Page 96 of Black Hollow: Awakening

It was Blake.

“What are you doing here?” Will asked, astonished.

“What do you think?” Alden snorted.

“I would have preferred Liam,” Will said honestly. That’s who Will had expected when Norma mentioned she would send someone.

Blake gave him an indignant look.

“Liam is busy,” he announced haughtily. “And you don’t get to choose who graciously comes to your rescue.”

Will had to force himself not to roll his eyes. Besides, after a moment’s thought, he concluded that his words really hadn’t sounded right. Blake or not, what mattered was that he wasn’t alone.

“Where is this demon?” Blake asked.

“It was right in front of the house. I saw it from the living room and bedroom windows. It’s gone now, so it’s probably hiding somewhere nearby.”

“It’s not. I checked.”

“Then I guess it left,” Will said with a shrug, but when he noticed Blake glancing toward the door, he added hastily, “B-But it might come back! I’m sure now that I’ve seen it before, in the woods.”

Alden gave him a skeptical look.

“If you have something to say, just say it,” Will said defensively, knowing full well what Blake was thinking.

“A lot has happened lately. Norma shouldn’t have involved you in demon business right after you were almost murdered. Maybe your emotions are just getting the better of you?”

“I’m telling the truth, Blake.”

“I’m not saying you’re lying. You don’t have to lie to be out of touch with reality.”

Will gave a sour smile. He felt like they’d had a very similar conversation before, only they’d been on opposite sides.

“This is as real as your phone call from the future. I know what I’m talking about.”

Blake studied him for another moment, then announced, “Fine. In that case, I’m staying.”

Then he walked into the living room. Will followed him.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you not understand the word staying?” Blake scoffed, sitting down on the couch.

“You mean for the night?”

“Well, not forever. Since you’re so scared, I’ll make sure you’re okay. Unless you don’t want me to.”

“I do.” Admitting it was a struggle for Will. He would have shared his feelings with Liam without a second thought, but with Blake, it was a different story.

“Good.”

A long silence fell between them.

“So… what should we do?” Will asked shyly.

“Excuse me?” Blake gave him a look of disdain.

“Should I put on a movie? Get you something to eat or drink? I don’t know,” he admitted helplessly, not wanting to be inhospitable.