Page 52 of Corrupt Shadows

Despite my confession, Rosa remains rooted to the spot, her gaze never leaving mine.

“The second I killed was a woman. A girl, actually. Imogen was nineteen, and we became fast friends. I can still see my shadows pulling her apart after I let my guard down. We’d stolen a car. It was reckless, and the thrill was too much. I wasn’t as in control then…” I trail off. “The others were the same—all people I got close to, who felt safe with me. My magic would come out, then kill them. Once it happened while I was sleeping.”

I jump when she touches me, her fingers squeezing mine. “Evie, honey, it’s okay.”

My lips curl into a frown. “Didn’t you hear what I said? You’ll end up dead.”

“Oh, I have no doubts you’re telling the truth.” She takes a step closer, and I breathe in the smell of mango and pineapple in her perfume. “That doesn’t make you a murderer. I think… suppressing it has made you lose all control. Being afraid of it isn’t helping either.”

Tears pool in the corners of my eyes, and I blink them away. “I don’t want you to become the sixth.”

The corner of her thick lips rises. “There has to be something we can do to stop it from coming out of you like that. Have you researched it?”

“Most of the books are in the archives of the Order. I don’t have any family to ask.”

She nods slowly. “We will find a way to control this. I bet a lot of it is psychological too. You said the man who adopted you did experiments?”

“Not everything is psychological.” I pull my hands from hers. “My magic has torn people apart, Rosa. I’ve been so fucking selfish even being your friend for this long.”

She rolls her eyes. “Everyone needs a friend, and especially you.”

“Rosa…” I stop myself from telling her the other truth, that she’s a witch. Folk witch magic is completely safe, but if she knows and she’s questioned by the Order, then it might slip out. Knowing is dangerous. Folk magic needs to be practiced to really be apparent, and she’s happy without it. I shake my head and force a small smile. “You shouldn’t come inside with me. The energy in there is residual from the most violent deaths. It does something to my magic. I was stupid to even bring Jay here.” Guilt tugs at me, but not as much as it should. I should feel horrible and overwhelmed. I wish I could say what happened keeps me up at night. I am upset, but it’s not soul crushing.

Rosa sighs. “About Jay…”

My chest tightens. “Do they suspect he was with me?”

“No, no.” She waves me down when my eyes widen. “They still think he’s missing. They’re asking questions, Evie.”

“I expected so much. I wish I could tell them he’s dead, so they can—” I close my eyes, and the memory of cleaning up Jay’s blood protrudes into my mind.

“Me too. Don’t worry, we’re going to fix all of this, starting with the demon dickhead.”

I place my hand on her shoulder, looking deep into my friend’s eyes. “Please, Rosa. Don’t come with me.”

“He could get to you in there.”

“He won’t,” I promise, but I’m not entirely convinced I’m right. “My magic is temperamental, and I don’t feel safe with you in there with me. It’s better if I do this alone. I have everything I need.” I grab the handles of the tote bag at my feet, filled with everything I need for a summoning circle. “I don’t know a lot about my magic, but I do know a hell of a lot about rituals and everything else witch. This will work. He can’t get to me once he’s in the circle, but I don’t know what he’ll do to my magic.” I think back to how our shadows fused the night he killed Jay. “Please, for the hundredth time, let me do this alone. Go back and get Gomez and go to your place.”

“Evie…”

I raise my voice, and it breaks. “Please, Rosa. You and Gomez are the only ones left that I care about.”

She purses her lips, then lets out a heavy sigh. “I’ll wait out here.” She taps her purse again, a reminder of the weapon inside. “In case Aiden comes back.”

“I doubt he will,” I say, recalling how he ran. “But if it makes you feel better, then I can’t stop you, but don’t come inside.” I don’t like her being out here alone, but I know the more I push her, the more stubborn she’ll get.

A twig snaps behind Rosa, and we both freeze. The wind whistles around us, and I peer behind Rosa into the dark tree line across from the gate to the asylum. A tingle dances down my neck and spine, and the familiar feeling of being watched creeps over me.

It could be Lorcan. But there are no mirrors in the woods—unless he came back through my family mirror and followed us here. In which case, we really are fucked.

I peer around and into the darkness, but there’s no movement. “I should hurry.”

She nods and places her hand around her throat, as if protecting herself from a threat. “I’ll be here.”

I look around at the trees again. “If something happens, yell for me, really loudly.”

She arches a dark brow. “I was going to whisper for help if something happened, so thanks for the tip.”

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