Page 77 of Power of Shadow

But my little sister doesn’t notice it at all. She rides away on her pony with the same energy.

As darkness enters our home, blood seeps from the highest points of the walls. Every single wall is turning red.

Where is this blood coming from?

I have to move. I can’t stand looking at this, and don’t want Aisling to see it.

I approach her slowly at first, so as not to startle her. Rather than getting closer, I’m moving farther away. So I run, giving it everything I’ve got. My muscles are burning. My goal is to catch up with her, but...

But she just keeps getting out of reach.

This is pointless!

Pain floods the pit of my stomach. What have I done? Instead of helping her, I’m creating more and more distance between us!

I grab my hair and pull. Hard. I want to replace the internal pain with physical pain!

It hurts so damn much!

Out of nowhere, my father appears. He stands right next to me. I don’t have to look to know that he’s happier than ever.

“You’ll never learn?” he asks “I warned you I would destroy everything you hold dear. I told you I would find your every weakness. And then crush it.”

When I wake up, it’s not Aisling’s name on my lips. It’s Ash’s.

Guilt follows me around all day, as does the feeling that my cursed existence might also catch up with the first woman who means something to me.

I’m doomed.

The curse is only lifted when I see her. My gaze meets Ash’s.

I decided right then and there: I wouldn’t let my father fulfill the prophecy. Never!

I may be selfish, but only she can be my redemption.

My foul mood doesn’t leave me long after my sleep goes away. Father sits in my head like a thorn.

Focus on work!

I can say two things with certainty.

Vlad Petrowski knows fucking nothing. It’s such a load of crap that it’s a waste of our time. The only information we get from him is that he heard a friend say that his friend’s friend mentioned that the senator is staying at a house by the lake.

Great.

Second, during our meeting, I’m so bored that talking to an old lady in the supermarket checkout line seems like prime entertainment. When Vlad swears at Ash, I’m about to deal with him, but my girl stops me with a wave of her hand.

With fascination, I leave the scene, giving her my full attention. Watching Ash work is mesmerizing. She’s simply dazzling. With a smile on my face, I watch her every move, and my cock never stops being hard.

I’m the kind of guy who leaves a mess behind, and that’s my style. She likes quick, simple, deadly cuts, without wasting time. At least usually. I think she’s a little crazy when someone tries to get under her skin.

My Little Killer.

I love calling her that, and I know she likes it too. Every time those words leave my mouth, I see a twinkle in her eye.

But back to Vlad. All he gives us is information about the house by the lake. Not much. I have a feeling we’ve reached a dead end. We’re running out of informants, and the senator is still nowhere to be found

Ash’s stoic face doesn’t change, though I see a spark in her eyes when I try to figure out our next steps with her.