Page 66 of Demons In My Head: Exposing the Exiled

"Because of you," I pointed at him, anger finally breaking through.

Misha shifted subtly. "Why?"

"I'm a spirit witch. I literally see spirits. There was one spirit in particular who kept communicating with me—"

"I'm going to kill you if you keep talking," Rhodes growled, not a threat, a promise. Jasper placed his hand on my shoulder, and I felt his desire to protect me through our bond, along with his sadness. "Don't you fucking dare. I'm warning you!"

All eyes swiveled to Rhodes, who had become completely unhinged in a matter of seconds. His eyes were wild with rage and pain, but this time, I understood why.

"Rhodes, settle the fuck down and let her speak!" Felix barked, taking a step toward him.

"No! No, you don't understand. None of you fucking understand!" he roared, pointing at each one as he spun in a slow circle. "She's the worst kind of rat. It wasn't enough that she infiltrated us. Or that her mentor was fucking Asrael!"

As he yelled, he began moving toward me. The hurt and pain that this man had carried for years was all over him, and I couldn’t believe I hadn't seen it from the beginning. I held my hand up, and my voice came out soft but firm. "It's okay, Rhodes."

His wings exploded out in absolute rage, and his eyes flashed yellow as he snarled at me.

"You'd better think twice before you flash your murder eyes at my fucking mate!"

Rhodes' eyes went completely yellow at the sound of Jasper's voice, and he grabbed my arm hard enough to bruise. The entire room seemed to have collectively stopped breathing.

"Enough, Rhodes." Jasper's voice cracked through the cabin like thunder, making everyone freeze. My heart stuttered in my chest as Rhodes' face drained of all color.

"No..." Rhodes whispered, releasing my arm and stumbling backward until his wings hit the wall. "This isn't real."

"Brother," Felix breathed, his eyes scanning the room wildly. "Was that...?"

"There's no fucking way," Talon growled, moving closer to me.

Ashland stepped up now, his face inches from mine. "What kind of trickery is this?"

I felt Jasper's presence strengthen beside me, his energy wrapping around me protectively. "It's not a trick," I said softly, reaching out to take his translucent hand in mine—the familiar tingle of our connection spreading through my fingers.

"You fucking liar!" Rhodes roared, pointing at me with a shaking finger. "You're sick. You're twisted. How dare you use his voice against us? Against me?"

"Rhodes," I started, but he cut me off with a snarl.

"No! You don't get to stand there and pretend... pretend..." His voice cracked, centuries of pain bleeding through. "He's dead. I watched him die. WE ALL WATCHED HIM FUCKING DIE!"

Misha shifted, his eyes darting between Rhodes and the space beside me where he must have sensed something wasn't quite right. The roaring fire cast dancing shadows across his face.

"Show them," I whispered to Jasper, squeezing his hand. "Please."

I felt his hesitation through our bond, his fear of rejection warring with his desire to be seen. To be known. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he let his form materialize.

The sharp intake of breath from Felix was deafening in the sudden silence. Talon's manic energy stilled completely, his blue eyes wide with disbelief. Ashland's normally stoic expressioncracked, showing raw emotion for the first time since I'd known him.

"Hello, brothers," Jasper said softly, his form shimmering in the dim light. "It's been a while."

Rhodes made a sound like a wounded animal, sliding down the wall until he hit the floor. His wings curled around him protectively, but I could see him trembling.

"You're dead," Talon whispered, his voice uncharacteristically small. "We felt you die. The bond..."

"I am dead," Jasper confirmed, his grip tightening on my hand. "But not gone. Never gone. Palmer can see spirits—it's part of her magic. She's been helping me remember who I am. Who I was."

"This whole time?" Felix asked, taking a hesitant step forward. "Since the beginning?"

I nodded. "He found me that first night at Haunt. He's been with me ever since."