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With a flick of her wrist, ethereal tendrils of electricity erupted from her hands, snaking toward the other ghost who had aided them in their search. The ghost screamed as it was struck, their bodies disintegrating into wisps of smoke that dissipated into the air.

“Run, now!” Karl barked, grabbing Bella’s arm and pulling her toward the warehouse entrance. She stumbled along, her pulse racing as she clung to him for support.

“Karl, we can’t just leave those women!” Layla protested, her voice strained with fear and desperation.

“Take Fiona and get out of here,” Karl ordered, his steely blue eyes filled with determination. “Max, Jake, and I will handle this.”

“But—” Bella started, only to be cut off by Karl’s firm grip on her shoulder.

“Go, Bella. You need to trust me on this,” he implored, his voice softening just enough to reveal the vulnerability he so often hid beneath his rugged exterior.

Swallowing hard, Bella nodded, her throat tight with unshed tears. She knew that they were facing an unpredictable and dangerous foe, but she had to believe in Karl’s strength and their unwavering bond.

“Be careful,” she whispered, releasing her grip on him and stepping back, allowing Layla and Fiona to lead her outside.

“Always,” Karl promised, before turning to join Max and Jake to carry the victims out of the warehouse.

As the women fled the warehouse, Bella couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder one last time, her heart aching for the man she’d come to care for so deeply.

Chapter Seven

The full moon castits silvery glow over the decrepit warehouse, its crumbling walls and rusted metal doors standing as a testament to the passage of time. Bella Tomlin stood at the edge of the surrounding darkness, her wavy dark hair dancing in the cool night breeze, as her piercing green eyes focused intently on the foreboding structure.

“Karl, I just saw a vision of this place,” she said, her voice a mixture of determination and fear. “There’s something we missed last time. We have to go back in.”

Karl Anderson, his steely blue eyes assessing the situation, nodded in agreement. He trusted her instincts implicitly. As they approached the warehouse, Karl couldn’t help but feel a rush of adrenaline—a familiar sensation from his days as a marine.

“All right,” he said, his voice steady and calm. “But you stay close to me, okay?”

Bella smiled, grateful for his unwavering support and protective nature. Together, they made their way toward the entrance, the gravel crunching beneath their feet like broken glass.

As they neared the door, Karl instinctively moved closer to Bella, his muscular frame standing tall behind her petite form. He could sense her apprehension, and he wanted her to know that he was there for her - no matter what dangers lay ahead.

“Ready?” he asked, his breath warm against the nape of her neck.

“Ready,” Bella replied, her voice barely above a whisper.