Page 175 of Ashes

“Please,” he wept softly. “Please. H-Help me.”

I hefted him up, and he sagged against me.

“Making deals with a devil, Sinclair. How brave,” I said softly into his ear.

He sobbed softly against my shoulder.

“Come.” I led him away from the dying fire and to the tree line.

“Where are we going?” he mumbled, wiping at his eyes.

“I told you. I have someone I want you to meet. You’ve been wondering how I do what I do. We’re friends now. I tell my friends my secrets.”

He grunted. “You’re nuts.”

“Am I?” I laughed. “Or is that what we want everyone to believe? We’re gifted, Sinclair.Don’t get the wires crossed.”

We were quiet as I helped him to stand.

“I hurt,” Sin said, his voice trembling. “I just want to sit.”

“He’s coming,” I whispered, ignoring Sin’s words.

I felt him nearby.

“He’s almost here.”

Sin let out a shaky sigh. He thought another personality was going to burst from me. I chuckled at that.

A twig snapped.

A pine tree’s needles trembled.

And then. . .

Hestepped out of the woods.

“What the fuck?” Sin choked out, shaking violently against me.

“Sinclair, I’d like you to meet Mirage.”

Mirage stepped forward as Sin collapsed to his knees and stared up at him.

“I-I don’t-don’t understand,” Sin rasped.

“I am me, he is he, we are we,” I said softly as Mirage bent so he was eye level with Sin.

“Andwehave a lot of work to do,” Mirage murmured, reaching out to cradle Sin’s face. “Get ready. It’s going to get rough.”

Indeed it fucking was.

I couldn’t wait.

ASHES

Istared down at Sirena in my bed, her black hair spilling around her. Her eyes were closed as she slept. I had no idea how she’d gotten here.

I looked to the bedside table and saw a small envelope.

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