Page 17 of The Midnight Order
I sigh, tossing my anger back as it tries to rear its ugly head.
I remind myself that there’s no time to dwell on what we can’t change, standing just as Corvin walks through my door.
“That was locked for a reason,” I sneer.
“I don’t know why you bother. It was nothing to unlock it with my power.”
He drops onto a leather couch before my empty fireplace as I pour us two glasses of bourbon.
Handing one over, I eye him.
He lifts his and we clink them together before each of us takes a long sip.
“So, how was he?” Corvin asks, worry painting his eyes.
“Seemed fine, although I think I accidentally made him hope she’s the one by asking him to rein it in.”
“Fuck.”
“Why are you asking me how he is? Don’t you guys talk about this shit? Pillow talk and all that.” I wave my hand animatedly as I jazz him.
“Getting him to talk to me anymore is like pulling teeth. He’s getting worse.”
“I know,” I say, looking down at my glass as I swirl brown liquid inside it.
“I don’t know how long we can carry on this way.” He knocks on his mask.
I nod, completely agreeing with his words. Not about Asher.
About myself.
“I don’t think we have a choice in the matter.”
“Unfortunately not,” he agrees.
“You’ll be careful with this one, too, right?”
I look up at him, peering deep into his red eyes as if they’ll give away more than usual.
They don’t.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
He laughs. “I know you’ve told yourself you’ve given up, J. But I know you better. I watch you go through the trials just like everyone else, each time someone wanders into town. I watch you mourn when they’re gone, too. You can lie to yourself, but can’t lie to me.”
I swallow, unable to acknowledge that his words have a ring of truth. “I’ll be careful.”
“Well, then. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Corvin.”
I stand and walk to my window, looking out and seeing Lowell as he speeds through the yard and up to the porch. Looking beyond, to the woods that hide her from me, I wonder if she knows we’re coming.
“Just one more sleep, and this will be behind us,” I tell myself, lifting my glass in cheers to the starry sky before swallowing its contents.
Just one more sleep.
Chapter 6
