Page 236 of Infernal Secrets

58

CONFLICTED FEELINGS

RAE

The next morning after we returned to Earth, Ezra told me I could bring whatever I wanted to Elyrdin. The tiisra stone could teleport people and objects alike.

I didn’t know what to bring or leave behind. They expected me to sort through years of accumulated stuff in under a week.

At least the council allowed this much. Small mercies and all that.

Zeke said their home was big enough, but the four of them lived together.

Adding my belongings to an already full house didn’t make sense, so the day before yesterday, I took photos and listed my furniture online as free to a good home. I set aside a few things I knew Maya would want—like my flatscreen.

I swapped the song on my playlist, letting the soothing sounds of “Zombie” by YUNGBLUD lead the soundtrack for packing my life away.

By chance, a local church reached out yesterday about a family who’d moved to town after losing everything. I didn’t know their story, but I knew of the church. They’d been helping the family settle with essentials.

The pastor said volunteers were available on my moving day to handle everything, and I was more than happy to donate my furniture and kitchen goods to help the family get back on their feet. I didn’t need it anyway.

I knew I couldn’t come back, not after what Quinfina said.

I wasn’t going because Cornaith had commanded it. With the illusion removed, it was only a matter of time before I attracted every lesser infernal that slipped through the veil.

I rubbed my tired eyes and tied my hair up to keep it out of my way.

I still didn’t understand why lesser infernals gravitated to me in the first place. It’s not like I called them or did anything to attract their attention.

Ash thought they acted out of curiosity. I wasn’t full-blooded Shyrlivi, and that alone might draw attention from any infernal who could sense it.

Ezra disagreed. He didn’t refute the curiosity angle, but he voiced his concerns about their hostility toward me.

If Shane told the truth, they acted on his directions. But I thought only the parking garage incident happened because of him. What about the funeral?

Zeke said my Nyrith status might be the cause. Ash and Ezra agreed being tied to the heirs painted a target on my back.

I tossed another half-empty foundation into the trash. I’d torn apart the bathroom and dresser, piling all my beauty products and essentials on the bed to sort.

Zeke promised I’d find most Earth things I wanted in Elyrdin, and if not, they’d get permission to come back for them.

I didn’t want to bother anyone with my superficial needs, but I didn’t want to bring too much either. If a bottle wasn’t at least half full, I tossed it and added it to the Stuff to Buy list.

I also set aside a box of lotions, candles, unopened makeup, and other nonessentials the family might enjoy.

I stood and stretched my arms over my head until my back popped.

“Ash has the dishes and kitchen shit packed away,” Cyn said, startling me so badly I jerked.

I dropped my arms and tugged down my tank top. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

His gaze raked over my arms and down my legs from the hem of my sleep shorts, lingering on every inch of exposed skin. I shifted from foot to foot, unable to hide what his heated stare did to me.

I hated that I wanted him and despised him in equal measure.

It seemed avoiding him for the last few days hadn’t lessened the feeling.

I cleared my throat. “What do you want?”