Page 101 of Haze

Revecca sits down next to me in one of the other wooden chairs. She puts her feet up, resting them on the footrest.

“Hmmm, surprisingly comfortable.” She stretches out in the chair. “It’s not terrible in Minnesota.”

“Wait until it snows.” I look out at the trees, the orange leaves still holding on tight.

Minutes of silence tick by between us before she says, “I know your wolf is on the verge of being entirely feral. The Pricolici can fix her.”

“Yeah, and for what, my soul in exchange?” I look over at her.

Revecca scoffs. “We’re not so different, you and I.”

“I’ve heard I’m nicer and my jokes are funnier.” I roll my eyes. Why is she even here?

The lava inside has cooled, and I’m anchored to this chair. At least it’s better than the feeling of wanting to erupt out of my skin.

Revecca doesn’t press. “You may be able to fix her yourself, but you’ll need to be impeccable in giving in to your urges until the two of you bond wholly. And that will include...”

Casting my eyes to the side, I see her biting her bottom lip. Her cheeks turn ever so slightly pink.

No. No! NO! My brain screams. I look harder at her. Revecca Ardelean. Griffin O’Leary. Griffin O’Brien, Revecca Ardelean? I beg for a vision. Please don’t let it be.

“You can’t keep doing this, Revecca!” Finn shouts at her. He’s red with rage.

“That’s not for you to decide!” Revecca shouts back.

She’s wrapped up in a black leather jacket that matches the one Finn is wearing. It nearly drowns her.

“You’re going—”

The vision cuts short. I feel a cold spot on my hand from where something no longer touches me.

Revecca scolds, “Oh, no. That’s enough of that.”

“Afraid?” I narrow my eyes at her.

She meets my eyes before a hauntingly honest answer leaves her lips. “Yes.”

I don’t know what to do with that.

“If it were me, I wouldn’t want to go through the turmoil of a wolf going feral. It’s not as painful physically as a fracture. But it’s uncomfortable,” Revecca says, her words short before she pauses. “Yet, I understand wanting to do it yourself. Cade and Finn know how to get ahold of me. If it’s too much, don’t be too proud to call. Bringing your wolf back is certainly not painful or invasive to fix.” Standing, Revecca straightens her shirt. “We’re not so different, you and I.”

“Yeah. So you’ve said.” I shrug at her. Should I let her help? Would she lie about this? I shake my head. “Thank you, but I’ll do it on my own.”

Without another word, Revecca goes to leave.

“Wait.” I stop her, and she turns back to me.

Raising an eyebrow, she does wait.

“Where does Deacon come from?”

Revecca sighs. “His bloodline left Romania a hundred years ago. To be honest, until recently, we thought they were lost. It’s intriguing, to say the least.”

The answer is heartbreaking. But, maybe Deacon feels the way I do about it—it doesn’t matter. Knowing now doesn’t change what’s happened; it’s only changed my perception of the relationships around me.

Revecca doesn’t stay and wait for another question.

It’s just as well because Finn replaces her in the chair moments later. He offers me a plate of food and a cup of coffee.

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