Page 35 of Ashes

“Do you always know everything?” I asked, curious.

He shrugged again. “No. But sometimes, yes.”

“Do you know if Sirena is going to make it out of this?”

He licked his lips and looked over at her. A look of complete adoration washed over his face as he took her in. My chest clenched.

“I’ll do everything I can to bring her back. I have no limits on that.”

“But do you know for sure?”

“Yes,” he whispered, still staring at her, the adoration replaced by hunger. “Or we’ll die trying.”

I had no idea who thewewas that he spoke of, but I prayed it didn’t include my heaven. He and his fucking hallucinations or voices or whatever the fuck haunted him could go straight to hell.

His brows crinkled, and he cocked his head. His words came out in a soft rush. “Her family is coming. Sully is coming. We must be cautious.”

I frowned at him as Cady stepped into the room, a sullen look on her face. Her gaze jumped between me and Seth, her face morphing into one of anger as she openly glared at Seth.

Before she could speak, Sully stepped into the room with her mom and stepfather.

“Asher. What a. . . pleasant surprise,” Sully greeted me, offering me a fake smile.

“I’m sure,” I muttered, glancing at Sirena, who hadn’t moved an inch and continued to stare at the wall.

“Seth. My goodness,” her mother said, approaching him as he stood. “I haven’t seen you in ages. You’ve grown into a handsome young man!” She stopped in front of him and offered him a smile.

He returned it, his entire demeanor changing. “It’s been too long,” he said, a charming smirk on his lips. “How are you?”

“I’m well. Mostly. Worried about Sirena. Professor Sully said you were there when she was found. Can you tell us what happened?”

Seth nodded, the grin still on his face. “A game ofghost in the graveyardgone wrong, I’m afraid. But don’t worry. She’ll get better. I’ll make sure of it.”

“We were told you were found in th-the coffin with her,” her mother continued.

Seth nodded solemnly. “I didn’t want her to go crazy alone.”

Her mother’s lips shook. “Right. Well, uh, we’re just going to say our goodbyes to Sirena. We’re leaving a little later. Professor—I mean, Dr. Sully—has created a treatment plan for her that we’ve agreed to. Jerry, my husband, thinks it’s very promising.”

“It’s completely insane,” Cady piped up. “And bullshit.”

“Cadence, enough,” Jerry snapped, glaring at her.

She glared right back at him. She crossed her arms over her chest and sneered at him. I watched the exchange, my body tense. I knew what Cady had told me about the asshole. I’d beat the shit out of him if he even thought about hurting her too.

“Sirena is staying?” I asked.

“Yes. She’ll be here through her treatment.” Her mother offered me a shaky smile. “We’re very hopeful.”

I nodded tightly.Fucking Sully.

“Asher, it may be a good idea to step out of the room so Sirena’s family may spend some quality time with her. Seth, you as well,” Sully said.

I’d have told him to fuck off if Sirena’s mother wasn’t in the room. Instead, I leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Sirena’s cheek and whispered in her ear, “I love you, heaven. I’ll see you soon.”

Seth raised an eyebrow at me as I scowled back. He followed me out of the room. The moment we were in the hall, he spoke, “Tell the watchers they should come say goodbye to Sirena tonight. After tonight, I won’t tolerate you guys involved in her life. Not until we’re done.”

“Done?” I scoffed at him. “Fuck you, Seth. Seriously. What do you think you can do for her?”

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