Page 92 of Haunting the Hunter
He’s right, I realize. Everything I’ve ever done has been on instinct. I shake my head before speaking, my words softer now.
“How? What can I possibly do right now?”
“Use them,” he says, pointing to seemingly nothing. I look around, confused.
“What the actual fuck are you talking about?”
“You’ve been around me for too long. My energy must be hiding them from you.” He sighs, taking a step away from the bed and then fading into the shadows. “Focus. We aren’t alone here,” he says softly.
I cock a brow and sit up, curling my legs under me and closing my eyes as I attempt to search the room in my mind’s eye. My spine goes rigid as I feel a faint, gentle presence. One I have felt before.
You…
I snap my eyes open to meet Alabaster’s burning gaze as he once again steps from the shadows.
“The spirit attached to Cade? Why are they here?” I breathe, my voice hushed like I might scare them away.
“You called them for him. You are both bound to them,” he tells me, his tone matter-of-fact. “But your brother has formed a soul tie with them, tethering the two to each other. If you can manage it—and if they’re willing—you can create a temporary soul tie. You should be able to see him.”
“Is that even possible? Why haven’t you told me about this before?” I ask, my voice laced with accusation.
“I had no reason to.” He shrugs. “And honestly, I didn’t think you would be able to perform such a ritual. You proved you had the power in you last night when you asked about the mask and I realized that you had conjured it. Now it’s worth trying, considering you’re currently out of options.”
“I’m willing to try anything if it will help Cade,” I tell him, determination making me sit up straighter. “How do I do it?”
“I’ve never done something like this personally,” he admits, “but do you remember how you let me take control when I was trapped in your body?”
“How could I forget?” I mumble in a low tone, goose bumps prickling along my arms at the memory.
“You need to let the ghost in like you let me out. If they’re willing—it will work. You just need to focus your intentions,” he says. His voice is soft and he’s looking at me like he believes in me. I try to hide the self-doubt in my eyes.
“Close your eyes.” He sighs, bending down on one knee and placing his hand on my thigh. “Picture the presence and focus on it.”
I close my eyes and steady my breathing, searching my mind and—
“I see… an iridescent smoke,” I say with soft surprise in my tone.
“Tell them what you want,” he says quietly, his fingers gently tightening on my thigh, as if to ground me.
I pause, trying to think of the right thing to say, knowing I need to get this right…
“Show me Cade,” I say with intent, my voice ringing with power. “Please…” I add mentally.
The smoke begins to pulse, becoming brighter and brighter as my head throws itself back. I feel pressure in my eyes, and the bright light fades into the image of a dark room…
“I—I can see him…” I gasp breathlessly. “I’m with him.”
CHAPTER 28
CADE
My body feels heavy in the seat when I wake next. My eyes trace the tattoo on my forearm, trying to ground myself.
I’m here. I’m still alive.
My temples feel like they’re caving in, crushing my brain. Nausea hits me like a wave—bitter at the back of my throat, my stomach lurching. The hangover from whatever Benjamin injected me with is finally wearing off, leaving only the pain—raw and loud.
I scan the room. Low light bounces off brick walls, casting everything in a hazy blur. I search again—desperate to find my little light in the shadows.
