Page 86 of The Souls Harvest
But, if that’s not Galen…
I cut across the space betweenusas quickly as possible, fearing my heart would stop if I didn’t.
Hewas the person who was talking to Galen just a few moments ago. I’m sure of it.
I nearly slam against the door, my right hand stroking the hard surface at my eye level. “Is ityou?” I whisper, ignoring the tingling feeling in my fingertips, like that of Nistarei’s kernels wrapping around my hand before dripping inside my vials.
A gasp.
Someone else walks out of the room adjacent to mine.
Heated whispers follow.
I bust the door open—but I’ve waited too long. Only an empty corridor welcomes me.
All I want to do is cry and fill the void left inside me by the invisible presence with tears.
The wooden door is warm beneath my hand, and the pang in my heart is the same one I tried to explain to Popplewish when she showed up at my childhood house.
The whisper of a life that’s about to end.
Loud steps make me jump, snatching me out of my reverie, and I rush back to the cot. I sit down, pretending the window is the most interesting part of the room, when all I want to do is to run after the soul who’s just left a hole in my chest.
Chapter 34 - Growth
Galen
“I’m sure you were glad to find your room exactly like you left it. I took pictures before moving in—”
“Mack, you what?”
“Chill, mate.” He remains by the threshold while I inspect every inch of my room. “I needed a quiet place to work on my latest invention. Merya was getting on my nerves, and it was either blowing up our room—accidentally, with Merya inside—or, well, your bed is still here, so…” Mack gives me a thumb-up and rushes away, slamming the door behind him.
I would chase him downstairs, but the recent events occupy my mind entirely. Mainly because Kristyon showed up in July’s room as if it were the most normal thing to do. And that Tabitha forgot to mention theminordetail that he is here, mere meters away from July, where the smell of his soul can easily attract Reds, like bees to a fucking field of sunflowers.
“This is a mess…” I let out a breath, closing the curtains of my window.
I need to send word to Eve before shefreaks out, convinced that July and I have died in the explosion. Or have been taken hostage.
“Unless Nik and Lily have already filled her in regarding the little mishap we encountered on the roof, ” I mumble, combing my hair back with one hand.
They’re here already. That can only mean Libera is no longer safe.
“I’ll leave that to Tabitha to sort out,” I sigh.
I turn my back to the window so I can take in the state of my room without Mack hovering, like a fly high on sugar.
And—he was right. My room seems pristine. Even cleaner than the last time I was here.
Even the bed sheets look crisp and fresh, so inviting after hours spent running from a fire and bullets. But a knock on the door saves me from wasting time napping.
“Too soon, Mack. I’m not ready to forgive you. Or to admire your latest contraptions.”
I slump on my bed, waiting for one of Mack’s usual grand entrances despite my request to leave me alone. But the face looking at me through the threshold makes my spine stiffen and my jaw tense.
“Now I know why Eve and I couldn’t reach you on the usual channel. But I’d love to know why Tabitha has allowed you to go rogue - no pun intended - and make your own stupid choices without checking with us first.” I can’t stem my anger seeping through my voice.
“Galen, look. I know what you think, but this time is different. You’ve seen it in there. She didn’t even flinch when I spoke to her.”
