Page 73 of Trick or Stalk

Still, every muscle in my body tightens.

Her eyes flick to mine.

She felt it too.

I know she did.

“Enjoy the book,” she says, sliding the bag to me.

“I'll let you know.”

Her smile grows. “Please do.”

I pick it up.

I don't want to leave. Which is new for me.

But I have to.

The woods were easy.

But this? It’s complicated.

Presley thinks I'm just some stranger who wandered into her bookstore twenty minutes before closing.

She has no idea I've seen the light in her bedroom window glowing through the trees. Or that I stood on her porch, straightening her ghost.

I look at her one last time. “See you around, Presley.”

“Bye, Hades.”

Her voice saying my name follows me all the way to the door.

The cold air immediately hits my face as I step outside.

But I barely feel it.

My boots crunch over brown leaves as I move to my truck.

I climb inside, setting the bag on the seat beside me.

I should go home. Read the damn book. Stay away from her for a while.

Instead, one thought settles into my mind.

Watching Presley isn't enough anymore.

CHAPTER 13

Hades

Wilder looks at me when I walk inside the shitty cabin.

“What’s that?” He points at the bag from The Crooked Spine in my hand.

“Nothing.”

“Doesn’t look like nothing.”