Page 72 of Malice

Hudson walks in fully, opens the pantry and grabs an apron he wraps around his waist. “I’m covered.”

Wilder lifts his head, nodding. “Apologies for the intrusion. I’m only here to assist with the problem.”

“Thank you. Can I do anything?”

I start to speak but Wilder continues. “Actually, yes. You can watch over us and ensure the Horror doesn’t attempt anything malicious.”

Hudson’s brow furrows. “I’m sorry? Where are you going?”

“The astral plane,” Wilder says, as simply as if it’s the grocery store. “Our bodies will be here but our souls won’t be. We’re vulnerable.”

“How do I protect you?”

Crash chooses that moment to pop back in. “I’ll be here.”

Otto comes prancing into the kitchen, yipping as if to say he’ll be here too.

“You have company,” Wilder says. “Crash will call us back if something goes awry, but your Horror is weak right now; I doubt we’ll be missed.”

“Okay.” Hudson bites his bottom lip. “Should I be worried about this?”

“No,” I say. “You let me worry about things.” I walk over, unable to stop myself from carding my fingers through his hair on the side. “Everything I’m doing is for you. Wilder is a very experienced Chaser so I’m in good hands.”

Hudson nods, searching my eyes before he leans in and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Come back, okay? I don’t think I could handle it if?—”

“We’ll be back,” Wilder says. “Before you know it.” He lifts a mug. “Time’s a wastin’, Aster.”

“Right.” I touch Hudson’s cheek before shifting into action. I take the mug and bring it to my lips. “Just drink it?”

“Just drink it and sit down. I’ll find you on the other side.”

“Bottoms up.”

With one last glance at Crash, Hudson, and Otto, I slam back the weird liquid and wait for whatever’s next.

Chapter 25

Hudson

Whoa. Aster’s body sinks to the floor, and as I start to move towards him, Crash appears in front of me with a calm smile on his face.

“That’s what’s supposed to happen. He’s okay.”

Otto jumps from my arms and sniffs his owner, glancing up at me with a cocked head.

“Why can I see you sometimes like you’re a living person and sometimes I can’t?”

Crash shrugs. “I don’t know exactly. I’m told that as the living become more aware of the world beyond the veil, their guard lowers and their third eye is opened. Maybe you’re still trying to block it out at times.”

“Maybe. I can see you very clearly right now.”

“I would guess your defenses are lowered given everything you just witnessed.”

I walk over to where Aster is sitting on the floor, his back against the wall. The other man, Wilder, is propped up against the island. Both men are eerily still, with their eyes partially open.

“Astral projection?”

Crash nods, gazing at the two men as well. “It’s a different realm. One where your subconscious takes over and you leave the confines of a human body behind. It’s the only way other than death.”

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