Page 50 of Haunted Hearts

They believe they are guardians of balance because their creators whispered it into their ears. They are old, and merciless. I know damn well they will not show me grace. Not after I have been hiding this little Covenant cult for centuries.

I convinced myself they would overlook it because I was researching—attempting to reclaim an artifact I suspect is tied to Ashur. They would do anything to get their hands on him, and I am still gambling on that. If I can keep her safe long enough. If I can retrieve the grimoire, then I can make a deal to spare her. Let them dismantle the Covenant. Let them do whatever they wish, and make it clear I have no allegiance to that Order. I already look suspicious enough.

But if it keeps her alive—I will bend…

“Cade mentioned it. My thought is to split up.”

“That’s obvious, but what the hell are you going to do? You can’t just casually suggest you take his sister.”

“I think you mean we,” I say, folding my arms. “No doubt it’s due to your involvement that they are here in the first place.”

“I said nothing. I’ve been here the whole time.”

I grab him by the throat and lift him. “You’re weaker in this body.” I smirk at him. “Why don’t you tell me what you know?”

“If you hurt Jack, I don’t believe Cade and Calli will forgive you. Especially after your little rendezvous with the brother.”

My brows furrow.

“Oh yes, I followed you into those woods. Cade knows and you were even able to come to an agreement. How advantageous of you.” Alok grips my hands and squeezes, forcing me to drop him. “I’m only possessing human flesh, but you have taken the form of one.” He brushes himself off before continuing. “I agree we need to split up. I need to get the brother to open up to me. He’s been keeping me in the dark—whether it’s because of his issues with my host or because he suspects something, I don’t know. But I can distract him while you take her.”

“That may be our only option.” I sigh. “Don’t underestimate him, or the spirit that follows him.”

“I have no intention of underestimating anyone,” Alok says, looking around. “I know it’s watching, I can feel it in the air.”

CHAPTER 16 CADE

I slowly open my eyes, the light filtering through the curtain. I rub my face and look over at the time: 8:15 in the morning. Another dreamless sleep. Despite the unease of last night, my morning wood betrays my mood.

I can feel you watching me, were you staring at me while I was asleep?

I close my eyes and smile as I stretch my arms over my head.

I have to be honest… I despise that I have lost control over the situation the way I have. Ghosts, witches, Gods, evil books. This is so far out of my fucking wheelhouse. I almost wish I had believed all the stories they taught me, maybe I would have been more prepared.

I play with the chain of the pendulum as I feel a wave of comfort, as if I’m safe. Like none of this is real.

Knowing you are safe the way you are makes it easy for me. I have too much to deal with—though I get the feeling you aren’t without struggle. I hate and love how separate we are. I wouldn’t change a thing and yet I can’t be there for you. At least not how things are.

I suppose we’ll just have to change that, won’t we? Because without you—

I don’t trust what I’ll become.

I sit up and glance at my phone; I’ve heard nothing back from Ben. That means nothing has changed.

Pulling myself out of bed, I look down and notice dried blood on my fist, then the large hole in the wall that I punched last night. I shake my head in disappointment, moving to my closet, grabbing a fresh towel before heading to the shower.

I rinse my knuckles under the stream and watch the diluted red swirl down the drain. The cut is shallow. Too shallow for the amount of blood I saw. It should hurt more, but it doesn’t. I flex my hand slowly, watching the skin pull and shift.

Maybe Gen’s healing has a lasting effect? She explained it to me when we escaped—but I didn’t process half of what she said. Good. That means I’m harder to break.

I shut the water off and shake the excess from my fingers when I feel it: that warmth, low and patient on my skin.

You gonna watch me shower, too? My mouth twitches faintly. I suppose I don’t mind.

I strip the rest of my clothes off, discarding them without care, and step beneath the spray. The hot water hits my shoulders hard, needles of heat digging into muscle already tight with restrained violence. I welcome it. I tilt my head forward, letting it run over the back of my neck. The memory surfaces without permission: the shower, soft hues and delicate hands. You. Before I knew or understood what this feeling was or knew you were there. I know it was you, it was always you.

My hand moves before I consciously decide to move it. Fingers wrapping around myself slowly and firmly. My jaw tightens as my wrist begins to move in controlled, precise movements.