Page 48 of Where He Ended

It's wonderful. And I love it.

So why do I still feel like Death himself is on his way to my door?

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IT'S LATE WHEN WE PULLup to the estate.

Security guards stand like sentinels around the gate as we roll past. A German shepherd barks, watching me through the window. I don't know what it is, but I get the impression everyone, even the dogs, are on edge. Dominic parks his Jaguar in the first empty spot at the end of the long driveway. The air is strained without the engine's constant rumble to cut through it.

In the dark car, he sighs loudly. “I'll have to talk to them in person.” He means his parents. “Do you want to be part of the conversation?”

He's never asked me that before. I face him, my belt still buckling me in. I'm not eager to get out of the car. “I'm definitely not ready to talk to Silas or Annie,” I say, laughing humorlessly.I'm not even ready to talk to Kara.I keep that last part to myself, but my frown slips free.

Dominic isn't suspicious. He thinks the frown has to do with his parents. “It's okay. I can handle them myself.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, eyeing the ominous mansion. Light glows through the windows, but a few have their curtains drawn. Are his parents sitting in a room, or are they right behind the front door, waiting for us? I glance through the windshield towards the silhouettes of trees in the distance.

Bending towards me, he wraps a fist in my seat belt, holding it against me, trapping me, as his mouth hunts for mine. My eyes flutter shut, a pleased moan drifting from my lips.

Pulling away, he lets me see the fire waving in his eyes. It reminds me of the one we built in the cabin. “Remember what I said earlier,” he whispers. “I'll keep you safe. Got it?”

My nod is sluggish. “Got it.”

He unclicks my belt for me then opens the door to climb out. I sit there a moment longer, because even with him gone, I can still feel his presence. The car smells like him, his fingerprints are on my skin, and my tongue remembers the shape of his kisses.

Regretfully, I exit the car after him. “I might walk around, get some air. Sitting in the car for hours makes my whole body stiff.”

Dominic pulls his jacket up his throat, eyeing me doubtfully. “You're sure you want to stay out here? It's freezing.”

“It's nice,” I argue with a coy smile. Shrugging, I wrap my hair around my throat like it's a scarf. “I've got plenty to keep me warm. Talk to you after, okay?”

He nods, freeing me from our moment. My heel inches backwards, separating us so I feel okay enough to turn and run. I don't want him to think I'm running fromhim.

I have so many times before, but never again.

My hair uncoils from my neck as I sprint. It flies behind me like a comet's tail, my breath a steamy warning that I'm crashing towards my goal. It takes me eyes a bit to adjust, but I recognize the preserve as it rises in front of me. I slow when I notice the gate is propped open. Wyatt never forgets to close it.

Tiny hairs on the nape of my neck rise. They wave in the air, as jagged as my nerves. Creeping closer on the balls of my feet, I slip through the gap and into the mini forest. There's no real light here—only what the moon and stars provide. The clouds have cleared, giving me better visuals than normal.

Up ahead, along the path, I hear sounds. My pulse quickens. Someone is here, in my private sanctuary . . . but who? I brush aside some bushes and see Annie.

She crouches in the grass. Her hair is loose. It’s the first time I've seen it like that. It's always been snapped back in a tight bun. She's looking at something in her hand. I move closer to get a better look. Is that wine? Why would she pick here, of all places, to drink?

Annie lets her head dip forward. It slings between her shoulders, giving her the stature of a grim gargoyle. I can't discern what she's mumbling to herself, but sheistalking; gravely, slurring whispers that make no sense. Then she tilts the bottle back, sucking it down until it drips down her jaw and throat in crimson rivulets.

My instincts are firing warning after warning. I crouch low and start to back away, but my heel crunches on a pinecone. Annie's head jerks up. She stares at me like she's seeing a ghost. Then, bit by bit, her eyes narrow. “You. What, couldn't leave me alone to wallow in peace?”

My mouth moves, but nothing comes out.

“Stand up,” she snaps.

Jumping to my feet, I keep my hands at my sides awkwardly. I feel like a toy soldier. I hope she doesn't plan to break me like one.

Swaying as she rises from the grass, she faces me fully. “Well, answer me. Here to rub it all in?”

“I—what? No, I just . . .”

“Why are youhere?”

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