Page 10 of Twisted Truths (The Sunburnt Hearts #4)

While I overcame my aversion to food with time, it put a strain on our relationship. I felt like I couldn’t breathe under her constant scrutiny. It was exhausting, but I think she was simply terrified of losing me, too.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened.

On my eighteenth birthday, I received a letter from a lawyer in a small rural town in New South Wales containing an antique silver locket, a cheque for one thousand dollars, and a letter from Madeline.

I’ve read it so many times, her words are ingrained in my memory.

Dearest Hadley,

I know you probably hate me for leaving, and I don’t blame you.

One day you will fall in love and experience that all-encompassing feeling of living, and breathing, and fighting for that person.

I only hope that when you inevitably have your heart broken, you don’t let it consume you as I let it consume me.

Leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but I couldn’t breathe in that house without him.

You deserved a better future than what I could offer you, broken and defeated as I was.

I know I don’t deserve a second chance, but if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I’m not that same scared little girl.

This money is everything I have. It isn’t much, but I have no use for it where I am.

Take it and dream big, Bug. I’ve made my peace in this world, and I want the same for you.

Take this world by storm, Hadley.

I’ll always love you,

Madeline.

There was no date on the letter, no return address other than the law firm in Rafters Falls. That didn’t matter, though. I was one step closer to finding my sister.

I knew my leaving would kill Dianne, but the only thing I cared about was finding Madeline.

So, I packed my bag in the middle of the night and snuck out before she woke.

I read and reread my sister’s letter on the long bus ride to Rafters Falls, creasing the paper from all the times my hands trembled.

When I arrived, the law firm directed me to Barrenridge and the Sunfire Circle.

I’d been eighteen months too late.

My heart shattered when Guardian Seraphina took me to visit a simple white cross marked with Madeline’s name.

That was the moment I knew I was truly alone in this world.

I couldn’t go back to Sydney, to Dianne, knowing Madeline was buried here.

What hurt even more was the tiny, unnamed cross next to hers.

According to Seraphina, my sister and her baby died due to complications during childbirth.

I hadn’t even known she was pregnant.

Seraphina held me while I broke down, and then she offered me a place at Sunfire Circle. Not having anywhere else to go, I accepted, and for two and a half years, I embraced everything the Circle offered. I had clothes, food, and shelter. For the first time in my life, I felt safe.

The Circle is peaceful in its routine. At least, I thought it was until she arrived.

The rumours circulated around Gabriel deviating from the Awakening ceremony and bringing in an outsider six months ago.

He announced in front of the entire congregation that she was already pregnant with his child, which gave Guardian Solomon and Seraphina no choice but to accept her into our family.

It all blew up in their faces when she left almost a week ago.

Now, tension is brewing, flames of unease licking at their feet, as rumours swirl around why she left in the shadows of the night.

The foundations of the Circle are starting to shake, and Gabriel’s deviation from their carefully constructed routines is only crumbling them further.

The early morning sun paints the sky with soft hues of pink and gold as the truck slows to a stop in the town centre. My eyes widen as I take in the market stalls, which are set up across from the main street. People bustle about, and my heart rate increases at the unfamiliar faces.

It’s been three years since I’ve seen anyone outside the Circle, and the guarded looks we receive from the Barrenridge locals as we climb out of the truck send tingles up my spine. I glance at the other two girls, but they don’t seem concerned.

“What do we need to do?” I ask, keeping my voice low as I follow them to the back of the truck. Gabriel gave me no instructions, and I’m reluctant to ask him.

The girls share a look, ignoring me as they unload the boxes of produce, soaps, and homewares onto a trolley. They’re clearly annoyed that I took their friend’s place.

I roll my eyes at their pettiness and decide to search for Isaac instead.

Turning, I round the side of the truck and run into a brick wall. A small gasp escapes me as two strong hands grip my arms to steady me.

“Sorry,” I squeak, looking up … and up. The guy I bumped into is so tall I have to crane my neck to meet his dark, penetrating gaze.

There’s something familiar about him and his intense chocolate eyes. But that’s impossible; I don’t know anyone in this town except her . He releases me and takes a step back, running a hand through his chestnut curls.

My stomach flips, and I swallow as his eyes flick over my shoulder before narrowing.

When I turn my head, I see Gabriel standing behind me, his expression blank as he fixes his steel gaze on the stranger.

The tension in the air thickens, and a chill runs down my spine as Gabriel steps forward, his movements almost predatory.

The tall guy straightens, his fists clenching by his sides.

I shift uncomfortably, caught between their penetrating masculine energy.

“Everything alright here?” Gabriel’s voice is smooth, but I don’t miss the undercurrent of something sharper. I risk a glance at him, but he’s not looking at me.

The stranger grins, though there’s no warmth to it. “Just a little collision,” he says, raising his hands as if to show he’s no threat. “No harm done.”

Gabriel doesn’t respond right away, and they size each other up in a silent battle of wills. I don’t know where this animosity is coming from, but it feels charged.

Finally, he glances down at me, his gaze softening a fraction, though the edge remains. “You’re with me, Hadley,” he says, his words more of an unspoken command than an offer. I can’t tell if it’s for me or the other guy.

The tall guy arches a brow but doesn’t say anything. He turns away, his broad back disappearing around the front of the truck. The unsettled feeling doesn’t fade, especially when Gabriel places his hand on the small of my back and guides me through the maze of market stalls.

“Did he say anything to you?” he asks, leaning in to murmur in my ear.

I shake my head. “Who is he?

“No one.” The dark tone of his voice tells me he is definitely someone, but I don’t press him further.