CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Nova
IFELT … LIGHTER. MAYBE IT WAS THE COMBINATION OF sunshine, fresh air, and letting go. Maybe it was the magic of horses, just like Aster had said. But for the first time in a while, I was hopeful that I could find the healing I needed.
Crossing the bar floor, I grabbed the watering can we stashed behind the hostess stand. Wylder changed out the planters he kept out front depending on the season, and we were in the fall mums era. And while the weather had gotten colder, they still needed water now and then.
“Where are you going?” Cora asked, her gaze flicking back to the bar, where Wylder was talking to a distributor.
I frowned at her, holding up the watering can. “To tap dance on the moon. I’m going to water the mums.”
Cora sent another look in Wylder’s direction. I saw it then …nerves. Her fingers fluttered at her sides, and her gaze was jumpy. “I’ll come with you.”
“Are you okay?” I asked gently.
“What?” Her gaze snapped back to me. “Oh yeah, I’m fine. I just thought fresh air might be good.”
“All right …” I started for the front door. Maybe she needed to talk, away from prying eyes and ears.
Cora held the door for me but scanned the sidewalk and street.
I wasn’t sure what she was expecting to find, but everything looked …
normal. Fall was certainly quieter in Starlight Grove—not as many tourists and no packed streets—but that didn’t mean it was dead.
People milled around, going about their usual business.
I saw the two women who’d been nosy on my first day at the Boot coming out of the Yarn Barn. Waylon’s friend Blaze stepped out of the Cozy Cup, wearing rainbow-heart sunglasses and holding a to-go bag. More faces I didn’t recognize milled around. It was just … normal. And God, I needed that.
Going to the first planter made from a water trough, I gave the blooms a healthy drink. As I moved along, my gaze flicked to Cora, who was still on alert. “Can I ask you something?”
She startled. “Me?”
I nodded.
“Sure.”
I shifted to refill the can from a small hidden tap. “Are you still going to therapy?”
Cora stared at me for a second. “That wasn’t what I was expecting you to ask.”
My mouth curved. “What did you think I was going to ask?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Where I got this fabulous shirt?”
She gestured to her Boot T-shirt.
I chuckled before starting in on the other planter. “I just … I did a workshop with Aster’s friend Marly this morning.”
“Equine therapy?”
“Yeah. And it was … surprising. I always hated going to see the doctor at the hospital. It felt so invasive. Like he was trying to break into my mind.”
The corners of Cora’s mouth pulled down in a frown. “I’m sorry it felt like that.”
I shook my head. “It’s okay. I know he was trying to help. It’s just … we didn’t fit. But I think this, the horse therapy, might help. I think I’m finally ready.”
Cora tugged her lip between her teeth before speaking. “I stopped going.”
“To therapy?”
“Yeah. I just …” Her eyes began to glisten with unshed tears. “I can’t keep talking about him. It’s too hard. I know everyone thinks I should hate him, but I can’t.”
Empathy washed through me, and I set the watering can down to cross to Cora. I reached out and took her hands, squeezing. “You loved him for half your life. Of course, you can’t. Those feelings don’t just magically disappear overnight.”
Cora sniffed, trying to pull her emotions back. “I just … I miss him. I’m so mad at him, but I miss him. The him that was just for me.”
I gave her hands another squeeze. “Also normal. It’s going to take time to reconcile all the things Travis was.”
“I guess you’re right …” Cora’s eyes shot to mine. “Wait, you’re touching me.”
I hadn’t even realized I was doing it. It was just instinct. Wanting to comfort a friend who was hurting. “I guess I am,” I said with a small smile.
“Big step,” Cora whispered.
I swallowed hard. “I’m starting to remember some things. And as hard as it is, I think it’s helping.”
Cora’s eyes went wide, and she opened her mouth to say something, but a voice interrupted.
“Now isn’t this sweet?” Reese said as he strode up. “My readers will love knowing how you two have bonded.”
Cora instantly tugged her hands from mine, whirling around, her green eyes blazing with pure fire. “Get the hell away from here. Away from us.”
One corner of Reese’s mouth tugged up. “I’m just trying to tell the truth, and this sidewalk is public property, so I’m well within my rights.”
“You’re not telling the truth. You’re profiting off people’s pain. And if the universe has any justice, you’ll know exactly how it feels to lose everything,” Cora snarled.
“Come on,” I said, my voice low. “He wants a reaction. He’s trying to provoke us into saying something.” But I let my mask slip. I let all the rage and hurt show because Reese Gatlin should have to see what he was stirring up.
I thought I saw a quick intake of breath as I tugged Cora toward the entrance of the Boot, but Reese quickly covered it and doubled down. “I heard they found a body at Aspen Falls near Three Creeks Canyon Trail. Heard it was a woman, too. Any comment about a new monster out there?”
All the blood drained from my body. Dizziness crashed over me in waves, but I still managed to get myself and Cora inside. I threw the lock on the door on instinct.
Wylder was already striding across the space. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
It was Cora who spoke, her voice shaking as she did. “They found a body. A woman. Near Three Creeks.”
Wylder moved then, wrapping an arm around Cora’s shoulders. I saw the war on her face, not wanting to give in to the comfort but needing it so desperately. Finally, she turned into him, pressing her face to his shoulder.
Wylder’s gaze cut to me. “Kol’s on his way.”
That’s when I understood. Wylder had already known. I wasn’t sure what he’d told Cora—maybe just to stick together because something was up—but that’s why she’d come outside with me. Because she was a good friend. And it had gotten her emotionally annihilated.
The dizziness ebbed as pure fury took its place. When would enough be enough? I’d already been kidnapped, held captive, tortured, and tormented. But still, the universe demanded more. And the fact that Reese Gatlin was helping it along only pissed me off more.
A shadowy figure appeared in the far hallway, and I braced. If it was Reese, I was going to knee him in the junk so hard it burst his goddamned balls.
But it wasn’t Reese.
It was my avenging angel. And I saw the same pissed-off fury on his face that I felt on mine. Kol scanned the sight in front of him. Wylder and Cora. Me. That fury went even more on alert. “What. Happened?”
“Reese,” I gritted out.
“He told them,” Wylder explained.
Kol swore, his gaze finding mine. “I wanted you to hear it from me.”
I understood that, but the weight shouldn’t have had to fall on his shoulders alone. Always the one to level me with a gut punch. “I’m glad it wasn’t you,” I said softly.
A look of hurt flashed on Kol’s face, but it quickly transformed into one of understanding. “Phoenix.”
I went to him then. His arms opened, and I fell against him. Those strong arms wrapped around me, and I knew the feeling of safety I only got with Kol. I trusted that I’d feel that safety all the time one day. That someday, I wouldn’t just feel free with Kol but everywhere and always.
His lips ghosted over my temple. “We’re going to figure this out.”
“I know.” Because there was no other way. “I’m going to keep fighting.”
“That’s my girl,” Kol whispered. “But we need to take some precautions.”
“Okay. But I’m not letting another monster win.” And that meant I would keep living. I was going to keep working. I was going to keep going to therapy. I was going to play princess warrior battle with Sky. I was going to game with Owen. I was going to have family dinners with the Archers.
Kol shifted, peering down at me. “Never alone, okay? Someone drives you to and from work. You’re not at the house alone. We’re careful.”
My brows pulled together. “You think whoever this is will come after me?” A shiver skated down my spine.
“You already got the necklace, the notes.”
That was a long way from trying to kill me. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Kol’s thumb stroked across my cheekbone. “A couple of possibilities. Copycat or someone inspired by the things Travis did.”
“Or?” I pressed, sensing there was more to the story.
Kol’s gaze flicked to where Cora and Wylder stood. Cora had pulled out of Wylder’s hold. Her arms were curled around herself now, as if she was trying to be her own comfort. I could see the battle in Wylder’s eyes. He wanted to go to her so badly, but he knew it had to be her choice.
Kol turned back to me, searching. “We never found Travis’s body.”
A jolt of lightning speared through me. Pain and panic. “No one’s looking for you. No one cares.” All that darkness.
Dizziness swept over me, but I fought it off. I fought it off, and I found Kol’s eyes. My light and dark. My safe place. “It could be him.” I said the words Kol wouldn’t.
I felt the battle for restraint surging in him, his struggle to keep his hold on me gentle. “I don’t know,” he growled. “But no one is going to hurt you, Phoenix. Never again.”