Page 17

M y entire body burned with pins and needles as my limbs slowly unfroze. I felt life pumping through my veins, sluggishly at first, then with a renewed vigor I’d hardly ever experienced.

In fact, that might have been the first time. But that was okay. There was a first time for everything, right?

Those shades had really done a number on me, and I understood now where I hadn’t before. This curse of mine was a gift, or so my grandmother told me when I’d crossed beneath the veil to the other side.

My heart squeezed tight inside me. I’d died. Actually, died. The mob of angry ghosts had savaged my life’s force, but as Grandma explained, I was the one to blame.

“A gift like ours can’t be ignored, my darling. You have a responsibility.”

“I’m sorry. Daddy always said it was a curse,” I whispered, tears rolling down my ghostly facade.

“I should have explained to him so he could teach you. But I’m afraid the men in our family could never understand. The third eye has always been reserved for the feminine, my child,” she replied, and her voice sounded so familiar to me, even though I knew I’d never heard it.

“I’m sorry I failed you, Grandma.”

“Nonsense. You didn’t fail.”

“But I-I’m dead,” I whispered, afraid I would break from the sadness alone.

“Oh, hush now. You’re not dead. You’re in between,” she explained, and I saw serenity pass over her features with awe.

“But then, why am I here?”

“To meet me, of course. See, I wasn’t strong enough to fulfill our family’s destiny, but you, my dear. You are. And you have a Wolf to protect you. How wonderful!”

“A Wolf? You mean Demon? But we only just started, I can’t ask him to take this on with me,” I said, even though it was breaking my heart to admit to it.

Emmet had only ever given me affection and pleasure. How could I bring him into this mess?

“We don’t have much time, so don’t play coy, child. That Wolf has claimed you. He has bedded you. And more, he has bled for you. He is yours and you are his. It is simple as that,” she said, a knowing look on her face.

“Oh, um, sorry. It’s just times are different now,” I blurted, a little embarrassed my grandmother seemed to know about my carnal activities.

“They are not all that different, my dear. Now, you go on back to him. You have work to do.”

Forcing my eyelids to lift was tougher than anything I’d done in recent memory, but the pain was worth it when the first thing I saw was the steady emerald gaze I’d grown to love.

“Emmet,” I whispered, but my voice cracked.

Tears pricked my eyes, and I let them fall as I tried to swallow away the dry feeling inside my mouth.

“I’m here, Angel. You’re okay,” he replied.

He kissed my hand before grabbing a glass of water with a bendy straw and holding it to my lips. I drank greedily, swallowing down the delightfully cool water and sinking back into the pillows with a small groan.

“How you feeling, Angel?”

I nodded at him unable to voice all the emotions rolling through me. It was like the floodgates holding the memories of the past couple of days had busted wide open.

I remembered everything.

The way Demon came barreling towards me, snapping his mighty jaws and chasing away the shades.

The way Emmet carried me to his truck, not letting go even when he started driving.

How the crew came to check on me, lending their support and strength.

Penny, Max, Dante, Kian, and Zeke—all of them had stopped by daily. Even Avery, Penny’s best friend since they were kids, had visited me.

For a person who had very little in the way of friends and family, it meant the world to me that all these people had bothered to check on my well-being. Even if it was all because of him.

God, this man. The things he’s done for me. The way he makes me feel. Can he tell how important he is?

Emmet stared down at me, emotion shining in his emerald gaze. He was so damn handsome. Larger than life and so very vital to me.

Emmet Quinn.

Cowboy.

Wolf Shifter.

Love of my life.

“How long?” I asked.

“Three days.”

I clung to him, not letting his hand go when he moved to stand.

“I’m not leaving you,” he said and moved closer.

“Good. Come here,” I whispered, my voice scratchy from disuse.

I held my arms open and scooted to the side. I needed his warmth and his strength. Hell, I just needed him.

“Come here, Angel,” he murmured, sliding in next to me.

I turned towards him and shivered when he wrapped his arms around me. Emmet pulled me closer, not stopping until I was more than halfway on top of him. He kissed my head, whispering soothing words of affection and encouragement while I cried against his chest.

“It’s okay. You’re okay. Hush now,” he said, kissing and coddling me.

I’d have felt foolish with anyone else, but not with him. I inhaled a fortifying breath and lifted my head.

“I have some things to tell you,” I said, biting my lower lip.

I didn’t know how he was going to take the news. But I hoped he was going to be okay with it.

“Angel, you can tell me anything. You hear me? I will not judge you. I will only listen, and if I can help, I swear to you I will do everything I can. Do you believe me?” he asked.

“Yes. I do,” I said and sucked in another breath, tucking my hair behind my ears.

I ignored the fact I probably looked like a train wreck. I hadn’t showered or brushed my teeth in days, but with Emmet staring at me like I was a beauty queen, I did not mind so much.

“You are my queen,” he murmured, reading my mind, and my heart soared.

God, I loved him. And I should have told him then. But first things first.

“I-I saw my Grandma,” I began, telling him about what had happened to me.

Apparently, I had a job to do in this world beyond that of my drive-in theater and I could not ignore it. But I also knew I didn’t want to do it alone.

With any luck, I would not have to.