Page 110 of Haunted Hearts

“Does that all make sense?” Theo concludes, looking around at everyone. At everyone’s head nod Theo adds, “Any questions?”

Remy rises from his tree stump that he’d been sitting on. His expression had darkened significantly over the course of the conversation and now, he appears downright murderous. It’s a far cry from the happy-go-lucky reaper I once knew. Being trapped as a prisoner must have done a real number on him. His arm comes up and his hand opens. Less than half a second later his scythe materializes in his grasp. He steps forward to stand in front of Willow and then goes down on one knee.

“Mistress Willow Harvest, daughter of Death and goddess of the Realm of the Dead, even if you hadn’t saved me, I am at your service.” He offers her his scythe. “This warlock has taken reapers and destroyed their very essence for his personal gain. I’ll stop at nothing to end him. Whatever you need that I can give you, I’ll do it. All I ask is that I be there to witness the bastard suffer.”

The others that are sitting rise, and as a group, my friends step forward. Scythes appear left and right as they, too, present their weapons to my woman. I glance over to Willow who dons an expression of sympathy, though her eyes are bright with a fire that I’ve noticed growing within her. Something is burning inside of her, and I have a feeling it’s the same thing that has kindled Remy’s passion and determination to help.

I itch to give Willow exactly what she wants.

With a deliberate slowness, my woman takes Remy’s scythe without breaking eye contact with him. “Thank you, all of you.” Her lips purse together, and her pupils narrow. “Brock said that you already have Death Magic forged into your weapons. All I plan on doing is adding a little bit more so that you’re all prepared for whatever comes our way.”

“You can do that?” Tootsie asks, blinking rapidly in surprise.

I answer for Willow, “She can. Before we came here, she gave my scythe an upgrade.”

Everyone looks from me back to Willow. I don’t miss the way some of them look more than a little interested.

Remy gives Willow a stiff nod, which she returns as her grip tightens around his scythe. As her attention slides from him to his weapon I step forward and place a hand on her shoulder to stop her. Looking around at my friends I add,

“You will not tell a single soul about Willow’s ability to do this. While I trust all of you, I don’t trust anyone outside of you with this information.” If we lived in a perfect realm, it wouldn’t matter. But the idea of power can twist a person’s mind with sick thoughts. It's best if we keep this to ourselves.

“We won’t breathe a word of this,anyof this, to another soul,” Tootsie states firmly, speaking for the group.

I nod and turn to Willow. Our eyes meet and that fire burns just a little bit brighter. She’s getting closer to whatever it is she wants, and she knows it. Smiling, I bow my head slightly.

“Do your thing, baby girl.”

Chapter35

VIKTOR

Iwake with a scream lodged in my throat.

Sitting upright, breathing heavily, and sweating profusely, I flounder around trying to gain my bearings. Around me the others sleep soundly. After visiting with Brock’s friends and preparing them for the run-in with Fulton, we’d come back here to crash for the evening. Honestly, with what’s going to unfold tomorrow, or rather later today, I’m surprised anyone could sleep. But clearly, I was wrong. The others sleep soundly. Jonah’s sleeping so soundly that he’s snoring, which he never does.

The sound is oddly comforting in the darkness.

My attention turns to Willow, who is lying beside me. It’s becoming so natural to look, and reach, for her. She’s a security blanket I didn’t know I needed. Finding Willow fast asleep manages to calm my racing heart. I take another few deep breaths before mentally talking myself into laying back down.

The minute my head hits the pillow, Willow’s arms snakes across my chest. Her body scoots just a little closer before she throws a leg over my waist. Despite the terror that’s lingered, I smile up at the ceiling before turning my body towards her and dragging her closer into me. I tuck one of my arms under my pillow and settle into a comfortable position. Her arm that she threw over my chest, slides between us to land on the mattress while her leg stays draped over me.

“Honey, you good?”

Willow’s voice, thick with sleep, startles me. I peer down into her face to find her eyes still closed and her breathing relatively even.

Bending my head, my lips skim across her forehead. “I’m fine. Sleep, Willow.”

She lets out the softest of hums. “Want to talk about why you’re up?”

“No.”

She uses the leg that’s thrown over my hip to pull her body closer to me. Willow’s eyes flutter halfway open.

“You sure?” Her hips gyrate against mine just a little.

I stifle my groan. Of course, Willow would use her body to extract information out of me. Little tease. Any thought of sleep is immediately pushed to the background as my body comes to life. I reach up to cup her face.

“You’re trouble.” My voice is hardly more than a whisper. I don’t want to wake the others. We have a big day tomorrow.

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