Page 83 of Ghostly Touches

Typically, I would have found the comment irritating. Instead, my mouth stretches weirdly.

“As I recall, I was steering.”

Willow sucks her teeth and rolls her eyes. “My foot was on the pedal though.”

“Without my hands, we would’ve crashed. Doesn’t that mean I was driving?”

Am I really entertaining this conversation?

“But without gas, I think we would have just stopped, so I was driving.” As she counters with her own point, she removes her hand from my shoulder.

Once her hand is gone, I can feel the tension begin to gather back in my body. The dark roiling emotions that have disappeared whisper into my consciousness ready to take over my thoughts once more. I don’t want to go back. I want to feel this calmness. I’m not ready to be the man I’ve become over the years.

Without realizing it, I reach out and place my arm around her seat, my thumb caressing the back of her neck. I don’t see it. I can’t make myself look at the woman who’s capable of removing my personal demons with just a touch, but I dofeelher gentle shiver at the contact before she leans into the touch just a little.

“Wake us up the next time something happens.”

Theodon’s disapproval isn’t aimed at Willow. His piercing stare is directed at the back of my head. I know I’m going to hear about this later.

As much as I should feel ashamed, I’m not. Because right now, the warmth in my chest and the clarity in my mind is the only thing I can focus on.

* * *

“Viktor,”Willow calls to me as she comes around the side of the van.

I don’t look at her as I watch the tall grass in the field we’ve parked next to. Kwil and Jonah are out there pissing while Theodon checks the map that he’s spread out on the hood of the vehicle.

“What is it?”

She comes to a stop next to me. “Is it true that Fae have super senses?”

“Why?”

“Just curious.”

“Yes, it’s true.” It’s why we’re the superior species. I manage to keep that bit to myself.

“Hm…”

Willow says nothing for a moment. She stands there quietly gazing out into the field. I’m not sure I appreciate the extra set of eyes. It’s annoying. Or maybe what’s annoying me is that Iknowher wheels are turning. I can almost hear the gears moving. What is she thinking about?

“Is there a reason for your question?” As the words spill out, I close my eyes and mentally kick myself. Why the fuck do I care?

“Yup.” But she doesn’t elaborate. At least not right away. After a few minutes Willow opens her mouth. “Theo said that you’re losing your eyesight, and that’s one of the reasons you’re so cranky—”

My head turns sharply towards Theo, who I know can hear us, but is studiously ignoring the exchange as he stares at the map.

“—so, I was trying to understand that logic. I suppose since you have such great eyesight, losing this sense makes it all the more difficult for you to accept.”

I regret asking Willow anything. My body tenses, and my teeth slam together as I turn my attention back to the field.

“Do not speak about something you don’t know anything about,” I growl through my teeth.

“Give me your hand.”

My nostrils flare as I fight back the urge to tell her to fuck off.

“No.”

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