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“Have you done this before?”
With an odd shake, he cocked his head to one side and gave me a puzzled look.
“Possessed someone,” I explained.
“No.”
“Then how do you know Dylan will be all right?”
“Wild guess. Besides, I owe him.”
“Owe him?”
“Yeah. He’s always touching you. It slays me when he does. Drives me insane. Seeing you in his arms.” Tristan shook Dylan’s head.
“Tristan, I’ve told you. He’s my uncle.”
“In name only,” Tristan said, his voice sulky.
I drew my knees up in the bed, wrapped my arms around them, and placed my head on top of my knees to give me a moment to process what was happening.
Could this day get any stranger?
“Hey, what’s up?” He reached out and took a lock of my hair between his fingers.
“Apart from missing you earlier today and wondering if you were okay, then making out with you in my dreams, and then you possessing my uncle?” Turning to face him, my voice rose as I spoke. “Nothing’s up. Nothing’s up at all. Just another ordinary day in this haunted house in Chiswick.”
“Okay. Okay.” Dylan/Tristan released the strand of my hair and held a hand up, appealing for calm. “Please, don’t wake him! Can I sit with you?”
“If you want,” I said, resigned but also pleased that he was with me, in whatever form. I scooted over so Tristan/Dylan could sit next to me. He leaned back against the headboard and took my hand.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you. I suppose this is pretty weird.”
“Yeah. Weird doesn’t really begin to describe what this is.”
“I meant what I said.”
I frowned. “What?”
“Earlier. You’ve become my life. I’m here because of you. And I stay because of you. I’m tethered to this life, because of you. I need you to know this.”
I squeezed his hand and he gave me a strange un-Dylan-like smile.
“I know,” I whispered as my heart raced at his words. “And I meant what I said. I’ve… I’ve fallen in love with you.”
Tristan/Dylan shook his head. “Emily, I cannot tell you how that makes me feel. But this”—he signaled between the two of us—“we can’t…”
“Hush. I don’t want to hear it. For me, what’s the worst that can happen? Let me tell you, it already has and you can’t die on me. Can you?”
“Beauchamp. Beauchamp. Beauchamp.” He squeezed my hand. “You should sleep.”
“How can I sleep when you’re here like this?”
“After the last few days, you must be exhausted. Lie down. I’ll stay until it gets light. I think that’ll give me enough time.”
“And you’re sure the… the Reapers, the Custodians, whatever you call them… won’t find you.”
He shrugged. “I don’t think so. I’m not angry enough. Apparently, they follow that energy. But I’m being extra careful and hiding inside the good doctor.” He paused. “My real concern is you. I’ve told you, you shine so brightly—your life force. It leaves a trace.”
