Page 106 of Mostly Shattered

Cars move past the busy street.

“Paul, you can’t be here. It’s not safe for us to be seen together.” I look around the sidewalk, hoping no one is watching us. I do fear for his safety, but I also don’t want Costin finding us talking. I have to handle this delicately.

All the reasons why we can’t be together remain true. I have the protection of the amulet, but he doesn’t. It might not be today or tomorrow, but eventually, something dangerous will come, and I will lose him all over again.

“You need to go and pretend those memories are just dreams and never speak of it to anyone,” I say. “Live a good, long life. Be there for Diana.”

There is so much more I should tell him. We don’t have a choice. I’m doing what I think is best. But the truth is I don’t even know if I can make sense of this myself. I feel that old connection between us, the way it tugs at me, pulling me back to him andthe dream of a normal, mortal life. But things aren’t the same. I’m not the same.

“Not until you explain what this is.” He comes closer still. I feel the subtle heat radiating from his body. “I still care about?—”

“I… It’s complicated, Paul.” My voice cracks as I cut him off. “So much has happened.”

Before I can finish, the air around us shifts.

“You have to go. I promise I’ll find you, and we’ll talk. But for now, you need to keep walking. Go home.” I squeeze his hand before letting him go. “Don’t say anything to anyone.”

I can see his protest, but he must also see my panic.

“But you’re safe?” he persists.

“I will be if you go now.”

“Fine.” Paul glances up at the buildings and then goes down the sidewalk the way he came. I take a relieved breath, watching him leave. He glances back at me a few times, as if fighting the urge turn around and come back to me.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up in warning. I start to go after him. Out of nowhere, a blur of movement darts from between two buildings. The massive figure is unmistakable. A werewolf.

“Paul,” I try toshout in warning.

But it happens so fast that I barely have time to react. The werewolf lunges at Paul, its hulking body closes the distance in a heartbeat. Its dark fur blends into the shadows. Paul turns just in time to see the attack. His eyes widen in terror, and he lifts his arms to fight, but it’s too late.

“Paul!” I scream as I run toward him, but the werewolf’s growl swallows the sound.

In one swift, brutal movement, the werewolf takes Paul by the throat, lifting him off the ground as if he weighs nothing. Paul kicks and claws at the werewolf’s massive arm as he struggles to breathe.

One second, Paul is in front of me. The next, he’s gone.

The werewolf snarls, its fangs bared, saliva dripping from its jaws as it yanks Paul backward into the alley.

“No!” I scream again, my heart pounding in my ears. I give chase into the alley, but they’re both gone as if they were never there. I search anyway, running the length of the building, searching behind dumpsters and trash until I reach a dead end.

I skid to a stop. My breath comes out in sharp, ragged pants. My eyes strain to see into every shadow, searching for anything. There’s nothing. No sign of Paul. No sign of the werewolf.

He’s just... gone.

And I didn’t stop it.

My hands tremble as I press them against the cold stone of the building beside me, trying to steady myself. It’s like the ground has dropped out from under me, and I’m falling into something else I can’t control.

This shouldn’t be happening. I made peace with letting him go. He was safe. Why did he have to come back for me?

Guilt gnaws at me, and I have this horrible feeling that I’m responsible for what’s happened.

Before I can even fully form a plan of action, I feel a familiar presence behind me.

“Tamara? What are you doing in here?” Costin appears from the darkness, moving quietly. He immediately scans the alley before taking in my expression. I can’t hide my worry.

“What happened?” he demands, locking his gaze onto mine. I see the swirl of his powers and I push away from the building.

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