Page 62 of Haunted Hearts

Brock looks at Theo. “Something is happening in the Realm of the Living and it’s upsetting the balance here. When the Realm of the Dead is unstable, things become out of whack here. This could be one of those things.”

“Somethings wrong in the realm? That’s probably why Death has been MIA these past few days,” Jonah muses out loud. “Or I’m sure he’d be here helping you, Willow.”

Brock nods slowly. “Rumor has it, Death has been trying to do damage control.” He looks to Theo. “Do you mind if we go somewhere and talk for a moment?”

Theo’s surprise is so great that he can’t hide it as his expression shifts. He composes himself quickly, however, and nods.

“We’ll head back and get cleaned up,” Kwil assures Theo when he turns to look back at us. Theodon nods before stepping closer to the reaper. Brock’s scythe materializes in his right hand and when he swings it away from us, a slit of rippling air that turns white, appears just behind him. I cringe away from the portal.

“What’sthat?” Willow squeaks.

“The reaper calls it ‘billowing’,” I explain. “It’s like teleporting within the Realm of the Dead.”

“That’d be nice to be able to do,” She grumbles bitterly as we watch Theo and Brock disappear as the slit in the fabric of the realm closes behind them. I’m sure that the bitterness in her tone has more to do with the fact that the reaper hadn’t seemed interested in sticking around to talk rather than her inability to move across the Realm of the Dead.

“Come on, let’s go take a shower,” Jonah tugs Willow towards the sand dunes.

“I’m glad we cut training short today, I’m starving,” Kwil follows close behind them.

I linger a moment, turning to stare at where Theodon and Brock had disappeared. Hopefully, they will both come back in one piece. Brock’s been openly cold towards Theodon when Willow isn’t paying attention and Theo has made no effort to befriend the guy.

I don’t think Willow will appreciate it if either of them lost a limb due to their own stupidity.

Chapter20

THEODON

Ireally hate billowing.

The contents of my stomach sit in my throat and sweat beads along my skin even as I shiver from a chill.

“You good?”

Brock’s question has me quickly composing myself. I suck in a deep breath and work the contents of my stomach back down.

“Of course.” It takes a great deal of effort to keep the bite out of my voice. I straighten and look around us. At once, I recognize the place as Brock’s home. His house looks dark and unchanged since the last time I was here. The small pond that sits a few yards away is glistening in the intense afternoon sunlight, though the thick foliage from the surrounding trees keeps the heat at bay.

“It’ll get easier the more you billow,” Brock explains as he steps around me with a sigh.

I start to follow him to his house, but he stops and turns to face me. His dark eyes search my face as his jaw clenches. The tension radiating off the reaper is nearly tangible. I don’t know what this is all about. Has something come up in the few days of his absence that has given him a renewed disliking of me? Or is this about something else? Either way, I brace myself.

“I need to share a few things with you, Theodon, but what I have to say… I didn’t want an audience,” he starts. His fists curl by his sides.

I take in his stiff posture and the way he works his jaw to loosen it. There’s no telling what I’m really here for but if he wants to attack me, he could. The dagger in my boot is in reaching distance and I’m good at grappling. Brock may be packed with muscle but is hetrainedto fight?

“I’m all ears.” I shove my hands into my pockets and wait.

Brock sighs heavily. As he exhales, his shoulders sag and the tension lessons in his body. “I want to apologize to you, Theo.”

Oh? What’s this?

“For what?” I wrack my brain, trying to come up with a reason I’m owed an apology. All the while, I keep a sharp eye on the reaper. This could be some sort of distraction technique.

Brock’s jaw ticks and for a moment annoyance flashes in his eyes. “You can drop the pretense of ignorance; I’m sure Willow has talked to you already.”

Tension gathers in my shoulders. What is this about Willow? She’s been moody these past few days. I figured it had something to do with the reaper and his absence, but I’d kept my mouth shut. Whatever happened is between them. Now, however, I wonder if I should have pried. What is Willow keeping from me?

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

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