Page 30 of Revenant

Rue.

As if I summoned her, the knob turns, and I find myself staring down at her beautiful face between the small crack in the door. I straighten abruptly at her perusal, holding so still that I’m not even breathing as I wait for her judgment.

She sighs, then steps back, and it feels like someone has reached into my chest and removed something vital. It’s only when the door opens in silent invitation that my shoulders wilt. I’m so relieved that I’m lightheaded and have to grab the doorframe to keep my knees from hitting the floor.

Inhaling deeply, mostly for courage so I don’t fuck things up further, I step back into the room. The space is sterile, bland without a hint of personality, but I don’t see anything but Rue. “I think I’ve been waiting for you my whole life. Each job we took, each mission we accepted, was just practice, giving us skills we needed to learn in preparation for when you came into our lives.”

Chapter Eleven

RUE

Damn it, I don’t want to be charmed.

Jaceson says he’s not good at dealing with women, but I secretly think he must be a savant…or maybe he just understandsme. Not wanting to dwell too much on their secrets for fear I’ll get upset all over again, I study Jaceson as he shuffles uncomfortably under my gaze.

He looks so much like a boy caught doing something naughty that I offer him an olive branch. “No wonder you don’t act like a prisoner, when there isn’t a place you can’t enter…or escape.”

That sparks an even more troubling question, and I straighten, my arms dropping to my sides as I step toward him. “None of that explains how you managed to get yourself admitted to the dungeon.” The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, a warning that I’m not going to like his answer. “What did you do?” I snarl, but it does little to cover my fear.

He’s suddenly wary, stilling under my gaze like I’m an animal seconds away from pouncing. He purses his lips, then straightens to his full height and slips his hand under a cordaround his neck. When he tugs on the necklace, a very familiar planchette slips into view. My heart hitches, then threatens to explode out of my chest.

No.

No. No. No. No.

I don’t realize I’m chanting the word over and over—or that I’m even moving—until I’m reaching for the planchette. Jaceson captures my wrist before I can rip it from his neck. Even with my fingers hovering inches away, raw power radiates from the cardboard piece.

My power.

Only it’s no longer cardboard. It’s no longer a toy. No, the piece now resembles an ancient relic from a time when people believed in magic. My fingers flex with the need to reclaim the piece, and I’m not sure if I want to destroy it, not wanting it to hurt anyone else, or claim it for my own.

“You have to take it off.” I clutch at his shirt to keep from shaking the idiot. “It?—”

“Helps me focus my abilities,” he interrupts, placing both of my hands against his chest. My fingers automatically flex, and I’m almost distracted by his sleek muscles. He feels different, bigger, if that’s possible, and I have to shake my head to keep focused.

Danger first, explore Jaceson’s body later.

“Why would you do something so stupid?” Tears burn my eyes, and I’m not sure if it’s out of anger or fear. “You don’t even realize how much danger you’re in by wearing that. The more physical contact you have with the planchette, and the afterlife, the more it will change you.”

Jaceson leans down, not stopping until he’s right in my face, then he smiles a not very nice grin. “Good.”

I rear back, but he grabs my arms to prevent me from escaping. My thoughts scatter as I search his blue eyes, and it’sall I can do not to smack the dumbass for his stupidity. The idea of dooming him to my fate has me sick to my stomach, and I shake my head in denial.

“You don’t mean that. The planchette is cursed. Voices will follow you for the rest of your life, and you’ll soon come to hate me.” I swallow hard, and a sense of hopelessness swamps me. I can’t meet his gaze anymore, and my voice is barely above a whisper when I speak my worst fear. “You’ll soon regret that I’ve ever entered your life. Once you open that door, there is no going back.”

“Does it matter what I want?” Jaceson asks, his face softening.

I want to tell him no, that it doesn’t fucking matter, and I grit my teeth to keep the words locked away. “I don’t want this life for you.”

“Ghosts were already part of my life,” Jaceson counters, shrugging his shoulders like being able to hear voices isn’t a fucking big deal. “If anything, you keep me sane. I understand the reason for the voices now. I thought I was sick. I thought I was going insane. Instead, you saved me.”

Jaceson gently gathers me to his chest. I fight him for a moment, wanting to make him see reason, but I can’t resist the comfort of his arms.

I’m not sure if I believe him, but I can’t fault his logic.

As if he senses I’m weakening, Jaceson pushes home his point. “I regret nothing. If given a choice, I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant keeping you safe. My whole life, I have been surrounded by people but still felt alone. No one else understands me, but I have a feeling you do. Your gift isolated you, but you are no longer alone. We have each other now.”

Damn him.

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