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“No. I felt exactly the same way. I couldn’t figure out what I was supposed to do with myself, but it seemed like everything I tried didn’t fit.” I squeezed his hand. “Until the curse broke. Then I realized this was it.”
“Yes,” he said softly. “When you came to Chapel Hill, I knew you had to be a loon, and yet…” His voice trailed off. “And then I came down here and saw those markings on the doors and heard about the snake.Youwere here. After I saw Wapi, I just knew thiswas it. My whole life has been one long journey tothis.”
His thoughts were so similar to my own that he was scaring me. “Ahone’s messenger told me he couldn’t give me Ahone’s symbol because searching for it is part of my journey.” My heart exploded in my chest, and I looked up wide eyed. “Meeting you, having you help me, is part of my journey.”
David looked just as startled.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. Once again, the fucking deities were messing with me.
“Why?This is exactly where I want to be.”
I couldn’t imagine why. I was certain this situation wouldn’t end well. “I have to go.” I let go of David’s hand and reached for the door.
“Ellie, wait. Why are you upset?”
“Because I’m not sure I’m strong enough to protect you, and it scares me.”
“We can do this together. And thank you for being honest.”
“That’s part of the deal, right?” I sighed. “But I really do need to get home. When should I come to the site tomorrow?”
“Are you coming over to the inn tomorrow morning?”
“Yeah, and thankfully, I already have a day off from Darrell’s. If I still even have a job after my first two days.”
“What happened during your first two days?”
I shook my head with a half laugh. “We’ll leave that sordid tale for tomorrow.”
“I can only imagine what’s in store for me. Do you want to just come with me to the site for the whole day?”
“Sure.”
He opened his car door and came around to open mine. I was already climbing out.
“You don’t have to open car doors for me, David.”
“Some habits die hard. I don’t think I’ll ever break myself of that one.” He glanced down the street, in the direction of my apartment. “I’m worried about you getting home okay. This doesn’t feel right.”
“Shelve your chivalry. In this particular instance, I can take care of myself much better than you ever could.”
He placed his hand over his heart. “You really know how to wound a bloke.”
His face broke out into a mischievous grin that made my insides flutter, but I ignored it and gave his arm a playful shove. “Get inside already.”
His grin faded. “Text me when you’re inside your flat so I know you’re safe.”
“Now you sound like Myra.”
He winked, and I couldn’t help but notice his gorgeous, long eyelashes. “I just got an awesome new job. I need to make sure my boss is still around so I can keep it.”
I shook my head with a laugh. “I’ll text you. Now go.”
I watched the door close before I started down the street, trying to stay alert to any possible danger around me. My hand flexed instinctively at my side. I hadn’t used the symbol on my palm since the night of the ceremony, but the few times I had needed to use it, instinct had taken over for me. I had to trust that it would again.
My ears strained for any hint of danger, but the bugs were singing their nightly chorus. They’d be gone if any of the nasties were around.
When I got to the top of the stairs, the marks on my door were fresh, but there was a new symbol in the middle. A diamond shape with an X. What did that mean?
