Page 80 of Splintered Memories
“What’s going on?” I asked tensely. Alex had said that Emersyn was last seen with Tristan’s brother.
Tristan’s grip hardened around the steering wheel as he clenched his teeth. “She’s with Amos. I can feel it.”
I had never met Emersyn’s Uncle Amos, but she had trusted him enough to bring her to the Emberlight festival. She had nothing but good things to say about the man.
“Why is that a bad thing?”
Tristan made a sharp left turn, the wheels squealing on the pavement. He was going way over the speed limit and I hoped we didn’t get pulled over.
“My brother—” Tristan began, but he shook his head, as if he didn’t know the right words to say. “Amos had always been close with my kids, but…I never liked it.” He swallowed, his eyes going slightly out of focus as he stared out the windshield.
“I can’t tell you what’s wrong with him,” Tristan continued, “but I know that he isn’t right.”
My brows screwed together, my voice sharp. “What are you talking about?”
“I told you,” Tristan snapped, “I can’t describe it. I just—I’ve grown up with him for most of my life and he’s…he’s not normal. He does a good job of pretending that he is, but I’ve seen it—glimpses of his true self.” Tristan shuddered. “Emersyn would’ve contacted you if she could. There’s something wrong, and if she’s with my brother….I don’t trust him.”
My blood ran cold.
He was right about one thing, if Emersyn could’ve reached out to him, she would have. Someone was keeping her from me.
As Tristan continued speeding in the direction of the hills outside of town, I reached for the gun holster near the small of my back.
“What’s the plan?” I asked.
Tristan glanced at me quickly. “He’s vigilant. He will know that I’m on to him if he sees you.”
I frowned. “You want to go in alone?”
“If I can get him to let me in, then I can get you in. But my priority will be finding her.”
I nodded, my stomach twisting with nerves. I pulled out my gun and rested it on the center console, keeping my hand on top of it. Tristan’s eyes widened, buthe didn’t say anything.
“You will get me in as soon as possible. Until then, you can take this, do you know how to use it?”
“Of course I do,” Tristan snapped.
Good. I glanced back toward the windshield, staring at the landscape flying by us.
We’re coming for you, Emy,I thought, wishing I could push the words right into her mind wherever she was.
I was coming, and nothing would stop me from saving her.
32
Emersyn
Thelookinmybrother’s eyes was too much to take.
I let my eyelids fall closed as Amos—as the Shadow Stalker—held that knife to my throat. His laugh lilted over my skin, but I didn’t open my eyes. I wasn’t afraid to face him as he killed me. No. If he was going to slit my throat, I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing the life drain from me.
And I refused to let his face be the last thing that I saw.
So, I kept my eyes closed as that knife bit into my skin. Through the fear and terror, I focused on only one thing. I clung to it like I had clung to the ledge of my window that night of the fire.
August.
His face materialized in my mind. That strong jaw and nose that was slightly crooked at the bridge. I remembered his beautiful light-gray eyes and the way his easy smile had once infuriated me. Now it was the only thing I wanted to see.
