by Ginna Moran
Alyssa stares at my reflection in the mirror. “She saved your life yesterday. She’s not going to harm us. I haven’t seen anything bad.”
“We still can’t trust her.”
“Is this about the dream boy?”
I nod. “I wasn’t joking about Hunter being real. I can touch him, talk to him, he sees me for who I am. And, he knows things about Jacqueline.”
Alyssa’s visions are never set in stone because of free will. Every decision a person makes leads to another and so on, which can influence how something turns out. Alyssa can guide a person to make the best decision possible, but she can’t actually make them do it.
“Okay, but you’re going to have to give me more to work with,” she says. “I can tell something is bothering you. What changed?”
“Hunter says she’s working with the board,” I blurt.
Alyssa crosses her arms. “Are you sure? How do you know? Maybe that’s why she fought the agent yesterday. It’d make sense. She’s acted way too scared to just jump in to help us without knowing she’s safe.” Alyssa’s eyes line with worry.
I lick my lips. “I think you’re right, but the agent didn’t hold back. This is all so confusing. I believe Hunter. He’s angry at Jacqueline and the board. He said the board gave him to her as part of their deal.”
“That makes sense to me. You know how sin-eaters work—they redeem bad souls so they can die in peace. If Hunter isn’t a bad soul, there’s no need to redeem him. I bet she didn’t even know Hunter’s soul was pure when she took it.”
My brows scrunch. “What do you mean?”
“I know that as of right now, Jacqueline isn’t going back to the board, and I don’t think she would keep Hunter for fun. So that means Hunter can’t be killed by Jacqueline. It’s the only explanation for his being trapped in Jacqueline’s head. When I was studying different kinds of soul manipulators, there was a section about sin-eaters. The consequence for taking a pure soul is that she must live with it until she puts it back in its body or until the soul decides to move on.”
A thousand thoughts swirl through my mind. If what Alyssa says is true, that means that Hunter wasn’t lying. He’s a good person despite being the son of a board member. But, it doesn’t make me less uneasy. He’s dangerous by association.
She rests her elbows on her knees and leans her chin on her hands. “I think you should talk to him again. As of right now, Jacqueline isn’t leaving, but you know how that goes. We should probably tell the council, too.”
My heart sinks into my stomach. “Not yet.”
“If she decides to leave, it could be devastating for this place.”
She’s right. I just wish it were simpler. Hunter swears he’s not a bad person, but sociopaths are great liars. He could easily fool me. But if he isn’t, I’d feel guilty for not doing anything about it. The council wouldn’t help him. He has no one on his side. If I were trapped inside someone’s mind like Hunter, I’d hope someone would care about what happens to me.
“Please, Lys. You don’t understand. I’m begging you not to say anything.”
She looks at the carpet. “Okay, but you have to keep me involved. I can help you.”
A knock on the door startles me and I sigh. I know it’s my father ready to take me to the city, but I really want to ignore him right now. Too much is going on in my head.
Alyssa slides from the bed and opens the door. She smiles at my father and moves out of the way to let him in. “It’s good to see you again, Dmitri,” Alyssa says. “Thanks for letting me tag along to the city.”
My father glances at me in the mirror. I set my comb down. “I know nothing about this.”
“I guess it’ll be all right,” he says. “Next time actually ask, Alyssa, instead of just assuming.”
She giggles. “I’m sorry. I sometimes forget not everyone can see what I see.”
My father nods his head and I push to my feet. I consider making up an excuse to not go, but Alyssa looks pretty excited. I also want to spend time with my father while I can. I ignore the dread slithering down my spine and smile. “Thanks for doing this.”
My father turns to me. “Does your new friend want to come with us? What was her name again?”
“Jacqueline? Oh, I don’t know. She’s pretty freaked out from yesterday,” I say.
“I think we can convince her.” Alyssa leans close to me and whispers, “It’s best to keep her near us for now.”
I hope Alyssa’s right.
HUNTER
“You’re really brave after yesterday,” I say.
Jacqueline stares at the back of Nadia’s headrest as her dad speeds down the highway. I never thought I’d see the day that Jacqueline would leave the compound again, but I’m not complaining. It’ll give me a chance to remind Nadia that I’m here.
“Agents won’t bother us. Dmitri will protect us. He’s probably a hundred times more skilled and deadlier than any of your agents,” she thinks.
“They’re not my agents, Jackie.”
“Whatever.”
The city looms in front of us and Dmitri exits the highway and cruises on the city’s outskirts to the river. Jacqueline stares at the water while tapping her finger on her knee. She’s more anxious than she admits.
Dmitri clicks the radio off. “See that bridge up ahead? It’s a safe route from the city. On the other side is a spelled warehouse where you can find shelter. It belongs to a good friend of mine who has set up safe camps throughout the area for people who aren’t accepted into the compound.”
“They reject people?” It’s the first thing Jacqueline has said out loud since she sat in the car.
Dmitri glances at her in the rearview mirror. “All the time.”
“I thought they were here to protect us all?”
Nadia turns in her seat and looks at us. “That’s funny. The council only allows useful people to stay at the compound. Once you’re not, they kick you out.”
“Don’t worry. Necromancers are always useful,” Alyssa says.
Jacqueline fidgets and I laugh. Her anxiety is so strong it makes me feel anxious too. She plays with a curl and looks out the window. I’m enjoying this a little too much, but I don’t care. She deserves it.
Dmitri pulls the car into a familiar parking structure and waves to a security guard. He parks a level up in a spot with a reserved sign and shuts off the engine. He turns to look at Jacqueline. “They’re only joking. Don’t let them scare you. If the council accepted you, you have nothing to worry about.”
NADIA
I’m excited.
I can’t remember the last time I got to do something fun with my father. He’s not being as embarrassing as I expected in front of Alyssa and Jacqueline and it was a cool surprise when he pulled into the parking structure of The Haven.
“I’ve been here before,” Jacqueline says. “This is where Mr. Soto picked me up.”
I stare out the window and a boy strolls through the parking lot. He has curly, brown hair and it’d be easy to mistake him for Hunter. I pull my eyes away and glance at Jacqueline. Her eyes shift colors and I wonder what Hunter is saying. I shouldn’t think about him. I can’t think about him. It’s too dangerous.
I push the thought away. Nothing can ever be real between me and Hunter. He’s a living soul without a body and even if he was back in his body, his mother works for an organization that would much rather see me dead than with him. The odds are not with us. Our future together would only be made of dreams and not realities.
Despite my unwanted feelings for Hunter, it’s hard to imagine my life without him. He’s invaded my very being because of his presence inside of Jacqueline. I can’t imagine creating another nightmare without him there. I hate myself less because of him. I’ve never been okay with what I am until now.
When I climb out of the car, I meet Jacqueline’s gaze and her eyes flash from lavender to hazel again. He won’t let me forget him even if I wanted to. He’s not giving up on me. It’d be easi
er if Jacqueline wasn’t here. I could forget them both. You’re lying.
My stomach is in knots and I want to throw up. Jacqueline’s presence has me so conflicted about everything and it bothers me more than I thought it would. She could be setting us up. I wonder what I would’ve done in her situation. Would I’ve done the same thing to survive? Maybe. I’m no better than she is. We’re both monsters in the end.
My father slides his arm around my shoulder and pulls me from my thoughts. “Is something wrong?” He guides me toward the stairwell with Alyssa and Jacqueline trailing behind us.
“I was just thinking about yesterday.” My father doesn’t need to know anything about Jacqueline and Hunter. He’d forbid me from invading Jacqueline’s dreams again.
He squeezes my arm. “You don’t have to worry about the HPA here. This place is just as safe as the compound, maybe even more.”
HUNTER
I watch Nadia and her father walk ahead of us. Every time she looks into Jacqueline’s eyes, her face falls and she looks so sad and confused. Jacqueline’s—or maybe my—presence pains her, yet she hasn’t given either of us up to the council. It gives me hope that I haven’t lost her completely.
She peers over her shoulder once more and she looks more human now than I’ve ever seen her. Her usually pale blond hair is a few shades darker and her skin has more color. It’s hard to believe she’s even related to her father.
Now that guy is scary. He stands a good foot taller than Jacqueline and has pitch black hair. His skin is so pale it’s almost translucent, and dark blue veins trail up his arm. His eyes are black too, and are a creepy contrast to his paleness. I’d be terrified if he were the nightmare inflictor to invade Jacqueline’s dreams.
“I’m glad you came. I was afraid what happened yesterday scared you off.” Alyssa nudges Jacqueline’s shoulder.
Jacqueline stares at the ground. “I almost didn’t, but I can’t let my fear control me...and the compound is a little boring. I feel like all I’ve been doing is sleeping and eating.”
Alyssa laughs. “I’m sure the council will give you something to do soon enough.”
“God, I hope so.”
I want to say something sarcastic, but I don’t want Jacqueline to throw me into the void, not when we’re somewhere besides her room. It’s interesting to super-watch and see how different creatures act outside of the HPA’s Guide to Surviving the Supernatural World. I’ll have to remember to burn the handbook when I’m free. Whoever wrote it had no idea what they were talking about.
“This is what life would be like if I stayed...” Jacqueline’s thoughts interrupt mine. They weren’t intended for me, but I’m still annoyed by them. She’s also the calmest I’ve ever felt her.
“Until they discover the truth. You can’t hide it forever.”
“I can try.”
I don’t respond because I can’t help feeling hopeless.
NADIA
We enter the small lobby and cross it to the hallway where Cian sits perched on a barstool. He shoves his magazine under his arm when he sees us and smiles widely. “Dmitri Petrov, my friend, what brings you here?”
My father shakes the troll’s hand and nods his head at me. “My daughter does,” he says.
The troll wags his eyebrows. “Nadia, dear, you didn’t tell me your father was Dmitri. He’s well respected around these parts. Just yesterday he removed two agents from our city.”
I cringe. “I know.”
My father looks down at me. “You’ve been here before?”
“My fault,” Alyssa says, interrupting. “Don’t be mad at Nadia.”
My father runs his hand through his inky black hair. “I’m not, just surprised.”
I step past Cian and put my hand on the door. I wouldn’t mind if my father wanted to stay here with Cian. “If you two want to catch up, we can go inside without you. I don’t mind at all. Take your time, Dad.”
“No, no,” Cian says. “Enjoy yourselves. Everything’s on me today.”
I sigh and walk into the room packed with people. I scan the crowd and Alyssa nudges me and points in the direction of a few cute boys on the dance floor. My father slings his arm around my shoulder and I grimace. The Haven was a lot more fun without him chaperoning.
My father lifts his hand and waves at a few people before guiding me across the crowded dance floor and to a booth in the corner. He nudges me to sit down and Jacqueline slides in across from me.
My father presses his hands on the table. “Wait here while I get a few of my friends for you to meet. They can help you girls if you need someone separate from the council. It’s good to always have a backup plan.” My father glides away.
Alyssa hovers next to the table, but doesn’t sit down. She leans over. “I’ll bring us some drinks.” She smiles before she saunters away, leaving Jacqueline with me, and we glance at each other awkwardly.
“This is better than fighting agents, right?” Jacqueline asks with a laugh.
I nod, but don’t say anything. It’s hard to make small talk with a girl I don’t trust whose changing eye color constantly reminds me of the boy I should be afraid of, but instead feel connected to. The day is already dragging and we just got here. I hope it’s over soon.
13. EVERYONE HIDES SOMETHING
NADIA
My father’s cell phone rings and he pulls it from his pocket and answers it. “I’m in the city now. No problem. See you soon.” He hangs up and looks at me. “Will you be okay here for an hour?”
Finally. I’m miserable. My father introduced us to a handful of people, but it felt more like he was showing me off. It was so embarrassing. “I’ll be totally fine. Go.”
He chuckles. “You’re making me feel unwelcome, Nadi.”
“You are welcome here, just not when the world needs you,” I say, grinning.
“Fair enough.” My father kisses my head and glides to the exit. He waves from the door and I release a breath when he disappears.
“Are you sure we’re going to be safe without your dad here?” Jacqueline asks. Her hands tremble as she absently twirls the straw in her cup.
Alyssa laughs from across the table. “I’d tell you if we weren’t. As of now, nothing is going to happen except someone is going to ask you to dance.”
Jacqueline frowns. “What?”
“She’s right,” I say, bumping her arm. “I am.”
HUNTER
It kills me watching Nadia be friendly with Jacqueline. It’s like I’m being punished for being who I am, even if she doesn’t intend it this way. It’s possible that I’m a little jealous, even though I’d never admit it, but it should be me dancing with Nadia, not Jacqueline.
“You’ve been acting strange since yesterday. Are you okay?” Jacqueline looks past Nadia at a guy who has been staring at her all afternoon.
Nadia frowns and stops dancing. “No, not really.”
“Ask her why,” I say.
“She doesn’t look like she wants to tell me, Hunter,” Jacqueline thinks.
“You won’t know if you don’t ask.”
“Why do you care?”
I don’t respond. I can’t. It’s pointless arguing about a situation that is out of my control, especially under these circumstances because Jacqueline doesn’t know that Nadia has been visiting me.
“You need to give up, Hunter, and stop being so obsessed with a girl you’ll never meet. You’re stuck with me.”
“I hate you,” I say.
“I’m sorry. I really am.”
NADIA
I sway and dance to the music, but don’t take my eyes off Jacqueline. Her eyes shift from lavender to hazel and back to lavender as she has a conversation with Hunter. I wish I could listen to her thoughts and see what has her looking so serious.
She bats her lashes a few times. “Anything I can do to make you feel better?”
I shake my head. “Don’t worry about me. Just enjoy yourself. I’m sure I’ll get over it.”
A bo
y with short, dark brown hair in a T-shirt and jeans, with tattoos from his forearms to his wrists comes up next to Jacqueline and leans toward her. He whispers something in her ear and she blushes and turns to look at me. I smile and wink and she lets the boy tug her away toward a booth in the far corner.
I glance around to look for Alyssa, but she’s nowhere to be found, so I make my way off the dance floor, ignoring looks from a few boys hanging out at a table nearby.
“Your friend should be careful.” A boy with shaggy, blond hair stands up from the table and grabs my hand. “Ryder is an incubus. He’s been known to cause a few problems for people around here.”
I tug my hand away and don’t meet the boy’s eyes. “My friend is a necromancer. He should be the one to worry.”
The boy leans closer. “You’re new around here.”
His face is inches away from mine and I pull away. I know he’s trying to be friendly, but I’m not exactly in a friendly mood. I press my lips together. “You’re really brave talking to me.”
His brows knit together. “Why?”
“I’m a nightmare inflictor.”
He steps back and glances at the two boys sitting at his table. Before he has a chance to do or say anything, I shrug past him and walk to the kitchen. I don’t want to be here anymore.
I need to clear my head.
HUNTER
“Nadia’s leaving, Jackie,” I say.
“I’m sure she’s not going to abandon me. She’ll be back.”
“You should probably stick together.”
“Shut up, Hunter. I’m trying to have a conversation.”
Jacqueline stares at some guy named Ryder with a lip and eyebrow piercing, tattooed sleeves, and a crooked nose like he’s the greatest thing on earth. He’s definitely textbook bad boy and I bet a lot of girls fall for him. Maybe I’ll get a tattoo when I get my body back. I need some street cred after everything that has happened to me.
