Page 40 of Revenant (Spirit Realm #2)

RUE

I wake to the noise of the shower running. With bleary eyes, I stretch, then groan at the delicious ache in my body. Memories of last night rush back to me, and my cheeks heat when I remember waking with Hicks nestled behind me, his cock lodged deep inside me. One of his hands cupped my breast and played with my nipple, while the other stroked my clit.

A mini orgasm is what roused me from my slumber.

His cock burned hot inside me, his cum even hotter, and I could easily become addicted to the way he sets me ablaze. He then proceeded to wring two more orgasms out of me before my body collapsed once more in exhaustion.

I shiver at the way he took me, like a man possessed to stake his claim. Maybe I should be annoyed at him for being so fucking bossy, but I kind of love being able to tease his control until he snaps. Especially when he rewards me— punishes me, if I were to use his words—with more orgasms.

Like, oh no, whatever will I do?

I roll my eyes, but I am unable to stop the smile that curls my lips.

After handling my own orgasms for years, it’s nice to have someone else take control. The whole experience is better with the guys, much more than I ever expected. If anything, the over-the-top romance books I read for research didn’t hype up the sex enough.

Knowing I can’t linger in bed all day, that the guys will descend soon to check on me, I drag myself out from under the warm covers. I smile at the delicious way my body aches, even after using Hicks as a heater all night.

I pull on a robe, debating whether to join Hicks, but decide if I ever want to leave the room today, I better refrain. I glance out the windows…and freeze when I catch sight of a movement on the balcony.

I groan when I see who is waiting for me.

Crystal.

I grimace and slowly back away, hoping to escape her attention. Unfortunately, her head snaps up like a hawk catching sight of a mouse. Not wanting to deal with her bullshit, I debate just leaving. Much to my annoyance, my conscience won’t let me. I’ve been gifted these abilities to help people. If I turn my back on them, it could taint my gift. The last thing I want is more trouble.

Not to mention, I don’t want her to bother Jaceson.

When a person isn’t raised around spirits, they can be overwhelming. Hearing voices and seeing things that aren’t there can drive a person insane. He needs training on how to handle the spirits before he tries to communicate with them on his own.

The last thing we need is for a pissed off ghost to haunt us for the rest of our lives.

I shudder at the thought, only able to shake off my unease when I recall that I can now banish any troublesome spirits.

I glance over my shoulder at the bathroom door, still able to hear the shower, and decide to handle this without the guys. Knowing she is here will just piss them off. As I step outside, I shiver, but I suspect it has more to do with Crystal than the cold. I cross my arms and glare at the girl who caused me so much trouble. “What do you want?”

Her eyes drop, and I watch as she drags her foot back and forth through the snow, but not even a flake is disturbed by the sweeping movement. She takes a deep breath, which is weird since she doesn’t have a body, but habits are hard to break.

As her gaze lifts, I tighten the robe around me, instinctively seeking protection. Though I’m not afraid of her, I don’t make the mistake of assuming she can’t still hurt me.

If you put me back into my body, I think I can help you , she says. It’s both a plea and a demand.

I snort, not trusting her an inch. She is so selfish, I doubt she understands how to do anything for someone else. I narrow my eyes, trying to guess what angle she’s working. “Help me with what?”

I can remove your father from your life , she says earnestly, taking a step toward me. If you put me into my body, I can use my skill of persuasion to make him forget that you even exist.

I’m struck mute by the possibility, but just for a second.

“Why?” I ask bluntly, not sure that I believe her.

The bitch doesn’t have an altruistic bone in her body…er, non-body?

Whatever.

Crystal glances away, looking over the endless miles of forest that create our backyard. Her throat works as she swallows hard, and her voice is hoarse when she speaks. Because I don’t want to end up like Hershamn.

A shudder passes through her, and she inches closer, as if I can protect her. She leans toward me, her voice nothing but a whisper. I saw something in the darkness. I felt it reaching for me. It’s…it’s…

She swallows hard, stark fear swirling in her eyes, and a tremor passes through her. I’m still alive, which means I can still change my fate, right?

When she reaches for me beseechingly, her hand passes through my arm, and we both grimace at the contact. She straightens, determination darkening her eyes, and she draws back her shoulders. If you give me a chance, I can make up for the things I did. I can have a different future.

Call me skeptical, but I still don’t trust her motives.

Girls like her spend their whole lives fucking people over.

An animal can’t change their spots overnight.

When I don’t immediately answer, a muscle jumps in her jaw, and she spits out one word that looks like it’s torn from her tattered soul. Please.

My resolve weakens, and I curse myself for being a na?ve fool. Nan would say I was put on this world to help people, help spirits resolve their unfinished business.

Though I might hate it, Crystal is here because of me.

And if I’m honest with myself, the opportunity to rid myself of my father is too tempting to pass up. When I reluctantly give my consent, I expect Crystal to cheer, but she just nods solemnly…and disappears.

Now I just have to convince the guys not to murder her before we have a chance to enact my plan. By the time I slip back inside the room, Hicks is gone, and I rush through my shower. As I hurry down the stairs, my stomach swirls with excitement…and something even more dangerous?—

hope.

The guys fall silent when I enter the kitchen, the five of them looking at me without a smile, and my happy mood fades. “What happened?”

“News broke about the fire at the asylum,” Ellis tells me, his face impassive, and I know that’s not the worst of it.

“They listed the missing patients on the news site, and your name was included.” Hicks scowls, the lines of his face deepening, and my gut churns in dread.

Gunner’s chair groans under his weight as he shoves to his feet, and he stalks toward me, cupping my face gently. “You’re safe. I won’t let your father near you. I promise.”

I grab his hand and cling to his confidence, his nearness centering me when my mind tries to spin out of control.

“How?” Jameson snarls, flipping a blade end over end in his hand. When he glances at the rest of the guys, his pale blue eyes are dead. “We weren’t able to save her last time. The fucker stole her right out from under us, and we just stood there with our fingers up our asses.”

None of the guys look happy with his statement.

Because he’s not wrong.

I nibble on my bottom lip and hesitantly bring up my conversation with Crystal.

“No,” the twins say at the same time, both of them glaring at me.

“Absolutely fucking not,” Gunner snarls, pulling away from me to pace the room, each stomp of his feet shaking the floorboards.

Ellis purses his lips, then glances at Hicks. “It could work.”

Hicks grunts, his hard green gaze landing on me, and my spine straightens under his critical perusal. “We would be a fool to trust her.”

I huff and cross my arms. “No kidding.”

“Yet you still want to try it.” He cocks his head, curiosity sharpening in his eyes. “Why?”

My attention slides to the twins and Gunner, and I wave my hands in their direction. “Because if we don’t find a solution, one of these idiots is going to take it upon themselves to murder him.”

“And that would be a problem?” Hicks leans back, relishing the prospect as well.

“If it were so easy, don’t you think I would’ve done it before now?” I lean over, placing my hands on the table and glaring at the idiots. “Tell me, what happens when a person dies?”

Everyone is silent for a beat.

“We run the risk of him turning into a ghost.” Ellis curses viciously and rips off his glasses.

I press my finger to my nose. “Got it in one. My old man is an ornery fucker and would haunt me just out of spite.” I glance away, dragging my hair from my face before sighing in defeat. “As much as I want to say that I could banish him, I can’t guarantee it.”

“So the best option is to trust the bitch who already tried to kill you?” Jaceson tightens his grip on his coffee mug as if struggling against the need to throw it across the room.

“That’s plan A.” I glance toward Hicks and narrow my eyes. “I suspect Hicks and Ellis have been working on an alternative option behind my back.”

The guys don’t bother denying it, not even wincing when I call them out on their scheming.

Silence fills the room, the guys glancing at each other, then their focus returns to me. “When did you want to leave?”

“Now.” I straighten, eager to cut my father out of my life once and for all. “The longer we wait, the more time my father has to plot. As soon as he discovers I’m alive, he won’t hesitate to come after me.”

Not ten minutes later, we all pile into the truck and drive to the cabin where Crystal is staying. She is lying almost peacefully on the bed, the IV in her arm keeping her hydrated. The woman in question is standing in the corner, her expression subdued, her gaze solemn as she stares down at her lifeless form. I know you don’t believe me, but I intend to keep my promise.

Jaceson narrows his eyes menacingly, touching the planchette under his shirt, and dark ribbons of red and black swirl around him. His glare promises that if she tries anything, he will find her and she will wish she were dead.

I approach the bed cautiously, filled with more than a little trepidation. I call my powers to me, almost basking in the chill of the afterlife. With one more pointed glare at Crystal, I place my hand on her arm.

A draining sensation fills me until I sway. Something clicks inside of me, and Crystal pops out of existence. Before I can figure out what just happened, a gasp is torn from the body on the bed. Crystal bolts upright like a corpse sitting up in a coffin, and she clutches her chest. Tears fill her eyes, and she blinks them away, her movements stiff as she looks around, as if to reassure herself that she is back and whole.

I hastily step back, not wanting to test if her abilities can affect me, and I wipe my fingers against my jeans to rid myself of the feel of her skin under my touch.

“Everything okay?” A furrow appears between Jaceson’s brows, and he nudges me even farther away from the bed before stepping protectively in front of me.

“All good.” I hide my grimace when my knees wobble. Knowing Gunner is hovering near, I lean against him gratefully.

Crystal claws at the needle in her arm and yanks it out, not even wincing when blood dribbles from the wound. Throwing back the blankets, she drags herself out of the bed, then staggers to her feet on unsteady legs. Determination darkens her eyes as she slowly straightens. She glances in my direction, and her voice is raspy from disuse when she speaks. “I’m ready. Let’s do this now. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can be done with each other.”

Though I agree with her sentiment, her promise sounds a little too good to be true.