Echo Soul Seekers

before I locate those undead Richters, since they’re only as good as the guidance he gives them. Once they’re gone, the Lowerworld will be free to heal and blossom again, the balance will be restored, and Dace and I will have nothing or no one standing in our way. We’ll be free to love each other for as long as we want.
    All I have to do is rid the world of his brother.
    The thought providing a much-needed push for what I have to do next.
    So when Dace parks his truck before me and hops free of his side to open my door, I remain rooted in place. My gaze fixed on his, I say, “Thanks for stopping by, but I’m getting a ride from Auden and Xotichl today.”
    He studies me with eyes that are even more fatigued and red-rimmed than they were when I left him. Speaking my name with a voice so hoarse, it takes all of my will not to barrel into his arms and beg him to forget what I said. Forget what he said. To forget everything and just be with me again.
    He reaches for me, fingers straining toward mine, but I quickly withdraw from his grasp. I can’t afford the contact. Can’t afford to be swayed by the lure of his touch. If I’m going to kill his twin, I can’t do anything that will enable Cade to become a more formidable opponent than he already is.
    I have to be patient.
    Have to believe in my heart that it won’t be much longer until Dace and I are together.
    I have to believe it, envision it, and think from the end.
    I wave a hand before me, hoping he doesn’t notice the way my fingers shake, the way my voice trembles when I say, “We’re good, okay? Truly. I get why you have to do it. Really, I do.” I choke back the sob crowding my throat, averting my gaze so I won’t have to see his grief-stricken face.
    He’s about to speak again, when Auden and Xotichl arrive. Auden’s eyes wide and uncertain, Xotichl’s head tilted, when they find me standing with Dace.
    I flash them the wait-a-minute signal, about to say good-bye to Dace when he grabs hold of me. Fingers circling my wrist, he peers at my finger and says, “You’re healed.”
    “Looks like Paloma worked another miracle.” I allow a quick grin, then jerk free of his grip. The move costing much more than it appears on the surface. Bearing sole responsibility for the avalanche of ache that rages inside. “And you?”
    I peer at the bit of gauze peeking free of his sleeve, marking the spot where Coyote made a feast of his flesh. Watching as he tugs hard on the fabric, dragging it down past the wound. “No miracle required. Not to worry, I’m good.”
    I squint, not quite believing it but choosing not to pursue it. I allow myself to hold his gaze for much longer than I should. Bargaining for just a few more seconds of being engulfed in the sacredness of his space—telling myself I’ll do whatever it takes to make up for any damage that ensues.
    It takes every last bit of my strength to drag myself from him, but I do. Heading for Auden and Xotichl without once looking back.
    “Did you get any sleep?” Xotichl asks, when I slide onto the seat just behind them, trying to act nonchalant, though I’m pretty sure they’re not fooled.
    “Not really,” I say. “But strangely, I’m not at all tired.” Determined but not tired.
    “Me neither,” Xotichl says as Auden pulls onto the road and cautiously swerves around Dace.
    “Well, I am,” Auden quips. “There’s not enough energy drinks in the world.”
    His words causing Xotichl to laugh in that delightful way that she has. Pressing her shoulder to his, she snuggles against him and says, “Epitaph had a gig in Albuquerque last night. The crowd loved them so much they played seven encores!”
    “Two.” Auden laughs. Yanking affectionately on Xotichl’s ponytail when he adds, “But who’s counting?”
    “All I know is that he drove all the way back to Enchantment instead of staying over with the rest of the band, just so he could drive us to school. Isn’t that sweet?” She cocks her head toward me, as I bite back the overwhelming surge of envy when I see the way they get to love each other so openly and easily. Forcing myself to agree that it is indeed sweet of him.
    “Yeah, I’m sweet.” Auden grins. “And the second I drop you off, I’m gonna go crash my sweet self until it’s time to pick you both up again.”
    “I don’t need a ride home.” I stare out the window, taking in this dump of a town with its rusted cars, sagging clotheslines, and crumbling adobe