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The girl in the cemetery. My angel.
Why has she come to Shadow Bluff? Where did she get the medallion?
She’s a sign that I’m supposed to be here, and I vow to continue on until I drag an explanation from those divine lips.
CHAPTER 4
ZAIYA
That man’s icy blue eyes still haunt me, refusing to fade as I struggle to stay conscious. The way he looked at my face was like he recognized it from somewhere beyond this world.
He could have killed me instantly. Instead, he watched me as if I had resurrected something he wasn’t ready to let go of.
The girl in the front seat glances at me, her expression sharp with concern. “My parents run the church. They’ll know what to do.” She pulls her sleek blonde hair from its long ponytail only to put it back in tighter. “Don’t die on me, okay? I can’t deal with that right now.” She speaks as though finding me is rather ordinary.
I try to nod, but my head only lolls with every bump and bend as we descend the steep hill. The town reveals itself beneath us, unfolding in soft layers of early light, the grand old houses clinging to the bluff, watching over the worn buildings below that seem to carry the weight of years in their bones.
“Should I pull up to the house?” her boyfriend asks, slowing the car.
“No! Jesus, Wayne.” The irritation in her voice cuts through the haze in my head, giving me an unexpected rush of guilt. I’ve ruined her morning. I keep ruining things.
Wayne pulls over on a quiet street, and they both hurry to help me from the backseat, their hands cautious as though I might fall apart beneath them. I can stand on my own, but the moment I put my full weight on my legs, I nearly crumble. Wayne catches me before I hit the ground.
“You gonna be able to get her there by yourself?” he asks, glancing between us.
She huffs like it’s a stupid question. “Yes, I got it.” She grabs him by the collar of his T-shirt and pulls him down for a kiss. It makes a strange longing ache inside me. “You owe me an orgasm.”
He grins sheepishly. “Anything you want.”
She swings my arm around her shoulders, supporting me as the world spins. Wayne drives off, leaving me in the care of this girl who seems like she’d rather be anywhere else. I can’t blame her.
She starts down the street, half dragging me along with slow, uneven steps. “What’s your name?”
“Zaiya.” I try to steady myself, but the pain comes back sharp in my bare feet.
“I’m Calista.” Her voice lowers, edged with secrecy. “Look, you didn’t see Wayne with me, okay? Stick to my story, or we’re gonna have a problem. Got it?”
I manage a nod. Her secret boyfriend barely matters compared to everything pressing in on me. I don’t even know where I am. The street is quiet beneath the soft scrape of Calista’s shoes on the pavement as she shuffles along with me. Birds belt out their songs as if all is right with the world.
At the end of the block sits a small house, a modest ranch with bright white siding and flowers blooming in the beds up against it. A cement statue of an angel stands on the front steps.
No, smaller than that. A cherub.
Inside, the house is warm with golden sunlight spilling through the living room windows. It’s officially a new day, but last night clings to me in the dirt and blood on my skin.
Calista sits me at the kitchen table and sets a glass of water in front of me. “Wait here.”
Where else would I go?
She disappears down the hall while I sip the water, trying to soothe the rawness in my throat, and I take in the room.
There is no mess. The dish towel is folded over the oven handle, canisters sit neatly on the counter in decreasing size. Everything is cared for with meticulous precision.
This town is supposed to be my safe haven, whether I want it or not. Whoever is hunting me won’t find me here. I have to believe that.
A door opens, and Calista’s voice carries in soft whispers.
“Mom, I need your help.”
