Page 67 of One Forbidden Moment

Chapter 26

Moe

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Aknock interrupteddinner.Moe motioned for Jillian to stay at the table and answered the door to Finn.His friend had called twenty minutes ago asking if he could stop by.

Finn's sharp eyes and tense shoulders warned him that the visit had to do with the danger coming from Everstill.

"What happened?"Moe asked immediately.

Finn stayed near the doorway and shoved his hands into his jacket pockets."The shadow was at the apartment last night."

Moe's stomach hardened.He looked to Jillian, who was already walking toward him.

Finn exhaled."It broke the living room window."

Jillian gasped softly beside Moe, her hand flying to her mouth.Moe stepped closer, instinctively shielding her with his body.

Finn continued, "It didn't come inside, but it pushed harder than anything I've seen."

"It's getting stronger."Moe clenched his jaw."There's nothing to stop it from hurting one of us."

Finn nodded."It's not just watching anymore.It's testing boundaries.Testing each one of us."

Jillian swallowed, her voice barely steady."Why would it break the window?"

"You were at our apartment with Moe earlier last night."Finn looked at her with a mixture of sympathy and warning."I believe it was looking for you."

Moe stepped forward, his voice low and rough."It's not taking her."

Finn ran his hand down his beard."I figured you'd feel that way.Just...be careful.Both of you."

He left without another word.

Moe shut the door and rubbed the back of his neck.He had no idea how strong the shadow could grow.If it could keep growing as big as the veil, there would be nothing he could do to stop it from hurting them.

Jillian stood in the middle of the living room with her arms wrapped around herself, staring at the floor.Moe watched her for a long moment, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on her.

Her mother was slipping away from her.The shadow was growing stronger.Everstill was trying to win her back as if she were a prize meant to be claimed.

He walked toward her slowly, giving her time to look up.When she did, her eyes were wet.