Page 35

Ronan

A sh is waiting in my apartment when we arrive. She turned the living room into some apothecary slash emergency medic room. A mixture of old apothecary tools, gauze, antiseptic, and tinctures in all kinds of bottles. It smells like incense and bleach. Witchy and clinical.

Lex and I move to place her down on the couch. She groans in protest as the pain finally starts to catch up to her.

The boys make their way out of the room, giving us space. I hover over my girl, holding my breath as Ash moves quickly to dress her wounds and wash away the dried blood from her skin .

She works quietly, not flinching at the blood and gore as she mumbles something ancient under her breath. I notice her pause as she makes her way to Aisling's stomach, her brows furrowing in confusion.

“Do you know if he did anything to her, placed anything in her?” She questions.

“I, uh, I don’t know honestly. He only had her for twenty-five hours, so I don’t think that would be enough time for her body to heal from something like that.”

She huffs, frowning to herself. “There’s something here. I can feel it. It’s something ancient, but I don’t think it’s necessarily bad.”

She pauses, trying to think it out in her head. “It feels like it’s reacting to her body, with it. Like it belongs there. Like something is waking up. I know this sounds crazy, but I can feel it, Ronan.”

Ash continues to work on her for a while longer before turning to me.

“She’s stable for now, but whatever that thing is inside of her, we need to keep an eye on it.

Take her to bed and let her rest, she’ll need a dose of this every three hours,” she says before handing me a small bottle of some oil and herb concoction.

“One dropper full under her tongue for as long as she can stand, and that,” she points to a small container filled with a light green balmy mixture, “will help treat the bruises.”

“Whenever her pain acts up, use a thick layer and rub it in until it’s completely dissolved. I’ll work on making more tonight, so don’t worry about using it all,” she urges, pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“I’m going to be here, at least until morning. I want to be close in case anything starts to go south, so just yell if you need anything.”

I nod and move to scoop Aisling into my arms. She stirs but doesn’t wake.

“Thank you… for everything.” I look at Ash, and I can see the pain in her face, the pain she’s trying so hard to hide.

“She’s my best friend, my twin flame. I’d do anything to make sure she’s okay,” she says softly, smiling to herself.

I don’t say anything in response, I don’t need to. Instead, I just give a small smile.

She’s alive, and that’s all we could ask for.

I carry her to my room and place her in my bed before tucking her in gently.

I move around the room, lighting a couple of candles and turning off the big light, just like my girl likes it.

My gaze glances around the room, landing on a candle. Her candle . The one that was blessed by her body, the one that has her scent woven into it.

I reach it in a couple of strides, examining the way it shines in the dark like there’s something magical infused in it.

Grabbing a lighter, I spark its flame.

The energy in the room shifts, and the air thickens. A cold rush of air washes over me as shadows curl along the wall .

The pinch on the back of my neck is stronger this time. Almost unbearable. It feels like someone is right behind me, digging their clawed nails into my spine.

Then she appears.

A woman built from darkness.

I realize then that none of this was ever just a dream. Aisling was never making any of this up. Shit .

“You should’ve been faster,” she says, head tilted.

“I know,” I whisper, the feeling of regret wrapping around me like a blanket.

Why do I respond? No idea. It’s like my body is doing it on instinct. It’s like she already has a hold on me.

“You can still save her, Ronan.” Her voice radiates through me like it’s in my head and in front of me at the same time.

“I’ll do it, whatever it takes. For her.” I say finally.

“Such a good boy. Now unlock yourself.”

“Okay,” I whisper, my voice not sounding like my own.

She leans forward and places two fingers on my forehead. The heat from my neck burns like lava, taking over everything as my vision turns white.

And just like a dream…

I fall back into the darkness.