by Nikki Landis
Peering into the ebony night, lit by sparse beams of pale moonlight, I began to stalk my prey. My pert little nose rose in the air as the scent of the Taint called to me. Without hesitation I bolted forward, running through the trees swiftly on agile limbs. I caught up to the coward quickly, snatching at him before he could flee. For a moment I was caught off guard as he kicked my shin and slipped from my grasp.
Running to catch up, my palms rose and I let the fire rise to the surface of my skin. Without hesitation I launched fireballs in his direction as he crouched on the ground and called out, throwing his hands up in the air. Out of spite for his little stunt I tossed another set of flames toward his trembling body until he was surrounded. A few of the flames jumped from the ground and singed his clothes.
“I give up! Don’t hurt me.”
“You aren’t mine to hurt. You must face your punishment. Death awaits.”
Lycan appeared through the trees and I realized they had been present all along, awaiting the moment of my triumph or failure. Sick bastards.
The Lycan joined a host of malevolent who opened the pit of the Underworld and exposed the scorching flames of eternal torment. I could have had a worse fate than the one I had now.
“So, did I pass?”
The Reaper smirked. “I think you’ll do. For now.”
Chapter 6
“I’ve earned some time off for good behavior. I want it, without questions.”
The Reaper stood next to me, his arms folded across his chest.
Three months had passed since I last saw my brother or Kellen. I had worked hard, seeking and capturing the lost and tainted souls marked by Death without complaint, asking for nothing in return.
Until today.
“Why now?”
“My brother is home. I wish to see him.”
The Reaper nodded. “Fine, on one condition.”
“What?” I asked testily, ready to argue.
“I’m really sick of you calling me Reaper. I have a damn name you know.”
“You do?”
“Yes, so call me Sam. I’m getting annoyed.” He did his best to scowl but ended up smiling like a loon.
“Fine Sam, I’ll see you soon.”
Returning home after three months was like a shock to my system. It was as if nothing had changed but I knew better. I stayed hidden in the fade, afraid to step out into the world and face my brother. I was accustomed to the feel of the dreamlike state your body rested in, at the mercy of the Taint running rampant in your blood. Without such a stain I could not stay inside the fade for more than a few minutes before starting to rot and decay.
Human souls would perish instantly. Only as the descendants of Nephilim, Angelic beings with pure bloodlines, did I ever have any hope of surviving all that I had endured. Perhaps it was the bloodline that kept me from falling entirely into the abyss of pure evil. I could never be sure but I knew I was protected, even as I couldn’t fully explain why.
I was shocked to find both Kellen and Seasnan staying in my home with Aedan. Seasnan was mucking stalls and rubbing down the horses in the new stables. Aedan was working the land, planting seeds for new crops in the freshly turned soil. And then I saw Kellen.
My heart lurched inside my chest.
Every ounce of my heart and soul wanted to run to him, throw myself into his arms, and beg his forgiveness. Oh how I missed him. His touch. His love. His passion.
He seemed to be at a loss, pacing the front yard as he glared in Aedan’s direction. Once his mind was made up, he stomped toward him.
“I’m only going to ask this one more time. Where is Renee?”
Aedan sighed. “If I knew I would tell you.”
“I don’t believe you. Why aren’t you worried?”
“Because she can handle herself, that’s why. Trust me, I know.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let it go Kellen.” Aedan’s tone was sharp.
“I’m sick of staying silent while she’s out there...somewhere. I can feel her Aedan. Something is wrong.”
My heart broke at his words.
“She’s made her choices. You have to respect that.”
“Respect what? The last words from her mouth were how much she loves me. Did she tell you that? Do you know how we feel?”
Aedan tossed his equipment down and turned, his eyes full of sorrow. “I had my suspicions.”
“Then tell me where she is!”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Why not?”
“Kellen.”
“Damnit Aedan. I’m not going anywhere until she returns and we speak to one another.”
“That’s your choice, but if you’re staying I could use some more seed.”
Kellen scowled as Seasnan’s chuckle echoed from the barn. “Fine.”
Once he was gone I decided to leave the fade and walked toward my brother, knowing our conversation would be a hard one.
“I’M FINE RENEE.”
The bitterness in his voice was not convincing. “I said I was sorry Aedan.”
“Doesn’t really matter now, does it?”
“Of course it does. You’re my brother and I love you.”
His stiff posture proved his displeasure, as if he was barely tolerating my presence. “You made your choices.”
“Yes, and you know why. Don’t push me away for saving you. That’s not fair.”
“Fair?” He tossed the shovel in his hand aside and turned on me, his voice hard and cold. “What about any of this situation is fair? When has life ever been fair to either of us?”
He was right. “I’m sorry Aedan. I never wanted things to turn out this way.”
“Maybe not but that’s where we are now, isn’t it?”
“Renee?”
Seasnan’s shocked tone came from behind me.
I sighed. “Hello Seasnan.”
His wide eyes swept over my appearance as he shook his head. “Oh Renee. What have you done?”
“I’ll be back Aedan. Give me a few minutes.”
“Like I have any choice,” he muttered under his breath.
I led Seasnan inside and began to pace. “What I’m about to tell you is a secret. I must have your sworn promise not to ever speak of it to another living soul as long as you live.”
“Renee...”
“Swear it,” I grit through my teeth.
“On my life and my honor Renee.”
“What I’m about to tell you must never be repeated, most of all to Kellen.”
“Why not?”
“Because I love him Seasnan.” My eyes pleaded with his. “If he knew what I was now he would hate me. I’d rather send him on his way, completely oblivious to the truth.”
“You know that’s not possible, right? He’s in love with you. Kellen won’t drop it.”
“Then you have to convince him.”
“Is it because of the Taint?”
I closed my eyes, anguished. “Yes.”
“What did you do?”
I explained my choice to save Aedan and my new life as a Shadow Hunter. Seasnan’s jaw dropped slightly but he listened without interrupting.
“Holy shit Renee. Why would you think Kellen wouldn’t understand or help you?”
“That’s the thing Seasnan. There’s nothing to be done. If I break the contract...”
“They come for your brother.”
“Yes,” I whispered, tears filling my eyes. I sank onto the mattress of my old room, needing to think. “I’ve crawled into a hole I can’t get out of. There’s no choice but to accept my fate which means I don’t have any future with Kellen.”
“Why don’t you let him decide that?” He sat next to me, patting my hand. “He’s not a fool you know.”
“He has everything. Why would he want me?”
Seasnan frowned. “I don’t understand. What are you saying?”
“I’m not the girl he thinks I am.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it? I’m not an innocent. I can’t give him the life he wants.” My voice broke. “I’m not good enough for him. I never have been.”
“No you listen here,” Seasnan replied with frustration, “I won’t accept that. Neither will Kellen. Stop selling yourself short.”
“If you only knew Seasnan.”
“Then tell me Renee. Please.”
I began my sordid tale, starting with my father’s abuse at the tender age of three. His grip tightened on my arms. “And when you were a young girl, in your teens?”
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? I’ll never be the pure bride he wants and deserves.”
I could hold out on the emotion no longer and my tears trickled down my face.
“Renee, I’m so sorry.”
I leaned into his chest, all of the anguish I felt bubbling up and out of me as years of abuse and trauma poured from my damaged and tortured soul. I was broken. Worse, I was fractured, like tiny pieces of glass from a fallen vase and unable to be reassembled in the same order. I would never be whole again. A shattered replica of a once beautiful girl.
“Kellen doesn’t need my drama. He can never know.”
“I disagree. I’d want to know. I’m betting he would too if you gave him half the chance.”
“The only thing that matters is Kellen’s happiness. Once he moves on from me, he’ll find the right girl and settle down.”
Seasnan shook his head. “I don’t like this. It’s a terrible plan.”
“You swore to me,” I pointed out. “I will hold you to your oath.”
“And my word is binding, especially to a Shadow. I know this,” he sighed, shaking his head. “This is going to be bad. Kellen will not react well.”
“Then you must be his friend and help him.”
“You’ll break his heart.”
“If I must, to save him.”
I leaned and pressed a kiss to Seasnan’s cheek as he pulled me in for a hug. The gasp of several voices filled the room as Seasnan and I looked up. Kellen stood, his body trembling in fury, a small black box in his hand.
An engagement ring.
Oh no!
I shoved Seasnan off me but it was too late. Kayleigh stood next to Kellen, drawing the same conclusion. I never thought how it would look for them to enter the house, the bedroom, and find us on the bed with our arms around one another and my lips pressed to his cheek. It didn’t help that from that angle it looked as if we were kissing.
“You betray me? With my best friend?” His voice sounded pained, choking on the word. “How could you do this Renee?”
I shook my head. “It’s not what you think.”
“Save it. I don’t want to hear your lies.”
I realized in that moment this was the perfect solution. Kellen would think I cheated on him and he would walk away. I would lose him but he would be safe and far from me. In time he would find another to love and I would be nothing more than a painful memory.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, not defending myself any further.
Before anyone else could say a word I left the room in a rush, my heart crushed and bleeding with the finality of my decision. There were only two people in this world that I ever truly loved. Aedan would forgive me in time, but Kellen would hate me for the rest of his life.
I understood. I hated myself too.
“WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH you?”
The Reaper was waiting for me back in Hell. How lovely. What did he do? Follow me everywhere?
“Nothing,” I snapped.
“Doesn’t sound like nothing.”
“Well, it’s not your concern, is it?”
He laughed. “You’re awfully grumpy. Did something happen?”
I wasn’t going to discuss it with him. He was the enemy as much as everyone else in this forsaken place. I would do well not to forget that and become too comfortable. Trust was not a luxury I could afford.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“You may.”
“Why is it that you’re a Reaper but all you do is lead me around bored all the time?”
“Are you asking why I haven’t harvested any souls?”
“Yes, of course.”
The Reaper looked amused, as he was most of the time around me. “I do not seek the souls that are specially marked for Death’s army. I only seek the souls that are to be harvested. There’s a difference.”
“How so? Don’t they all go to the same place?”
“How can you be so unobservant all the time?” He shook his head, his bony jaw twitching. “The souls picked up by the Lycan go straight to Death for his bargain. They must sign the contract.”
“And the others? The ones you harvest?”
“Those souls are released for sustenance and are hunted, forever plundered for their spiritual energy, consumed over and over again until the end of time.”
“Consumed?”
“Devoured, slaughtered, eaten. Souls retain a physical form in Hell so they may feel the weight and burden of their sin.”
“So it’s torture.”
“Yes, of course. What else would it be?”
My eyes widened in horror. “That sounds awful.”
“Good thing you signed the contract huh?”
I punched him on the arm which was rather stupid considering he was mostly bone. My hand ached but I ignored the pain.
“Renee. Come.”
I stiffened as I heard Death’s call. “I’m being summoned.”
All joking stopped as we ran to the dark chamber of the Death Dealer.
“There is someone I want you to meet Renee.” The way he said the words made my skin crawl. “Your training has been most effective. It’s time you moved on. Meet the Dark General, Domhnall.”
I bowed slightly “Milord.”
A sardonic brow rose on his handsome face. “I look forward to having you Renee.”
His suggestive tone brought a heated blush to my cheeks.
“You’re to serve him as you do me.”
This was bad. Very bad.
What game was being played now?
Chapter 7
Domhnall was a cruel master. He expected his demands carried out swiftly without hesitation. Many of his henchmen and the grotesque goblin like creatures that served him were the unlucky target of his unpredictable temper. I learned quickly over the next year how to avoid his bouts of rage. In all that had happened to me one thing was abundantly clear – I adapted well.
Maybe it was because I was a product of my abusive father.
“Renee.”
Dom’s voice could rattle the walls when he yelled but usually he only called my name harshly, like I was slow to answer when that was never the case.
“I’m here,” I answered, falling to one knee. He liked the show of respect.
“I have a mission for you, one that is perfect for your unique talents.”
I wanted to ask what talent he was referring to but I kept my mouth shut before he could smack it in impertinence. Dom didn’t slap me around but he could let his hand fly pretty easy when he was frustrated so I did as I was told. “What would you like me to do?”
Sam stood off to the side, frowning. He kept his expression fixed on Domhnall but I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like this.
“Do you know who Kellen Sloane is?”
Uh oh. Please, not him. “Yes.”
“What is your acquaintance?”
“We knew each other as children.”
“Ah, any further connection?”
I lied. “No, I haven’t seen him in years.”
“I’d like you to pay a visit to his new charge, a person of some importance. Her name is Rhiannon. Seems Kellen has fallen in love with the girl and I need you to cause some complications in their relationship.”
My stomach dropped. He loved someone else? So soon?
“Yes, master. How exactly?”
“Use what you’ve got. Lure him in. Do what you need to do to channel his lust but make Rh
iannon doubt his affection and loyalty.”
“Why?” I blurted, before I could stop myself.
“I have my reasons.”
“Do you hate him Dom?”
He stood, pushing off his blood red throne and circling me as I knelt. “Yes. He killed my brother.”
“Tynan?” I was shocked. Dom spoke little of his past. His indulgence was surprising.
“I will take everything from him until he has nothing left and then I’ll bring him to my dungeons. I’ll torture his soul until he wishes for his own death.”
I had to concentrate hard not to visibly tremble beneath the rage and bitterness of his words. Kellen had a huge bull’s eye painted on his back and there was nothing I could do to stop Dom. He would exact his vengeance. Kellen would suffer.
I had to find a way to help him but not now. My mission would have to be successful in order to convince Dom that I was following his orders.
“Yes, master. I’ll visit him tomorrow.”
Domhnall held out his hand and pulled me up, our eyes locking. “Succeed and you have my trust. Fail me and I will prove how ruthless I truly am.”
Nodding, I stepped back, almost afraid.
Sam fell in step beside me as I nearly ran from the room. Once outside the confines of Carden Castle I leaned against the stone of the outer courtyard taking deep breaths to calm my anxious heart.
“When are you going to tell me that you’re in love with Kellen?”
“Sam, not now.”
“Yes, now. We’ve been friends a long time Renee. At least do the courtesy of being honest with me.”
“Fine, I love him. I have for years but he’s in love with her now.”
“This Rhiannon person?”
“Yes,” I answered bitterly. “The day I signed that contract is the day I lost him.”
Sam ticked his bony jaw toward the gates. “I suppose we have a long ride ahead of us.”
“No fade?”
“Not this time. We need to talk.”
“CAN I HELP YOU?” RHIANNON asked, looking me up and down, frowning and sounding more than a little rude.
I tried not to laugh at her expression.
“Yes, I don’t know, I’m looking for Kellen.” I did my best to sound impatient. That should make him come outside for sure. I tossed my shoulder length blonde hair behind me and sighed. My image was a real piece of work tonight. I was wearing a lot of heavy make-up, especially on my eyes, and dressed quite provocative in a short mini skirt and a tight low cut top.