Page 147 of Axis of Fire

As I spoke, I pulled the blanket a little higher over him.

His body gradually relaxed again.

The sight made something warm tighten unexpectedly inside my chest.

Then, hoping Gwen was still awake—

though, honestly, Gwen was never asleep at this hour, even if she had to be up at dawn—

I headed toward her old room on the first floor.

Mike was an early bird, so Gwen usually spent most nights in her old bedroom to avoid disturbing him.

The moment I opened the door, I was reminded of just how well I knew her.

Gwendolyn sat curled up in a large illuminated armchair, drawing something on her tablet.

“I thought you'd already gone to sleep,” she said, setting the tablet aside. “You always go to bed earlier than the rest of us.”

Before bed, we'd exchanged a few words, so she already knew what had happened at the hospital.

“I can't sleep,” I admitted. “But I think I know how we can find out what really happened at my parents' house.”

Immediately, Gwen straightened.

“I'm listening.”

She rolled her chair closer.

Holding up the hoodie I'd stolen from the chair in my room, I smiled.

“How about I explain on the way?”

Gwendolyn didn't hesitate.

Not even for a second.

She stood, threw a light-blue hoodie over her shoulders, and headed straight for the door.

No questions.

No complaints.

No reminders that it was one in the morning.

Just trust.

That was exactly why I adored her.

******

“So you think the spirits might've seen what happened here?” Gwendolyn asked, keeping her eyes on the road leading toward my parents' house.

“It's one of my theories.” I shrugged.

Bringing Gwen with me was a risk.

Especially now.