Page 30 of Secrets in Salem: Part One

Deciding there isn't anything else to do now but wait for morning to come, I head to the small stack of books I found at the library Willow visits, snatching one off the top of the pile, and head to the couch to settle in for a night of reading since sleep won't come easily.

It's several hours when that feeling grows until I feel physically sick, my stomach churning almost painfully. It's a strange sensation since my brothers and I don't suffer any illnesses, but nausea swims through my body as a headache forms instantly.

Sitting up from my slouched position on the couch, I bend and grip my stomach. Aleric stirs from his sleep, his tired eyes finding me bent over, trying to breathe without throwing up.

"Micah, are you okay?" he asks, his voice roughened from sleep.

I shake my head and motion for a pen. One is slid into my hand immediately, a piece of paper held under my hand. Quickly, I write.

Something isn't right. Something's wrong.

Not a moment later, there's a knocking at the door and the nausea in my stomach begins to fade. I sit up and face the door before looking over at my brother.

"Who the hell is that? What time is it?" Aleric asks, looking around for something. He finds his cell and picks it up, flashing it at me to show me it's four in the morning. Who could be at the door at this time?

The knock sounds again, and my brother and I look at one another. Bishop walks out of his room and turns to us with a questioning glance. "Is someone knocking at the door?"

Another knock, harder than the first two, echoes in the room, answering Bishop's question for him. He heads to the door and, with slow movements, opens it to reveal the Devil himself standing on the other side. His true form is hidden. Instead, a man who looks to be in his mid-forties stands in front of Bishop, his face pinched with anger while menace wafts off him like the strongest aftershave.

Bishop takes a step back and lowers his head in greeting.

"Well, well, boys. Not even a week into the job and you've already fucked up," the Devil says, anger swimming in his eyes.

What the hell does that mean, and why is the Devil paying us a visit, looking ready to kill all three of us? Actually, I’m pretty sure I already know. I fucking knew my gut wouldn’t steer me wrong. Serves me right for ignoring it. Next time, because I know therewillbe a next time, I’m kidnapping Willow.

Chapter 16

Bishop

The Devilstands before me, and I bow my head in greeting, showing him the respect he's earned. My mind is slow to catch up, confusion warring inside me for the reasoning behind his visit. He's not due to arrive for another month, opting to stay hidden until Willow fully transitions and understands who and what she is.

So why is he here now?

"Sir," I say, my tone questioning.

He steps inside the apartment and stops until he's in the middle of the small open-plan living room and kitchen. He looks around, appearing disinterested and bored, before he turns to face me with malice in his eyes and clenched fists. His eyes slowly begin to turn change, black seeping in at the corners, dark veins appearing the more his silence stretches on.

"You hadonejob. Take care of my daughter. And you've already failed," the Devil growls, his voice raspy and angered.

"Sir?" Aleric asks, averting his eyes when the Devil turns his menace-filled stare on him.

Micah stays quiet as always, watching the entire scene without any regard to his own safety. He doesn't look away when the Devil focuses on him, nor does he shrink away. It's not meant as disrespect, merely observing the situation, but I wish he'd look away right now.

The Devil doesn't react, though it does seem like his anger lessens ever so slightly. "I sent you here to watch over my daughter while she's in transition. I put her in your care, sure you wouldn't fail me. Yet here all three of you sit while she slaughters four men who intended to hurt her tonight. Granted, the mute did check on her, but that’s done nothing to stop her from committing her first crime while she transitions."

And just like that, my stomach drops and dread fills me.

Micah is already out of his seat and darting out of the door, not caring whether the Devil stands in the middle of the room or not. I hear his car start and peel away from the parking lot. Aleric stands, looking to me for direction.

"Grab my cell.Now," I tell him, my brother instantly leaving the room to do as I've asked. I focus on the Devil and ask, "Why are you here instead of with her if she's murdering humans? Has she changed?"

"Of course she's changed. She won't have any memory of it when she wakes up since her mind is still too fragile, though. And you already know I can't be near her while she's changed yet since that will trigger those memories. She’ll break and the pieces will shatter too much to put her back together. Why do you think I sent you three to look after her instead of taking her away myself? If I wouldn’t be a risk to her mind, I’d be here in your place," he points out, his voice hard and dangerous. "I'll overlook this mistake tonight, but should another occur, I'll see to it that you and your brothers suffer. I won't allow the safety of my daughter to be left in the hands of the incompetent. Am I understood?"

I nod quickly and tell him, "Of course, sir. We won't disappoint you again."

"She's awake. You should hurry up and get to her before she panics." He eyes me before disappearing in a cloud of black smoke, vanishing from my sight.

"Aleric, let's go," I yell, hearing my brother run toward me with my cell in hand. We both race out of the apartment and to my car. I'm speeding away before Aleric has a chance to shut the door, bombing it toward Willow's house. I'm grateful Micah already has a head start.

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