint, determined not to give up. I forced myself to stay awake just a little longer, giving him silent company without him knowing.

I don’t understand what happened between us these past few weeks. We weren’t exclusive, sure, but... he’d asked me to be his date to the All Hallows Eve Ball. He’d set up that picnic in the valley and spent so much time around me and my friends. Then, the Burn Trials happened.

And he disappeared.

Click, click, click.

Part of me has wanted to reach out to him, and the other part is just pissed.

Or maybe stubborn. Okay, both. It should be obvious to him that I didn’t run into the pit to bond with a dragon.

I was already an air elemental—why in the elements would I do that?

It was clear I was chasing after Tatum.. . and running for my life from Lakota.

Click, click, click.

Shayde was the first person I expected to follow me into the pit. But it wasn’t him.

It was his brother.

Rhodes.

Rhodes had been there when Lakota’s flames evaporated. Shayde must’ve seen that. So, did he think something was going on between Rhodes and me ?

Click, click, click.

“Aha!” Shayde whispered as the fire came back to life.

Now that he was able to get the fire going again, I let myself fall back asleep.