Verum (The Nocte Trilogy 2)

In order.

In order.

In order.

Things must happen in order, Calla? Can’t you see? Can’t you see?

I remember Finn’s cries from before, but before what?

Time is blurring now, blending, and I can’t make sense of anything.

I’m standing on the cliffs, I’m staring at the ocean, but I’m not.

It’s Finn.

But it was me.

Cars.

Blood.

Sirens.

Darkness.

Good night, sweet Finn. Good night, good night.

Protect me, St. Michael.

Protect me,

Protect me.

My mind can’t take the stress,

It can’t take the flex.

My mind is an elastic band,

And it’s getting ready to break.

He’ll be your downfall, child.

It’s the first thing that makes sense.

Chapter 26

I sit in Olivia’s room, her locket in my hands.

It’s gold, it’s delicate, it’s real. It’s cool in my hands.

I concentrate on it, on the etched calla lily.

Symbolic? Ironic? Coincidental?

Nothing is a coincidence in this house. It’s something I’ve come to realize.

Sunlight from the window pours through the sheer curtains, throwing muted light into the room. I turn the pendant over and over, watching it glint, watching the calla lily come and go.