THE DEVIL’S WHISPER

Ethan’s POV

Tell me you do not feel this."

Sonia still showed swollen lips from my kiss.

 Her eyes whirled with emotions she avoided naming, and her breathing was irregular.

 But her phone buzzed just as I anticipated her response.

 She stood still.

 I watched her look down at the television and then... her face got pale.

 I had a frigid rush of anxiety.

 "What is it?" I insist.

 She responded not. She held the phone with shaky fingers.

 I pulled it from her hand before she could object.

 And what I read set my blood on fire.

 Unknown Number: "Just wait; if you find tonight to be unpleasant. This is only starting.

 A terrible anger twisted in my stomach.

 "Son of a bitch," I yelled.

 Sonia's voice hardly raised above a whisper. They are aware of our whereabouts.

 She filled out.

 I forced myself to think as I pushed my fingers through my hair. There was no haphazard threat here.

 This constituted a warning.

 My voice shrill, "They want you scared," I added. "They wish you to be running."

 She let out a strong gulp. "That's working."

 Tight jaw, I turned to her. "Then let's forward them a note."

 Her eyebrows started to twitch. "What?"?

 I took her phone and typed a response right away.

 Come and get me.

 Sonia gasps. "Ethan, are you crazy?"

 I met her directly. " Sonia, I do not run. Besides, neither do you."

 Sonia moved across the room, arms about herself. on edge. rocked.

 To protect her from this dream, I longed to draw her into my arms.

 But years ago I had lost that right.

 Still, I was not about to let history repeat itself.

 "Talk to me," I urged, speaking more gently. "Who do you suppose delivered this?"

 She let out a shaky breath. "It needs to be Celine. Or anyone is supporting her."

 My teeth closed tightly. Always a serpent, Celine had been. This, though? War was what we were experiencing.

 Watching her closely, "you were never supposed to come back, Sonia," I replied. Their wish is for you gone.

 Her eyes went to mine. Therefore, what? I ought to vanish once more. Hide for the rest of my existence?

 "Negative." My voice felt like steel. You keep on. We battle."

 She gave out a sour laugh. 'We?'

 I moved in front of her. You think I would let them touch you?

 She gave her head a shake. You had no trouble letting me leave previously.

 That struck the ribs like a blow.

 I qualified for that. I deserved less.

 I stretched forward, fingertips brushing her arm. " Sonia, I made a mistake. I won't cook it again though."

 Her eyes fluttered with something unreadable. Anticipation No. Too much suffering is buried there.

 "I don't need you to fight for me," she said quietly.

 I nodded. " Too unfortunate. I am not offering you options here.

 She let out a harsh breath. "Thank you, Ethan."

 God, I liked the way she used my name when she was furious.

 The moment broke with a knock on the door.

 Sonia tightened.

 I drew her behind me automatically. My hand went to my pistol.

 I told them to "stay here."

 She avoided conflict.

 My heartbeat steady yet keen, I turned towards the door. On the opposite side, whomever was there chose the wrong damned night.

 I opened it and went personally to see Logan Calloway.

 A man I hadn't seen five years ago.

 My hold on the door got stronger. You have some nerve showing up here.

 Logan raised a smile. "Very good to see you too, Ethan. Mind if I may come in?

 I still stayed still. " Depends on Here to murder me, are you?"

 Laughing, he went "Not Tonight."

 Sonia came up next, shocked eyes widening.

 "Logan!" Her voice amounted to just a whisper.

 His chuckle grew more pronounced. "Miss you, sweetheart?"

 Sonia's face turned ghostly.

 I shoved him back, fury coursed through me. "WATCH YOUR Mouth."

 Logan lifted his hands in imitation. "Relax, friend of the lover. I am not here to start a quarrel.

 For a while I doubted him.

 Sonia inhaled. " Then why are you here?"

 Logan's smile dropped. I caught something lethal in his eyes for the first time.

 "Celine's not working alone," stated he. "And you have no idea what's coming if you find tonight unpleasant."

 The room fell quiet.

 The power outage then occurred.

 We were enveloped completely by darkness.

 And I realized—we were n

ot alone ourselves.