Page 33 of Haunted Hearts

Please don’t make this a competition, I send out into the universe hoping the two of them hear it as they turn their heads in unison to stare at Willow’s back.

“Mystery Man?”

Brock’s question pulls my attention back to the two of them. Rather than explain, Willow says, “It’s beautiful out here.”

“I certainly think so,” Brock agrees softly.

Again, their eyes meet. It’s strange, the connection the two of them seem to have. My eyes flicker to Kwil, Willow’s other fated mate. He seems to be astutely ignoring them. Or maybe he’s just giving them some privacy as best he can under the circumstances. I can’t tell. How is he so calm about this? Shouldn’t his baser instincts object to this new union?

Either he has them under control or he really isn’t bothered by Brock. Too bad I’m not more like Kwil at the moment.

“When will you have to return to your job?” I ask, sharper than I intend.

Before Brock can respond, it’s Viktor who asks, “You can’t work, what with the Veil closed, right?”

The reaper guides Willow around the large fountain. “Actually, the Veil’s been reopened.”

“What? Really?” The sharpness in Willow’s voice surprises us all. At his nod she adds, “So technically we can go to the Realm of the Living now?”

Go back to the Realm of the Living? I hadn’t considered this would be a possibility, but if Willow could open the Veil from there, she could do so from here. But what is there for us? We’re dead. What—

Green flames begin to lick across the stone pavers along the edge of the courtyard. Kwil and Viktor step away from the flower beds that begin to smoke. Overhead, dark clouds begin to roll over us that weren’t there just a moment ago. The hair on the back of my neck rises as power gathers around us.

My eyes flicker to Willow’s whose eyes have begun to glow bright.

“Well, first, I think crossing back over would have never been a problem for you since you could open it from the other side just fine. But, to answer your question, those that are allowed to cross over, are now free to do so again. The Veil’s back to working properly ever since Fulton left.” Brock chooses his words carefully as he stares into Willow’s face. “But there are rules, Willow. You can’t stay over there.”

“I have no intention of lingering in a world where I don’t belong,” she squares her shoulders. I watch as color returns to Willow’s cheeks and her eyes brighten. The glimpse of the fiery woman I know eases some of my concern for her. “I want to kill Fulton. That fucking assholetorturedme and he’s hurting others.”

Willow’s words are a kick in my gut. A reminder that we failed to protect her. But her desire to see the warlock dead is even more of a shock. She isn’t a vindictive person.

“You wouldn’t be able to do that, Willow. The dead are forbidden to kill the living.” Brock gives her a pointed look that lacks any true censure, before heaving a regretful sigh. “Though, I wish it was different.”

“That’s right,” I nod slowly as I consider this. “Death couldn’t kill us. We had to make the conscious decision to come with him here.”

Willow turns around to face me then. The murderous expression fades. With it goes the flames, and the clouds that she doesn’t seem to notice overhead disperse. Everything has returned to the way it was except for a single flower bed that continues to burn behind her.

“You shouldn’t have—”

I wave my hand dismissively, “This conversation will not be rehashed.” I look to Brock whose expression sours greatly as he regards me. “This isn’t a typical situation. Willow isn’t Death and she’s not a normal spirit. Willow is somewhere in between, do the rules still apply to her?”

Willow’s face lights up as she looks hopefully at Brock. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kwil and Viktor go completely still, listening for the answer.

Brock shrugs as he turns to Willow. “You’ll have to talk to your father about all of this. I don’t make the rules and I don’t know what loopholes you’ll be able to jump through.”

Willow shakes her head, letting out a huff of disgust. “This is ridiculous. The asshole can torture me, steal my power, and cross back over to the Realm of the Living with no repercussions, yet I’m the one who will have to follow rules.”

Willow still seems oblivious to the fire she’s started. Thankfully, Brock notices and draws her away from the smoke and flames.

“Fulton won’t have access to your power for long. He’ll blow through it quickly, if he hasn’t already.” Brock frowns as Willow’s face twists in irritation and confusion. “Whatever he took, I’m sure, has since been replaced within you, due to who you are. But for Fulton, if he uses it, it’s gone.”

Willow moves away from Brock's side, pacing in agitation. I move towards her, but she pivots out of reach.

“Yeah, he’ll be without Death Magicuntilhe finds more spirits and reapers to capture and use.”

Brock flinches. He turns his face, but not before I catch the disgust and pain in his expression.

“What does Fulton have to do with the Veil, since it’s suddenly open right after he leaves?” Kwil asks after a long pause.

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