Page 114 of Word to the Wise

“Them?” Sage’s tone is cold enough to cut glass.

“Yeah, them.”

Reed screams, and my blood chills as I rush out of the apartment.

“Get here.” I hang up the phone without saying goodbye.

There’s no time.

Climbing the steps, I take two at a time. My hands ache with how hard I’m clenching them, and my demons beg me to let them loose.

I just might.

I feel her fear in the air—in my heart. This can’t be happening. I just got her, and now she’s slipping away.

I can’t lose someone again. I can’t physically handle it.

My heart races as I hurry up the steps. I can barely breathe my blood is pumping so fast. Time doesn’t exist. I’m reaching, but every inch takes me back ten. And for the first time in a long time, I pray. Even if it’s selfish to only have faith when I need something.

I hope and I hurry, and I pray and I beg.

I can’t lose her to him.

I can’t lose her at all.

35

Reed

The wind tickles theside of my face.

No—that’s not the wind.

Carter brushes my hair back. Tracing me. Touching me.

My skin crawls with every inch.

I blink my eyes and try to find the air in my chest. But the weight of him this close steals it away. My ears ring as a car horn blares in the distance.

I’m numb.

Wiggling my fingers, I try to feel anything—everything.

The roof beneath my feet.

The dull warmth of the sun.

The slightest breeze.

Anything, so long as I don’t have to feelhim.

Blood thunders between my temples, coursing thickly through my veins. But I don’t back up, and I don’t back down. I refuse to be weak for him.

“You shouldn’t be here.” The words come out rougher than I’d like, but I say them.

I find my voice.

Carter smirks with amusement, and he pulls his hand back. But he doesn’t step away. And when he shifts onhis feet, the glint of the sun reflects off something in his hand, stealing my attention.