Demonically Tempted (Frostbite 2)

“That’s not—”

“Yes, I know, you thought by ending our relationship you were helping him cross over, because I was being needy and didn’t understand the consequences.” Stupid! “But did you ever think that maybe he’s not ready to cross over and the decision wasn’t fucking yours to make?”

He finally raised his gaze to mine and his eyelids were lowered. “I thought—”

“You didn’t think,” I practically spat. “And that’s the difference between you and me. It’s not our abilities. It’s that I realize things aren’t black and white. And I’m willing to help ghosts, not because of what I think is right for them, but because of what they need.”

“But—”

I stuck my hand up in his face. “I love him. He loves me. Is it wrong? Is it completely insane? Yes. But it’s real, and you had no right to interfere in something you have no understanding of.”

He sighed. “All right, I deserve all that. But that’s not why I came here. I came here to tell you that as I suspected he’s probably crossed, which is why you can’t find him. It’s time to stop looking.” His tone was soft. “I didn’t want to cause you so much pain, and for that, I am sorry.

“Kipp hasn’t gone anywhere,” I retorted. “So you can save your apologies for him. You owe it to him. Not me.” I doubted anything he could say to Kipp would fix what he’d done. I knew I’d never forgive him. “I appreciate what you’ve taught me. Really, I do, but it’s time for you to go back to your life, and get the fuck out of mine.”

He regarded me, then finally said, “I planned on leaving tonight. I’ve seen all I need to here and I’ve taken care of what I should have. I’ve contacted Gretchen and she has offered to deal with you from here on out.”

So, he was leaving anyway.

Good riddance!

It still played on my mind what his real intentions for coming here were, and what exactly he needed to see, and who the others were, but right now I couldn’t give a shit about any of it.

He stared at me with what I assumed might be compassion, but determination flared in his gaze, too. “I apologize that I’ve caused you and this ghost anguish. But in the end I stand by my decision that what you’ve done here is reprehensible. And for your sake, I hope this ghost crossed over and you never do anything like this again.”

I might have responded, if I gave about a rat’s ass about what he thought. “Goodbye, Dane.”

His jaw clenched. “Goodbye.” But he didn’t fail to add, “For now.” He turned on his heels, got into his rented car, and drove off.

My middle finger twitched to wave him farewell, but I refrained too focused on the important stuff, like finding Kipp. I turned toward the door of my condo and strode forward.

Just as I wrapped my hand around the door handle, Holly said, “I found him.”

I gasped in surprise and spun around. After a quick look, no one else was with her, including Kipp. “Where is he?”

Sadness filled her expression. Oh no! “I’m sorry to tell you that he’s not in Memphis anymore.”

“What do you mean?” It explained why I hadn’t found him yet, but it also made no sense. “Where did he go?”

“In the place between here and there.”

The blood drained from my body. A cold sweat formed over my skin and I had to force the words from my thick throat, as what Dane said had become my reality. “He’s crossed over?”

She shook her head. “If he crossed over he wouldn’t be there. But while I traveled, I used that method to move around quicker and felt his presence in the Netherworld.”

I tried to wrap my mind around that. Sure, he was angry, but was he that mad he couldn’t even stay in this world? “Well, go and tell him to come back.”

“I could, but I won’t.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “I know he’s there, though. I recognized his presence immediately because it was so strong. Just like it is here.”

My heartbreak morphed into sheer rage, and I glared at her. “Why can’t you do this for me?”

She hugged herself tighter. “Because he’s gone right into the Netherworld, not just the gateway.”

“Which means?”

“Think of it like a road. We can travel along that rode to get where we need to—as in, the fast travel we do—but then you can go further in, past the gateway to enter the Netherworld.”

“So, go there.”