AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I wish we had a better view of the back.” He picked up his binoculars and scanned the front of the building. “It’s been ten minutes and there’s no one in the office. I say we give him five more minutes, then I’m going to do some investigating of my own.”
“And how do you propose we do that?”
“Not we, me.” When I started to protest, he interrupted. “I want to go out back to make sure nothing’s going on. I need you to stay here and watch the front.”
“Why don’t we just try to get on top of that building so we can see both exits?”
He grinned. “Good question, young apprentice. I’m saving that for a last resort. It’s harder to access, and I honestly think all the action is going to take place in the front.” His grin turned wicked. “Kind of like how you enjoy all the action on top.”
I flushed. “Shut up, Collin.”
Still grinning, he turned back to his stakeout.
I took a deep breath, preparing myself for a fight. “I don’t want David to know you’re here.”
He kept his gaze on the building. “I’m no relationship expert—”
“Obviously.”
“—but I think that’s an unhealthy sign.”
“He has a large amount of disdain for you.”
“You mean he hates me?” He chuckled.
“Yeah, you could say that.”
“Again, I’m no expert, but he must not be very secure if he feels so threatened by me.”
“He doesn’t trust you. On my behalf.” I held out my right hand, the pink scar reflecting in the sunshine.
Collin looked from my palm to my face, all teasing gone from his expression. “You know I wish things had gone differently.”
No apology. No regret for his actions. Only the outcome. Typical Collin. “Nevertheless, in David’s eyes you betrayed me after vowing to protect me, putting me in unnecessary danger and risking my life.”
He remained silent.
“No witty retort?”
He shook his head. “No, he’s right.”
It took me a second to recover from the shock of his admission. “And on top of that, multiple innocent people have died since you released the spirits.”
He swallowed.
“No rebuttal?”
“No. Like I said, he’s right.” He turned back to his surveillance.
I wasn’t sure what to do. I had been prepared for a fight.
We were silent for several moments before he asked, “Did you really fight Raven Mockers?”
His question caught me off guard. “Yes.”
“They could have killed you, Ellie. Your manitou is safe, but they can still kill you.”
“What do you expect me to do? I can’t sit around and let those things torture people.”
