“What aren’t you telling me, Levi?” I urge, grabbing another weapon from the table and spinning back around to face him. He gasps at the object in my hand.
“Okay! Okay! Stop!” he yells. “There was one other thing she said. She said something about using the frequency against you if she had to. She said something about doing it without your knowledge. She wants to use it as mind control … or the guy she works for does. They want to be able to control masses of people. She kept saying something about an Eden Frequency, and I don’t know … It’s all fucked, man. But that’s all I know,” he pants. Eden Frequency? Have they named one of the fucking frequencies? Elle was on the right track, but this seems even worse.
“Thank you, Leviathan Cristoff. You have served your purpose. May you burn in the depths of hell for eternity. This is for your family,” I say, turning on the power drill in my hand. I press it to his chest and drive it straight through him. I stare intohis dark eyes through my mask, watching as his pathetic soul leaves his body.Good riddance.
I find a few gallons of gasoline, pouring it over every surface. I find a blowtorch, lighting a patch on the ground that instantly sparks and spreads. I walk away from the barn and the sorry excuse of a human inside it. I don’t bother with the house; the barn will have to be good enough to fulfill me. I get on my bike and head home, watching as the flames engulf the barn behind me.
26
Sloane
I had to get out of there. My mind was going in a million different directions, and none of them were good. I couldn’t even bear to look out the window as the car drove away from Van. In that moment, I found myself glad that I couldn’t read his emotions. I spent that entire drive back to my house racking my brain for a proper explanation as to why he would have those photos. I found none. None that would make me feel like he wasn’t hidingsomethingfrom me. I need to figure out what’s going on.
Is Van dangerous? I can’t bring myself to truly consider that as a possibility. I saw a glimpse inside of Van’s soul tonight, and while it may have appeared dangerous, it wasn’tI’m a killer, dangerous. Right? I’m so confused, and that’s exactly why I couldn’t spend another second inside that house with his suffocating presence. No matter how badly I wanted to besmothered by it. Van could have cut off my air supply with only his hands, and I would have allowed him to. I am truly going insane.
“You said it, not me.”Oh, goody, the angel has returned to bestow wisdom upon me. I wait, but there are no words from the dark one. I’m not sure whether that’s good or bad.
? ? ?
I got home, slipped the photos inside my bedside table, and took a shower. Now, I’m in bed, staring at my ceiling. Thoughts of the two men that I’ve allowed into my life are circulating in my mind. With Professor Riven, it’s easy and fun. But how could I forgive him after that text message, and do I even want to after what happened with Van tonight? I can’t lie to myself and say that the way Van’s lips felt on mine wasn’t earth-shattering. Every single part of me was alive in that moment, and I think Van felt it, too. I can’t go any further without answers. If anyone is great at finding the truth, it’s me. I roll over onto my side, finally drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
? ? ?
I’m awakened in the morning by the sound of birds chirping outside my bedroom window. I throw the covers over my head and sigh, not wanting to get out of bed yet. Everything that happened last night comes crashing back into my mind. I throw the covers off me and sit up on the side of the bed, reaching for my phone. I step into my slippers and make my way downstairs to the kitchen for the only thing that will truly fix me right now, a cup of coffee. I brew a cup, add some creamer, and head back upstairs to get ready.
Today, I plan on solving the photo box mystery. My mind will not rest until I figure out what Van is hiding. How I planto figure that out has yet to be decided. My father had a private investigator early on in his career. I think her name was Ellen or Ella, or something like that. My father had a falling out with her, and she pretty much walked away from the job and him. I wasn’t privy to the details surrounding it, like so many other things in his life. I pull out my phone to send a text.
Sloane:Hey, Mom. Do you have the number of Dad’s old PI? I need to ask her a few questions.
Mom:Elle? Yeah, I do. She and I stayed close after everything. I could talk to her for you, if you’d like.
Sloane:Could you just have her call me when she can?
Mom:What is this about? You aren’t in trouble, are you, honey?
Sloane:No, Mom, nothing like that. It’s a work thing.
Mom:Okay, let me know if you need anything. I’ll let Elle know. Bye, honey. Oh, and, visit me sometime…will you?
Sloane:I will, Mom, Promise.
I make a mental note to visit her soon.
Elle, yes, that was the PI’s name. Maybe she would be able to provide some insight into my father’s life and death. Although I’m not sure I want to add fuel to the fire that is Gideon’s past transgressions. I was kept in the dark about so many things, and I’m not sure what I’d find if I went digging that grave. Metaphorically, of course.
I decided on wearing something comfortable today, throwing on a pair of black leggings and a dark green workout crop top. I put on my favorite pair of running shoes and throw my hair up in a high pony so that it’s out of my face. I put on a light serumand black mascara and then head downstairs. I make it to the bottom step when I hear the doorbell ring and pause, looking up. I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I’m instantly on guard. I look down at my phone to make sure I didn’t miss a call or a text, and … wait, there’s a text from Riven.
Professor Jerk Face:Hey, sorry to bother you. I set up the security system installation for your apartment with a guy I know. He will be coming by to install it for you in about an hour. Don’t worry, I won’t be there. Consider this my gift to you for my shitty behavior. I am sorry, Sloane. I do want you to be happy…and safe.
I half thought Riven was lying about the security system. Part of me wants to send the guy away out of nothing more than spite. The other part of me knows that I need the security system after that break-in. I’ve been on edge ever since it happened. Plus, Rivendoesowe me for his shitty behavior. I consider replying, but I need more time than the present allows to formulate a response to that. I place my phone on the kitchen island and decide I’ll deal with that later. I head for the door, opening it.
The man standing in my doorway takes up the entire frame, and I have to look up to see his face. He’s handsome in a rugged sort of way, with long brown hair that’s tied back in a man bun. Yep, a freakingman bun. His eyes are a honey-brown color that beautifully contrasts with the darker brown of his hair. His face is masculine with strong features. One of his arms is covered in intricate black ink that dances over his skin, telling a story that I can tell he never plans to share. I can see the outlines of another tattoo peeking out of his V-neck shirt. He reminds me of a warrior, strong but deadly.
“Hi. Ms. Keenan. I’m Callum. Riven sent me here to install a security system for your home?” He poses it like a question,extending his giant hand down to me. I reach out and shake it, almost laughing at how small mine is in comparison.
“Um, hi. Yes, please come in,” I say, walking inside as he follows behind me. I head over to the kitchen island, walking around to stand on the other side. I suddenly feel like the room is too small with him inside it. But despite his immense presence, something is calming about him.
“I actually took care of the outside already. I’ll install cameras inside now, along with window and door alarms. It shouldn’t take more than an hour, maybe two. Is it okay with you if I start in here?” He’s standing in the living room, awkwardly holding a few boxes of equipment. He looks nervous and out of place.
