A Torment of Savages (The Reanimation Files Book 4) by A. J. Locke

something out. But the dead witches weren’t stupid; they started with the highest-ranking warlocks, so before long there weren’t many strong warlocks left. I had been living in Pennsylvania but went to Japan to stay with relatives who lived in the countryside in Kyoto. But they found me and took me to the Japanese Underground, which was centered in Tokyo. That’s where they did it, that’s the last place I saw my body.”
    “So…do we need to hop on a plane?”
    “If we do, it may not necessarily be to Japan,” he said. “Before our own capture, we remaining warlocks had tried to uncover the bodies of our brethren, as the dead witches knew we would, and so they never left the bodies in the same place very long. They were constantly moving. I don’t know if it has kept up through today, but for sure my body is no longer in the Japanese Underground.”
    “Damn, those dead witches are thorough.”
    “Yeah. And powerful, which is why they have thrived.” He sighed. “It doesn’t feel like this has really been my existence. To be living my life only to be thrown out of my body and sealed away in hell for so long. And now to be back here trying to uncover what was taken from me.”
    “It must seem extremely surreal.”
    “Very much so. Sometimes it feels like a dream. I’m around far past my lifespan, yet I am not alive. I feel like a shadow, a lonely wanderer walking a path that leads nowhere…”
    I reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. “I’ll do my best to make sure your path leads you somewhere meaningful,” I said. “It’s been a long journey but I won’t see it end with you going back to the In Between.”
    He gave me a half smile. “I believe in you, Selene. In your strength. On my darkest days it keeps me going.”
    I returned the smile, then yawned. The late hour plus the food had made me even more tired. I got up and headed to the kitchen where I dumped my plate in the sink. I was too tired to even wash one plate and one fork.
    “Goodnight, we’ll pick this up in the morning.”
    Kyo had stretched out on the couch. Luna contemplated staying with him but ultimately came over to me.
    “Sweet dreams, Selene.”
     

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
     
    The next morning I was up at the crack of eleven-thirty and got dressed to head to the PCC to meet with Tielle. It was even colder than yesterday, so I put on jeans, a sweater, and my favorite pair of combat boots. When I walked out into the living room, only Kyo was there. He was hovering on the sofa watching television, which Ethan must have left on for him. As soon as I gave Kyo an energy rune, he turned on one of Ethan’s video games. A first person shooter I think. If I wasn’t careful, it wouldn’t be long before I was fluent in nerd language. Ethan had left a covered plate of bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast for me, along with a note that said he had gone out to the college campus with his parents again. I was glad he was more at ease going out and being around people despite the fact that the buzz surrounding him hadn’t died down yet.
    “What are the plans for today?” Kyo asked as I wolfed down my breakfast.
    “I’m going to the PCC to go over Leena’s case with Tielle. I’ll get an update on her and see when it might be possible to go talk to her. I don’t think Dr. Lane will have the results from examining the infant bones yet, but maybe he’ll call. Unless Tielle has another case for me, that’s all I have for today.”
    “Until tonight,” Kyo said in a teasing tone. “Your oh-so-special-most-anticipated-date-night with Micah.”
    “You really need to stop eavesdropping when I’m on the phone,” I muttered. But I was barely holding back a smile. I was really looking forward to a date with Micah.
    “Oh you living beings and your romantic trysts,” Kyo said. His voice was its usual teasing tone, but after our conversation last night, I knew there would always be pain hidden beneath words like that. “Have fun, and don’t