The Unwante

ivi

pierced the tight quiet. I wasn't sure whether Jacob Westbrook re

tend, curling at the walls' borders. My body stopped between fight and flight, my puls

abruptly engulfed the room. For a brief time, I believed I saw someth

I must have

liberately, like if I were a conundrum that he had al

a spooky weight in the air, and I ended up choking on

h pa

, the shadows too near. Behind the door, there was more than one untamed beast. I

s eyes darted to Jacob as he stood beside me, his body tense

on't know," as he turned away from us and made his way to the door. His every step se

ver hideous thing was behind that door, a shadow pulled

s the

a

rred me. Like a phantom, his figure rose from the shadows, his eyes concealed

nticipated, and my breath stuck in my throat. Wh

e at him while trying to catch my breath and find the words th

s as unsettling as ever, like a

given the mounting anxiety. "I have been anticipating that you would connec

head spinning. Connect the

looked too... controlled, too familiar. His moti

ered, I managed to get the words

s without amusement. "He has, of

ock. "No. This is not logical. You- As a terrible reality se

nuanced than that. You have failed to see the wider picture. To

eemed like a jigsaw piece that I was unable to connect together.

ice wavering. "I must k

touch on my shoulder. Whatever happens, Olivia, we'

nsufficient to calm the storm that was building

he coldness in his gaze was further accentuated by the mask he wore. He was more t

" in a low, very robotic voice that came throu

as the lingering recollection of him-of how he had entered my l

he extent to which you are involved in all of this

me slammed open with a loud clatter. My he

ding at the doorway. His motions were measured and purposeful. The temperature

t?" Elijah's muscles

ecognized the visitor, but he didn't rec

n entered the room. His presence was enough to make the hairs on

nd icy. Jacob Westbrook. You seem

his posture that contradicted the composed appearance. He was acqua

ttled on me. His voice sliced through the tension like ice as

e chilly. This

"I guess we'll make the best of it since you

gaze stayed fixed on me as if he

ly a fresh danger. He was a part of something far more si

did inquire, my voic

his lips. "Olivia, you're going

horrible, the walls moaned, and the shadows twisted. The figure lurched forward before I coul

ly it was