Page 8 of Ashes

“It’s OK, specter,” I murmured, running my fingers gently along her temple and jaw. “I’m not leaving you.”

Her parents stepped out of the room with Conrad, leaving me alone with Sirena and her sister.

“What’s your name again?” her sister grunted.

“Church,” I muttered.

“Just Church?”

“Dante. Everyone calls me Church.” I didn’t look at her. I kept my focus on specter.

“I’m Cadence. Everyone calls me Cady.”

I said nothing and kissed Sirena’s hand in mine.

“Was she. . .did Rina talk or communicate at all?” she asked softly.

“She never spoke. Not in the traditional sense. The only time she used her voice was when she screamed for me to save her last night. But I was too late, and now she’s gone.”

“Rina screamed? She called for you?” Cady’s question was sharp as she took specter’s other hand in hers.

“Yeah. She was locked in a fucking coffin in the mausoleum with Asylum. I don’t know the full story yet. I will though. Mark my words.”

Cady was quiet for a moment. She didn’t need to speak for me to know she was vibrating with rage. At least specter had family in her corner. It made me feel a bit better that she didn’t grow up alone and sad.

“Who is Asylum?” Cady asked finally.

“Seth fucking Cain.”

“S-Seth Cain?”

“Yeah. You probably know him. He claims he and specter were best friends growing up. He was the one locked in the fucking coffin with her.”

“Why was he in the coffin with her? I don’t understand.”

“Join the club,” I said, finally looking at her.

She sat staring at me. Sizing me up. It didn’t take a genius to know Cadence Lawrence was a tough bitch.

“He moved away when we were kids. Right after Rina was. . . hurt. The cops tracked his family down since she was found on their property locked in a large toolbox. His mom had an alibi. Seth said he hadn’t seen Rina after they’d ridden their bikes. Do you think. . . ?”

I sighed. “I don’t know. He’s fucked-up in the head. Everyone here is in one way or another. He’s not called Asylum for nothing, so keep that in the back of your mind with anything concerning him.”

“It doesn’t matter. Mom is bringing Rina home. She never should’ve brought her here. This is all that asshole Jerry’s fault. He’s so embarrassed about having Rina as a daughter that he was eager to just shove her out wherever he could. Rina needs to be home where I can take care of her and keep her safe—”

“She’s safe here.” I snarled, glaring at her. “You’re not taking her. She’s not fucking leaving.”

“And you’re clearly a liar,” she snapped back. “Because if she was safe, you and I wouldn’t be having this conversation over her fucking body right now.”

“Watch yourself.” I glowered. “I’m not the sort of guy you want to talk to like that. The only reason I haven’t torn your pretty head off is because of specter. I assume she gives a damn about you. She’s your saving grace because if I had my way, you’d already be fucking buried beneath my feet.”

She rolled her eyes at me. “Eat shit,Dante. You don’t scare me.”

“That’s because you don’t know me. Keep fucking testing me, and you’ll soon find out.”

She sneered at me. “What do you fancy yourself? Rina’s boyfriend?”

“Yes.”

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