by J. L. Weil
Pressure escalated in my chest, almost to the point of unbearable. I was having something worse than a panic attack, and all I could think was this was entirely my fault.
“Don’t fret. You have what many of us never did.”
“What’s that? Foolishness?” I was feeling particularly snarky.
She laughed. “I was talking about the death reaper, the other half of your soul.”
My chin lifted at the mention of Zane.
“He offers you love, power, and courage. You will need all to defeat what is to come,” she said softly.
Those were things I already knew. I was stronger with Zane. He had an aura about him that made me think I could do anything, even save the world. Chill bumps flew across my skin, and I grew cold. “What’s out there?” I asked.
Her eyes followed mine beyond the horizon. “A graveyard. No hope. No happiness. No laughter. Nothing of life. Can you sense it?”
I nodded.
Tears glittered in her bright green eyes. “The ground is littered with the blood of millions and the tears of a million more. You might be feeling dejected and desperate, but Piper, daughter of my daughters, you have the strength to restore not only the veil, but also the broken order. I believe in you.”
Chapter 16
I woke up to the drumming of rain on the roof. Feeling like one of the walking dead, I rubbed my bloodshot eyes, digging out the crusty eye boogies that had gathered at the corners. Not pretty. But that was nothing compared to what was going on inside my mouth. It tasted like something furry had crawled inside and died.
My first thought was to scamper out of bed, rush to the bathroom and brush my teeth with a gallon of mouthwash. Anything to remedy the rancid taste on my tongue, except as I pulled back the covers, I sensed something was wrong. I scanned the room. The walls weren’t lavender and white, but gray and black. There was no cluster of makeup, no clothes haphazardly tossed on the floor, and the room smelled distinctively of male, in a very, very good way, the kind that had my ovaries buzzing.
Only one person gave me that butterfly-excited feeling.
A sleepy mumble drew my attention to the other side of the bed. In the light of day, he looked appealing, his hair rumpled from sleep. The tattoo of his reaper’s scythe peeked out from under the covers that hung down by his waist. There was an old scar that ran down the center of his chest.
Memories rushed in. The attack. Estelle. The council. Crash. The dream. Celeste. I’d spent the night with Zane at the Hunters’ house. There was something oddly reassuring about sleeping under the same roof as the Grim Reaper.
After the council meeting and the fight with Estelle and her ghostly gang, Zane insisted I come home with him where he could keep an eye on me. He wasn’t taking any chances that Crash might make another unexpected visit, who he promptly told to get lost. Crash seemed to be able to get around every defense Zane set up. It didn’t bode well with Zane. If Crash was on my side, why was he continually cornering me alone? I had a feeling Crash was playing both sides.
Zane had sent Declan to the manor to watch over Parker and TJ. It was a relief; however, it had done little to quiet my overactive mind. I don’t know why he chose his house over the manor. Maybe he wanted to sleep in his own bed, but since the night we slept together, neither of us could bear to sleep alone.
An indisputable fact: I loved Zane. All-encompassing. All-consuming. Now and forever. His love was going to protect me. Save me. Save us all.
I just didn’t know how, yet.
As my brain became less jumbled and foggy, I remembered the vision of the future. It wasn’t a memory I wanted to retain. The rain tapping against the windowpane made the dream that much more depressing.
Zane stretched beside me, pulling my eyes back to him. I no longer wanted to climb out of bed, and would much prefer to stay snuggled up to his cool body, forget my problems, forget the dream.
My hand was still resting over his beating heart, and I was comforted by the steady sound. He was alive. The world was spinning, but for how long? How much time did I have?
I thought about all we had been through to get here, causing a smile to cross my lips. It had been a bumpy road, and we hadn’t always been civil to each other. There had been multiple times I’d wanted to drown him in the ocean, but he did have a few award-winning qualities.
He was a keeper.
I lay on my side, tucking my hands under my cheek and watched him like a total creeper. The sheets were twisted at his waist, and his face looked almost angelic. Thick, black lashes fanned over his cheeks. It was hard to believe that I had bagged and tagged Zane Hunter. Sigh. If anything happened to him…
The fluttering of anxiety came back just as Zane eyes began to move.
And then I was lost in a sea of deep blue. “Morning.” His voice was raspy from sleep.
A smile swept across my face. “Hey sleepyhead.”
He roped an around my hips and pulled me to him. “I was almost afraid you wouldn’t be here.”
“Where else would I be?”
His lips drifted over the arch of my cheek. “It doesn’t matter. You’re here.”
“I am. And there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
His eyes searched mine. “How are you dealing?”
“I’m not,” I admitted, unable to stop staring at his lips. It took all my self-control to concentrate on what he was saying, when all I wanted to do was kiss him. I wanted him to make me feel alive. I wanted him to evoke all the emotions my dream had lacked. Human emotions. Love. Pleasure. Desire.
His eyes darkened as he ran the pad of his thumb along my bottom lip. “Maybe I can help you…focus.” He brought his lips to mine in a kiss that was sweet and tender.
It reached me everywhere. “Hmm. Things are starting to get a little clearer.” I snaked my fingers into his rumpled hair. “Another kiss?”
“Anything I can do to help.” He planted his lips on the hollow of my throat.
I shivered, pressing my forehead into his shoulder and inhaled deeply. The scent of him never got old… beachy, like my own personal island. “What would I do without you?”
“Let’s never find out,” he murmured.
“I like the sound of that.” I drew him to my lips again, lingering over the taste of him. Things quickly went from hot to knock-your-socks-off hot. Needing to get closer, I climbed into his lap. I couldn’t help it. He was so darn addicting. Wrapping my legs around his, I arched up, pressing myself against him, and a shudder rolled through Zane.
The kiss spun wildly out of control, and I was totally okay with it. His name tumbled from my lips as his fingers slid under my shirt.
He hissed in a breath. “I love hearing the way you say my name.”
I rained kisses on his face, softly whispering his name between each, before fully pressing his to mine in a kiss that had my nerve endings humming. I love you, Zane, I said in my head. So much it scares me.
“Me too,” he whispered in my ear.
My nails tightened on his neck. It was easy to forget our souls naturally aligned, especially with our guards down or when we were caught up in each other, as we were now. We could transmit our thoughts to one another through our soul connection. I must have done so without realizing.
Kinda hot, and a tad frightening. Thank God, all I had done was confess my love, instead of telling him what a delectable butt he had, and how sometimes I wanted to just take a bite.
He brushed our noses. “Thanks, I think,” he grinned, one side of his lips tipped up.
I buried my head into his shoulder. Voice muffled, I said, “You weren’t supposed to hear that.”
“I gathered.” He planted a kiss on top of my head. “But I’m glad I did, that I can hear what you’re thinking. I want to know everything about you.”
“Being with you makes me happy.”
***
At precisely eleven-thirty, I had my first cup of coffee in the Hunters’ kitchen. I sat at the breakfast bar, feet dangling f
rom the stool, watching Zane work magic in the kitchen. He was making us breakfast, or more like brunch. How many other talents did he have?
I was enthralled. His dark hair was freshly showered, and his blue eyes were bright. I could feel the happiness sparking off him, and it warmed my heart to know I was the cause. Sipping my sweetened coffee, I didn’t want to damper his spirits with an ominous dream.
He expertly flipped the omelet in one of those chef pan tosses you see on television. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“I don’t usually eat breakfast,” I replied.
The Hunters’ kitchen was straight out of Better Homes & Gardens. There was this homey quality I missed, the smell of home-baked goods and clutter of pots and pans hanging from a rack.
The toaster popped up four pieces of golden, slightly crispy toast. Just how I liked. Before Zane had finished smothering on the butter, Zoe strutted in. She snatched a piece as she went to the fridge and poured herself a glass of orange juice.
Zane didn’t even blink, adding four more pieces to the toaster.
Zoe was rockin’ a messy bun on top of her head and a pair of purple skull boxers shorts. She had just rolled out of bed and looked super cute. I hated her.
“Someone have a sleepover?” she asked, taking a bite out of the whole wheat toast.
My cheeks colored. “I needed a change of scenery.”
“Heard you had a rough day.”
“Rough doesn’t cover my days anymore. How’s Parker?” I asked, tapping a nail on the side of my mug.
She swiveled in the stool beside me. “Mopey. Lost. Stubborn. Adorkable.”
It was still weird thinking about Zoe and Parker being an item. He thought I was against their relationship because Zoe was a reaper, but that wasn’t the case. It didn’t matter who or what Parker dated. Sharing him wasn’t something I’d ever had to do. I guess this was sort of how he had felt seeing me with Zane. I loved Parker. Not in the way I loved Zane, but knowing Parker cared about someone as strong as he did me, or stronger, was unsettling. I didn’t want him to get hurt again, and maybe a small part of me was jealous. In my head, I knew there was room in his life for both of us, but my heart was afraid. “You really like him,” I said, staring into my coffee.
She took another chunk out of the side of her toast. “What’s not to like?”
Zane snickered. “I could think of a few things.”
I shot him a stink eye. “I agree with Zoe, Parker has many redeeming qualities. You, on the other hand, have many questionable qualities.”
He leaned over the counter, a smirk on his lips, and kissed me. “Those refutable qualities are why you love me.”
“Maybe.”
Zoe made a gagging noise. “Gah, not while I’m eating.”
I smiled. If only every day could be like this. My phone buzzed on the counter just as Zane placed three plates down. I picked it up, eyes narrowing at the name flashing on the screen. It was Crash.
We need to talk. Alone. The text said.
I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I quickly responded, praying that would be the end of it. I wasn’t so lucky.
Zane won’t let you come out and play?
He was such an instigator. I just don’t trust you.
I have information that might be of use.
Do you know how impossible alone is these days? I texted back.
His response was immediate. Meet me at the docks in two hours.
I sighed, knowing I was going to take the bait. Damn him. Fine. Don’t make me regret this. The screen blinked to black.
Chapter 17
Not a single tourist among the boardwalk shops of Raven Hallow had any idea reapers were in their midst. If they did, if the truth of my origin was revealed, fear would radiate in their eyes. Mothers would keep their children close. People would avoid touching me, afraid of instant death. There were many fables surrounding reapers, good and bad, but what none of these people knew was the real terror wasn’t us, but the spirits who walked silently on our realm. At every corner, I expected to turn and come nose to nose with a hallow. I seemed to attract them like flies to horseshit.
It must be my perfume.
I meandered through the crowd, blending in to keep from drawing attention to myself. The last thing I wanted was to be recognized. I was safe within the crowd. Meeting Crash in such a public place was risky, but I until I knew what team he was on, precautions must be taken. I was already putting myself in danger by leaving the manor unaccompanied.
I imagined Declan was having a shit fit right about now. The image brought a half-smile to my lips.
As I walked, the sun glittered on my skin, and the air smelled of cotton candy and classic hot dogs. The sights and sounds were lively and colorful, just like my life. Trotting down the rickety wooden stairs to the beach, I headed to a spot just under the docks where the boardwalk was still visible, yet offered privacy.
But as I rounded the corner, I came to a complete stop. Someone was following me.
A girl stood on the beach a few feet from where I’d come from, her head tilted skyward, soaking up the rays. It was her hair I recognized, even before my banshee sonar ability kicked in. The red strands glowed in the sunlight.
“Venus?” I said suspiciously. What was she doing here? I might have thought it was only a coincidence, until her gaze fell upon mine. Venus and I never really had a proper conversation. Regardless, there was a mutual dislike between us that had everything to do with Zane.
Her almond-shaped eyes were encompassed in webs of black. “I followed you.”
At least she was upfront about it, slightly disappointing. I’d sort of been looking forward to calling her out. “Why?”
She moved forward wordlessly, and the vibe coming off her was not friendly. “To warn you.”
I don’t take too kindly to warnings, and I was just about to tell her so, when she attacked.
She body slammed into me with force, taking me by surprise. We went down into the low tide, the wet sand cushioning our landing. My brain hadn’t caught up to the turn of events, and she was already moving onto phase two—the hair pull. She grabbed a wad of my hair and yanked my head back. I yelped. Not thinking clearly, I tugged in the opposite direction, making the pain amplify. Smart move. The sting brought tears to my eyes.
Christ, she had octopus arms.
No matter what I did, I couldn’t get a grip on her, and to make matters worse, the tide was sucking us further into the water. “What the hell is your problem?” I yelled, right before an icy wave tumbled over us.
I drew in a sharp breath, but it was cut short. Her hand landed on my head, and she shoved, holding me under the cold water. I opened my mouth to scream, and ended up swallowing a gulp of saltwater. My arms flailed against the cold, fighting to break free to the surface.
Shrieking, I clamored to stand up. Looking like a drowned cat, my clothing clung to my skin and water dripped down my face. “I’m going to kill you,” I seethed, getting my feet secured in the sand. Waves continued to hit me from the side.
My threat on her life didn’t faze her a bit. “I had to get your attention.”
I shoved the hair sticking to my face to the side. “By attempting to drown me? You’re freaking crazy.”
“Thank you,” she replied in all her supremeness.
I squeezed the water from my hair, not bothering to tell her that hadn’t been a compliment. It would have been like talking to a brick wall. My hands shook. “You better have an exceptional reason why I shouldn’t slap the reaper out of you.”
Her long legs glistened with water, and even soaked to the bone, Venus looked beautiful. “Are you ready to listen?”
My eyes bounced from the water to Venus. Being wet and cold pissed me off, almost as much as being jumped for no good reason. “Not until you get me of my way.”
She stepped aside, but I could feel her eyes stabbing me. Her cheeks were crimson with rage.
For a brief moment, I contemplated popping her r
ight in her perky little nose. I wanted to draw blood almost as much as I wanted to get out of these wet clothes. I lumbered my through the rocking waves caused by the nearby boats. The bottoms of my feet were raw, and I’d lost my flip-flops somewhere in the struggle. I could have kissed the shore, but even on steady ground, my heart wouldn’t stop pounding.
She smiled sweetly, holding me with her stare. “Consider that a warning. Stay away from Zane. Do us all a favor, marry Crash.”
I thought I was going to lose it right then and there. Is she serious? That leech had gone completely over the edge because she wanted Zane. Newsflash, he was never hers. Maybe for one hot second before I arrived, but the moment I stepped on the island, it was over. She couldn’t hope to have a fragment of what Zane and I felt for each other. Our souls were twined. My response was a no brainer. “I can’t do that.”
Her eyes snapped up as water lapped at her ankles. “Then you’ve issued your own death sentence.”
Was I supposed to thank her for the gracious warning? “Did Heath put you up to this?” I asked, unable to disregard the facts. I had received a text from Crash to meet him, and ended up getting ambushed by a jealous lunatic, demanding I marry Heath’s son. The whole thing stunk like the low tide.
“Does it matter?” she countered.
“You know I could strip you of your abilities for this.”
A faint snicker sliced through the crackling air between us. “You don’t have the guts.”
Oh, boy. That was it. Underestimated once again. White-hot fury encompassed me. “The hell I don’t.” I snatched her wrist, and her eyes went wide with shock. Enjoyment filled my veins, joining the power trembling inside, cold and terrifying.
She swung her tormented gaze to mine, and let a feline yowl, but it did nothing to waver my command. There was only so much I could take, and Venus had made her choice, as I had mine. It needed to be known I wasn’t going to be manipulated or disrespected. I wasn’t an outsider any longer. They needed to accept that. It was my responsibility to maintain order, and that was exactly what I was doing.