Page 86 of Veil of Shadows

I’d be impressed if they were, you know, not trying to fucking kill everyone.

“Good to know,” I said softly.

He pointed around the room, but I only knew that from the movements in my peripheral. The fire had me absolutelyentranced. Or maybe its warmth just beckoned for me to sleep. Either way, I eased further into the plush cushions of the high-back chair as my body settled into a state of rest.

“There are fresh linens and towels over there in that closet. The hot water never runs out, so feel free to shower or bathe as long as you want. The kitchen is always open, but there are set mealtimes. So feel free to eat whenever you wish, just know that regular mealtimes are shared by all.”

I nodded as he spoke, but I didn’t say anything.

“Bex?”

“Hmmm?”

“Look at me.”

That finally pulled my gaze away from the fire and I looked up into the face of the man who used to be my best friend. “Yeah?”

He crouched down and placed his cold ass hand on my knee. “Can I get you anything else?”

I searched his gaze before I shook my head softly. “Not that I can think of, no.”

“What are you thinking of, then?”

“Honestly?” I asked, turning my attention back to the fire.

He squeezed my knee softly. “Always.”

I heaved a heavy sigh. “I’m thinking that a hot bath sounds great right about now.”

He laughed as he stood. “Then I’ll leave you to it. I’ll be back in the morning to fetch you for breakfast and we can talk some more.”

“Fetch me?” I asked with a snicker as I peeked up at him. “You make me sound like a stick.”

He smiled at me, and for the smallest of moments, he looked like my partner again. My brother. My confidant.

“I’ve missed that wit of yours,” he said.

His words hugged my heart, and it broke down my defenses just a tad. “I’ve missed you so much, Jacob.”

And the second my eyes welled with tears, his hand reached for mine.

“Get in here,” he muttered as he pulled me up from the chair.

I threw my arms around his neck, ignoring how absolutely freezing he was. I didn’t care that I shivered against him. I didn’t care that I cried on his shoulder. Jacob was alive. Against all odds, against all natural consequences, he was alive.

“That’s it, let it out,” Jacob said softly as he stroked his hand through my hair. “It’s okay. I gotcha.”

“Oh—my—God—” I choked out.

“Sh, sh, sh, sh, sh,” he shushed softly.

I drew in broken breaths as my crying mounted. “I can’t believe you’re alive. I just can’t believe it.”

“I’m right here. I swear it, Bex. It’s me. Right here. With you.”

I hated how weak I felt. I collapsed against his body, and he held me tighter. Stiller. Closer. He felt like my partner. He sounded like my partner. He comforted me like my partner. I wanted so badly to trust him. I wanted so desperately to tell him everything. I needed an ally on the inside if I was going to accomplish anything, and I wanted so badly for it to be him.

I just didn’t know if I could trust him, and that made me cry even harder.

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