Page 71 of Haunted Hearts

“Don’t answer that.”

I look out the peephole, but I don’t see anyone.

“Relax, it’s probably just the pizza you ordered.”

I crack the door open, and I’m thrown back. I fall on the floor. Looking up, I see a massive frame filling the doorway, horns sticking almost straight up. Long blue hair sways in the cold breeze as his glowing white eyes stare down at me.

“Hey there, Cal,” he says, smirking at me.

I can’t look away until Kai stands in front of me.

“What are you doing here—” he asks.

“Who is this? What’s going on??” I ask, cutting Kai off.

Kai turns to me, face softening, his brows pulling together.

“Yes, Kai, what is going on?” the horned man says, mockery laced in every word as he leans in, gripping Kai’s chin and forcing him to meet his eyes.

Kai doesn’t say anything, and my chest tightens. What is this? I grip my wrist, grounding myself as my heart pounds violently in my chest. The stranger’s gaze seems to see right through me, despite feeling so familiar. His eyes are white. Completely white. A single black ring glowing at the center. My stomach drops like I missed a step in the dark.

My back meets the wall. The room feels smaller, tighter, like it’s folding in on itself.

“Who are you?” The words leave me thin and breathless. I stare at Kai, who stands rigid as he looks at me, closing the door to our room behind the horned man.

“My name is Alok, but you’ve been calling me by a different name.” He smirks. “You recognize me, don’t you, Cal?”

Cal? That’s what Jack calls me. My heart pounds in my chest as I try to put together what he’s trying to say… I study his face as if I’ll somehow know the answer.

He moves toward me and I flinch, my back pressing harder into the wall as if it might open and swallow me. He leans in close, his mouth near my ear, his presence overwhelming and my lungs forget how to work. I feel like I know him, the way he speaks… the way he moves… I recognize it.

“I want you to say my name.” His voice is quieter now, as if it’s a need.

This is… He reminds me of… “Jack.”

His eyes darken. “Close. But no.” He reaches out, his fingers caressing my chin as he pushes my jaw upward as he looks down at me. “Say it.”

My body reacts before my mind can understand why. My pulse stutters, heat spreading through my chest, down my spine, settling low in my stomach. Every nerve ending suddenly so aware of him.

Alok.

I look into his eyes—mesmerized despite myself. They glow, white and inhuman, yet I feel seen in a way that makes my skin feel too tight.

He’s angry because I called him the wrong name. Because I didn’t see him. My lips part before I decide to let them. I don’t understand why I want to say it. Why it feels important. Why it feels like giving him something.

My fingers twitch at my sides, my breathing shallow as his gaze holds mine captive. My instincts are screaming at me to run. But something deeper roots me in place. I’m drawn to him. Curious how his name tastes on my lips. My mouth moves to say it…

“Alok.” Kai’s voice booms and I jump.

My eyes meet Kai’s. Confusion, and something I don’t know how to place flickers between us.

Despite my fear, Alok’s proximity does something to my body. It’s what I’ve been feeling for the past two weeks with Jack, and it all clicks into place.

It wasn’t Jack.

My skin burns where he touched me, awareness flaring.

“How long…” I force out, barely audible.