Page 76 of Haunted Hearts

“You lost both of your witches in one day. Impressive,” Alok says sarcastically.

“Who the fuck even are you?” Jack asks condescendingly.

“I’m the guy who’s been in your head for the past few weeks. I’d ask who you are, but I know everything about you, lover boy.”

Jack lunges, Alok quickly phases away and appears behind him, shoving him onto the bed face-first into the headboard.

“Can you please stop provoking the humans?” I ask, annoyed.

“But they’re so fun,” Alok says, pouting. “Especially the feisty one.” He glances at Cade.

Jack goes for Alok again, and I step in between them and look down at Jack.

“Please stop, he will kill you,” I say, trying to mean it, as I put my hand on Jack’s shoulder.

Alok smirks at him. The cocky fucker just has to make things complicated. I should’ve seen this coming. I look over at Cade, who is just standing there in place. The headache begins to get worse again as it lingers down to my stomach, making me feel like I’m gonna be sick.

What the fuck is happening?

The hell do you want? Go the fuck away—

CHAPTER 23 CADE

“Could someone please fill me in on what the fuck I’m missing?” Jack asks.

Alok turns on his heels. “Well, this dumbass went and fell in love with a human and I had to keep watch over him.” He pats Kai’s back.

“So you decided to hijack my fucking body?” Jack yells, still being held back by Kai. “And that’s not what I’m talking about! They have a whole team after Calli right now, and we thought they were tracking Cade.”

“I admit, you weren’t my first choice,” Alok responds with a small indifferent gesture. “And yes, it appears Gen’s assumption about Mr. Muscles over here was incorrect.” He points at me.

“Which is why we need to get our shit together and stop fucking bickering! Jack, you’ll be fine. Can we please focus on the issue at hand?” I speak sternly; despite Jack’s betrayed look on his face, I hold my gaze.

“Like I said, I just wanna keep Kai here out of trouble. And trouble is exactly what you guys have found yourself in.” Alok’s eyes darken as he smiles. “But it appears now, we need to find our damsel.”

Frustration builds in my gut, as I become all too aware of my heartbeat.

It’s like before with Jack. Are you okay?

“Ben just informed you about the hunters moving; it’s not like they could get here that fast. Right?” Kai is looking at me when he flinches as if he was struck.

Another sick feeling begins to boil in my stomach. My head begins to throb.

“Fuck,” I say instinctively.

“What’s wrong?” Jack says.

I don’t know what’s happening. I can feel my pulse throughout my entire body, as if I’m aware of every part yet I can’t move. My fingertips and toes begin to feel like they are vibrating and tingling and it feels as if time has stopped. I try to look around, but everything seems foggy and in slow motion; there are voices speaking around me, but they’re muffled and slow.

What the hell is happening? I can feel anxiety, but it’s not mine.

Please, please give me a sign.

I try to focus on my breathing. Cool air through my nose, warm exhale out of my mouth. Again, and again. Move, I just need to move. I feel like I’m stuck in a bad dream where you try to walk, but you feel like you’re trudging through mud.

I continue to breathe and the muffled voices begin to speed up; I can hear them clearly now.

“All of you shut up!” I yell.