Page 72 of Shadow & Stars
“He loves you more than anything,” Past Xavier continued. “I felt it when I connected to him. I hate that we love you, that Ismael isn’t my one and only. But this is the way of things. My sweet Ismael died when he gave in to the darkness.” He closed his eyes. “I cannot follow him into a blood-soaked life.”
Man, that desire to hold him flared so strong. “Xavier…”
“Butterfly said he thinks the jar will open at the right moment, that all threads connect to you.” He glowered at me. “Which makes you dangerous to Ismael.” He shook his head. “His Majesty wants to destroy it. Butterfly kept trying to open it and came to this conclusion.” He growled. “I really hate the purple-haired wanker.”
“Wanker?” That was a word my Xavier used.
“Picked it up from…myself.” He tapped the side of his head again.
I couldn’t quite get there with trusting him. “What happens now?”
He raked a hand through that gorgeous platinum blond hair. “I’ll join you. I can’t go back to Ismael now.”
There was movement at the dark edges of the street, soft laughter drifting toward us.
Goosebumps rippled across my skin, the hairs on the back of my neck standing to attention.
“No. You cannot come back to me, my love.”
Oh shit.
Ismael was here.
22
XAVIER
Islipped out of the Xavier of this time and into my current self, joining the others in the hallway.
The other me blanched. “What is this?”
“Can’t you feel it? We’re connected.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “I feel something is wrong here.”
“I think I need more brandy,” June said.
“This is getting too freaky,” Roman added.
I offered myself a quick explanation, suitable shock creeping across his/our face.
“Butterfly?” he said, frowning deeply. “Isn’t he dead?”
“Did you miss the part about time being fucked up?” Roman jumped in.
June sighed. “I definitely want more brandy. Feel free to join me.” She returned to the living room.
I would have loved to sit and talk this through again, to have another drink. But things had to move forward now. There had to be a plan.
I relayed this to the other me.
He licked his lips, glancing over his shoulder. “Someone’s coming.”
I moved closer to watch the night, a figure hurrying up the street toward the house.
“Who is it?” Roman asked.
I blinked several times to be sure of what I saw. “Darcy?”
