A tiny giggle escaped me as I pictured reaching my arms all the way to space. “You’re funny.”
“And you’re precious.” He propped a foot on the horse’s painted gray stirrup and tilted his cheek next to mine, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
Mirrors, lining the inside of the carousel, reflected us on their silvery surface. My dad had been an enormous man, at least six feet two and probably two hundred and twenty pounds of hard, lean muscle.
In a small way, I understood why Mom had been so in love. He’d been handsome, strong, andgood—his best qualities always on display.
“Phoebe.” He’d straightened and fished something from his denim pants pocket. “I have a present.” A golden chain with a figure eight pendant dangled from his fingertips, the pull of gravity jerking the chain into a V. In the middle of the golden number, a tiny cross hung from the middle, words etched into its surface, but I couldn’t understand the writing.
“It’s so pretty, Daddy.” Joy had tumbled in my belly. He’d always spoiled me, even when Mom tried to explain it was okay to tell me no. With a mischievous grin, he’d ignored the advice.
The mechanical horse rotated downward, and he swiped the long hair from my neck then looped the chain around and clasped the ends together. “Always keep this on, okay?”
“Okay.” I pulled the pendant from my throat and stared at the funny-looking number. “I love it, Dad, but you know I’m nine, not eight anymore, right?”
“I loveyou.” He’d tweaked my nose, making me chuckle. “It’s the symbol for infinity and very precious. Don’t ever take it off or lose it. Promise me.”
I’d nodded and tucked it under my shirt. “Pinkie-promise. I won’t lose it.” I held out my little finger, and he wrapped his around mine and squeezed then smothered me in an embrace.
“You’re such a precious gift.” He froze for a moment, still hugging me, and I could feel his spine stiffening as his arms tightened around me. He glared toward the open picnic area outside the carousel’s circle lined with empty tables and a closed concession stand.
I turned my head to see what had grabbed his attention. A towering dark silhouette appeared at the edge of my vision, but when I looked at it directly, the person seemed to slide out of view.
“You have noright.” Daddy’s voice vibrated with anger. He pushed my face into his chest, blocking my sight.
“Who are you talking to?” Wrapped in his strong arms, I hadn’t been overly scared. Alarmed at the sudden change in his tone and the strange dark figure, maybe, but not truly frightened. He’d always protected me, and I had no doubt he’d continue to do so.
“My, my, my. How sweet the little ones are,” said an accented, mocking voice. “You know the rules, Mikael.”
“Whatever you do, Phoebe, keep your eyes shut,” Daddy whispered into my ear. With a quick twist, he scooped me off the plastic horse, directing his next words to the mysterious man. “How dare you show your face here.”
A sinister laugh responded, and the deep, throaty chuckle raised the tiny hairs on my arms. “Oh, how the mighty has fallen.”
“And it is none of your concern what I do with—”
“This is forbidden, and I know you’re not half the fool you pretend to be.” The words moved closer, and I burrowed my head into the crook of my dad’s shoulder, squeezing my eyes tightly. A sinister crackle charged the air, and I could feel the hair on my head rising. “And due to your ridiculous lack of good judgment, I’m here to collect payment for the egregious mistake.”
My dad’s faint whispering circled around me, winding strange words into my brain. I’d only heard him speak it when he needed to soothe me from a nightmare, and it made my heart happy and light despite the dangerous vibes emanating from the unseen man.
“I love you to infinity, Phoebe. Never forget it.”
I clutched Dad’s jacket. “Daddy, what’s wrong? I—”
Everything went black. A sensation of falling, of air rushing against my body, then I plunged downward on an invisible speeding roller coaster of darkness. I opened my mouth to scream but closed it just as suddenly, finding myself in the parking lot sprawled on the asphalt next to our empty SUV.
“Daddy!” Desperate and scared, I jumped to my feet. Tears streamed down my cheeks. Icy rain pelted the cars in slanted sheets, soaking through my clothes. The freezing sting gnawed deep into my bones. Frantic and disoriented, my mind swam in fogginess . All I could remember was Dad’s whispers and a sense of danger then falling and waking up without my father.
I would never forget the look on Mom’s face as she rushed to the police station to retrieve me then filling out a missing person report for Dad.
Jerking myself to the present, I shivered and flipped onto my side, removing the earbuds.
I’m sick of reliving the worst day of my life.
“He would’ve never left me—or her. Not willingly.” I fingered the chain around my neck, grateful Cain had returned it, even if he’d stolen it in the first place. “I love you to infinity, too, Dad.”
I padded to the window, the sleepiness gone and my nerves jittery. Desperately, I shoved the horrible day to the past and yearned for a distraction.
“Cain.” I splayed a finger against the windowpane, glad for a problem seemingly less complicated. He intrigued me, confused me, and saved me. I’d probably never see him again, and I wasn’t sure how I felt. Maybe I was losing my mind, but when he’d touched me earlier, I could’ve sworn a faint crackle of energy leapt from his body to mine.
