Page 67 of Veil of Silence

Christian returned to the tree and reached for another.

He wasn’t digging this time. He wasn’t searching for anything.

He was moving rocks from one place to another.

“Christian, stop.” Nora stepped closer.

He continued as if he hadn’t heard her. Back and forth. One rock at a time. His bare feet sinking into the damp earth, and his breathing growing heavier with the effort.

Nora moved into his path. “Christian.”

He stepped around her.

A chill swept through her that had nothing to do with the cold.

She caught his arm. His whole body jerked beneath her hand as she tightened her grip. “Christian, wake up. It’s Nora.”

He spun toward her, eyes suddenly wide. The rock slipped from his hand and struck the ground with a dull thud.

Terror flashed across his face before recognition slowly replaced it.

“Nora?” His voice sounded younger than it had inside the house.

She loosened her grip but didn’t release him. “Yeah, it’s me.”

Christian looked around at the dark yard, the trees ahead of him, and the two small piles of rocks. Austin stood several yards behind them, ready to move closer if Nora needed him.

Christian’s face tightened. “What happened?”

“You came downstairs and walked outside.” She rubbed one hand along his arm, trying to warm skin that had already gone cold. “Then you started moving rocks.”

His gaze snapped toward the pile behind her.

“Do you remember any of that?” Nora asked.

He shook his head, still staring at the rocks. “No, I must have been dreaming.”

“About what?”

“I don’t know.” His answer came too quickly. Christian dragged a hand over his face before adding, “I thought I heard something, but I don’t remember.”

Nora studied him. “You said, ‘Sinner, come home.’”

His gaze jerked toward hers. For an instant, the fear returned. “I said that?”

“Yes.”

Christian rubbed both hands over his arms. “I don’t know why.”

“What about the rocks?” she asked. “Have you done anything like that before?”

His body went still. Then he shook his head. “No. I . . . I don’t think so.”

Maybe he truly didn’t remember. But something in the way he avoided looking at the woods—or the rocks he’d moved—made Nora think he knew more than he could bring himself to say.

“Come inside,” she said.

Christian went with her without arguing, his steps quickening as they crossed the yard. Austin waited until they passed him before following.