Page 34 of Haunted Hearts

Brock doesn’t answer right away. With his back turned to us I can’t read his face, but given the stiffness in his shoulders, Willow’s words are still wreaking havoc on the guy. She seems to realize this at the same time I do. She walks back over to the reaper and places a hand between his shoulder blades.

“I don’t know how just yet, but I’m going to stop Fulton,” she promises quietly. “After I’m through with him, spirits and reapers will be safe again.”

The tension in his body seeps away. He looks down at her and they share another moment together.

I clear my throat, waiting for an answer…

Brock lets out a heavy sigh and looks over at the rest of us. “According to a conversation I overheard Death’s staff having in the hallways, it sounds like the Ward and Death concluded that with Fulton being alive and using magic from the Realm of the Living here, it was upsetting the balance between realms, which translated into the Veil sealing shut.”

“The Ward?” Willow repeats curiously.

“The organization that helps spirits adjust to this new world and where reapers report to for missions.” Brock explains.

I frown, “Does the Ward know about Willow and her connection to Death and Fulton?”

Is the Ward an enemy that we’ll have to protect her from? A powerful being connected to a warlock that can mess with the stability of a realm can’t bode well for Willow.

“As far as I know, no one knows about Willow except us and Death, and the staff Death keeps around here.”

Brock’s answer doesn’t bring me any peace of mind. If it’s not the Ward, what will it be? What faceless enemies will we have to shield Willow from in this realm? The lack of knowledge that I have about this realm is going to be a real problem. Since we arrived here, if I’m not in our apartment, I’ve been in Death’s library, reading through the different texts, trying to absorb all the information I can.

“When do you have to report back to this Ward?” Willow’s voice snaps me out of the start of a spiraling panic.

“I’m not going back. Death asked me to remain here. As if he could tell me to leave now thatyou’rehere.” At the roll of his eyes and a flash of his grin, Willow smiles warmly.

Breathing through the heat of jealousy once more, I turn my back to them.

Just in time to watch orange and red flames race overhead in a thick stream before sizzling out. It’s followed by an explosion that rocks the ground. High above us, so high I can’t make out what it is, something goes up into a ball of those same flames. Willow gasps and Jonah swears.

“Why does that keep happening?” Jonah demands when everything goes quiet and the sky clears. “Whatisit?

“This has happened before?” Willow asks.

“This is the fourth time since we’ve arrived,” I explain grimly, my eyes searching the sky for any more threats. Because that’s what it is. Something is trying to make its way here and is being stopped somehow.

“There are monsters in the Realm of the Dead, just as there are in the Realm of the Living in some form or another,” Brock sighs. “The ones that keep hitting the barrier Death has up are called Purcians. They are ancient creatures that crave and search for Death Magic to feast upon.”

Purcians. I make a mental note to read up about these things.

Jonah throws his hands up with frustration. “Great, so Willow’s not safe in the Realm of the Dead either.”

“Her power is a beacon, because Willow’s not controlling it. Once she learns how to suppress it, these things won’t be a problem.” Brock smiles at her. “It may take time to harness the energy radiating off of you, but you have us to watch your back.”

Honestly, I’m surprised by the plural. I don’t point it out though because Willow’s expression captures my attention. One minute her eyes are bright and glowing but when she blinks, they go dull, and the air seems to deflate from her body.

Willow steps away from Brock and walks towards me. I meet her halfway, hating the vacant expression on her face. What happened to her fire? To her passion?

“Willow?” I reach out to take her hand.

“I want to go lay back down.”

“Of course.” I turn with her and guide her back towards the house. I look over my shoulder at the others to find various degrees of concern on their faces.

What’s wrong with our Willow?

Chapter12

VIKTOR

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