Page 65 of One Merciful Moment

The wind slammed the window again. The shouting outside grew louder. She could now hear the panic in their voices.

Ashley grabbed Boone's shirt, pulling him close. "I love you."

He kissed her again. "I know."

Another gust hit the house. A window shattered in a different room. She looked over her shoulder and screamed.

A dark shadow floated into the room.

The veil wasn't coming. It was here.

She scrambled around the room, searching blindly for her shoes. She found one under the bed and one by the wall, stumbled, and dropped them. The wind whistled. Every gust grew stronger and louder.

Boone dropped to his knees in front of her. "Give them to me."

She handed him the shoes, shaking uncontrollably. Boone didn't hesitate. He slid each shoe onto her foot with sure, gentle pressure, tying the laces with quick, practiced movements. He looked up at her, and the strength in his eyes brought her to her feet.

He wasn't falling apart or panicking. He gave her every ounce of strength he had.

"Don't look at it. Look at me." He straightened and grabbed her hand. "Let's get you home."

The shadow stayed in her peripheral vision. She followed Boone's advice and ignored the darkness. He pulled her through the house. When they reached the living room, she found the broken window. The wind blowing into the house stole her breath.

"Hold on!" Boone shouted.

She squeezed his hand, ignoring the pain from his grip. He opened the door, and the world hit her like a wall. Dust whipped through the air, stinging her eyes, filling her lungs. The sky overhead was black, so black it looked like ink smeared across the heavens. The wind howled, dragging her hair across her face, tugging at her clothes.

Panic grabbed her. She couldn't breathe or see.

Blinking rapidly, she made out Boone beside her. He held on to her as they hurried toward town. As her vision adjusted, she could see the others gathering in the street. Shapes moved in the darkness, people shouting and bracing against the wind.

Lightning cracked across the sky, a violent flash that lit up the street for half a second.

In that brief burst of white light, Ashley saw everything.

Copper stood between the people and the veil, arms outstretched, yelling orders. Finn shielded Jillian. Moe pushed people back. The cloud overhead swirled, stretched, and descended.

Then darkness swallowed all of it.

Boone stopped. She curled her body toward him, digging her fingers into his shirt and pressing herself against his side. She couldn't lose him in the storm.

"Don't go in unless you're pulled. Do not force it!" Copper shouted over the wind.

Her heart lurched. She gazed up at Boone. "What if I'm not chosen?"

"You will be." Lightning flashed again, illuminating his face. "Just keep looking forward and don't stop."

He was so sure, but she had her doubts. Maybe it wasn't too late for Boone to come with her. Maybe the veil wouldn't reject him.

He leaned down and put his mouth to her ear. "I love you, Ash. Don't forget that."

She pulled back to look at him, searching his face for any sign she should stay.

The wind roared. The sky cracked open with light, and rain started. The veil pulsed in the darkness like a living thing.

Boone let go of her.

A coldness wrapped around her and pulled her away from him. She tried to stop, but she kept falling. Stretching her arms out, she tried to get him to grab her, but Boone's gaze locked onto hers—right before he turned and walked in the opposite direction.