Conjuring Wrath (Seven Deadly Book 3)

by Michelle Gross

  My face was suddenly very warm. I touched my cheeks and glanced away. “Are you allowed to flirt with me? I get the feeling Barron won’t like that too well.”

  The skeleton laughed again. “Until Barron wakes up—better yet—until he stops denying himself, I shall be your home, Gwendolyn.”

  I paused at his words. The skeleton resumed making the fire while I watched him in silence. “Home? I don’t have one of those.”

  “You do now.”

  “Barron is my home?” I thought.

  “I am a part of him. Don’t forget, my needing you is what tethers you to him.”

  Once he had the fire going, I stumbled and plopped down on the cold ground next to it. I hugged my knees to my chest. When his glowing red sockets pierced mine, I averted my gaze.

  “That’s an eternal promise, Gwendolyn.”

  The fire heated my skin and touched my heart. Why was I being like that? Why did the skeleton’s words feel good? I was strong. I wouldn’t fall for words.

  You said that you don’t need anyone else, Gwendolyn. Why is that?

  A home for an eternity?

  No such thing. I couldn’t even keep one more than six months at a time as a kid.

  “Come to me,” the skeleton beckoned as he laid back. I ignored him at first. But the fire grew warmer. Without thinking, I crawled over to him.

  Once I was close, he pulled me down on top of him. The fire dimmed the chilliness of his bones. Fleshless fingers weaved themselves through my hair. The weight of the new world, fear of the unknown, and the need to take it on all by myself came crumbling down. Despite the shirt he wore, my hands slipped easily beneath it. It freaked me out when my fingers slipped through his ribs. A red haze flowed around us. It was oddly comforting and relaxing.

  Barron. Home. Barron. Home. Want it. So much.

  I was cold. Wrath was cold. Barron was cold. But together maybe we could be warm.

  Wrath’s arms wrapped around my back, and he held me closer.

  He heard my thoughts, and I think he understood them.

  Chapter 21

  Barron

  I awakened hot and sweaty with my clothes clinging to my skin. A floral scent surrounded me—a smell I had grown to love. I inhaled and basked in the fragrance. Then, I noticed that a solid, yet soft weight lay on top of me and something was in my mouth. I raised my hand to my lips and pulled away hair. Opening my eyes, I took in the fading embers of a fire before focusing on the body draped across mine.

  I already knew who it was by the enticing aroma. Not to mention, the pesky nature of Gwendolyn’s new essence entangling itself with mine. Our essences swirled around us as if they were dancing.

  But, it wasn’t that knowledge defining the moment. When I raised my head just enough to see the top of her head, the air escaped my lungs. She was asleep. On top of me.

  I stiffened, unable to bear the thought of moving. If she awakened, then I’d be forced to push her away. I’d be forced to ignore the hammering of my pulse and the fire beneath my skin. I’d have to blame it on Wrath and go back to pretending that I was trying to find a way to get her to Heaven. I hadn’t bothered for a fucking second. Then I’d get angry for not being strong enough to send her away for the second time, and my sin would take off with her again.

  I wanted to ask her what my curse wanted with her, but I was afraid the answer would enrage me. Since my sin was a part of me, I had a good idea of what it wanted with her.

  What a fucking mess.

  Because of Gwendolyn.

  I peeked at her again.

  What have you done to me?

  How did she get there? Why was she in my arms? I couldn’t imagine her cuddling up to a skeleton. Did my sin scare or force her into lying with it? My rage always, always took my Grim Reaper form. It couldn’t have taken my actual body, could it? The assumption sent fury rushing through my veins burning my already scorching skin. Closing my eyes, I inhaled and willed myself to relax. If my anger got the best of me, I’d disappear again.

  Hoping I wouldn’t wake her, I grabbed her shoulder and turned her over so that she was no longer lying on her stomach. Carefully, I laid her head against my shoulder. She stirred, and I froze but it was just her snuggling into the crook of my arm. Her knees pressed into my nut sack, and I clamped my mouth shut. Raising up slightly, I grabbed her knee and pulled it away for my safety. Neither leg was on me, but she was still curled up on my chest. And I could see her face. What I wanted in the first place.

  Her eyelashes were dark and thick. I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t see her green eyes or dimples while she slept. Her parted, full lips were a deep red while her face was flush from the fire—it had better be the reason, anyway. All hell would break loose if my sin was stealing more than just my skeletal form. The vibrant color to her skin was another stark reminder that she was full of life—thanks to my essence.

  My cock twitched. It was a little fucking intimate knowing that my essence was woven through her. I was already inside her. Of course, my mind would go there. She smelled so good—all flowery and enticing. It was like the sun grew a dimpled female to wreck my world instead of a flower for someone to pluck.

  Her breath hit the side of my neck, tickling my skin with pleasure. I traced the curve of her jaw with my eyes.

  Wrath slithered across my skin. My skin dissolved on my hand, and I paused. Fuck. I wasn’t even angry until the moment I saw the shimmer. Why was he always trying to get out?

  Then I remembered the reason I was bringing her to my house—my sin wanted her. By denying my thoughts, was my curse protesting? If that was the case, then I should at least indulge my mind and my sights.

  I didn’t want to get angry and leave her because she’d still be with me—in part.

  So, I let my thoughts run free of her. I’d never let myself dream or desire someone, though, I’d never encountered such a person until Gwendolyn. It was too dangerous, but ignoring it could be even worse. I would allow myself to keep her close. To gaze upon her. It filled my chest with so much warmth. I’d never felt so complete as I did just staring at Gwendolyn.

  I could get used to that feeling.

  If I wanted to see and experience that moment for years to come… If I wanted to Gwendolyn to be safe and sound always, I couldn’t sit around doing nothing. There was too much to do. What did the future hold? More than anything I wished I could pluck the answers from the stars and find out.

  Oh, fate, why did you give me someone so precious?

  I’d sacrifice myself every day through eternity to keep her safe. As long as she didn’t fade away with me in the end, it could work. I could spoil myself with small pieces of her. What if she was already feeling what I did? What if she fell in love with me? A stab of pain pinched my chest. I couldn’t bear her being sad if I had to sacrifice myself one day for the human world.

  Draping my arm over Gwendolyn, I pulled her closer and inhaled. Breathing her in was like soaking in the peace I never experienced with Wrath. A tiny flutter of happiness grew in my chest. Funny how ignoring my worries for a moment made me tranquil. My dick twitched and a swarm of heat licked up my spine as if to remind me I was a little—okay, a fuck ton more than just relaxed.

  I knew every part of her and each second it increased. The thrum of her heartbeat thumped in my ears. The amount of sweat forming on her that rubbed my skin. The heat our bodies produced when stuck together, and the weight of her tits were far more than I previously thought. Her breasts would fit into my palms, but not fill them. Her white shirt clung to her damp skin, and I studied every inch while I could. They were rounded and pert. Her hips were small with a slight curve to her frame. Her legs were long, but her delicate frame was nowhere near my height.

  All of that beauty was curled up against my chest. Even without my curse going berserk, how could I not worry about her? She brought out the protector in me. If only that was all she made me feel.

  Fucking Hades.

  “This is getting awkw
ard,” Gwendolyn abruptly said, candy eyes revealing themselves to me as she opened them. “I’ve been waiting to see what you’d do, but you’re just being a creep by staring.”

  “You don’t know the first thing about creepy.” I should have known the sneaky brat wasn’t asleep.

  Her calculating gaze was relentless. It was cute the way she slanted her eyes waiting, or perhaps hoping, for the first crack in my expression. If she thought I was ashamed, she was sorely mistaken.

  “You and your bones are so eerie.” She pointed at my face. “The glint in your eye and those twitching lips appear friendly but they’re not. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you’re downright terrifying.”

  My mouth quirked up on one side as I narrowed my gaze.

  She gasped. “See, that’s scary. It’s like you’re contemplating killing me.”

  I had trouble smiling, but I didn’t know it was that bad. My neck cramped, so I lowered my head to the cold ground. Gwendolyn didn’t get up, but leaned closer to my face.

  “And don’t get me started on how you bully the sick! Threatening me when I was dying. Tossing me in Heaven trying to get rid of me. Marking me as your soulmate then getting mad about it. Kidnapping me every time you turn around.”

  “I never kidnapped you,” I blurted.

  “Yes, well, Wrath did.” She sighed dramatically, and I felt the tantalizing heat of her breath against my neck. “And to think you promised to keep me. You were all about breaking the rules then. But when we’re meant to be, you just run?”

  I lifted my head again and gripped the side of her arm. “Gwendolyn…”

  She bit her lip. “Do you not want me?”

  My fucking heart hammered my chest like it wanted out. Of course, I wanted her, but so did Wrath.

  “Don’t. Shit doesn’t work on me,” I warned her with a lie.

  “If I recall, I stopped you from saying those words the night you kissed me.”

  She was catching on to the fact that her pout did work on me.

  Don’t fucking look her in the eye.

  It was like a cat stalking a mouse. In that case, I was the mouse.

  “Does my sin hurt you? What does it do?” I changed the subject to something safer. Besides, I really needed to know the answer.

  “Hmm, I wonder…” She lifted a brow mischievously before burrowing her face in my armpit. What the fuck did that mean? Was she getting chummy with Wrath?

  “Tell me,” I growled pulling her out of her hiding spot.

  “Like you tell me things?” she challenged. Her gaze was a mix of hurt and anger.

  “Don’t give me that look.” I reached beneath her knees and sat up with her. Then, I remembered the boner I sported and placed my hand underneath her ass to keep her from noticing. That itself was torture since my hand wanted to roam until it found the slick heat of her pussy. Focus. But it wasn’t easy. I noticed my hand almost covered her backside entirely. So tiny. One wrong wiggle and that small ass was going to notice what I was concealing. “I was trying to do right by you.”

  Her forehead wrinkled, nose scrunching. “I don’t understand what that means.”

  “I didn’t want you to be here when the shitstorm came and the world ended.”

  “Your sisters told me you guys would stop it.”

  “Trying. We’re trying to stop it. Stopping fate is impossible, dimples, but here we are messing with it.”

  “Dimples?” More crinkled confusion on her pretty face.

  “Smile,” I told her.

  “No.”

  I arched my brow as I lowered my chin. Before she could move from me, I tickled her sides. Her body tightened and curled in a ball, but my fingers raced along her ribs.

  “No!” Her eyes pinched shut. Her mouth opened and a squeal of laughter burst forth. Alas, the annoyingly cute things appeared on her cheeks. I pressed a finger into one of them. “Dimples,” I said again, no longer tickling her. “I wanted to see them. Next time you’ll know to show me.”

  “How was I supposed to know you wanted to see them?” She gasped, still smiling and holding her ribs like she could honestly keep me from tickling her again.

  “I said smile.”

  She exhaled. “You caught me by surprise. It was like I finally glimpsed the playful, albeit cranky Reaper that visited me in the hospital again.”

  I flinched. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  She whimpered suddenly. “What is that?” She wiggled on my lap. The movement felt like she was grinding herself over my aching cock.

  Fucking Hades. In my need to see her dimples, I had removed my hand.

  “What’s what?” I said, lifting her and palming her ass to keep her from rubbing on me like a cat in heat.

  My ears felt just as hot as my lower stomach did. Especially when her eyes twinkled and her lips turned up on one side. Oh, fuck yes. Gwendolyn knew exactly what she rocked against and reveled in it.

  Be strong.

  I was well over a hundred years old. I knew restraint.

  “You know what, Barron?”

  I sighed, fearing I’d lose control with the seductive gleam in her gaze. “What?”

  “I think you need to loosen up. You stay so angry—”

  “I’m Wrath, dimples, enough said.”

  She flashed those pockets on her cheeks and my cock stirred. “Is killing the only thing that helps your curse?”

  “Yes.” I knew where her mind was going when she wiggled her brows. Sex was a slippery slope for me and rarely relieving. And with Gwendolyn? She’d most likely ignite my curse.

  Not that I didn’t want to fuck her until her legs gave out, and her voice broke from her screams. Because I wanted that. I wanted her so bad that my hands shook. I wouldn’t stop feasting on her pussy until she forgot about any guy before me.

  “Even killing your own siblings?” Caught up in my lust, I finally noticed her frown.

  I was still stuck on sex while she wanted to talk about my siblings. Depressing.

  “It’s therapeutic,” I mumbled.

  Gwendolyn’s deep red lips were parted and so fucking near. Tilting her head, she studied me. “Huh,” she muttered like something clicked inside her pretty little head.

  What was she thinking?

  Her smile was back, and bigger than what it was before. She leaned in close and my heart thundered in my chest. “Oh, Barron, I know something you don’t know,” she sang in my ear, sending delicious thrills through my body. “I won’t tell you what I know, but I’ll tell you my secret.” I swallowed, waiting for her to go on. “I hope it’s true. God, how I hope it’s true.” She wiggled her hips until I stopped her. “I have a hard feeling that it is.”

  Gently, I removed her from my lap and met her eyes. “Wait, what could you possibly know? Unless… Do I speak to you while I’m raging?” She bit her bottom lip and looked vulnerable. “Answer me,” I spoke slowly. “Is my curse trying to steal you from me?”

  Her eyebrows knitted together. “I wasn’t aware you wanted me.”

  My molars ground together but still, I couldn’t admit to anything.

  “See, that’s your problem.” Her hands glided over my chest. “You hold everything in.” She straddled me like I hadn’t just moved her. “Are we going to sit here? Or will you show me what I’m supposed to be doing as a Reaper?”

  Fucking Hades. Disappointed. Again. I was still thinking of fucking her while she had gone on to another topic. Which was actually smarter and less dangerous for my curse. I got the feeling Gwendolyn knew what she was doing to me.

  “Your scythe,” I started, bringing her to her feet with me as I stood. I adjusted my cloak so that it covered me entirely. My cock was still hard and it would take another minute or longer before it calmed the fuck down. “Call it to you. I know you can. You fucking materialized me to you.” It shouldn’t be possible. No one could materialize a person. Maybe a witch or warlock could with a lock of hair or something that belonged to them, but me and my
siblings couldn’t materialize anything that breathed. How the hell did she conjure me?

  “Okay, okay,” she held up her arms. “Someone’s grumpy. If I’d known it would change your mood, I would have let you continue staring at me in silence.” She held her hand out and a second later, her delicate red scythe appeared. “Wow! That was easy.”

  “It always is after the first time.” I crossed my arms. “Now. Let’s see if you can change its shape.”

  “Why would I want to do that?”

  I scoffed. “A scythe isn’t good for much other than chopping off heads and opening portals to Heaven and Hell. When it comes to fighting, there are better weapons.”

  “Fighting?” She batted her eyes a few times and then took a few deep breaths like she was trying to grasp what I was saying. “Yeah, yeah. That’s actually a good idea after everything I’ve seen so far.” She paled at her own words. “Am I going to learn anything before I need to fight?” She was visibly shaking.

  I was losing her.

  Stepping into her personal space, I gripped her tool. “Some things are natural for survival.” I glanced at her weapon. “Change it to a gun.”

  “Why?”

  “With guns, it’s point, aim, and shoot. You can hurt an enemy before they even get close to you. Understand?” She nodded, and I let go of her tool. “This is a start, though, I’d prefer you to be acquainted with knives. Demons are all about close encounters. They’re able to port and get right in your face before you even see them.” When I glimpsed at her scythe again, it was a red pistol. “Good.”

  She beamed, and so began our training.

  We stayed in that cave for hours. I showed her the differences between a Reaper gun and a human one. The bullets were made of my essence. No loading needed. She just had to pull the trigger. Gwendolyn practiced firing the weapon quite a few times through the waterfall until I was sure she seemed more comfortable with it.

  Then I went over a few fatal body points. I didn’t do a demonstration. I just showed her the places she should aim for if a demon got to her before she materialized her weapon.