Page 68 of Hearts Storm

I freeze, treading water. “What’s wrong?”

Her face contorts in pain. “My side! It… hurts! I… I can’t swim anymore!”

My heartbeat throbs in my head. “Swim back! Come on, Becca, swim toward me!”

She tries, but her small arms just aren’t strong enough for the job.

Then, suddenly, she’s gone.

“Becca!” I sob, spinning in circles, looking for any sign of my twin.

I dive under, eyes burning as I frantically search the murky water. All I can see when my eyesight adjusts is her small form as it sinks, hands reaching for me, bubbles escaping her mouth, open in a silent scream.

I reach for her hand, and our fingers brush, right before she’s sucked even deeper into the dark abyss of the lake.

Lungs burning, I fight my way down. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to reach her.

Becca has disappeared.

Water fills my mouth as I break the surface, gasping for air.

“Daddy! Help!” I scream. But the only response is the beer can slipping from his fingers and dropping to the ground.

I dive again and again, but the lake has swallowed my sister whole. My chest aches, arms growing heavy, and the darkness beneath the water seems to be reaching for me too.

“Help! Somebody help!”

But no one comes. And my sister... has disappeared.

My body trembles as I start heading back to shore, but just as I’m getting close, my side starts to burn and the water shifts into something hot and thick. Smoke fills my lungs as the lake transforms into flames licking at my skin...

“Reyna!”

A voice coming from somewhere far away, pulls me out of the water, wrenching me from the fire.

“Reyna, wake up!”

Strong arms wrap around me, holding me tight against a solid chest as the flames disappear until all I can see is darkness.

“Shh, it’s okay. You’re safe.”

My eyes snap open to find Logan’s face inches from mine.

His eyes, wide with concern, anchor me, pulling me back to reality. A faint hint of smoke and spice wafts under my nose, and it takes my brain a moment to recognize that it’s coming from his skin. His hair is wet, and it immediately registers that he must have just gotten back from the call that had him rushing out of my room.

“Logan?” My voice sounds hoarse.

“When I came to check on you, you were thrashing around and whimpering.” His thumbs brush across my cheek, wiping away my tears. “Reyna. Who’s Becca?” he asks, voice gentle and coaxing.

The sound of someone else saying my twin’s name for the first time in years sends a fresh wave of grief crashing through me. I can’t speak. My nightmare has left me raw, vulnerable, exposing me in ways I haven’t allowed myself to be in a long time.

Swallowing hard against the lump in my throat, I bury my face in his chest. “My sister…” My breath stutters, voice muffled as Logan holds me tight, resting his cheek on top of my head.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it.”

The deep timbre of his voice vibrates through my veins and into my bones. His soft, supportive words make me want to spill all of my secrets. Expose the darkest parts of me that I never let anyone see. Ever.

But this is Logan. Dark and Broody. And despite the fact that he’s done nothing but keep me at arm’s length since I moved here, I know I can trust him.