Page 42 of Haunted Hearts

I meet Brock’s eyes before looking away, my cheeks heating up even more. We need to spend some time together to figurethisout.

“What about us? We’re supposed to just watch Willow disappear into the distance whenever danger calls and hope she comes back?” Theo asks, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder. “Because I know I can’t do that. Iwon’tdo that, and I have a feeling that the others feel the same way.”

I take a deep breath, savoring the contact.

Who said you’ll be anywhere but by her side?Dad tilts his head to get a good look at the ex-prince.Did I not tell you it would be imperative that you be here in order for Willow to survive?

“You did but—”

Then know that Willow’s job is now alsoyourjob.She will never be alone. Dad straightens.Willow has the five of you to guide her.A reaper who can teach you about this realm, three warriors who can teach her to fight and protect her when she cannot protect herself, and a gentleman who seems to make it his mission to make her smile even in the most trying of times.

Jonah’s chest puffs out with pride, and I grin at him.

Viktor whistles, “We can teach her how to use weapons, but her powers…?”

“That’s something I can teach her, though it’s really all about practice once you’ve felt around for your limits. Dad smiles warmly.If you’re up to it Willie,I’d like to see how you feel when you use your powers in this realm. It will be different than when using them in the Realm of the Living.

A grin spreads across my face as my heart does a backflip, “Can I useallof it? No restraints?”

At Dad’s answering grin, I whoop and push past the guys towards the doors.

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

Chapter14

JONAH

The cave I resided in while I was cursed was situated close to an ocean.

If the wind blew hard enough in a particular direction, sometimes I’d be able to smell the salty water. But I’ve never actuallyvisitedan ocean. It was a bucket list item that never came to fruition in my first life. In my second life, however, it seems to be one of the first things I can cross off. I kick off my boots and race across the soft sand towards the water.

My feet hit the water and I dive into a crashing wave. I regret it immediately. My head pops out of the water as I spit out the gross, grainy wetness.

“Urgh! It tastes terrible!”

I shake my head as I turn and trudge out of the ocean, sputtering. Oh god, there’s sand everywhere.

Viktor stands just out of reach of the waves crashing onto the beach, his arms crossed over his chest. His mouth twitches as if he wants to laugh.

“You didn’t know ocean water was salty?” His mouth twitches harder.

Glaring at him, I shake my hair out right beside him.

“Hey!” He snaps, stepping away from me.

“I thought it smelled salty ‘cause it hit the sand or something. This is so gross, and why am I so gritty? I was in water!” I stare at the sand on my wet arms, glaring at it.

Viktor’s shoulders shake as he chuckles. Beside him, Brock steps up, grinning at me.

“I’ve never seen an ocean this blue. This is a hidden gem in this realm for sure,” the reaper muses out loud.

—remember it’s going to be different, Willie! Death calls out.

The three of us turn to watch as Willow walks a few feet away from Death. Her hips sway hypnotically as she moves. It takes a conscious effort for me not to bite my bottom lip as my blood heats. This woman ismine. As she comes to a stop to look around at us, our eyes meet.

And just like that, my breath is stolen from me.

The eye contact is brief, but it leaves me shaken even after she turns her attention to the task at hand. Swallowing hard, I look around at the others who weren’t privy to the brief moment. Theodon and Kwil are sticking close to the rocky dune we’d climbed over to get to the beach. Both seem tense as they scan the area. Which, I guess isn’t saying much, at least in regard to Theodon. The guy is always thinking, always planning.

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