Reaper Undone (Deadside Reapers Book 5)

by Debbie Cassidy

  “Yep.”

  She was silent for a long beat. “They’ve changed so much.”

  “Who?”

  “The guys, Az and Mal and even Conah. Do you remember when they wouldn’t let you do anything.”

  How could I forget? “Yep. It fucking pissed me off, but I understood to start with. I didn’t have the knowledge or the skill then. It was only when they refused to cut the apron strings that I got really mad. Oh, and don’t get me started on the lies and the secrets…” I shuddered. “I’m glad it’s over.”

  “They’ve grown,” she said. “But so have you. You’re stronger now, Fee. You’re truly their equal. You have Azazel, Mal, and Grayson. You’ve found your place.”

  Panic tickled the back of my mind. “Cora, what is this about?”

  She sat back against the headboard and turned her head to look at me. “When you were gone, and I couldn’t sense you, I felt completely lost. It was like I was floating. Like I was nothing. Untethered. I hated that feeling.”

  “But it’s gone now, right?”

  “Yes, but the thoughts it prompted aren’t gone.”

  “What thoughts?”

  “I don’t know who I am without you, Fee. I feel like…Like there’s something I need to be doing, something that’s mine, you know. I need to find my place.”

  My eyes welled because I knew where this was going. “Your place is here with me.”

  She cupped my face. “It was once. It was all I was, but I’ve grown…I’m changing. I love you, Fee, but once we have answers about these hooded figures, once I’m sure they’ve been dealt with, I need to go.”

  The donuts sat like lead in my stomach. “Need to?”

  She closed her eyes, and a tear tracked down her cheek. “Want to. I want to go, Fee.”

  My throat felt too tight. Her eyes were still closed as if she didn’t want to see the hurt on my face, and I owed her, dammit. I owed her my life. This wonderful woman I’d dreamt into being was more than a figment. She was real and solid with hopes and dreams, and she had a right to explore the world, to find her purpose, even if that purpose wasn’t to be by my side.

  I wiped away her tears and fixed a shaky smile on my face. “You better come visit.”

  Her eyes snapped open.

  “Wherever you go, you need to come visit.” My smile trembled and dropped. “Fuck. I don’t mean to cry.”

  “I’ll only ever be a jump away.”

  I pulled her into a hug and squeezed, feeling my heart break a little for the changes to come. But not yet. Not just yet.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “Are you ready to go?” Cora asked from my bedroom doorway.

  I pushed my feet into my pretty new boots and did a twirl to showcase my burgundy midi dress. I’d paired it with opaque black tights and the pretty new boots, of course. My hair was pulled back in a French braid, and I’d added silver hoops to my ears.

  I felt good. I felt Christmassy.

  “You look gorgeous.”

  “So do you.” I raked her over in her midnight blue slacks that looked as if they’d been painted on. She’d paired them with a cream off-the-shoulder top and piled her golden hair on her head in a messy do that looked totally chic on her. “Dean won’t be able to keep his eyes off you.”

  “Hands.” She gave me a cheeky smile. “Let’s hope it’s hands. Although we still haven’t been on a date yet.”

  “You will. He likes you.”

  She shrugged, suddenly nonchalant. “Probably for the best not to get too attached if I’m going to leave to seek my fortune someday soon.”

  Or it might just be a reason for her to stay. Her destiny could be here in Necro. But it wasn’t fair of me to push her, to pigeonhole her into being something she obviously didn’t want to be.

  Cyril slid into the room and then wound up Cora’s leg to lie across her shoulders. “Shall we go,” he said.

  Huh?

  Cora gave me a smug look. “Ah, yes. I have something to tell you.”

  “You can jump carrying another body now?”

  “Yep! I wanted to surprise you. I mean, so far, I’ve only carried Cyril, but I think I could carry a person if need be.”

  “That’s amazing! Your abilities are growing.”

  She sobered. “I know.”

  And we were back to her need to spread her metaphorical wings. She was powerful in a different way. Her world was with the witches. I shoved the thoughts away. I didn’t want them clouding my mind. I wasn’t ready to fully accept them.

  She was my best friend.

  She was my heart.

  She was here with me, and that was all that mattered right now.

  “Are we ready to go?” Mal appeared behind Cora.

  His dark hair was artfully tousled, his emerald eyes piercing in his tanned face, and he’d dressed up in a dark shirt and pants.

  “Azazel’s waiting at the pinnacle,” he said. “You get to show off your new flight skills.”

  Excitement bubbled in my stomach. We were going to Christmas dinner. Together. All of us…

  All of us except… “Um…How do you think the pack would feel if we brought along an extra guest?”

  Cora made an ‘o’ with her mouth, catching onto my train of thought.

  Mal looked confused for a moment and then rolled his eyes. “Seriously, Fee?”

  “I don’t feel right leaving him here all alone. It’s Christmas.”

  “Demons don’t celebrate Christmas,” Mal reminded me. “Neither do daemons. He won’t miss a damn thing.”

  “But I’ll know we left him out.”

  Cora and Mal exchanged looks, as if to say, here she goes again, being a softie.

  I crossed my arms. “Goodwill to all men?”

  “Fine,” Mal said. “And how do you suggest we get him there? It’s daytime in Necro, and we might fly there, but we’ll be on foot part of the way. He’s blue, Fee, with horns and a tail. Not exactly able to blend in.”

  “I’ll take him,” Cora said.

  I looked at her in surprise. “You will? I mean are you sure you can carry him and Cyril?”

  “You can carry people now?” Mal looked impressed. “Nice work.”

  Cora tipped her head to the side, accepting the compliment. “I can,” she said, replying to us both. “You might want to give Grayson and the pack a heads-up, though. I’ll hang out here until you guys get there. Message me when it’s safe to bring blue boy.”

  I gave her a quick hug as I headed out of the room. “See you in a bit.”

  Mal took my hand, and we headed to the pinnacle to meet Azazel.

  The pack house smelled of cinnamon and turkey, and my stomach rumbled in anticipation of the delicious meal to come. Christmas music played, and fairy lights twinkled everywhere.

  Grayson and the pack had gone all out, adding more touches to the house in my absence. Someone had even hung up Christmas scene paintings that twinkled with tiny lights built into the canvas.

  They’d pulled out a huge table and decorated it with a gorgeous centerpiece made up of candles, ivy, and red berries. Plates had been set, and napkins folded into concertinas. They even had crackers by each plate.

  “Azazel, Mal!” Bastian intercepted my guys, drawing them toward the bar area. “You have to try the punch. It actually has a fucking kick to it, courtesy of Petra.”

  Azazel and Mal each dropped a kiss on my head and followed Bastian. My attention went to the kitchen where Beth and Eliza were sitting at the island watching Grayson, Dean, and Bobby cook.

  They squealed with excitement at the sight of me, and Grayson looked over his shoulder, his gaze locking onto me. A zing shot through me and settled between my legs.

  I barely registered the girls as they rushed over and gave them automatic hugs, heart pounding as Grayson put down the chopping knife he was holding, carefully wiped his hands on a tea towel, and padded over.

  Barefoot.

  I fucking loved him barefoot in jeans.

&nb
sp; “Grayson…” My voice was a soft exhalation.

  “A word in private, please.” Grayson’s tone was honeyed gravel that rolled across my senses.

  I nodded, my mouth stupidly dry.

  He headed to the lift, and I followed, unable to do anything else. The doors closed on us, and the tension ratcheted up a notch, crackling and fizzing between us. We stood facing each other, not touching even though I ached to make contact.

  The lift opened, and he led the way to our quarters and shoved open the door, stepping aside to let me go in first. The room smelled of him, so strong, so pure it filled me, traveling over my skin and seeping into me, reminding me of our connection.

  I turned to him as he closed the door. “What did you want to talk about?” My voice came out all husky and thick.

  “I want to talk about that dress.” He took a step closer. “I want to talk about how it molds to your every curve. I want to talk about those fucking tights and how they’re about to come in between my skin and yours.” He was standing right in front of me now. “I want to talk about how much I’ve missed being inside you, how much I need to fucking feel you beneath me, every fucking inch of you.”

  I tore my gaze from his mouth to meet his eyes in challenge. “Then what are you waiting for?”

  His beast rose up, darkening his eyes, and then I was on the bed, pressed into the mattress as he devoured my mouth. I sank my fingers into his hair, opening for him, sucking on his tongue, and lifting my hips to allow him to slide my tights and underwear down.

  We undressed, mouths meeting again and again in ravenous kisses as we shucked off our clothes, and then he was inside me, deep and fulfilling. My Loup took over, and I dug my nails into his shoulders and met his thrusts with harsh jerks of my hips until I was lost, spiraling, and we were finally one again.

  Grayson undid my braid and ran his fingers through my hair. “Much better.”

  “Well, I kinda have no choice now.” I shook it out and then covered my face with my hands, suddenly embarrassed. “Everyone will know what we were doing.”

  He pinched my chin and forced me to look at him. “You’re my mate. They’ll understand, expect it even. It’s our nature, Fee.” His mouth twisted wryly. “You’re worried about Azazel and Mal, aren’t you?”

  “This is all so new. The four of us…”

  “The guys and I discussed this. No jealousy, no territorial behavior.” He snorted. “Even though it’s in our nature. They’ll need to get used to it, just as I need to accept that when you’re not with me, you’re with them.” He kissed me softly. “Now, let’s go eat.”

  We got to the lift, and I remembered Cora and Keon. Shit, sex brain had completely taken over.

  “Grayson, I need to ask you if it’s okay to bring an extra guest.”

  He pressed the lift call button. “This is your pack too, Fee, you can invite whomever you want.”

  “Thank you, but his appearance might be a bit of a shock. He’s a daemon.”

  Grayson shrugged, unconcerned. “If you’re okay with him, then the pack will be too.”

  I tapped a message to Cora, letting her know it was okay to bring Keon, and then we headed downstairs to join the party.

  Mal’s expression darkened and Azazel’s jaw tensed when Grayson and I returned from our little sojourn. Grayson went back to the kitchen, and I joined the guys in the bar area.

  After a moment, Azazel draped his arm around me, pulled me against his side, and kissed my temple.

  “I’m going to see if they need any help in the kitchen,” he said.

  I tipped my chin up to study his face, and he gave me a small smile, his way of telling me it was okay.

  He set his glass on the pool table and left me with Mal. I exhaled in relief. Grayson was right. It was okay.

  Mal reached out to finger my hair. “Did he take you upstairs to brush your hair?”

  There was a snide edge to his tone like the old Mal, the one who’d liked to hurt me with his words.

  My chest felt hollow, and then anger ignited in the space. “No, Mal, we fucked. Because he’s my Loup mate. If you have a problem with that, then just spit it out.”

  Mal closed his eyes and exhaled through his nose. “I’m sorry. I’m going to have to work on the jealousy.”

  My anger evaporated. “I’m sorry too. It’s a huge ask to expect you guys to share me.”

  “You never asked,” Mal said. “We agreed to love you.”

  The air crackled, and Cora appeared with Cyril and Keon in tow.

  The room fell into silence, the only sound the tinkling Christmas music playing on the radio, and then the house was filled with snarls and growls as the Loup surrounded them.

  Cora gave me a what-the-fuck look while Keon fell into a defensive crouch, hissing in warning.

  “Whoa!” I held up my hands and strode over to Keon. “Keon is my guest, which makes him our guest.” I glared at the Loup, at my pack, ordering them to stand down with my body language. “He’s a daemon, and he’s my friend.”

  The growls died down, and I flicked a quick look in Keon’s direction to find him staring at me with an unfathomable expression.

  Long seconds passed, and then Bastian strode forward and held out a glass of punch to Keon. “Try this, it actually has a fucking kick to it.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Bastian and Dean delivered food to the vamps in the garage. There was still no movement on the super vamp issue, but the vamps had settled into their temporary home nicely.

  Food was eaten, and it was time to open gifts. We gathered in the lounge by the tree as everyone opened their presents. Grayson and I had picked out something small for each pack member. As everyone gushed over their gifts, I retrieved the bag that contained my gift to the guys.

  They were sentimental purchases, and probably stupid, and I was suddenly nervous they’d think they were dumb, but fuck it.

  I handed each of them a small jewelry box. “I hope they fit. I mean I can get them resized or…You don’t have to wear them.”

  The guys exchanged glances, then opened the boxes to reveal the white gold bands inside, each engraved with a heart and the same message: A piece of my heart in your hand.

  Grayson turned the ring over, his throat bobbing.

  I winced. “I’m sorry, I know it’s corny, I just—”

  “It’s perfect,” he said gruffly.

  Azazel had already slipped his on. “I’ll never take it off.”

  Mal shook his head. “Fuck, Fee, you know how to gut-punch a guy with emotion, don’t you?”

  I exhaled in relief. “You like them. Oh, good.”

  “Now you guys,” Cora said. “Come on.”

  Huh?

  Azazel nodded at Grayson, who reached into his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box. It was long, the kind used for bracelets or necklaces.

  “We chose this together,” Grayson said.

  Together? I flipped open the box and stared at the charm bracelet inside. There were three charms on it. A wolf, a set of silver wings, and a set of black wings.

  “A charm to represent each of us,” Azazel said.

  “So we’re always with you,” Mal added.

  My eyes welled, and I sniffed back the tears. “I fucking love it.” I lifted it out of the box and slipped it onto my right wrist. It fit perfectly, winking prettily against my skin.

  “I’ll never take it off…Unless I have to shift into Loup form, but then I’ll put it right back on.”

  Grayson chuckled. “Yes, I should have added that proviso to my statement too.”

  A wave of joy washed over me, filling me, completing me, and then Azazel made a strange sound, a soft grunt that drew my attention.

  His face had drained of all color.

  “Azazel?”

  I reached for him, but he staggered backward, clutching at his chest as if in pain.

  “His hands!” Cora cried out.

  A network of black lines was spreading across the backs of his hands.


  “Az!” Mal made a grab for him but too late. Azazel’s eyes rolled back in his head, and he crumpled to the ground.

  Petra’s hands hovered above Azazel’s still form. The black lines were spreading across his alabaster skin. He was deathly pale. Lips bloodless, skin cold. The food I’d eaten congealed in my stomach, making me feel sick.

  “What is it?” Mal asked Petra. “What’s wrong with him?”

  She shook her head. “There is a connection inside him, and there is a taint entering him via that connection.”

  A connection? “Like our soulmate bond?” I looked at Mal in panic. “Am I doing this to him?”

  Petra shook her head. “No, your soul bond is separate and distinct, untainted. This is a different channel. I can’t quite figure it out.”

  What other connection could he have? And then it hit me. There was only one other connection a Dominus had.

  “His voralex! It has to be. We need to check it out.”

  “Fuck,” Mal said. “You’re right. It would explain Leanna’s condition too.”

  “What? How?”

  “She lives in Azazel’s voralex. He gave her refuge there, allowed her to turn it into a coffee shop.”

  “Wait, you’re saying Lumiers is Azazel’s voralex?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  I smoothed a hand over Azazel’s forehead, then stood. “We have to go check it out. Now.” I looked up at Grayson. “Is it okay to leave him here.”

  “Go,” Grayson said. “We’ll take care of him.”

  “I’m coming with you,” Cora said.

  “Me too,” Keon said.

  “What if someone sees you,” Mal said.

  “It’s dark,” Cora said. “We’ll figure it out.”

  I looked for Cyril and found him curled up asleep on a chair. “Bobby, take care of Cyril for me.”

  “No problem.”

  With a final glance at Azazel, I headed for the exit.

  Leanna didn’t open the door to the coffee shop, so Cora jumped inside and let us in.