Finn
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Finn felt the electricityin the air before he saw Kallie on the street.
The wind had blown wrong all morning.First east to west, then south to north, kicking up small dust circles.Before Kallie appeared, the wind disappeared completely as if the town was holding its breath.
Kallie.He exhaled slowly.Kallie with a K.
He couldn't take his eyes off her.She'd changed.How many years had it been since the last visit?Six years?That would make her sixteen.It was more time than the marks on the wood.He should've started the day he met her instead of waiting.
Her somber brown eyes were the same.Wide, wounded, and yet stronger than before.
Instead of shoulder-length brown hair with curls brushing her shoulders, the strands now hung over her shoulders in waves, almost reaching her slim waist.
Finn's chest tightened.
He hadn't let himself imagine this moment.Hadn't let himself hope that she'd return.But seeing her standing there, real and breathing and hurting, hit him harder than any blow he'd taken in his life.
Her shoulders tensed, and her gaze darted beyond him to the town.He took a step toward her.
Behind him, a door creaked open.Voices rose.Boots scuffed against pavement.He shielded her from the men.
Of course, they'd notice her.A girl didn't just appear in this place without drawing attention.There was no way he could hide her from everyone else.
Unrecognized by the men, Kallie's presence ignited a hunger that would break them out of their dull daily routines.And Kallie brought the change that all men dreamed of, even in hell.
All he wanted to do was protect her from the others.He wanted to keep her for himself.
"Kallie."He smoothed the hair off her cheek.
Her breath hitched."I'm so glad you're still here."
He couldn't ask her what happened, not here with all the men watching.Her vulnerable state would get them riled, and he'd have more problems to deal with than trying to get her back through the veil.
"Come on," he murmured."You can't stand out here."
He picked up her hand and guided her down the street.She came with him willingly, walking beside him, close enough that he could feel her trembling.
He didn't look back, but he heard the men talking.Their voices raised in question and hope.Tension crawled up his spine.He had to get her away from them.
He brought her to his house and shut the door behind them.Picking up a chair, he propped it under the doorknob in case the others rushed the door.
Kallie stood in the middle of the room, wrapping her arms around herself.She looked small.Not physically because she'd grown, almost into a full-grown woman, but she was too tender for this world.
He grabbed her by the upper arm and pulled her to the couch."You shouldn't have come."
"Why?"Her spine straightened."Didn't you want to see me again?"
She was so fucking innocent.Still growing up, she had no clue about how she came to Everstill or what could happen to her.
It was already hard enough for him to keep track of the days, and he was surprised she even remembered her last visit to Everstill, let alone him.She was practically a baby the last time, and now—he looked up and down her body—she was on the verge of becoming an adult.
"This place isn't for you."He ran his hand down his jaw.
"I think it is."She scooted closer."I don't know how I got here, but I'm here now.I'll figure it out, and when I do, I can come see you whenever I want."
"You shouldn't be around me.You're a kid," he muttered."It's not safe."
