Page 85 of Haunted Hearts

“If I’m honest, neither do I. I just want my sister to have a full and happy life. So if that’s what you are offering—I’ll take it.”

“That was easier than expected… You aren’t worried about me betraying you?” I can hear the smile in her voice.

“If you do, I’ll just kill you. You might want to make sure you have your best guards with you.”

“Oh, I plan to.” She giggles. “You’d better hop to it, though; I’m not a patient woman, so for your sister’s sake, I’d hurry.” Her voice lowers, as if her carefully curated mask slipped before I hear her exhale. “Toodles!”

The call ends and I stand there for a moment, my heart racing from the threat. I look at the safe in front of me. The faint sound of whispering begins, and my body moves involuntarily toward it. Maybe I could just…

My hand moves and I unlock the safe, slowly opening the metal door when I pause, my gaze fixed on the dark brown leather when a shock wave hits me.

No.

I back up a step. Seeing just the corner of its cover, I’m hit with an overwhelming feeling of vertigo. My ears begin to ring as the room spins. I drop to my knees as my temples feel as if they are being pressed in.

What the fuck is going on? Why does this keep happening?

As if I can feel you fighting it with me.

The corners of my vision blacken as my skin begins to feel cold. I look down at my hands and they seem like they’re vibrating, my eyes betraying me. I try to focus on something around me to ground my senses, but everything is shifting and moving as I see a myriad of patterns.

What’s happening to me? Can you make it stop?

I attempt to search for your comfort, but you seem just as confused as I am. This is not a panic attack. I place my hand on my chest and try to focus on my breathing.

I need you to distract me. Something.

You saw Calli. Give me something more. Show me anything.

I close my eyes, my heart pounding in my ears as I focus all my senses on your presence. But all I see is darkness. All I feel is a cold room.

Sounds come in and out like interference, I can almost make out Calli’s voice within the static. But everything feels blocked. It feels as though my very essence is being ripped apart. It sounds like an overwhelming number of voices are whispering over top of one another, calling me.

What is this? Why can’t I see anything? Is this what she is seeing?

Dammit!

“That’s not enough!” I scream, a desperate impulse to escape rushing through me.

Get me out of here! Get me out. Now!

I try to pull myself back to my own body, the aggressive motions making me feel sick as I force my eyes open to see that I’m back in my garage. I clench my fists and grit my teeth as I drop to my knees and punch at the concrete floor. She is there because of me.

I did this. I did this. I did this. I did this.

This is my fucking fault.

I was cocky enough to believe that I could keep Calli safe and take the Covenant out myself. I’m a fucking idiot. I have purposely kept every person I care about at arm’s length, only telling them what they need to know. Not allowing myself to open up to others. That hubris is what got me here.

I can’t do this alone, I was never supposed to. It didn’t have to be this way—if I had seen that before. If I had trusted her.

My body feels charged, rage and regret boiling over as I punch the ground again and the concrete cracks. I look down, stunned at myself as I notice a drop of blood on my hand. I touch my face.

My nose is bleeding. What… the fuck?

I attempt to contemplate what’s happening, processing everything all at once. My mind and body are completely overstimulated, and I feel myself paralyzed.

Go away. Please.