Page 69 of Haunted Hearts

“What’s going on? Who’s missing?” I ask him as unease slips down my spine.

“I thought tonight we agreed to take a break from this talk,” Brock shoots the others a dark look.

I scowl at him. “No, don’t hide anything from me. What’s going on?”

Brock opens his mouth, but Caveman interrupts him.

“Our friend Remy is missing and has been for a few days now. The four of us have been in the Realm of the Living looking all over for him in the location where he was supposed to have been last. But we’ve come up empty handed.”

Arty gasps and stumbles forward to stand in front of me. “Maybe you could use your power and help us find Remy?” His hopeful expression twists with excitement. “Do you have that ability?”

“Wait,doyou? Have that ability, I mean,” Tootsie looks from me to Brock and then back again. “Can you find spirits?”

I open my mouth to tell them that I couldn’t, but… maybe I can? If I could commune with spirits from this side while I was in the Realm of the Living, maybe I can do the reverse?

Before I can try, Brock places his hand on my shoulder. “Hey, Willow, I wasn’t trying to hide anything from you. I know a missing reaper is serious. Even more so because he’s my friend.” Our eyes meet and he gives me a small smile. “Theo and I just wanted tonight to be fun for you. You’ve had it rough since you came here.”

Oh… I don’t know what to say to this. First, Brock and I fight and then he disappears for five days, and now he wants me to have fun? His actions are giving me whiplash. As I stare into his dark eyes, he gazes back at me, imploring me to understand.

“Willow doesn’t know what she can or can’t do yet,” Theo states, breaking my stare down with Brock. I look over and watch him as he joins us. “We’ve been testing her limits recently, but this isn’t a specific task she’s had to perform yet.”

Tootsie, Caveman, and Arty all await my response. The other reapers around us are either unaware of the sudden grim tone of the conversation or are purposely trying not to get sucked into the gloom.

I understand their desperation. If I was in their shoes, I’d ask or do anything to find any of my guys if we were separated. But what if I can’t find Remy? I look over to Brock, who doesn’t seem to want to meet my gaze. I’m not sure why. Does he not want to influence me in some way or is there something else?

“I’ll try,but—”I add quickly at the swift intake of air the three reapers take at once. “I can’t guarantee anything.”

Kwil’s hand lands on my shoulder. His grip biting. “Is this a good idea?”

Tootsie looks from me to him. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

Theo clears his throat, drawing all of our attention to him. “There are a multitude of reasons why this could be a bad idea. The biggest being that Willow may unintentionally invite unwanted guests to this party. Like the Purcian for one.”

Tootsie and Arty suck their teeth in unison.

“Those gross things? We can handle that type of trouble, though I doubt we’ll have it. Purcians aren’t native to this area,” Tootsie assures us.

“So, will you try it?” Caveman urges as he stands. Around us the others have fallen silent as they turn and look over at us. Ah, so theywerelistening. They were just being polite. I caught sight of Viktor’s grim, disapproving expression that he tries to hide behind a mask of indifference. Even Jonah looks a little nervous.

Do they all have such little faith in me? Or are they just worried about what trouble I can bring? If the reapers couldn’t handle the Purcians, or anything else that may show up, I don’t think Tootsie would have said otherwise. In any case, I’ve gotten a decent hold on my power. I’m sure I could kill a few monsters if they came creeping around.

I square my shoulders and offer Tootsie both of my hands. “I’ll proceed cautiously for everyone’s sake, even Remy’s. My power is much stronger here, I would hate to reach out and hurt him by being careless. Now, give me your hands and Remy’s full name.”

Brock turns his body towards me on his stump swiftly. “No, I’ll do it.”

Chapter22

WILLOW

When Brock takes my hands, his engulf mine. The calluses in his palm are rough, especially on his right hand. The contact elicits a shock of pleasure that zigs through my body. I give an involuntary shudder. Brock notices. His hands tighten around mine as he smiles. Tootsie stands to move closer while Caveman and Arty hover nearby.

“You guys, can we give Willow some air?” Brock turns to glare at his friends.

“Technically, she’s dead so she doesn’t need to breathe,” Arty points out with a bright smile.

I laugh as Tootsie pushes on Caveman’s arm and glares at Arty, “You know that’s not what he means.”

Brock shakes his head before turning his attention back to me.

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