Page 201 of Ravaged Soul

“Hi. Glad you’re safe.”

“Me too.”

Willow sinks against me, her soft curls smelling of pine and fir trees mixed with her floral shampoo. I hold her close for several seconds then let go so she can breathe again.

“Thanks for the wakeup call.” Willow’s radiant hazel eyes search over me.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. Just figured we should call ahead.”

“I’m joking, Hy. Where’s the trouble?”

“Behind us, hopefully,” Warner inserts. “But it’s coming our way.”

She casts Ethan a look. “Then it sounds like you need a place to disappear. Thankfully, helping people vanish is what Briar Valley does best.”

Enveloped in a hug, Warner thanks her again. Willow pats him on the back as she whispers assurances. In her mind, she owes her life to Sabre. I don’t think it’s quite as clean cut as that. She fought damn hard for her own justice not so long ago.

When they separate, Ember lifts her head to greet Willow. I spot the moment that the pair lock eyes, a strange sort of tension rippling between them. Ember stiffens into stone, suddenly looking wide awake with huge pupils.

“Em?” I reach for her.

She seems to shake herself, still trapped in a stunned stare off. Willow almost stumbles on her feet, a hand flying up to rest at the base of her rapidly bobbing throat.

“Oh my… Ember?” she whispers in awe. “Is that really you?”

Much to our disbelief, the pair gawp at each other like reunited friends.

“Hello again, Willow.”

To be concluded in…