Page 53 of Haunted Hearts

Clearly, I’m not the only one who’s uncomfortable with this situation. There are far more dangerous problems we need to attend to.

Fighting my discomfort, I walk in to see Calli in the living room with Kai, snuggled up on the couch, watching a movie. There has to be some way to avoid risking her safety. Keeping her out of the loop stopped working, maybe Kai being a distraction is the answer. But I can’t rely on that. He said he doesn’t know how to lock her magic away, but maybe Gen does. I can ask her when we train today.

“This movie is terrible,” I hear Kai say.

“Just give it a chance,” Cal quickly retorts.

“Vampires do not sparkle.”

I hear Calli laugh and then pause.

“So what do they look like?”

I clear my throat before walking into the kitchen, I still have a clear view of them both as I begin pulling out a couple of cans of soup. Chicken noodle, it will suffice. Opening the cupboard, I grab the large pot and set it on the stove, the gas burner ticking as I watch the flame rise. I open the cans one by one and pour them into the pot.

“Oh, hey, Cade!” Calli greets me excitedly.

“Are you guys hungry?”

“I suppose I could eat,” Kai says, glancing over at Calli with a suggestive look in his eye.

“Just so you know, I keep a shotgun under the kitchen counter,” I deadpan.

They both laugh before going back to their movie. It’s almost sickening. If she knew what he truly was, she wouldn’t be smiling like that. But I can’t be the one to take that away from her.

“Oh, so he puts her in danger and decides to split up? Idiot,” Kai yells at the screen.

“See, you do like it.” Calli giggles. “I’m gonna grab some water,” she says, hopping up off the couch and running into the kitchen behind me.

I pour a bowl of chicken noodle and hand it to her. “Here.” I make myself a bowl, eating quickly as Calli speaks up.

“I heard you’re training with Gen today,” she says, pulling a glass from the cupboard.

“That would be correct.”

“Can I come?”

“No.” I turn and walk away, making my way into the backyard. “Tell her I’m ready.”

CHAPTER 17 CALLI

I run up the steps to Gen’s room and the door is open.

“Hey! My brother is out back waiting for you. Wanted to let you know.”

“Yep, we have some prep work to do.”

I cock my head and look at her in confusion.

“We want to figure out if I can put a protection spell on him to keep him safe from any possible magical attack.”

My eyes light up. “Can I come?”

“I don’t see why not.”

We find Cade in the backyard near the garden, the wind roaring as the trees surrounding us sway. He’s standing there looking gloomy as ever with his arms crossed over his chest, and he gives me a snide look. He stomps over to Genevieve.

“Did you invite her?”