Page 42

Evan sighed, crossing the crowded street and strolling down the quiet clearing towards his house. “A lot happened that night at Greene Mansion that I haven’t told you about. I’ll explain everything when we meet next time.”

“Next time? Stay right where you are. I’m coming over—”

“Aaron,” Evan searched for the right words, but reassurance had never been one of his strongest skills. In the end, he took the coward's route and changed the subject. “Celie’s tuition?”

Aaron blew out a breath, as if forcing himself to calm down. After a few beats of silence, he replied in a distant tone, “Paid. I also sent some allowance money on your behalf.”

The Greeneshad, after all, kept their word and paid half of what they'd initially promised. It was enough to cover the pending loan installment, Celie’s tuition, and even leave Evan with some spare change.

“Did she…reach out to you?” Evan asked.

“Not yet. I’m sure she’s occupied with her finals.”

Right. Celie was the top student in her class. It made sense that she was busy doing her best, while her brother was whining like a needy bastard for her attention. As long as her tuition was paid, she could focus on her studies and enjoy her high school life. That was all that mattered to Evan.

After deciding to meet Aaron the upcoming weekend, Evan hung up and stuffed his phone back into his pocket. An unusually cool wind blew across his face, a sign he was approaching the riverbank.

Walking alongside the Del, Evan slowed his pace, letting the cool air calm his anxiousness and the drop of sweat trickling down his nape. The water from Del was always warm whenever Evan collected it for rituals, but the breeze around it was like natural air conditioning. Cool and fresh.

When Evan was sixteen, just discovering his strange abilities and low alcohol tolerance, he’d always come to Del to practice everything Rhea taught him. The sacred river repelled spirits and protected him against harm while he meditated or practiced control over his spiritual energy core.

Once he’d been so attached to the river that he would sit at the bank all day and talk to the flowing water. It was probably just his imagination, but he sometimes felt like the river spoke back to him. It was there in the sloshes of water, the sudden shift in its currents.

Evan stopped and turned to stare at the clear-flowing water. It was fascinating how, no matter which direction the wind blew in, the river always went its own way. Unbothered. Unfazed. It didn’t give in to the forces that tried to contradict its plans.

If he could flow like a river, focusing on the destination rather than every hurdle on the way, Evan wondered whether life could’ve been easier for him.

If he’d ignored Bruce and his men in the mirror room that night and not provoked them, maybe they wouldn’t have thrown hands. Maybe the mirror wouldn’t have broken. Maybe the demon would’ve still been locked away and not wandering out in the open, searching for his next prey.

Evan pressed the old leather-bound book to his chest, the seriousness of the situation suddenly weighing on his shoulders.

How had things turned this way?

He had unleashed a demon from a containment spell. The mirror that contained him was shattered. The array room burned down. The demon had tasted Evan’s blood, which could’ve also established a channel between them that he was still unaware of.

Maybe the demon would come back, maybe not. If he did, Evan would have to confront him. If he didn’t, Evan would have to hunt him down. Neither of which he looked forward to doing.

With a sigh, he lowered his lashes, watching his wavering reflection in the river, mirroring the state of turmoil inside him. “I need help…”

In a normal setting, in front of an audibly healthy human being, those words would have never escaped Evan’s lips. Perhaps due to pride or his fear of being turned down.

For the first time in years, he was not quite confident in his skills. He’d never tried to engage in thoughts of dealing with demons or similar creatures of the dark. Only read about it. Didn’t even consider the chances of encountering one in his life.

Rhea had once told him that creatures of the dark were rarely found in small towns. Not many souls to feed on.

And Evan had believed her. Why wouldn’t he?

Evan was not a hero. He was not some indestructible man with unparalleled powers. He was just an aimless loner from a remote town who was trying to get by his mildly uncomfortable life.

How had he ended up in this mess?

He inhaled deeply before turning around to head home. Even though just a smidge, he had to place some faith in himself.

You’re a cunning bastard, Evan. You’ll find a way.

With a firm nod, Evan managed to walk just a few meters away before a rustling behind him made him halt. Ears perked and senses on high alert, he quickly picked up on the sound.Reflexively, he glanced down at his ring, but the crystal remained unchanged.

Right. It wasn’t his ring.