Page 24 of Hex You
We are tied to this realm.
Come forth, come forth, come forth.
By sea, ice, and sweat
We share purpose.
Come forth, come forth, come forth.
By lake, snow, and breath
We seek revenge.
Come forth!”
Slime spurted from the large fist-sized hole that served as a conduit, connecting the Japanese Underworld and Goodeville.
“Come forth!”
A forked tongue lashed out, licking the air, testing the surroundings.
“Come forth!”
The Nure-Onna slithered from her cave, her thick body swelling to its true form as she emerged.
Amphitrite’s smile slid across her lips like the tentacle of a jellyfish. She had a body. She saw it reflected in the Nure-Onna’s glossy black eyes. To this realm, to these mortals, she was sea and salt, wrath and waves, but to the Nure-Onna, to those who held true power, she was as real as the earth itself.
“Hello, my pet.”Amphitrite’s laughter cracked like gunfire.“Shall we begin?”
ELEVEN
Hunter’s nails were jagged nubs that she couldn’t keep from chewing while she once again waited for Jax. She hadn’t thought it was possible, but she dreaded this talk even more than the one before. She’d confessed to everything at Shake It, and he’d walked out on her. She was surprised he’d still agreed to meet her at the cherry tree.
“At least I got rid of the book.”
She kicked a clump of dirt along the grass, her heart, butt, and stomach all clenching as Jax’s car pulled down the easement to park a few yards from the tree. She waved, a frantic, startled-goose type of movement that made her white cheeks flame.
Jax unfolded his tall frame from his vehicle and strode toward her, his dark eyes firmly fixed on the stiff grass.
“Hi!” Another flap of her arms.
He continued walking, staring down, brushing past her as if she were a ghost. She was invisible. They were no longer friends.
She followed him to the cherry tree. With each step, she deflated. Another inch and her knuckles would drag on the ground.
He stilled, finally lifting his gaze to stare at the tree, but Hunter could only look at him. Her best friend. Her brother. Her person.
Hunter’s anguish spun up her throat and erupted in a gasping sob. “P-please d-don’t hate me.” Her sadness bent her at the middle, folding her like a paper doll.
He wrapped his arm around her heaving shoulders and pulled her against him. “I don’t hate you.”
She couldn’t stop another choking wail from cracking in her throat. He didn’t hate her, but that didn’t mean he was still her friend.
Jax pulled her into a bear hug and rested his chin on her head. “But I am mad at you.”
“You don’t want to be my friend anymore,” she cried, completely aware of the growing wet spot turning his heather-gray tee deep charcoal.
His chest vibrated against her with a laugh. “We’ll always be friends, H. No matter how much of an asshole you are.”
