Starfire (Grim Gate 2)

“Truth potion?”

I nod. “I have two vials of it left. Though I’m not sure how long it lasts.”

“Like I said, in-fucking-sane.”

I laugh and go into what’s technically the third guest room so I can clean Romeo’s cage. This house is too big, with too many nooks and crannies to let him roam around like I would do on occasion at my small house back in Syracuse. It’s been a while since I’ve looked at the local shelter’s websites to see if any ferrets are available for adoption. I make a mental note to check later.

“I’m gonna lay down,” Harrison tells me, stopping in the doorway as I finish cleaning Romeo’s cage. “Eating and then taking nap usually kicks my hangovers.”

“Okay. If you need Advil or anything, let me know.” I put Romeo in his cage along with a bowl of food and go downstairs to see what Ethan and Nikolai are doing. They’re in the living room talking about video games. Nikolai is apparently a big gamer but hasn’t played anything recent since he’s been in the faery realm for the last several years.

Maybe Harrison is right. This is pretty insane.

Knowing it’s only a matter of time before Ethan busts out the VR headset, I go upstairs to shower. I get hit with exhaustion on my way up the stairs and make a pit stop to my bed before I take a shower. I’m just going to scroll through social media for a bit and then force myself up.

Of course, “a bit” turns into a good ten minutes, and then the phone slips from my hands. My eyes fall shut and I slip into a light sleep. The floor creaks and I slit my eyes open, too tired to psychically open them all the way.

My brother slowly walks into the room, and I try to ask him what he wants but I can’t get the words out. His eyes are locked on mine and suddenly he’s standing right next to my bed.

“Let me in, sis,” he whispers, and I can’t move. His face starts to melt, and his blue eyes turn black. The hold on me is lifted yet my mind is still in a haze. Though I don’t need to think clearly to know what I have to do.

Body moving on its own accord, I get out of bed and grab my dagger, pulling the blade from the sheath. Then I walk into the guest room and perch on the side of the bed.

“Annie?” Harrison asks groggily and goes to sit up but then freezes. “What are you doing?”

“It’s okay,” I whisper and put the dagger to Harrison’s throat. “You’re not real.”

CHAPTER 28

“Anora.” Ethan’s deep voice comes from behind me, and I turn just in time for Nikolai to blow a handful of herbs blown into my face. It hits me like another wave of exhaustion and the next thing I know, Ethan is laying me down in our bed.

“Is she going to be okay?” Harrison asks. His voice is muffled and in the back of my mind, I know I’ve been drugged.

“It’s a simple sleeping charm,” Nikolai tells him. “She’ll wake shortly.”

“That’s not what I mean,” Harrison goes on. “She’s losing it.”

“She’s not,” Ethan says. “Something is messing with her, and we’ve been trying to figure it out. We have one lead and we’re going to follow up on it as soon as she’s awake.”

“Is it another demon?”

“Most likely.” Ethan is still talking, but his voice fades. Hunter is next to me, head nuzzled against mine. Unable to fight it anymore, I let the sleeping charm pull me under. I don’t dream and I don’t wake up stuck.

When I do wake up, Ethan is in the sitting area of our room.

“Hey,” I say and rub my forehead.

“How are you feeling?” Ethan puts a book down and comes over.

“Like the world’s worst twin.”

“You remember?” He puts his arm around me.

“Yeah. I was walking up the stairs and it was like I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore. I laid down and woke up unable to move again. I thought Harrison was in the room but I knew it wasn’t him and then…then I…I think something told me to kill him. Because he wasn’t real.”

My hands shake and I feel like I’m going to throw up as it hits me all at once. Whatever is happening to me has only put myself in danger before. But now…now I almost hurt someone.

My brother. My twin brother.

“Oh my god.” Tears fill my eyes and Ethan pulls me against his firm chest. “Did Harry leave? I wouldn’t blame him if he did.”

“No, he’s still here, and he wants to help. We’re going to confront Claire today. She’s at work, and I already called the salon and confirmed it.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Are you up for that? You stay and I can—”