Page 55 of One Forbidden Moment

Kallie added softly, "It's alive, Jillian."

Jillian's voice shook."What does it want with us?"

Finn rubbed his jaw."It wants to cross.It wants to bleed into this world.And it uses doors to do it."

A chill slid down Jillian's spine.

"The darkness you saw in Everstill?"Finn said."The shadows?The things that moved?That was Everstill trying to reach you."

Jillian's breath caught.

Finn looked at Moe."And it followed you."

Moe's jaw clenched."I haven't seen anything."

"You will," Finn said quietly."Both of you will."

Jillian whispered, "What kind of darkness?"

"A shadow that thinks," Finn said."A presence that learns.It watches keys and doors.And when one crosses, it follows."

Jillian's stomach twisted."Is it here?"

Finn nodded."Yes."

Moe's hand tightened on her shoulder.

"Everstill marks the ones who cross," Finn said."And it tries to open again—through them."

Jillian's chest tightened."So it's following me?"

"And Moe," Finn said."He passed through you.Everstill sees you as one crossing."

Kallie added gently, "You'll feel things before they happen."

Jillian whispered, "I already do."

Finn nodded."That's the darkness.It's not here to hurt you.It's here to find a way back."

Moe stepped closer, voice low."It's not touching her."

Finn held his gaze."Then you need to understand what you're up against."

"Everstill wants an opening," Finn said."And it wants them to stay open."

Jillian's heart pounded.

She finally understood.

Everstill didn't just want Moe through the veil.It wanted her—so the darkness could spread.