Page 114 of Haunted Hearts

“Mystery Man?” Willow stops walking, forcing me to stop too.

Sucking in a sharp breath, I force the beast back.I’min charge. Not the monster, no matter how strong its presence is inside me. It’s hard. The battle to succumb to the monstrous voice, to its instincts and urges, is intense. What’s more, the monster isn’t wrong. This area brings up only bad memories and what we’re about to do will be dangerous to all of us, especially Willow. If Fulton gets his hands on her, he’ll be nearly unstoppable.

The sound of familiar footsteps causes my shoulders to stiffen.

Slowly, I lift my head and turn all the way around, momentarily ignoring Willow, to face Theodon who is walking over to us. It’s like I’m seeing him through two different pairs of eyes. Through the eyes of the monster, he’s a threat. For Theo to agree and allow Willow to try something this crazy makes him dangerous. He doesn't love our Willow like we do. He doesn’tcarewhat happens to her.

But through the eyes of a man, I know differently. I see the concern etched in the depths of his eyes and the hard press of his mouth. Though his gait is casual, my eyes don’t miss the way his hand twitches as if it wants to curl into a ball or how his nostrils flare as he battles his own internal demons. Theo cares just as much as I do about Willow’s wellbeing. He also cares about the rest of us. And now, it’s not just us he’s in charge of. There are fourteen reapers spreading out all around us, who have placed their trust in him.

Theo stops a few feet away, his eyes pinned to my face. “Are you in control?”

I appreciate his caution. The distance he keeps and the wariness in his eyes is the only thing keeping him alive. As hard as I’m struggling, the monster is winning this battle. Another snarl breaks free from me.

Leave with mate. Mate go somewhere safe. Mate leave here. Take her away!

I can’t even produce any objective thoughts in return. The creature’s desire to keep Willow safe is overriding my sanity and control.

“Ow, Kwil, you’re starting to hurt me.”

It’s Willow’s exclamation that instantly breaks the monster’s hold over me. I jerk my hand from hers but step closer to Willow to use my body as a shield from whatever imaginary attack may happen upon us.

“I’m in control now,” I manage to spit out.

It’s a lie. It’s a loose control at best. The monster still lurks in my head, waiting for a chance to surge forward again. Knowing this, I realize Theo’s plan is going to have to be adjusted.

“I can’t go with the group you put me in charge of.” Shame warms my cheeks as I speak. “I can’t leave Willow’s side. The thing inside me, he—” I shake my head “—itwon't let me.”

Theo’s gaze slides over my face before he nods once.

“I understand.” He turns halfway around and lifts his hand. “Jonah, come here!”

As we wait for Jonah to join us, I turn to Willow. Her eyes, glowing slightly, are pinned to my face as she searches for something there.

“I’m sorry I hurt you. Are you ok?”

Her mouth twitches as her eyes roll hard. “I’m fine. I ache more from what we did this morning. Thanks for the concern, though.”

Why did I think I would know how Willow would respond? Chuckling, I take her hand, this time taking great care to not grip her too tight.

“I’ll admit, I’m not sorry about that, Little Minx.”

Her amusement fades as we stare at one another. “You want to talk about whatever it is you’ve been stewing over since we got here?”

My mouth bows downwards.

“What we’re doing is dangerous for a variety of reasons, Willow. While the… thethinginside of me doesn’t really get what’s going on, he understands that this is dangerous for you. I’m struggling to keep him from grabbing you and running off.” My confession spills out of me as I lower my gaze to the ground. I should have better control and I don’t. “Just thinking about not being by your side while we do this is driving it,me, insane.”

Willow snorts. The noise draws my attention upward. Her eyes twinkle when I look into them.

“You want to run off with me, knowing how badly I want Fulton?” she snorts and shakes her head. “Trust me, I wouldn’t have let you get too far.”

I chuckle weakly.

“Instead of fighting your instincts, I’d rather you use them to keep Willow safe,” Theo says.

We both look over to him. He gives me a tight smile.

“To fight a monster, we might need a monster, so stick close to Willow. I’ll rearrange our positions. Jonah here—” Theo turns his head to the horned man who comes to a stop beside him and grins at us, “—will learn a few hand signals and take my place to the east. I’ll take your position, Kwil, to the north. Jonah, you’ll watch for my signals during our showdown with the warlock. Kwil, you’ll be in charge of the reapers here with Willow.”

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