"This is some sort of trick." Pelt advanced on me. "I want you to stop it right now."
"This isn’t me," I said.
Not that I blamed her. I wouldn't want to accept this either if I was her.
The human mind didn't like the unexplainable and would always reach for the most plausible solution, no matter how ridiculous. Contrary to popular belief, humans are hardwired to explain away the things that went bump in the night. It's why the supernatural world has been able to coexist with them for so long.
Simply put, humans didn't want to see the monsters keeping company right beside them.
"You did." Beads of sweat popped up on Pelt's forehead.
Panic in a person holding a gun was never good.
"Let's stay calm," I urged.
The gun swung toward me.
"Aileen?" Connor asked.
"You're the reason for this. They said it'll all go away once you're gone."
My mouth popped open. "Who said that?"
Pelt didn’t answer, instead nodding to herself as the bizarre thoughts she had seemed to click into place.
"Go for it," I told Connor, edging back.
Her gaze lifted to mine, intent resolution there.
This was going to hurt.
Connor sprang to his feet as a loud explosion ripped through my apartment.
A hard force punched me in the shoulder. Instinct and luck had me ducking the next two shots.
Connor grabbed her around the waist in the next second, hurling her into the wall.
I fought to stay aware as numbness washed over my shoulder.
Connor's face appeared above mine in the next second. "Aileen."
"I'm okay," I got out.
It just hurt really bad.
For all the things that I'd lived through, I'd never been shot. I'd have to remember to avoid this experience in the future. It wasn’t one I enjoyed.
Relief filled Connor's eyes, seconds before his gaze went blank and he crumpled to the ground next to me. Callie stood over us, her snakes a writhing nimbus around her head.
I yanked my hands apart, breaking the zip ties and reaching for Connor. My fingers brushed against the back of his neck, touching twin puncture marks. Immediately my skin started to itch before growing numb. One of her snakes had bitten him, I realized.
"We meet again," she said pleasantly.
"Connor," I whispered, dread draining the warmth from my hands. Fate had only now brought him into my life. I wasn't ready for him to be gone yet.
Callie waved a hand at him. "He's not dead, simply in a deep sleep. He'll wake up in a day or two. I promise."
I stared at her, barely breathing.
