Page 5 of Into the Light

“Oh, okay, Em.” My jaw ticked at the familiar childhood nickname.

“Can I give you a hug?” he asked.

I walked over and gave him a quick hug before heading into the house. Turning around, I watched him from the bottom of the steps drive down the driveway and through the gate, then walked into the house.

Entering the log cabin was like stepping into a world carefully curated byhistouch. The massive space, adorned with oversized cozy furnishings, seemed to beckon with a warm embrace.

Ascending two stories, the cabin’s size was both impressive and inviting. The kitchen, a perfect blend of modern convenience and rustic allure, held the essence of Ash’s thoughtful choices. It was as if he had picked out each piece of furniture and décor with a purpose, infusing the space with his essence. Walking through the rooms, the surroundings exuded the same warmth he had, making it feel like his love was an invisible thread woven into every corner.

“I’ll be back for spring break, house . . .” I said aloud before exhaling slightly, my palms sweaty. I locked the door, metaphorically closing this chapter of my life as I readied for Isles.

Santiago met me in the driveway, and I inclined my head in his direction. He had beautiful tanned skin and was wearing his typical outfit: a black leather jacket, black jeans, and a black T-shirt. He had long brown hair that curled at the bottom and deep-green eyes.

“I’m serious, I don’t need you at Isles. It’s all neutral territory,” I grumbled, a fight we had been having since I told him I was considering going back.

“I’ve got no family, friends, or life here, Em. I’m coming with you.” I rolled my eyes but had agreed to our terms, so alas, it was go-time.

“Did you talk to the apartment owner about getting your keys?” I asked. Santiago would be staying in the apartment next to mine. We would share a wall, which made him feel better about coming and still allowed me the privacy I needed. Marissa would be next to us, and we were the only three people on the floor, which also alleviated Santiago’s security concerns.

I appreciated that I had a support team I could rely on, especially since I would be in the place that carried so many memories of him. I was grateful that Santiago and Marissa were willing to be in the same building as me, even though I hated feeling like I needed other people to lean on.

“Got them.” He dangled the keys in front of me. I jumped into the car and waved him off as he followed me out of the driveway and onto the road to Isles.

Eight long months had passed since I last drove down this familiar road leading to the mountain town. The memory of how swiftly the three-hour drive had felt during my previous visit came to mind. But this time, everything was different. The change wasn’t just in the landscape; it was within me. I was no longer the naive and sorrowful Ember Solis who first arrived in Isles. Nor was I the shattered and defeated Ember who had left those mountains behind.

I was a different Ember. One who hungered for answers, who demanded them with a newfound strength. No longer weakened, I stood tall, mentally and physically fortified. I was fucking underground royalty, unyielding and fierce, ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead without faltering.

As I continued driving, the memories of that fateful night flooded my mind. The rain, the darkness, and the pain . . . they were all etched into my memory. The trauma and pain I experienced afterward was indescribable, but I was determined to uncover the truth, to understand what had happened to Ash and why he had left me in this world with questions and uncertainty. With every mile I covered, I was one step closer to unlocking the secrets that had torn us apart, and with every beat of my heart, I vowed to fight for the truth, no matter where it led me.

Chapter two

“Shut the fuck up.” I yelled as I dropped the fucker’s head back down into the bucket of water until his screams muffled and his body went slack.

The smell of the hunting cabin was usually warm and welcoming beneath the pines, but now it was filled with the stench of a filthy human. Mr. Ortiz suspected him of having information about where Walsh Solis was the night Ash was found dead. I was tasked to torture him, so I brought him out to the woods to do so.

“I think that’s enough, Boss.” I snapped my head toward Pico, my eyes bored into his before he laughed and threw up his hands.

Pico had been with me throughout the last few years. He was a born leader, so I’d been leaning on him when Mr. Ortiz tasked me with fucking people up. He was better at it. We looked like we could be blood related, both of us dressed in all black with our long black hair gelled back. Pico was bigger than me though, which was the only defining marker.

I pulled his head out of the water before questioning him. “What the fuck did Walsh do?” Grabbing his throat, I stared into the poor sap’s eyes.

“I swear to God . . . I don’t know anything,” the guy cried out. “Is-isn’t this against territory laws?”

I hesitated, looking at Pico. He gave me a silent nod to continue, ignoring his comment. As long as I wasn’t killing anyone, it wasn’t breaking the rules.

Leaning over, I pulled him by his shirt until our faces were mere inches apart. “Does it look like I give a flying fuck?”

He shook his head.

“I-I swear . . .” Tears now slid down his cheeks. Fuck that. Crying was for weak men.

“We aren’t in Isles. It’s free game.” After the words slipped from my mouth, shock laced Walsh’s right-hand man. We had grabbed him in Isles and dragged him out here. When my brother/best friend was potentially murdered, I didn’t give two fucks about the rules and regulations, but I knew better than to do this in the open fucking public, so we came to the cabin, only accessible by ATV. The one cabin that . . .

Ash was supposed to hide out here. He was supposed to be safe.

“Fuck,” I mumbled, turning toward Pico.

“He doesn’t know anything.” I concluded, and Pico tilted his head.

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