Except this static feels alive, hungry, desperate to escape.
Outside, the night air hits my face like a slap. Stars pierce the darkness above, but I have no idea what time it is or how longI was unconscious. The industrial building behind me looks like every other warehouse in every other town.
Anonymous and forgettable.
A perfect location to stage a kidnapping and torture.
Ghosts materialize beside me, mouths moving with silent words, hands reaching, clawing at me from every direction.
I stumble backward. “Please, just leave me alone.”
But they don’t listen. More spirits gather, drawn to whatever is happening inside me. Their translucent forms shift and waver, their expressions a mix of rage and sorrow.
My hands shake as I pull out my phone. No signal.
The rumble of an engine cuts through the night, and headlights sweep across the empty street. A black McLaren races toward me, sleek and predatory. It skids to a stop just feet away, and a power surge emanates from the car in a rush of waves.
The ghosts disappear as the waves expand, and then the passenger window of the car slides down with a soft whirr. “Get in.”
Sebastian’s voice cuts through the chaos in my head. His blue eyes reflect the streetlight, sharp and urgent.
I don’t even hesitate. The car door clicks open before I reach it, and I collapse into the leather seat. The moment the door shuts, I twist to ensure the ghosts are still gone, the energy pulse arching in my cells like a live wire.
“Hang on, Poppy.” The McLaren shoots forward with a purr of expensive engineering. Sebastian’s hands grip the steering wheel, knuckles white against the black leather. “What happened?”
“The coven kidnapped me. Restrained me with some kind of runic bindings and started…” I press my palms against my temples as another wave of energy crashes through me. “They were probing my power. Testing it or trying to bind it again, I don’t know.”
“Thoughtless idiots.” Sebastian’s jaw clenches. “All they see is their own interests.”
The speedometer climbs as we race through empty streets. Lines of streetlights blur past the windows in rhythmic streaks of light and dark.
“I lost control, and ghosts came.” My voice cracks. “I don’t know how, but they appeared. I could feel their anger, their hunger for justice. It was like they were part of me.”
“Their testing broke another layer of the binding ward. Your gift is breaking free too quickly. I sensed the disturbance from across town. Spirit magic that powerful leaves ripples.”
Tears blur my vision. “I couldn’t control it. I think I may have seriously hurt some of them.”
“That’s not on you.”
“How can you say that?”
His eyes flick to me, then back to the road. “Because you’re not like them. You have a conscience. There’s nothing wrong with defending yourself, Poppy. If your instincts were to survive and escape, it’s on them for making you feel that way. Besides, they have healers who can undo the damage.”
That makes me feel a little better.
We turn onto the familiar tree-lined road that leads to Hallowind House. The sight of home should comfort me, but the energy inside keeps building, pressing against my ribs like something trying to claw its way out.
By the time Sebastian parks in the driveway, I’m vibrating so hard my teeth chatter. Hot tears stream down my cheeks, and I can barely catch my breath.
“I can’t… I can’t make it stop.”
Sebastian races around to the passenger side and yanks the door open. His hands slide under my arms, lifting me from the seat just as the front door of the house bursts open.
“Poppy!” Asher’s voice cracks with panic as he sprints toward us. His blond hair flies wild, and his face is pale with fear. He stops short when he sees Sebastian holding me.
Asher launches forward, fists raised. “Get the fuck away from her! What did you do?”
“This isn’t my doing.” Sebastian places me in Asher’s arms. His touch is gentle, controlled. “Help me get her to the standing stones, or her gift is going to tear her apart.”
