Chapter 46

" Why? I need to tell them that I'm safe. " Shana said.

"No. Nobody will be able to find you in your current state."

"I need to call my friends. They must be worried sick about me by now."

"Do you think I wanted you to go back to them like this?"

Erik sounded angry. The anger and frustration in his voice were evident and it scared her, so much so that tears began streaming down her face again.

When she stopped crying, Erik continued talking,

"If anyone finds out, they might try to attack you. I don't want that."

Then why won't you let me call them?"

"Shana-"

"Erik, please! If you keep me hidden from my family forever, who knows what else that woman might do! I can't live like this anymore, I have to tell them that I'm safe!"

"It's too dangerous, Shana. Even if I let you tell them, I guarantee that they would never believe you and it would just put you in more danger than you already are."

"You can't stop me, Erik!"

"I'm trying to, damnit. This isn't easy for me to do! And if w