Maybe I’m not so different as I thought I was. Perhaps being dead is just magnifying who I am.
“What in the hell is happening right now?” Alex’s voice pierces through the desire pulsating through me.
Reality washes over me, and I jerk back, wiping a drop of Blaise’s blood off my lip as I turn toward the doorway.
Alex is standing there, his eyelids half-lidded. Rhyland and Jaxon are behind him and shadows dance and twirl across their faces. They’re relentless and speculating gazes are intimidating and if I were alive, I might blush. But I’m not alive. I’m dead. So what does it even matter?
I lift my chin and cross my arms. “I want my own room.”
Blaise pushes away from the wall, tracing his bloody lip with his tongue, his fiery gaze set on me. “Is that what you were trying to get out of that?”
I shrug, keeping my gaze on the other three. “Yeah.”
“If that’s the case,” Alex says, stepping toward me, “I think you might have to try to persuade all of us. Although, I prefer sucking over biting.”
I roll my eyes, but my confidence is withering.
Rhyland and Jaxon move into the room and Rhyland shuts the door behind them.
“I think maybe we need to do something about her hunger.” Rhyland snaps his fingers and just like that, his cloak vanishes.
“I’m not feeding off you.” I flinch as Alex, Blaise, and Jaxon snap their fingers and their cloaks evaporate.
“No one said you had to,” Jaxon tells me, walking over to the far side of the room to a bar.
Suddenly, I become aware how enormous the room is. There’s also no beds. Just a long, velvet sofa, along with a few tables and chairs, and a set of French doors that lead to a balcony.
“Wait. I thought this was a bedroom?” I turn in a circle, glancing around. “Where’s the beds?”
“I think our little cursed fire reaper has a dirty mind,” Alex says with a smirk.
I stick out my tongue. “That’s not what I meant—” I squeak as he zips forward and quickly presses his lips to mine. I stumble back. “What the heck? You can’t just kiss me whenever you want to.”
“Then stop sticking your tongue out at me,” Alex quips, his eyes glinting wickedly.
My jaw ticks, my defiant attitude rising to the surface. “I can do whatever I want.” I stick out my tongue again.
His eyes flare then he rushes at me. I sidestep, clambering over the sofa and diving to the other side beside Rhyland.
Rhyland gives me a shocked, but amused look as Alex stalks around the sofa toward me.
“You can run all you want, but you’ve got nowhere to go,” he says with his dark eyes fixed on me.
I skitter around a table and make a beeline for the door, but Jaxon steps in front of me and blocks my path with a smirk on his face.
“You know, at first I thought you were the quiet, nice one, but I’m starting to change my mind about that,” I growl at him.
He smirks in response, lifting a glass to his lips and taking a sip of a drink. “First rule of this new world you’ve been thrown into. No one is nice. There’s only not as evil.”
Awesome.
His words instill a drop of fear inside me, but it quickly fizzles as Alex nears me.
Backing up, I haul ass across the room, moving for a shut door. But Rhyland blocks my way to that.
“You guys are so annoying,” I growl, then spin around and bail out the French doors.
Of course, since we’re about three stories high, that puts me with nowhere to go. Well, unless I have like super jumping skills or something…Hmmm…
Gripping the railing, I lean over and peer down at the streets.
“Be careful, Little Daredevil.” Alex moves up behind me and places his hands on the railing so I’m trapped between his arms. “If you fall, I’ll have to catch you, and then you’ll lose our little game of chase.”
Daredevil, just like people used to call my mom.
“I wasn’t playing a game,” I lie. “And please don’t start calling me Little Daredevil.”
“Why? It suits you way better than sweetheart, baby, or princess.” He rests his chin on top of my head and breathes in the scent of my hair. “Gods, I’ve been waiting so long for this.”
“To stand on this balcony and sniff my hair?” I sneer as a gentle, curse scented breeze caresses my skin.
“To be this close to you,” he murmurs, continuing his hair sniffing.
I grip the railing. “You mean close to a cursed fire reaper. Not me.”
“Every grim reaper waits for the day they get their own cursed fire reaper. It’s just an added bonus that it’s you.”
“You don’t have me,” I remind him. “And you don’t even know me.”
“I know enough. And I’ll learn more in time.” He’s speaking as if I’m going to be spending a long time with him.
“Eventually, I’m going to go home,” I remind him, taking in the scene before me, the way the sky stretches across the buildings, the glittering stars.
It’s pretty and if I could simply visit this place and admire the scenery, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. But that’s not why I’m here. I’m here because some sort of dangerous creature is hunting me.
I shudder at the reminder.
“You are home,” he murmurs. I part my lips to tell him, he’s wrong, but he spins me around and pins me against the railing. “Whether you like it or not, nothing about your life is the same anymore.” His tone is surprisingly soft despite his intense eyes. “And I know you want to fight this, but you can’t fight the truth or inevitable. And the truth is that you’re a cursed fire reaper. And the inevitable is that eventually you’re going to have to feed from us or you’re going to wither away. And none of us are going to let that happen.” Again, I open my mouth to tell him he’s wrong, but he places a finger against my lips. “Now, stop arguing and come inside so we can feed you. Because, while I find your little tantrums as adorable as pixies’ tizzy fits—which are quite adorable—the longer you go without feeding, the crankier you’re going to get. And eventually, you’re probably going to end up tearing the four of us apart.”
“You make it sound like I’m stronger than you.” My lips move against his fingertip.
“When you’re starving, you might be. But only because of a ravenous hunger you won’t be able to control. And you’ll probably end up severely hurting us if you let it take over.” He lowers his finger from my mouth. “Is that what you want? To hurt us?”
Yes burns on the tip of my tongue but never passes my lips. Grimacing, I shake my head and he grins.
“But,” I add. “I’m not feeding from you or any other creature.”
He gives an exhausted sigh. “I understand that. Which is why, for now, we’re going to have you drink some artificial souls. Hopefully, that’ll put the temper tantrums to ease for a bit.”
“There’s artificial souls?” I ask and he nods. “What do they taste like?”
He frowns. “Definitely not as good as mine, but it should satisfy you enough.”
The idea of drinking souls is creeping me out, but that hunger in my throat erases any doubt. “All right, I’ll drink them.”
“Good.” He twines his fingers with mine and pulls me toward the doorway.
As I step inside, I trip over my cloak. Again.
“While I love the cloak, can I take it off?” I ask, already reaching for the ribbon.
He captures his hands in mine and shakes his head. “Snap your fingers.”
I crinkle my nose. “Why? I don’t have any powers. Well, except for klutziness, but that’s pretty lame.”
He shakes his head, his lips quirking. “Just listen to me, Little Daredevil.”
Great, he’s still stuck on that nickname. But I guess it’s better than the others.
“Fine, but it’s not going to do anything,” I say as I snap— “Holy crap,” I breathe out as the cloak evaporates from my body.
“When you want it ba
ck,” Alex says. “Simply snap your fingers—”
I snap again and the cloak reappears on me. Grinning, I snap again.
Alex chuckles then hauls me into the room and twirls me around as I snap my fingers again. I giggle, a noise I’m pretty sure has never passed my lips.
Alex tugs on my arm, pulling me against his chest. “Now that’s fucking adorable.” He sketches his finger along my upturned lips.
I roll my eyes, but can’t stop smiling, because magic is kind of fun and seems to help my cranky mood.
Alex’s smile expands. Then he spins me around and gently shoves me straight into Blaise’s arms.
“Give her her present before we feed her,” he says as Blaise circles his arms around my waist. “Maybe between that and feeding, she’ll keep smiling all damn night.”
Blaise stares down at me as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the necklace. “Do you want to know what this does?”
“It’s not just a necklace?” I say with my hands resting against his chest.
“Nothing is ever just a necklace in our world.” He steps back and unclasps the clasp on the chain. “And this,” he moves the necklace toward my neck, “Is going to give you reassurance that your sisters are okay.”
“How?” I ask as he brushes my hair to the side.
“You just have to ask it.” He slips the necklace around my neck and secures the clasp.
“And it’ll just tell me?”
He shakes his head, moving back. “No, it’ll show you.”
“Really?” I perk up, my fingers wrapping around the pendant. “It’ll let me see sisters?”
He nods. “All you have to do is ask.”
I study it for a beat and then ask, in a slightly uneven tone, “Can I see my sisters?”
A bright and vivid image of my sisters hanging out in our living room, floods my mind, making me go momentarily blind. I can practically feel their happiness flowing off them as Londyn throws a pillow at Bailey and Bailey ducks out of the way. And while I’m relieved, it hurts a bit to see it. To see them so happy without me around.
Swallowing hard, I lower my hand from the pendant and the images dissipate. “They’re okay.”
Blaise’s forehead creases. “Why do you seem so sad about that?”
“I just miss them. That’s all.” I may be upset but a hint of gratitude rises inside me, and I move forward to give Blaise a quick hug. “Thank you.” When I step back, his fiery gaze is nearly blinding.
I don’t even bother trying to analyze it, turning toward Alex. “Can I eat those artificial souls now? My throat’s really starting to burn.” Never thought those words would leave my lips.
A hint of pity glints in his eyes, as if he can read my miserableness all over my face. “Jaxon has them.”
I turn toward the bar where Jaxon is perched on a stool.
Pity fills his eyes too as he pats the seat of the stool. “Come sit down.”
I go over and take a seat, easily obeying for probably the first time ever. “So, where are they?”
He lifts up a small, velvet bag I didn’t even realize he was holding. “In here.”
I eyeball the bag warily. “What do they look like? And how do they taste?”
“They’re not going to taste great. Artificial ones never do.” He unties the bag and opens it. “You can peek in if you want to.”
I hesitate then slant forward. Swimming around in the inside of the bag are wispy strips of hazy smoke. “This is what I have to eat?”
Jaxon nods. “Until you’re ready to feed from us.”
I sigh. “How do I do it?”
“Just put your face up to the bag and breathe in.”
“That’s it?”
He nods, seeming sad about something. “Pretty easy, right?”
I grip the edge of the stool. “I guess so.” I make no move to do what he said, though, nervousness flooding through me.
“Hadley, I know it’s scary.” Jaxon’s voice is gentle, his expression patient. “But one way or another, you have to eat. If you don’t, you’re going to lose it.”
Blowing out a totally unnecessary exhale, I lean toward the bag. “All right, I’ll do it. But only so I won’t tear anyone apart.”
“Anyone?” Jaxon questions amusedly. “Or us?”
I don’t reply, causing his grin to enlarge. Internally sighing, I lean even closer to the bag. The scent of the souls immediately touches my nostrils and on pure instinct, I breathe in. The wisps spark alive, zipping up and slipping through my slightly parted lips.
“Yuck…” I say as pain radiates through my body.
Darkness takes me over, dragging me down, down, down. The pain increases, blinding, searing, scorching.
Tears burn in my eyes as agony floods my body. The agony that this is my life now. Drinking souls and being around evil creatures. I’ll probably never get to spend time with my sisters again. And if I do, I’ll have to lie to them.
I really wish I could see my mom… Is the last thought that crosses my mind before darkness swallows me whole.
Chapter 20
“Hadley, sweetheart, can you hear me?” my mom’s voice whispers through my mind.
My eyes pop open and I quickly peer around. I’m lying in a massive four-post bed in an unfamiliar room with dark red walls and a glittery ceiling.
“Where am I?” I mutter, sitting up and clutching my throat. The constant burn I’ve felt since I’ve died is not as bad and relief washes over me. But that relief is short lived as my mother and Scarlett materialize in the middle of the bedroom.
My eyes widen, but the shock fades as I spring to my feet and rush to hug my mom.
“You’re here!’ I exclaim, throwing my arms around her. But I slip right through her and straight into the wall. “Ow,” I gripe, rubbing my elbow as I turn around. “You’re a ghost?”
“Obviously.” Scarlett dramatically rolls her eyes.
I glare at her, but then shake my head and look at my mom. I can see right through her and my heartaches, seeing her like this—seeing her dead. “How did you get here? I was going to look for you, but I didn’t know where to start.”
“I’m here because you asked to see me.” She gives me a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“But I’ve called out to you before.” I step toward her, wishing I could hug her. “What’s different now?”
“You never called out to me while you were wearing the All Knowing Necklace,” she explains, giving a glance at my neck.
Wait… It starts to click. The last thought I had before I blacked out. I must have said it aloud.
“Look, we don’t have a lot of time, and there’s a few things I need to tell you,” my mom says with worry. “You have to stay away from Honeyton. I know you miss your sisters, but it’s too dangerous for everyone if you return.”
I wrap my fingers around the pendant. “Do you know what’s after me?”
“I’ve heard rumors in the pri… In the place I’m staying at and I assure you that whatever it is, is worse than you or your reapers even realize.” She reaches for me as if to touch my cheek, but then draws back.
I want to cry. I miss her so much. She was the most important person in my life. I looked up to her. Wanted to be her. And yet, listening to her speak as if she’s known what I am all along, frustrates me.
“They’re not my reapers,” I say quietly. “Where are you staying? Is there like a place for ghosts or something? I’m sorry for all the questions, but I don’t know much about… Well, whatever this is.”
“You may not want them to be your reapers right now, but eventually, if you want to survive what’s coming, you’re going to have to accept your fate.” She offers me a miserable smile, ignoring the last question I asked about where she’s staying. “Trust me. I ran from mine and I ended up…” She presses her lips together, her eyes shimmering with tears. Ghost can cry? “Don’t run away from yours.”
The last words she whispered to me before the reapers took
her that awful day ring in my head. Your fate will be different—yours will protect you.
“What fate?” I ask as her transparency magnifies. “Mom, don’t go.” I reach for her, but my fingers slip right through. “Don’t leave me.”
“I have to,” she whispers, merely an outline of her visible. “Trust no one but your reapers. You can’t even trust your sisters right now. And most definitely don’t trust your father.”
“What?” Tears spill from my eyes as she dissolves completely. I collapse to my knees. “Please come back. I need you.” I grasp the necklace. “Can I see my mom?”
The room remains empty. Well, that is until Scarlett pops up right in my face
I startle back, nearly falling on my ass.
She rolls her eyes. “Chill. I’m here to help you. But you have to wake up first.”
I blink. “I’m asleep?”
“Yeah, you’ve been asleep for about four days.”
“Four days?” Panic potently flares through me. “But that’s lost time. And I don’t have time to waste. I need to figure out a way to stop myself from withering into ash without feeding from them.”
“Too late.” She gives a pressing glance at my arm.
I track my gaze and fear pours over me at the sight of my skin flaking away.
“I’m dying,” I whisper.
She smiles. “No, you’re already dead, silly.”
My eyes pop open and I bolt upright, gasping for air. A stupid second later, I realize I don’t need air and that the gasping is purely out of habit. Shaking my head at myself, I lift my arm up and relax at the sight of my smooth, flaky-free skin.
“It was just a dream.” My gaze sweeps the red walls and the massive four-post bed that I’m sitting in. Or was it?
“It was and it wasn’t.” Scarlett materializes at the foot of the bed, scaring the crap out of me again.
Cursed Hadley (Lengthened Version) (Cursed Hadley #1) Page 16
