Page 28 of Feral Possession

“The only word it uttered was stay. I got the impression it desired something from me. What, I have no idea.” She frowned, twisting the belt on her robe. “You know, when people discover their home is haunted, their first reaction is denial. Why don’t you seem surprised about any of this?”

“Your spirit and I are already acquainted,” he growled. He’d wanted time. Time to determine if she was up to the task. Nothing he’d learned about her so far had put his mind at ease. Thanks to her stunt last night, she’d forced his hand.

“Sit. We need to talk,” he snapped, and she scurried to do as he commanded while he headed to the sideboard. There, he poured himself three fingers of his best bourbon. Early hour be damned. He’d need it for the conversation he was about to have.

“If this is about the damage. I’m certain Vivian will cover it, even though it wasn’t technically my fault. And believe me. I won’t be sneaking out again. That’s for sure. Yep. Learned my lesson.”

“Forgotten.” He sat on the opposite end of the sofa from her, drawing deep from his glass. Warmth slid down his throat, loosening his tongue. Ida and Bishop were right. He needed to do this. Even if she managed to tell someone, who would his associates believe? A powerful lord of the Realm or a flighty necromancer?

He turned to find her curled into the corner of the sofa, feet tucked beneath the gaudy folds of her bathrobe. She seemed far too sheltered for what he was about to ask of her. Perhaps that’s what urged him to remind her. “Do you remember the non-disclosure you signed?”

“In blood, no less,” she snorted.

Her flippant response only deepened his unease. “Then you understand, should you attempt to reveal personal information about me, your throat will close, making it impossible to speak.”

“Get out.” She clasped her neck, eyes wide with horror. “How will I breathe?”

“Exactly.” He nodded, annoyance tightening his jaw. This was something Vivian should have explained. “It goes without saying, nothing we discuss here can leave this room.”

Her tawny brows furrowed. “Sure, Steele. I can keep a secret.” She pressed her fingers to her lips, pretending to lock them before tossing away the imaginary key.

Contrary to what she’d intended, again, he had second thoughts. This was not the way he liked to conduct business.

He firmed his jaw, closed his eyes, and willed the truth from his mouth. “I’m possessed.” Silence stretched between them. He tilted his head back, studying her from the safety of his hood.

She stared at him.

He stared back. Waiting.

Her expression didn’t change. If anything, it brightened. Did she hear him?

After a moment, she straightened, frowning. “That’s it?”

“What do you mean, that’s it? I just told you I’m possessed. The creature you met resides inside of me. I am your shadow monster.” He used her own terminology in hopes of getting through that hollow skull of hers.

“Oh.” She frowned. Then her complexion paled. “Ohhh.” She eyed his hooded countenance.

Now she was getting it.

“You mean the thing last night. That’s you.”

“Yes.”

“But…” She lowered her eyes, then raised them again. “How?”

How indeed. Memories of the explosion seeped past the mental walls he’d erected. Adrenaline raced through his veins, kick-starting his pulse. The flames. His flesh burned. Bones snapped. No. No. No. Not now. Leather creaked between his clenched fingers. He drew a deep breath. Exhaled. Drew another.

At length, he answered her question. “Because I died.

Dove’s gaze traveled over his form, darkening with confusion. Doubt furrowed her brow. “But…” she uttered, falling silent.

She didn’t believe him. She, the girl who communed with ghosts, didn’t fucking believe him.

He clenched the glass in his hand. “Immediately after the explosion, my uncle rushed me to his laboratory at Legacy. Somehow, his technicians managed to bring me back. I believe something returned with me.”

Dove pressed her fingers to her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief. “You honestly think your soul crossed over and returned with a hitchhiker?”

What was it going to take? His heart pounded, his vision darkening. He lurched unsteadily to his feet. Standing before her, he grasped the edge of his hood. “Don’t believe me? Look at what millions of dollars of research accomplished.” With that, he ripped back the fabric.

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