“I scheduled an appointment with the specialist.”
I look at him. “In Seattle?”
He nods. “I was planning to leave tomorrow night, but I don’t feel so great about that plan right now, given the circumstances.”
“What circumstances?”
“You were attacked.”
“By a couple of creatures that are now very, very dead.” I take a step toward him. “Jude, youshould keep the appointment. Go to the specialist.”
He scrubs his hand down his face.
“You don’t have to worry about me. The demon thingies I accidentally let out are no longer alive.” I hold up the pearl in my hand. “This isn’t opening a rift. Neither is the onyx. And the plant has been burnt to a crisp. So if you’re worried about me doing something stupid, I literally can’t.”
“You’re not going to sneak up on Lainey and knock her out?”
“How much did Rafe tell you?”
“I hate that you’re spending time with him.”
The muscles across my chest pull uncomfortably tight. I hate it, too. I hate everything about this situation.
“He can’t be trusted,” he says, stepping closer. “You know that, right?”
“Of course I do.”
He touches my cheek.
Heat sparks across my skin.
Fear grabs me by the throat.
I step back.
But it’s too late.
I am filled with yearning.
So much blasted yearning.
I close my eyes.
Sheep.
Sheep.
Sheep.
I count them frolicking in fields, hopping over fences.
Fat sheep.
White sheep.
Baa baa black sheep.
“Selah,” he says.
