Page 67 of Bewitching Her Monsters

“Yeah. There’s danger around her, though.” Flint steps into the house. “You’re hurting the witch—draining her. Aren’t you?”

Osen pshaws and waves him off. “Not you too.”

“I don’t like to see innocents hurting. I feel it in my own soul.” Flint frowns. “If you’re going to stay connected to her, you need to do so in a way that you don’t harm her any more than you have.”

Thank Goddess, it’s Flint here telling Osen to do this. Because my request wouldn’t be so kind and even-keeled.

“How do you have so much control over Jade’s body?” I ask, since he barely seemed to be able to move before when he possessed her.

“I… I just took over. I’ve been feeding off her emotions, I think. It’s helping me remember.” Osen shakes their head as if confused.

“Then she can help you remember who killed you,” I say. “But you know as well as I do that you don’t have to hurt her to feed.”

“Why should I be gentle?” He huffs. “She was spying on my memories, so I punished her. Pushed her into a corner of her mind.”

That doesn’t sound good. “She wouldn’t be able to see your memories if you hadn’t attached yourself to her.”

“Buthowam I attached? I didn’t do it. Why would I pick some randomwitch?” Osen puts her hands in front of her face and stares at them. “It makes no sense. I can’t remember my death, and then I was attached to her. I don’t think Icanlet go. I’ve tried.”

“Are you suggesting someone created a bond between you two?” Flint stands in front of Osen, more intrigued by this claim.

“Have you all not been paying attention?” Osen snaps. He’s more agitated than when he was alive, which is saying something. He had a temper. “I told you she had a hold on me. She must be lying about her ignorance.”

“You need to back off, and we will watch her for signs of her involvement.” I doubt he’ll listen to me, as he often brushes my advice aside.

He surprises me and agrees. “Yes. To see who is working with her.” He nods, thinking I’m devious.

Actually, it’s to see who might beusingher.

My plans to reveal the supernatural world must be delayed. I can’t jeopardize our relationship and her pushing me out of her life because I betrayed her trust. She might need my protection. And I need to prove to Osen that she isn’t what he believes she is.

I need to stay close.

21

SPLITING FUR

JADE

Iwake up at nine in the morning feeling like I haven’t slept at all.

My dreams last night were even more disturbing. I wish I could shake them. But this latest character has taken over my mind and my dreams.

I have no idea why I’ve created this crazy asshole as the dead friend of the guys from the bar, but I don’t always have control over my imagination and muse.

Maybe it’s my subconscious trying to justify not developing a relationship with Arran.

I’ve been lured into a sense of peace over the last few months. I haven’t had as many disturbing dreams since Rob left, and I sometimes wonder if he had subconsciously encouraged the horrible dreams by being overly interested in them. It seemed to be one of the only things about me he was interested in.

Now, I know he’s just a cruel fuckhead and enjoyed making me suffer.

So I wonder, why have the dreams returned now?

It’s been several months since I ended it with him, and he’s finally left me alone… or so I thought. But apparently, as his email would indicate, he hasn’t completely exited my life.

I sway on my feet when I drag myself out of bed to use the bathroom. My vision spins. I stagger to the bathroom door frame and brace myself. Touching my forehead, I don’t feel like I have a fever. And I don’t have chills, per se. But my body doesn’t feel right.

Am I sick?

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