Page 24 of One Merciful Moment

He shook his head. "That happens when it storms."

"I wish I could go home and check on the plants and find my truck." She slowed her step. "Do you really think time isn't moving on the other side of the veil?"

"That's what the others said, and they'd know. Finn and Moe have survived going through the veil a couple of times." He squeezed her hand. "Just remember, the veil is always trying to outsmart us."

"Like shutting off the electricity and turning it back on." A shiver ran through her. "I'm learning."

They walked toward the edge of the garden, where the woods pressed close. Boone slowed, posture shifting, alert and protective. Ashley followed his gaze.

A deer stood just beyond the trees in the shadows.

Then another.

Then two more.

She gasped, whispering, "Boone... there are more."

"They weren't here before you came." He stepped in front of her, blocking her from the woods.

Any change in Everstill worried him.

Ashley stepped to his side and leaned against him. "Do you think the veil is letting them in?"

"They're skittish and new. Everstill doesn't give us anything without a reason."

She grabbed his hand. "Maybe it's changing."

"Everything is changing," he muttered.

"What?" She looked at him. "Is that a bad thing?"

"I don't know." He let go of her hand. "I don't trust change." He cupped the back of her neck, bringing her to his chest. "Whatever happens, we'll be ready."

She wrapped her arms around his waist. The deer, as if sensing the mood, bounded off into the woods.

"Do you think they can walk through the veil?" she asked.

"It wouldn't surprise me."

She stared into the trees. A big part of her wanted to go test that theory. She wanted nothing more than to go home.

Boone pulled her attention back to him and captured her lips. His hand moved to the back of her neck, fingers threading into her hair, pulling her close with a quiet certainty that made her knees weaken. Ashley melted into him, her hands gripping his shirt, her heart pounding against his chest.

When he finally pulled back, Boone inhaled deeply, breathing her in. "You need to know more of Everstill's rules."

"More?"

He brushed his thumb across her cheek, voice dropping lower. "If you see shadows that don't belong... don't go near them."

Her mouth dried. "Shadows?"

"Finn's seen them. Moe too. It's a shadow that moves and morphs into shapes. It can go places where the light bends. They said it feels like the air gets heavy around them when it appears."

"Have you seen them?"

He shook his head. "No, but that doesn't mean they're not around."

She stepped closer, brushing her fingers along his forearm. "Why tell me now?"