by Nicky Graves
“Checking on you. Did you talk with the guardians?”
I gave a nod. “I’m supposed to begin training tomorrow.”
“That’s good news.”
“It’s still a shot in the dark. Kailin said it was a slim chance that it would help, but at least they’re willing to do something.”
“Can’t they do more?”
I shook my head. “She said they weren’t created to kill Azrael.”
“So that’s it? We just fight with him forever?”
“I don’t know. For right now, all I can do is train.” I tore my gaze away from the gym. “I wish I hadn’t come here.”
“Why did you?”
“Kailin shifted me home. I followed Larue here.”
“You miss home,” he said. “We all go through this.”
“I know. But seeing prom and seeing everyone move on with their lives . . . I don’t know. I guess this is just a reminder of what I’m missing.”
“Who said you’re missing anything?” he asked, holding out his hand. When I didn’t take it, he slipped his hand in mine, pulling me close.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Saying goodbye to the past.”
From the way Lawson said it, and from the way he was looking at me, it seemed as though maybe he was also saying goodbye to the past.
I found myself in his arms, swaying softly to a slow melody.
Taking a breath, I let my mind take a break from what-ifs and just enjoyed the moment.
With Lawson, I never knew where I stood. Usually we were either hot or cold toward each other, with a lot of tepid in between.
However, even as the slow song switched to a fast one, he kept me close to him, pretending that neither of us heard the change in music. If this was my farewell salute to the past, I was okay with it.
I glanced at him. Something about being in his arms in the glow of the lights felt right. And his gaze said he was thinking the same thing.
“Riley—” he began, but then he stopped. Leaning in, he brushed his lips against mine.
And just as I was thinking how perfect today was ending, wrapped in Lawson’s arms as we kissed, something rammed into Lawson, wrenching us apart.
“No!” I shouted just as Vance hauled back and punched Lawson.
Clarness activated in me, wanting to calm the situation and bring peace to Vance and Lawson.
But their fight was centuries old. Clarness would only bring a temporary peace. Vance and Lawson needed to get their animosity for each other out of their systems. And they could do that without me.
But why was the claim still affecting Vance? We shouldn’t be connected anymore.
With one last glance at the fighting brothers, I decided it was time for me to pack my bags. I had a date with destiny . . . and the guardians.
Epilogue
Lucifer looked upon the scene of Lawson and Riley dancing in the shadows of the gym. It was a pity to break up such a tender scene, but he was the devil, and the devil must play.
Just as Lawson kissed Riley, Lucifer snapped his fingers and Vance appeared on the scene.
Vance paused for a moment to get his bearings after being plucked from his home and deposited outside a high school. It didn’t take Vance long to see what was happening. He charged at Lawson, ripping the love birds away from each other.
Lucifer grinned. When he had promised to break the claim between Riley and Vance, Lucifer had kept his end of the bargain. The claim had been broken.
But Lucifer needed to keep Riley off balance. And Vance served that purpose. It helped that Vance’s feelings for Riley were deeper than a mere lifelong claim.
Riley stared at the brothers. He could tell she wanted to intervene. But then she shifted out of sight.
“Good girl,” Lucifer said with a smile.
His plans were right on schedule.
Find out what happens next in Grim Gone!
About the Author
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For more information on the Reaper Files series, please head over to
NickyGraves.com
Books by Nicky Graves
Grim Girl
Grim Life
Grim Lost
Grim Gone