Page 104 of Haunted Hearts

“Second, we need to consider the fact that Fulton may have moved locations and set new traps. And third, we don’t know if our attempt to stop the Brotherhood from working with him actually worked.”

Damn. Theo’s already thought all of this through. He really has been working hard to come up with a plan for saving Willow from every angle. My chest, and heart, deflates.

Kwil growls quietly as he starts to pace again. “Then it’s hopeless, we can’t do anything to help Willow.”

“Hope is a fool’s motivation,” Viktor grumbles as he collapses down on the couch. His brows furrow. I have no doubt he’s trying to reach for Willow again.

“No, it’s not,” I object as I shoot him a glare. “Hope is what got us all here in some way, shape, or form. So cut the crap, Viktor.”

Brock hums thoughtfully before his hand lands on my shoulder, “You’re right, Jonah. Hope isn’t foolish.” He looks around at the rest of the guys. “We’re not completely down and out.Ican go topside and check on Fulton and the Brotherhood. Before you object,” he adds quickly as Theo opens his mouth, “this will be just a scouting mission. I can go up every few hours here, which is days in the Realm of the Living, to see how things are going. I can report back and let you know what I’ve seen and heard. That way you can focus on trying to get Willow back, and we’ll be well informed when we do get the chance to go after him.”

Theo shuts his mouth as mine splits open into a grin.

“You’re brilliant, Brock.”

The reaper chuckles, the sound tired. It’s followed by a heavy sigh. “I’ll head home and get some rest before I head to the Realm of the Living. I’ll come—”

“Stay, Brock,” Theo offers. “There’s no reason you can’t stay here at Death’s house. The staff just changed the sheets in the bedroom or, if you don’t want to crash there, there are a few guest rooms down the hall.”

Brock’s brows fly upwards and his mouth pops open. I slap him on the back with a weak chuckle,

“You’re one of us, man, whether you like it or not.” I sigh, “Plus, I’m sure Willow will be thrilled to see you when she comes back again.”

Brock blinks, “Again? She was back and I missed her?”

“She was here for no more than a few minutes, you didn’t miss much,” Kwil grumbles.

The reaper nods slowly, his brows coming together in concern.

“Then I’ll stay. Thanks.”

* * *

I press my forehead to my knees as the tension in my brow deepens. It’s been seven days since Willow showed up in the apartment before disappearing again. Since then, we’ve only seen her once more. In that time, she was still in her half-present state, looking as scary as she had the first time. We’d managed to get some food and water into her stomach, and even helped her get cleaned in the shower. Before we could get her into bed, though, she was gone.

Theo, Kwil, Viktor, and I have continued our rotations. While two or three of us are up, the others sleep. Food is brought to the apartment. None of us dare to leave in case Willow returns.

Brock comes and goes often.

The first time he returned with relatively good news.

“I found your family’s vacation home and Fulton is still there,” Brock declared that night as he walked into the apartment. “But there is no sign of any Ghosts lingering about. I think it’s safe to say, Fulton is on his own. I don’t know why the Brotherhood would allow him to stay at the house but maybe they gave it to him as a peace offering so that he’ll stay the hell away from them.”

The news both pleased and stressed Theodon out.

“And the wards? The protection spells around the house would have kept the living out but I wasn’t sure about you—”

“Oh, they’re there,” Brock assures him. “Fulton tampered with them. He’s added Death Magic into the barrier so I couldn’t walk through it. I think when I got close it alerted Fulton because I saw him peek out through the curtains.”

Both Viktor and I shake our heads in confusion.

“Hold on, shouldn’t the barrier be non-existent at this point?” I look from Brock to Theo. “Fulton should be weak without access to Death Magic and without the support of the Brotherhood, how’s he getting food or supplies to survive?”

Brock’s face scrunches up.

“Well, here’s the thing. There aremassivestones from the Third Realm placed strategically around the house. I could feel thispullto go near them. So, I have a feeling—”

“He’s collecting wayward spirits,” Theo concludes grimly. “He’s not weak because he has power coming in. It may not be a lot but it’s enough to keep him safe, for now.”

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