Page 99 of Haunted Hearts

“No, no, please! I’m sorry, I-I’m—”

Dileep’s voice is cut off as I throw him through the Veil. Sandors attempts to spit on me and fails. I hold his spirit, not stepping through the Veil just yet.

“I don’t think you’ll appreciate what I have in store for you on the other side.” I tilt my head as my hunger for more fear, more retribution, burns through my veins. “So, let me not waste my time with you.”

“Nothing you can do can make me—” His voice trails off in a wail as his soul begins to disintegrate.

With the Fae back in their bodies, they can’t see us, but they canhearjust fine. Sandors screams are a motivator, putting more pep in their step as everyone races away to alert other Fae that hadn’t been around for what just occurred.

“Willow, c’mon!” Jonah hisses, stepping back through the Veil to grab me. “I’ve had a boner this whole fucking time. Stop making me wait to take care of it!”

I snicker as Sandors vanishes out of existence.

“I’m coming.”

Chapter31

WILLOW

As I step through the Veil, a body hits me. Hard.

“Thank you, Willow.” Theodon chokes on my name as he buries his face into my hair.

I let out a soft, albeit confused, bark of laughter. “For what?”

“You know what,” he scolds gently as he pulls away from me. Tears shine in his eyes as his jaw works. “I know it shouldn’t matter, the organization was just a farce but…” he shakes his head.

Rolling onto the balls of my feet, I tilt my head up and steal a swift kiss from my emotional king. When I pull away, I whisper, “I love you.”

Theo’s throat convulses as his eyes lower to the ground. He takes my hand, squeezes it, and then lets it go to step back.

“I’ve never been so happy as I was just then to see someone scared for their lives. Good job, Willow.” Kwil wraps his arms around my shoulders and kisses me on the forehead.

Jonah snorts, “They were scared shitless. I swear I smelt piss in the air all around us.”

“Phase one of stopping Fulton is complete,” Brock nods as his scythe disappears. “But our job isn’t over yet.”

Viktor sighs, “Let’s celebrate this victory then get back to planning how we’ll stop Fulton.”

The guys move away from me, deep in conversation, talking about our short adventure. Their excitement and relief speeds up their voices as they talk over one another.

I glance around us. My reaper has dumped us right in front of Dad’s house. The massive home towers over us as a looming shadow in the darkness. I glance up at the sky, noting the thousands of stars. Will I ever get used to how differently time works here? We’d left what feels like only twenty minutes ago. The sun had been shining and the wind had been a gentle breeze on my face. Now the air is still, and the moon is rising overhead. There isn’t even a bat or the sound of bugs to give life to the darkness. It’s so dark, in fact, that I swear even the stars seem just a bit dimmer than usual.

Movement draws my attention downwards. I lift both hands, palms up, and watch as the dark shadows that seem to come and go, dart around beneath my skin. Tension gathers in my chest and the hairs on the back of my neck rise. My stomach twists uneasily. The movement of shadows is shifty and agitated. Not the smooth glide, like it has been since my arrival. A heavy weight presses against my heart. The darkness around me wraps around my shoulders like the robe I had worn only seconds ago. There’s an uncomfortable weight to it. Guilt from an intangible source cools the excitement from our adventure and coats my tongue with bitterness. Though no words are exchanged, no images reflect its thoughts, I know deep down, the Realm of the Dead is speaking to me.

I’ve abused my power and my purpose.

My job is to protect this realm from harm, not harass innocent people in the Realm of the Living. The Elders were a far cry from ‘innocent’ but ripping spirits from their bodies before they’re ready and destroying souls just to prove my strength… that wasn’t ok. I shouldn’t be a creature to be feared. Like a reaper, and my father, I should be an accepted part of life. Death in any form, such as myself, should be like an old friend that people greet with open arms. Now, when their time has come, the Fae will fight the next chapter of their life.

I also destroyed two souls. Thewrongnessof that settles in my pores, clogging them. The shadows beneath my skin move with more urgency and agitation.

The realm isnothappy with me for that.

Shame warms my cheeks. It’s not the first time. What’s worse, I know it won’t be my last. There’s one more soul that I refuse to let roam free. Fulton ismine.My hands ball into fists as I drop them down to my sides. My rage and the disappointment from the realm clash against one another inside of me.

“Hey.”

I nearly jump at the sound of Jonah’s voice. Blinking rapidly, trying to dispel my thoughts, I look up to notice that Kwil, Theodon, and Brock have already disappeared inside the house. Viktor is lingering by the front door, while Jonah has apparently walked back to see why I haven’t followed.

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