Page 29 of Back In the Shadows

My heart sank to my toes. “Do you think they … that they have a connection because they’re similar?” I stared into the sweet innocent face of my son and then my daughter, who was now pulling on Cami’s hair, wondering if one of them or both took after a serial killer. A terrifying shudder traveled down my spine.

“Ella has mentioned that to me. She has wondered the same.” Kip ruffled Alaric’s soft curls. “Tell Death to come out and play, little man. We need his help.”

Alaric released a high-pitched squeal as he clapped his hands.

Verity’s cry rang through the room as she leaned forward in Cami’s grasp.

“Come here, baby girl,” I said.

“Def. Def. Def,” Verity chanted.

I handed my son to Kip before I gathered Verity in my arms, our gazes connecting as she stilled. She reached up and placed her warm palms on my cheeks and flashed me a big smile, showing off her four teeth. “Ma-ma … Def.”

The room stilled as I looked into my little girl’s eyes, which were filled with trust and excitement. She and her brother understood more than I’d realized, at least enough to know whoI was at any given moment. Although every cell in my being wanted to continue to deny the truth, it was clear even my children knew I was two different people in one body.

A sudden sharp pain ricocheted through my mind, and I gasped as I grabbed the side of my head.

I staggered backward, my vision blurring as the agony intensified. Alaric’s giggles filled the room, but they sounded distorted, warped somehow. Kip’s voice seemed to echo from a great distance, his words muffled as if underwater. Panic gripped my chest as I struggled to focus, to fight against the overwhelming force invading my mind.

“Fuck,” I whispered hoarsely, trying to push the pain away, but it was like trying to hold back a tidal wave with my bare hands.

Alaric’s joyful laughter turned hollow, sending a chill through the room. The air grew thick with an oppressive darkness that seemed to seep into my very bones.

“What’s happening?” Cami hurried to take Verity as I fell to my knees on the floor.

“You should leave,” Ryan said to her.

“No, you’ve all kept me in the dark long enough. I’m not going anywhere. If Alaric and Verity aren’t scared, then …” But the expression on her face said otherwise.

15

DEATH

“It wasn't the wolves that took you, little lamb. It was the whispers of the wind promising adventures beyond the fence.” ~ Anonymous

A guttural roar erupted from my chest as I struggled to catch my breath. With fierce determination, I slowly rose to my feet and locked eyes with every person in the room. My senses heightened, I cautiously stood and scanned my surroundings, ready for any threat that may come my way.

“What the fuck is everyone doing here? The last thing I remember is walking into the living room, and it was a fucking disaster.”

“Death, man, am I glad to see you,” Kip said from behind me.

I turned to look at my friend, confused as to why everyone was in Ella’s home.

“No shit,” Ryan added.

Kip held Alaric as the little guy clapped his hands. “Def!”

“I’m helping take care of the kids since Ella is … missing,” Cami said while she bounced Verity on her hip.

“We’re all here, man. Dope is somewhere in the house too. When he called to tell you about the camera footage, we all hopped on a plane. Cami came, too, so she could help with the kids. Do you remember me calling?”

“Yeah, but barely. Those headaches are messing with my head … everything’s a damn blur,” I said through gritted teeth. I rubbed my temple in hopes to ease the pain. “She’s for sure missing?”

The words fell from my lips like lead, heavy with frustration and confusion.

Ryan’s expression twisted into a grimace, mirroring the turmoil in my mind. “Yeah, she’s gone. Dope had footage of men taking her right off the front porch. They trashed the place too.”

My hands instinctively clenched into fists, knuckles turning white as I struggled to process the news. Then, a tidal wave of anger and helplessness crashed over me, engulfing my entire being as I desperately tried to grasp onto any memory of the events. Each passing second only stoked my frustration. This was becoming unbearable, constantly losing time and missing crucial moments. And worst of all, how could I have failed to keep her safe? Guilt gnawed at me like a savage beast, threatening to consume me whole. I should have been here instead of chasing my own bloodlust, my selfish desires leading to such devastating consequences. The lump in my throat threatened to choke me as I refused to even entertain the thought that I may have lost Ella forever.

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