Page 18 of Dead Wolf Rising (Bad Moon Academy 3)

That I don’t know. I’ve never purposefully ventured into the Otherworld other than the time when I went to get Joan back, and then I knew where I was going because Jinx’s tainted soul guided me. I don’t even know if I can get there without having a spirit to help me find my way. Not to mention, I collapsed once, but to be fair, I did end up using extra energy trying to tear Joan away from Jinx. This time that won’t happen.

It’ll be fine,I finally whisper to her in my mind.

Sure, pal.

Tipping my head back, I check to make sure the guys are asleep. Since it’s so early and we’d been up for so long, they’re all sleeping soundly, even Brayden. Some of the other shifters returned while I was debating with Joan, but they all lie down too. I sit, check over my shoulder to see if any of the men stir, then place my bare feet on the dirty floor. Deciding I don’t have time to bother with shoes, I tip-toe to the door, slip out, and head to the stairs which lead to the gym.

I have a spirit to guide me to the Otherworld.

Alice.

Chapter 7

RAVEN

The pack bond is peaceful, so I know the men are still sleeping. The locker room door is waiting for me, illuminated under a flickering yellow light. Almost like the academy knew I’d be coming here all along, but that’s impossible. The mats squish under my feet as I jog over and open the door.

She’s standing near the sink, looking into the mirror. I slowly walk over to her. A mess of brown hair is the first thing I notice. The next is the cracked, pale lips, sickly looking skin, and emotionless eyes.

“Alice.” I look into the mirror, trying to imagine what she must see.

Does she see this projection of herself? Or does she see the beautiful woman she used to be?

I put my palm against her arm, noticing my hand sinks into her form. She’s not as solid as she once was.

“Alice?”

Finally, she turns to face me, and a lone cockroach slips out, our code for yes.

Her eyes are more withdrawn too, almost like she’s sad. Why would she be sad?

“Are you okay?” I move my hand to her face, running a finger over her cheeks. “What’s wrong?”

Tipping her head, she leans into my touch for a second, causing my thumb to sink into her semi-solid form.

One cockroach crawls out of her mouth, then another, and another. Critter after critter pours out of her, and my touch sinks into her a little further.

Oh no.

What’s happening?Joan asks in a panicked voice.It’s disgusting, but something is wrong, right?

I think she’s moving on.

Now? Now she wants to go?

Biting my lip, I nod. Joan whines, and I echo the sound out loud.

“Alice?” I ask again, moving closer even though there are dozens of her imaginary cockroaches crawling over her now. “It’s okay. You can go,” I say. “You deserve peace.”

The overhead lights buzz and flash on and off. Sometimes spirits can manipulate energy when their emotions are high. Usually it is because they want to be left alone, but I think Alice might be afraid to leave.

“You don’t want to stay here, do you?” I ask, trying to figure out how to help her.

Every cockroach tumbles to the floor. A definite no.

Glancing in the mirror, I gasp when I see Alice staring at me. This Alice is from the memories she shared, the woman Jinx killed. Sans dirt, grime, and bugs. She gives me a sad smile and presses her palm against the glass. With one hand holding on to the other Alice, I reach out with my other one and place my palm against the reflection in the mirror. The glass ripples under my touch, caressing my fingers like butterfly wings.

“I’ll help you.” Even if it means losing my one sure way to the Otherworld. Facing the Alice that’s in the room with me, I take a final glance at her. She helped me out in little ways, showing me bits of her truth and how Brayden saved her, and made me realize not everything that appears gross is ugly. She’s beautiful in her own way, under the protection she covers herself with. Like layers of makeup, she paints herself up as untouchable, when really, all she wanted was a little kindness.

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