Page 103 of Power of Shadow

She’s right—I don’t have to believe her. I may not know Ryker very well, but at least I know him. I’m not going to believe the words of some crazy girl calling from a private number because she told me to.

I just want to go home, bury myself in my bed, and forget that this whole day ever happened.

“Thanks a lot for the warning. I’ll definitely keep it in mind. Take care.”

“Ashley. He’s lying to you. He’s not telling you the truth. He’s not who he says he is—”

“I’m having a really rough day, you know? Sorry, but I won’t listen to some crazy chick spouting nonsense.”

“You don’t believe me? You’ll see for yourself. I wonder if he’ll tell you he talked to your father when he gets the chance.” With that, the call ends.

Ryker talked to my father? Is that possibly true? Or is someone just trying to mess with my head?

There’s more than one person in this world who would love to drive a wedge between us.

What if it’s true? What does that mean?

This day is officially defeating me.

Half an hour later, I finally stand in front of the door to the apartment where Zoe and I live. I hear raised voices coming from inside, and then I realize that this day isn’t over yet.

I turn the lock and go inside. Nothing prepares me for what I see.

“You have no fucking idea what you’ve done!” Eli glares at my sister. They stand facing each other like two rivals who hate each other with burning passion.

Zoe’s hands are on her hips. She’s trying to look like a worthy opponent.

For yelling at my sister, I’m tempted to shoot his head off. How dare he?

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see a movement in the room and immediately direct my gaze there.

Ryker takes a small step in my direction but stops when he sees me. I’m not surprised. I don’t look my best; quite the opposite. I must look like a train has run me over.

A thought crosses my mind. How much of the concern I see in his eyes is real and how much is fake?

Chapter 24

Ryker

When I see Ash, my heart stops. In a single second, I feel everything.

A chill runs through my body, followed immediately by heat. My breath catches in my throat, and my head buzzes. I lick my lips despite the dryness in my mouth.

Unnoticed by Eli and Zoe, Ash stands still. She watches them for a moment, not understanding what the hell is going on. I didn’t have a chance to talk to her about the whole thing today. But that doesn’t matter now. What matters is that my woman looks like hell.

Her dark clothes are stained with dirt like she’s been rolling around on the ground. There are obvious stains on the side of her hoodie, which I suspect might be blood. Her face is scraped and covered in dark smudges.

I want to check ASAP if the bloodstains are her own, but then she turns her face my way.

Her lip is swollen and cut. Dried blood leaves a mark on her beautiful face, but it’s not the only one. A dark blue bruise is already appearing on Ash’s cheek, and her left eye is a little swollen. She has been hit in the face several times.

A storm rages inside me. First, I’m overcome with fear that paralyzes me completely. I’ve felt nothing like this in my life, and that says a lot. I’ve been afraid for Aisling, I’ve been afraid for my mother, I’ve been afraid for my friends many times. But I’ve experienced nothing so overwhelming.

And then I’m angry, and that’s another emotion that takes such an intense hold of me. It grows inside me with every passing second. The demon inside me growls, baring its fangs and claws.

It seems not only I but also it, my demon, likes her. Maybe even—

I don’t blink. I don’t even take my eyes off my woman.