Page 65 of Shadows Of Dusk

It’s obvious that my reaction could only be indicative of an amulet nearby, but I let my paranoia and psychoanalysis go.

Realizing that I haven’t answered his question as his brows furrow, I nod. “Yes, sorry, that was intense in comparison to the last ones. Must have something to do with us nearly driving past it.”

My explanation seems to placate him as he glances at the house with a sigh, “Well, let’s go get it then.” he says, stepping toward the building and I follow close behind.

We approach the property using the front pathway. It’s a large wooden house, painted blue with a white porch that wraps around it.

There’s a stable beyond it and another building that reminds me of my father’s wood cutting shed at the cottage.

Images flutter through my mind and I flinch.

Caspian must have seen my reaction as he suddenly asks, “You alright? Are we going in the right direction?”

I nod and point toward the wood shed, “The tug is coming from there, but I’m concerned about snooping on someone’s private property.” I indicate to the horses visible in the stable, and the bikes tied up on the side, “Someone is clearly home.”

Caspian glances around in assessment and nods, “Right. I’ll go to the shed and look around. You stay here and distract them in case they come out or notice me.”

Unease settles in my body, but I nod once as Caspian takes off.

He crouches along the wall of the building, moving until he disappears out of sight and I fiddle in place, facing the direction of the tug as I wait anxiously. I hear some clattering in the house and my limbs tremble with adrenaline.

Time seems to crawl by, and after what feels like an eternity, the tug changes. It grows stronger slightly, and then it’s moving. I breathe a sigh of relief as Caspian comes into view along the side of the house and hurries toward me.

“Here.” He hands me the amulet in a rush, and relief fills my veins. I catch a glimpse of the intricate depiction of an owl inside as I tuck it away in my pocket, feeling a sense of both relief and apprehension.

“We need to leave, now,” he says urgently, and I raise an eyebrow.

“Why?” I ask, confusion and dread whirling in my gut as Caspian remains silent with a guarded expression.

My eyes instinctively scan his body, alarm bells going off as I notice the spatters of blood on his clothes.

“Why are you covered in blood?” I whisper.

“We need to get to the truck.” Caspian response, his tone is indifferent again and devoid of any emotion.

Frustration boils within me, and I refuse to let him brush off my question. “Caspian, answer me!” I hiss.

Suddenly, his demeanor changes, and his face contorts with anger. He whirls around to me, his emerald eyes blazing. “I had to kill someone to get the amulet,” he confesses through clenched teeth. “Now we need to go.”

My mind goes blank as Caspian’s words sinks in, and the clattering sound echoing from the house snaps me back to reality. Within seconds we’re in the truck, the engine roaring to life as we speed away. My fingers instinctively find the newest amulet, and Igrasp it tightly before adding it to the collection hanging around my neck.

As we race through the countryside, I can’t shake off the unsettling feeling that whoever gave me the warning is either proving to be right, or has driven a deeper wedge between Caspian and I.

I also can’t help but notice how the initial purpose of our journey, the search for Tammy, seems to have been overshadowed by obtaining the amulets.

The questions linger in my mind, but I hesitate to bring them up as Caspian’s grip on the wheel tightens. His driving grows more erratic by the moment, and it’s clear that something has changed between us since that day at the market.

It’s an uncomfortable two-hour drive from the latest amulet to my place.

Familiar road names start to appear and a wave of relief washes over me. My shoulders gradually relax as my thoughts wander to Candace and Henry, to Tammy wherever she is, to Dan.

I wonder if my life will ever be normal again after this.

Bold of me to assume that there will be an ‘after this’.

Reaching the familiar driveway of my property instantly lifts my spirits. I eagerly unlock the door, and we make our way inside, flicking the lights on as we go. As I grasp the doorknob to my bedroom, a sudden jolt of surprise and anger runs through me when Caspian tries to push past.

I hold my ground, blocking his path with a firm hand against his chest. “Nope! Not tonight. I sleep in my own bed, alone, with no one else.”

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