He made a deep, satisfied rumble. “Good.” I changed in his bathroom, and brushed my teeth with a spare toothbrush. “Keep that toothbrush there next to mine,” Asher said, when I opened the bathroom door. “Just in case you need it again.” Heat rose in my face. When I did as he asked, placing my
Hot herbal tea, I sat down at Asher’s computer to write a statement. “I don’t even know where to start,” I admitted. He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Just write what you know. Be honest. Stick to the facts. They will handle the rest.” With his help, I wrote honestly about what I had witness
Alarmed by my recent decline in grades, I dedicated myself even more to my studies. Burying myself in the books was helping in multiple ways. Not only was I keeping to my learning track, I was able to distract myself from my plethora of fears. They still existed inside of me, but when studying, I
Joseph was definitely following me, and he was closing in. Panicking, I ducked into the student union. Even at night, it would have lots of people around. Joseph wouldn’t dare hurt me in front of other people. “Cynthia!” he called. I stilled. Better to deal with him here, now, under the fluore
Behind Joseph, a figure began to take shape from nothingness. I recognized Lamar’s smile. No. No, not here! Too many people! Too many witnesses! Joseph seemed satisfied by my reaction and loosened his hold. I wasted no time. I turned and ran. “Lilith!” I called in my mind. “Find refuge
I didn’t understand what was happening. What could bring a boy as strong as Asher to his knees like this? Whatever it was had me shaking. “Asher, please…” I didn’t know how to help him. I felt so powerless. Yet after two long minutes, he sucked in a deep breath like he could finally breathe
Asher’s entire body tensed, tight as a coiled spring about to pop. His hands formed fists. His eyes were a blizzard. His mouth was a hard line. “He will never touch you or your child.” Asher’s assuredness was ever a comfort. “Any investigators or killers that come for you will have to go through m
“Cynthia.” Asher’s words rumbled in his chest under my ear. “I would love to repair our bond.” My heart sprouted wings and flew high. “Okay. Okay, great.” He held me, and I held him back. After a moment, I asked, “How do we repair it exactly?” He paused a moment, as if thinking. “We could st