Nichole Giles - Legacy (The Descendant Series Book 3)

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, dialogues, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

Published by Jelly Bean Press

PO Box 548

Osawatomie, Kansas 66064

Copyright 2016 by Nichole Giles

Edited by Heather Justesen

Cover design by Melissa Williams Design

Cover photograph by Fresh Stock via Shutterstock

Author photo by Erin Summerill

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

ISBN 978-1-63034-020-9

Nichole Giless author website is http://nicholegiles.blogspot.com

For Madison, who is wise beyond her years. And for Mckay, who is braver than he knows.

No matter where life takes you, home will always be found in the arms of your family.

The air in Houston is muggy and hot. With the absence of the sea breeze to which Ive grown accustomed, sweat drips between my shoulder blades and glues the back of my T-shirt to my skin. Even my eyes feel sticky as I follow Kye to baggage claim.

I slept for most of the drive through the Mexico jungle, and again on the plane, but its been restless sleep at best, and nothing like the Healers sleep that usually incapacitates me after a major healing ordeal.

Weve actually done it. Weve run away. The first time I considered running away with Kye was in New Yorkafter wed already left our homes and families so suddenly. Back then I thought this experience would be as easy as that trip, when we were able to keep in touch with our families, visit people we knew, and expect that our travels would eventually bring us home. I was unquestionably in love with Kye, and he with me. We were stupid enough to believe that running away together would make us happy, despite the curse that would eventually kill us, and a demon army on our heels.

Now

Weve hardly exchanged more than five sentences since we left our parents behind in Mexico.

Ironically, as I boarded the planeand pretty much ever sinceall I can think of is how Gabe will react when he wakes up and finds out that Im gone. No goodbye or explanation. I couldnt even leave him a note. Just gone. Maybe forever. My chest throbs with an ache thats different from any other Ive experienced, and is wrapped in anxious confusionwhich doesnt help anything.

The commuter foot traffic is in full swing as we loop toward the turnstile. Frowning, Kye glances back and offers me his hand. He hasnt touched me once since we left. Another thing I never expected would happen. The last time we traveled together, he held my handheld methrough everything. Now its like theres a wall between us. One were both holding up from our respective sides.

His brows knit together as if hes experiencing a similar variety of panic, but he keeps hold of my hand and tows me forward. After weve claimed our luggage, we get in line to go through customs, exchanging awkward glances. Now what? I finally ask, because the silence only makes me feel more lost.

His jaw tenses in the familiar way Ive seen so many times as he snaps out of lost-puppy mode and back into himself. Rental car, I guess. Unless you want to fly somewhere else?

We cant afford Ireland, can we?

Not he hesitates. Probably not a last minute ticket. Not without using the platinum card. Overseas travel is crazy expensive when you plan it in advance. You dont want to know what it costs to get a same-day fare. It would cost more money than we have, and might not get us home.

Disappointment balls inside me. Kyes college fund is limited, and its our only source of funds. It wont last long. Its wrong of me to ask about Ireland as if its a possibility. But I stick my hand in my pocket and crinkle the slip of paper on which my fathers address is written, and the only thing I can think is that if I can find him, everything else will be better. Hell know the answers to my questions. Hell be able to fix everything wrong in my life, including my relationship with Kye.

Out of necessity, I set aside my longing to immediately follow this lead, and remove my hand from Kyes to check my new travel documentsthe ones that claim Im twenty-two and share a last name with him. We should drive then. Any thoughts about where?

South. He runs his hand through his hair, and Im relieved by the familiarity of the gesture, the spark of home it hits inside me. I know someone down the coast. Shes not connected to the Dragons anymore, and might be able to help us.

She doesnt sound like someone I want to meet. Especially not now, when Im feeling insecure and vulnerable. How can she help us? What do we need help with? What are we doing, Kye?

His sigh is one of supreme annoyance. Surviving, Abby. Okay? The most important thing right now is for us to have a single destination where we can get our crap together and work out whats next. Frustration rolls off of him like waves over a beach.

Outside, the purple sky dazzles with the sparkle of early evening stars. Im careful to keep my voice even. Why dont we find somewhere nearby for the night? We can rest. Get some dinner. No ones following us yet, and well both do better after sleeping.

He leads me past a sign that directs travelers to the rental car counters. Yeah. Okay.

Without a reservation, were forced to take whats available, and the man at the counter assures us that the convertible he offers is the only car he has. I highly doubt that, and I tell Kye as much, but after a debate, Kye accepts the convertible and signs the papers.

Its too expensive, I insist. Lets try another company.

He squeezes his eyes shut and hands them his platinum card. The one we shouldnt be using.

Kye, I say louder. Thats the wrong one. Theyll find us.

He replies with a curt shake of his head as if trying to be discreet, and then asks the attendant. If I pay for today using cash, will you not charge this until tomorrow?

Im sorry sir, she says. I have to run it before you take the car, and we dont accept cash without a credit card.

He hands it over. Sorry babe. You can sleep while I drive.

And just like that, it hits me that were still running. Until whenever he decides its safe to stop. We cant use the card to go to Ireland, but we can take a chance using it on a rental car. We have nowhere to go, no plan, except that Kye has a friend in a town somewhere near here, and he seems dead-set on seeing her.

Joy.

We find the cara metallic green mustang convertibleand load our suitcases in. Kye closes the trunk and turns to me with a bleak, vulnerable look. Are you sure you want to do this Abby? Keep running with me? I can take you home if you want. To Jackson.