“Right.” I sighed. Decemberwasfaster, but that’s why I trusted her more here, protecting Octavia. But if my cousin helped us find the bones faster, then that’d go further in protecting Octavia.
“December and I will go together.” I pushed the map closer to Wilson, so he’d have an easier time pointing out where we should start.
“There are two closest to the house,” Wilson said. “I think we should start there and leave the farthest one for last. By that time, we will all be done searching and be able to meet at the final one if it comes to that.”
“Are you guys taking the west or east?” I asked.
“West,” Nico chimed in. “I like the direction of the sunset; it feels like a good omen.”
Wilson nodded, lips twitching in an almost smile at him. “Works for me. Get the truck ready? Keys are already inside.”
“On it.” Nico started down the steps to move the truck near the ramp for Wilson.
“I need to grab a coat and make sure the oven’s off.” Wilson disappeared back inside. Octavia stood to start after him, but December shook her head.
“It’s too dangerous for you,” December said. “I’ll go. Watch his back.”
Octavia dropped into her seat, shoulders sagging. I caught Jonah’s eye once December went inside. He tripped over his feet when he finally saw thecome heremotion of my hand.
“What’s the protocol for an activesite with a confirmed target?” I whispered, dipping my head to catch his gaze. If I wasn’t good for anything, I could at least be good for this.
“I…um…” He stared down at our shoes, fumbling for the answer.
“Jonah.” I rested a hand on his shoulder. “I need you to find an anchor point.”
He frowned, his skin a burning red when he finally met my gaze.
“Go somewhere you’re safe. Lock the door behind you. This job is a hard one…even for a seasoned hunter.”
“For you?” he asked, tone full of shock and hope.
“I know you can do it.” I ignored the question, too ashamed of reality. “I know you’ll be able to watch over Octavia while we’re away. I trust you.”
Jonah’s shoulders rose and fell as he took a deep breath. Uncertainty became low tide as he said, “She can’t go inside until we do a full sweep. We may have to relocate her. I’ll monitor her for signs of possession. And salt the area to make sure anything that lingers keeps away until morning.”
My smile didn’t quite reach my eyes, but at least it was present and accounted for.
“Good. Grab the emergency kit from the RV. I don’t think we’ll take long, but just in case we do, you may need it.”
Jonah hurried to the RV, nearly falling over his feet twice on the way.
My attention had nowhere else to go but her.
She’d already been watching us. Me.
“Hey.” I swallowed, moving close enough to kneel in front of her. “You’re going to be okay here. We’re going to find this thing and put it to rest.”
“Are you 90 percent sure?” she asked. I expected it to be slight, but Octavia’s mouth quirked up. Her voice was stillraspy, but the light in her eyes had returned. I resisted the urge to take her hand in mine. Touching her outside the context of sheer panic and imminent danger seemed taboo.
“Ninety-five, would you believe it?” I teased back, even though my heart wasn’t quite in it. My gaze flickered to her neck and the darkened black-and-blue bruise that spread every minute.
“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.” Her gentle reminder pulled my eyes back to hers. “So don’t look at me like you need absolution.”
I bit down on the inside of my cheek, holding back the apology that bubbled at the base of my throat. She didn’t need to hear my shame at a time like this. This woman didn’t deserve to carry the burden of my insecurities.
“I’m sorry for insinuating you enjoyed this part of the job. For thinking…you got off all the scares and terror.”
I raised a brow. “You thought I got off on it?”
