Time ??

Chapter Twenty Nine

"Lighten up would you," he says, sitting back in his chair. I brush a wrinkle out of the tablecloth in front of me, reigning in my anger. "We are mates."

I decide to cut right to the chase. "So, what do I have to do to get you to take me back?"

"Well, there is one thing I would like," he tells me, tapping his chin with the tip of his index finger. I sit up, interested. This is the first lead he has given me, which is strange considering we are in a social context.

"Perfect. Anything."

"I want you to change me. I want you to change me before I can do anything else to hurt anymore people," he tells me, that usual façade of indifference and amusement suddenly vanishing. I'm convinced that's messing with me like this is a joke, but never once does that seriousness alter. "I want you to show me that eternity can't be that bad."

"That's it?"

Time practically flinched. He blinks a few times, absorbing my dumbfounded tone. He can't blame me for thinking he is joking. I saw the way he acted with Thought, and took me away from where I should have been. He has many years to improve and grow in maturity, but not yet. And here I was thinking the Time from my era still has some kinks to work out.

"I know, stupid," he mutters, looking down at his hands. His brow furrows, before he kicks his chair back, getting to his feet. "I'll go get us some drinks."

He walks away to catch a waiter, while I stand here, dumbfounded. He hasn't completely left me alone, but it's enough for me to call for someone's attention. As I make eye contact with a young woman sitting at the table across from me, my stomach churns.

What if Time really meant what he said?

"Excuse me. I was wondering if you knew how to contact an immortal?" I say across the table, glancing at Time's back to make sure he isn't paying attention.

They frown. "You're insane."

"Thought, I need him. Or Fate, even. Anyone," I say quickly. Anything. Any way I can get a hold of one of them could make a difference between whether I actually get out of here, or stuck here with Time forever. Maybe the immortals of this era would think I'm crazy, but's worth the risk. If anyone can get me out of here, or even protect me, it's one of them.

"You know you can't just contact immortals, right?" they say, looking me up and down. I know I look crazy to them, but I'm desperate. I would get down on my knees and beg right now if it meant getting anywhere with them. "Especially if you're...a nobody."

Her words take me aback, but I can't reply, as Time approaches again, holding two glasses of orange choice in his hands. He takes one glance at me and the stranger and frowns slightly.

"Having a chat?"

"Making myself at home," I mutter, taking the cool glass as I turn my attention to him. He knows I was talking to them, and was probably listening, but I don't care. If he thinks I he can keep me here and not have me try to escape, he's got something wrong with him.

"Good, get used to this city, because this is where we are going to stay until we can come to an actual agreement between us," he tells me, taking a sip. My heart falls, even if I already knew this. Maybe he is right. I'm going to be stuck here until I can do what he wants me to do what he is planning. "One that you won't ridicule."

I shift uncomfortably. "I wasn't. I'm just surprised you want to feel anything other than an overwhelming willingness to make other lives hell."

"So, then it's a deal?" he questions, as if I have a choice. "No one else could be as convincing as you."

I consider this, although I don't get much more of a say. Maybe this is another form of manipulation, and this will end badly for me, but if there is a chance he will take me back, I'm going to take it. And if he is genuine, then good, although the moment we return back, Thought will promptly be taking his memories away to resolve everything and ensure future Time ends up the way he needed to.

But this gives me hope...like maybe all this time he didn't want the life imposed upon him.

"There has to be some ground rules. No touching," I tell him firmly, folding my arms across my chest. He's already been pressing with his advances, which must strictly be avoided. This is primarily to avoid the mate bond between us, and giving it any more reason to increase.

He raises rather cautious eyebrows at me. "That's fun. How else are you going to convince me?"

"No touching unless I say so, got it?" I say firmly. I want to have full control of this. I know what will happen if I let myself get invested. "And no turning around at the end. The moment it's done, you return me to Time."

"I will return you to the boring version of me, yes," he tells me.

Narrowing my eyes on him, I pray he's being honest. He has no reason to be truthful, but what choice do I have? I'm going to have to be convincing enough of

"And no expectations," I say, knowing it's more important than all. If Time expects something from me, there is no way I'll be able to live up to it. He's an immortal used to other immortal girls. I'm not used to this. "You have to trust my ideas. Okay?"

Time tilts his head. "I suppose I can agree to that."

I stick my hand out. "Then we have a deal."

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Hey guys! If you're enjoying the story, you can head over to Radish and read Time ahead of 抖阴社区!

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I've released Thought's own story on Radish, which is available now! I want to see by the end, which of the brothers your prefer

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~Midika 💜🐼