Page 53 of Infernal Hearts

The weight of Levi’s words washes over me. To be one of the last of your kind must be a burden that’s almost unbearable. And he doesn’t even know the full extent of his power. He’s so quick to throw around the flashy parts but has no gravity behind it.

Maybe my reasons for swearing off magic and leaving my dad’s practice may have been too extreme. What happened to my mom was awful, but maybe it wasn’t magic that did it. Maybe it was just animal behavior from a dangerous creature—the same thing that would have been possible if it were a hungry tiger.

“I’m sorry for what you went through.” I squeeze his hand, and he returns the gesture. “That can’t have been easy.”

“It’s not all bad.” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I have money. Power. Everything I asked for. But I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t lonely sometimes. Someone always wants something, and fun is fun, but it would be nice to have something real for once. Something that doesn’t need to be an exchange.”

Gravel crunches beneath my tires as I pull to the side of the road near the hiking trail. It’s the perfect summer’s night. The temperature is pleasant and cool—no sun beating down on us like it would be in the heat of the day.

I don’t know what it is, but I just want so badly for him to see himself like I do. “You know, you aren’t a bad guy. You may just need to give people a chance.”

He gives me a bemused smile. “You clearly haven’t lived in Los Angeles. So vapid. So shallow.”

“Then why not move? You have an entire world at your disposal.” I’ve never been to a big city like that, but I’d see the world in a heartbeat if I could.

“Buildings change, but people don’t.” A long moment stretches behind his words as he looks into the woods. “Ready to go looking?”

I nod. I’m not getting anything else out of him for the rest of the night. I should be grateful I got as much as I did. It makes me feel closer to him, knowing more of why he’s working as hard as he is.

But it’s more than that. I don’t feel just close. I look at him and I see someone…pretty fucking wonderful. And pretty fucking wounded.

I don’t know why this matters to me so much. I don’t know why I even care. But I have this sinking feeling that this is going beyond a basic curiosity and simple attraction. I’m actually starting to appreciate him more as a person, flaws and all. Magic and all.

Jesus, Jason, get a hold of yourself. You’re acting like you like the guy.And that’s when I gulp, because I think, deep down, I do. Michael never trusted my decisions and never wanted my help. At the end it was like he wasn’t even interested in me. Levi is the complete opposite—giving me space to think, act, breathe, and feel without judgment.

We walk to the opening in the forest and start our trek up the hill. I take one more deep breath, focusing again on the bleak search for my dad and mashing down my feelings for Levi. I don’t think I’m ready to put myself in a vulnerable place again, especially not with an incubus. I’m not ready to get my heart broken again.

…

Levi

We get to the clearing, and it looks completely different at night. Dark. Almost pitch-black. Only the stars are giving us light. My demon vision is good enough to see most things, so I’m confident I can get by.

Jason, on the other hand? He’s had a thick flashlight in his hand the entire way. It makes me chuckle a little bit to see how serious he’s taking this. Not that I’m not appreciative.

“So, where is this magic treehouse?” The canopy is ordinary—nothing stands out. Maybe there’s something I’m missing. How tiny could this thing possibly be?

He points his light down the trail. “This way.”

He walks me further into the woods, and at last, we get to a tall tree with boards nailed to the side of it. Perfect for climbing. Right at the top is the cutest little shack I’ve ever seen.

“You really spent your summers up here?” I picture a little Jay running around, covered in dirt with wild berry juice smeared across his face.

His posture relaxes, and his eyes brighten as he recalls the memories. “Oh, yeah. And the creek is down that way. It even has a hot spring if you walk far enough down. Once my dad and I tied a rope swing to a nearby tree.”

I picture Jay swimming in the hot spring, and I’d like nothing more to join him if we’re successful with the deal. I don’t think I’ll forget about what he was like when he was drunk—not totally immune to my charms. Plus, I wouldn’t mind getting a better look at what I saw the other night.

Tucking his flashlight in his belt, he climbs to the top of the tree. I follow, boards creaking on our way up. This can’t be safe.

After at least twenty boards, splinters and all, we get to solid ground at the top. It’s covered in dust—no one’s been up here for years. If Dane was ever here, he’s long gone now.

Jay fiddles with his watch. “You sure this is what you were looking for?”

Goddamn it. I really had my hopes up with this one—but the search isn’t over yet. “Mind if I take a look around?”

He hands me the flashlight and motions around the room. “Be my guest.”

A small set of hammocks are strung up in the corner, right under a cutout of a window. Pictures are pinned to the walls—hand drawn and polaroid. They all show a young Jay, a man who looks exactly like him, and a woman with blond hair.

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