Page 74 of Deceiver

“Yes. Normally I have no problem detecting where a Horror is, but this one is smarter than most at this stage. I think it has Keagan.”

“Hold on. I’ll try to find him, but I don’t know if I’m strong enough. Do you have anything that belongs to him?”

“No. I should’ve thought of that.”

“That’s okay. Give me your hand. That can work sometimes if your connection to the other person is strong enough. No promises though.”

“Understood.”

I give her my hand and she holds it delicately, closing her eyes. Her lips move as if she’s speaking, but she’s silent. What the hell kind of tricks does that Horror know that are keeping them both blocked from me?

“Focus on Keagan,” Talon says softly. “Just Keagan.”

“Okay.”

I close my eyes and concentrate on the memory of his face, his sweet smile, his pretty eyes. My mind drifts to the steamy moment we shared and how beautiful he looked all flushed when we were done.

“There you are,” she says. “He’s… running. Woods.” Her head twitches twice, her eyelids fluttering wildly. “He’s frightened.”

“Where is he?”

She shakes her head. “It’s unclear. I sense…” She pauses, raising her other hand. “He’s looking for you.” Talon opens her eyes slowly. “He’ll find you. Go home and wait.”

“Are you sure?”

She nods. “I’m sure.”

“Is he hurt?”

“I don’t get that sense. Just scared and confused.”

“Okay. I’ll go back home, I guess.” I start to pull my hand away, but she holds it tighter. “Talon?”

“He’s…” She tilts her head and nods, and her lips move again. “He’s connected to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh.” Her expression shifts to surprise for a moment before she turns and looks at me. “You’ve been waiting for someone like him. If you open yourself up, you’ll find what you’ve been searching for.”

I pull back slightly, but she holds tight.

“I don’t understand.”

“You do. You don’t have to stay lonely. Keagan is the answer.”

I shake my head to dismiss her words, but they cling to me, reviving the tiny bit of hope still living dormant inside me.

“Samuel,” Talon says, and I gasp.

“How do you know that name?”

“The spirit world is talking to me.” She looks down at her lap, concentrating, then back up at me. “More love than even with Samuel.” She smiles. “It’s inside Keagan.”

My jaw drops. I’ve seen and heard a lot of shit in my day, and while I’m well aware of the existence of mortals with gifts, I’m astounded by the message she just delivered. Keagan is the love of my life? Could it be?

“You have to trust something outside yourself for once,” Talon continues. “Fate has a plan. Stay open to it.” She exhales slowly, sinking back into the bed and releasing my hand. “Wow. I haven’t had a message that strong in a while.”

I don’t know what to say, so I just stare at her.