Page 34 of Ashes

I chuckled, thinking about when I’d first seen her. “I thought I was in love. The more I watched you, the more I knew I was,” I continued. “I’d never considered what my life would be like past Chapel Crest, but you made me see a future. A real one. Me and you with the guys. Happy. Free of the shit in our lives. I still feel that way. I still see that future for all of us together.” I swallowed thickly. “You just need to come back, baby. I’ll take you to our spot at Pictured Rocks. I’ll make love to you beneath the stars. I’ll whisper to you how much I love you because I do, heaven. I love you so fucking much.” I breathed out and swiped at the dampness along my lashes.

“Stitches isn’t well,” I said softly. “He misses you. He tried to hurt himself last night to escape his pain. We need you. Please, Sirena. Come back to us.” I reached out and cradled her face.

She didn’t acknowledge me as she stared at the wall.

“Come back to me,” I whispered, clinging desperately to her hand.

Nothing.

“Fuck, baby, come on,” I pleaded softly.

I rose from my chair and dropped to my knees in front of her, both my hands cradling her face. She stared straight through me, her pretty eyes dull in comparison to the sparkle and brightness that they used to have.

I released her face and took her hand, flipping her palm up. I placed my finger on her palm and began to write, desperate to get her to acknowledge me.

I miss you.

I finished and gazed at her. She simply stared straight ahead. My throat tightened as I thought of Stitches locked away and medicated in his hospital room. Of the pain in Church’s voice when we’d taken Stitches out of his closet. How Church had held her when we’d found her. How he’d fucking begged for her to be OK. The desperation I felt in my heart to get her back to us so our world could heal. Soshecould heal.

I shuffled forward and pressed my lips to hers, kissing her gently.

Please, heaven, come back. PLEASE!

Nothing. Not a damn thing.

I deepened the kiss, probing my tongue against her soft lips as I continued to cradle her face.

When she didn’t respond, I broke the kiss off and rested my forehead against hers.

“I fucking love you, Sirena,” I whispered. “I can’t do this without you. Come back. Please. I don’t even care how long it takes. I’ll wait forever if I have to.”

I finally shifted away from her. Surprise filled me as I caught sight of Asylum leaning against the door jamb, watching.

He pushed himself off and sauntered toward us in his school uniform.

“Forever is a long time, Asher,” he said as he took a seat on the edge of her bed. “Do you intend on keeping that promise?”

“Do you intend on keeping your promise to us of giving her back?” I shot back. All I wanted to do was shroud her from him and keep her tucked away safely beside me.

“Absolutely,” he said solemnly. “I figure the payoff is worth it.”

I snorted. “And what’s the payoff?”

He smirked at me, his blue eyes flashing. “No spoilers, Valentine. Only cliffhangers.”

I rolled my eyes at him.

“How is Malachi? Stillhangingin there?” His eyes sparkled with amusement.

“Fuck you, Seth. How the hell did you know he was going to do that?” I demanded.

He shrugged and picked a piece of lint off Sirena’s comforter. “Some call it crazy. Others call it intuitive. And then there are those who would say I got lucky. What do you say?”

I studied him for a moment. He stared back at me with bright blue eyes, his black hair a mess on his head, his white uniform shirt not buttoned to the top and his red tie loose.

“I say you’re not telling us how the hell youreallyknew.”

He gave me a Cheshire smile. “You’re smart, Valentine. I like that. Perhaps if you comply, I’ll tell you my secret.”

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