Page 56 of Grave Possession

She pulls away from me, eyeing me warily. “What?” she sniffles, wiping the wetness from her cheeks.

“Victoria’s the one who alerted me that something was wrong.” Her eyes go wide, and I feel like I need to explain myself. “New evidence was dropped off at the station, it was a distraction, but I didn’t know it then. I was so wrapped up in the case, the days just slipped away from me, I didn’t even realize how much time had passed since we last saw each other. I’m so sorry, Mallory. I should have noticed sooner. If I had been more aware, listened to the things you said about seeing me when I wasn’t there, maybe I could have prevented all this. Can you forgive me?”

Mallory cups my cheek, fingers scraping through the five o’clock shadow that’s quickly turning into a beard. “Nox…” She smiles, but I need to get this out and off my chest. Admitting my shortcomings won’t stop the guilt, but it may help Mallory to realize her friendship with Vic isn’t done for.

I take her hands in mine, “I can’t promise I won’t fail you again in some way, but I’ll spend the rest of my days making it up to you, if you’ll let me.”

“Of course, I’ll always be yours, if you’ll have me,” she replies, eyes glassy.

“The only way you’re getting rid of me is in a bodybag, little siren.” I smirk. “Anyway… Victoria threatened to lob off my nuts and shove them down my throat if I had done anything to you.” Mallory laughs at that, another true one that’s music to my ears. “Babe, she broke down when I told her you were missing. Then, when I wasn’t working fast enough, not rescuing you quick enough, she put herself in the line of fire. Mallory, Victoria was so desperate to find you, she put herself on a bunch of online dating apps and websites, hoping she would get taken so she could somehow save you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, and I gave her shit for it, but you’re her best friend. She loves you. She’s just working through things right now, like you are.”

“Is there anything else?”

“Yes, but you can’t get mad at us for it.” Her nostrils flare, and I can see the spiral her mind takes her on. “When I found her at Ted’s cabin, she couldn’t stay awake. I couldn’t bring her back safely on Graham’s quad, so… I left her there.”

“YOU WHAT?! You fucking left her there?!? Are you kidding me?” Her fist slams into my arm, then both of her hands are shoving me away, pushing at my shoulders, forcing distance between us.

“OW! Hey! What the fuck? Stop!” I raise my hands to block her strikes, then grab her wrists so she can focus on my voice. “She made me leave her there, forced me to go find you. Told me to stop worrying about her and go save you.”

All the fight leaks out of Mallory’s body as she crawls into my lap. Brushing her hair out of her face as it rests against my chest, I continue, “I left her armed, she almost took Grey’s head off because of it.”

Mal blows out a steady breath, not replying, justabsorbing my recounting of events. “I miss her,” she rasps, head laying over my heart, listening to its steady beat.

“I know, baby,” I reply softly, nuzzling my cheek against her hair, then placing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. “But bridges aren’t built overnight, and it’s quicker if you’re each working from the opposite side.”

“So wise,” she whispers, looking up at me.

“I try.”

The silence floats between us, not at all tense or uncomfortable. We just exist together, calm and quiet. It’s nice, feeling like I can breathe deeply for a moment.

“Nox,” she hesitantly says, popping that peaceful bubble.

“Hmm,” I reply.

“There’s nothing you could have done to save me that night.” My entire body tenses beneath her, I know she feels it.

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do.”

“How? How could you possibly know that?” My voice becomes elevated. I don’t mean for it to but I can’t help it. Digging this up hurts, like I’m reliving the moment I realized she was truly missing all over again.

“Because I ran after him.”

“You what?” I growl.

Her head lifts off my chest as she locks her honey gaze with mine. “I thought it was you, obviously.”

“So this is my fault?” I unintentionally snap.

“No, absolutely not. Please, just listen,” she pleads, laying her palm over my racing heart.

I keep my mouth shut, waiting for her to continue. Even though there’s a million other things I’d rather do than listen to her recount how she ran into the arms of a serial killer because of the fucking mask.

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