If luck benefited us, maybe the Devil and Harvest would hold each other back.
Harvest appearing during the human festival was equally unsettling. Why was he there?
“Since Harvest is targeting my daughters, I won’t be taking any chances.” Grim’s dark essence stirred around him. “None of your sisters are to be alone. Each of you will have protectors.”
“Dad!” Prudence whined. “We can handle ourselves.”
“I agree,” Maureen muttered.
“I know you’re all-powerful but having help benefits you,” Grim said. “With Jackal around, the Harvesters might hesitate to go after Maureen.”
“Are you saying I don’t get a bodyguard?” Maureen smirked.
“For now. That changes if you’re attacked.”
“I’ll find people for Joy, Prudence, and Kitty. Until we set everything up, the three of you will stay at the castle.”
“I already live here,” Kitty stated.
Payne, leaning against the wall, said, “I’ll stay.”
“I’d flay you like a fish,” Prudence replied. Someone didn’t want him to stay at the castle or have a babysitter.
“Without your powers, I’d like to see you try,” he said.
“Then it wouldn’t be a real fight,” Prudence muttered.
“I was going to ask before you offered,” Grim strode over and gripped Payne’s shoulder. “I may need you to get your father out here as well.”
“I’ll tell him.”
“The witch is another issue,” Grim said.
“The proxy,” I corrected him casting a dark look at August. “There’s something else.”
“Why the fuck are you looking at me for?” August glared at me.
“The proxy… her essence is the color of greed,” I informed him.
August chuckled dryly. “Oh, brother, brother, brother. Don’t even go there.”
“Boom,” I uttered. “She said that word.” I narrowed my eyes. “You’re weird when it comes to that word.”
August paled. “Someone else said it?”
“I don’t think so,” I said. “I think it’s the one you encountered in New York.”
“The one that erased Jackal’s memories?” Maureen’s voice took on a menacing quality.
“That’s impossible.” August snarled.
“Unless,” Mom stepped toward him. “August, have you met the one that carries your mark already?”
“NO! What the hell? I think I’d know if I have.” By August’s widened gaze and sneer, I believed him.
“That doesn’t matter. I wasn’t aware Gwendolyn carried my mark until it was too late.”
He scoffed.
“Did anyone else see the proxy’s essence?” Grim asked.
Joy frowned. “I was too focused on everything else.”
“I’ve seen it twice. There’s no mistaking it after the second time,” I said.
“Why a proxy?” August rested his head against the windowsill. “I’ve not encountered one…”
“What were you about to say? You have met one before, haven’t you?” Kitty crossed her arms.
“Harvest called her Nova,” Joy added.
That was all the confirmation needed. August whipped his head around. His brows knitted together and his lips flattened briefly before he said, “How did you know that name?”
“So he knows Nova, and she was a proxy.” Sebastian pointed at August. “Look at him. By the fury in his gaze, I’d say she did a number on him.”
“I knew—I knew a proxy named Nova!” August snapped. Everyone watched him as he paced the room.
“So, it’s been a long time since you’ve seen her?” Sebastian asked.
“If that’s the case, then my God, August, you’re probably the first to have ever encountered your mark. You’ve just never known.” Joy said with a tinge of green coating her skin. Envy. Joy longed for love. If Nova really was August’s soulmate, then what the fuck? Why was she with Harvest?
“That’s impossible.” August’s pupils turned black. “I buried her well over a hundred years ago!”
None of us expected that.
“God damn it,” he shouted before he faded from the room.
Mom gasped. “I do believe we’ve just figured out why August is so ugly when it comes to love. How did I not know? How did I miss it? And, what happened?”
“I don’t think he’d tell us even if we asked,” Maureen said.
Grim pulled Mom in for a hug. “Everything always works out.”
“What will we do? Even if this Nova is the one August knows, she’s still working for Harvest,” Kitty muttered. “She’s a threat to us with that kind of power.”
“She nuked New York City,” Payne added.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Maureen sighed. “Mom can be rather blind with her sons, especially August. My bet is he scorned this woman. I mean, he has a harem for Pete’s sake!”
“Not exactly,” I said. “He didn’t have one a long time ago.”
“Barron’s right,” Kitty added. “August looked haunted by this woman’s death, which might make taking her down difficult.”
“You forgot one thing,” I said. “If she’s already carrying his mark, she’s immortal like him. She probably even has access to his power as well. There’s no way she would have escaped New York otherwise.”
“Shit,” Sebastian groaned. “That’s the thing I forgot to mention. After seeing what Gwendolyn can do with your powers, Isabella tried it with mine.”
“And I can,” Isabella finished for him.
“I thought the marks made you hot for one another?” Prudence asked. “How in the world is this woman staying away from August? And how would he not know about it? I’ve seen what it’s done to you three.” She pointed to Sebastian, Maureen, and me.
“The feelings don’t come from the mark, Prudence,” Maureen whispered. “With this new outcome, I think it’s safe to say that the marks are the people that can ease our sins. Yes, they are our soulmates. Maybe with enough hate the feelings might diminish. Or, never bloom? We never knew of the marks before Sebastian. I think if August found his soulmate that long ago, he wouldn’t have known it. If she has August’s toad mark, she might not have ever seen his. If she’s never seen it, then she wouldn’t question how she got it.”
“For all our sakes, let’s hope she doesn’t,” Grim said.
Chapter 37
Gwendolyn
“Get back here!” I screamed at the ghost running from me. I jumped him from behind. He shrieked as I landed on top of him.
Why did I always get the runners?
“Why do you always get the runners?” Barron literally murmured my same thoughts.
I pushed the ghost on his back, so he could see me. “Come on, the angels are waiting.”
“Let them wait!” the ghost screeched.
I rolled my eyes as the passage opened. Seconds later, I stood as the ghost was sucked into the passage. “I did good, didn’t I?”
“You tripped over the water hose,” he said disapprovingly.
“I didn’t see it!”
“You forgot to make yourself invisible and scared the piss out of his wife,” he added.
“She scared me too when she screamed.”
“He only got away in the first place because his dog distracted you.”
“All right. I can see you’ve got your undies in a twist today. I’m going to go see if one of your sisters will let me do Reaper work with them.”
“Let’s go before I smack that ass,” he exhaled.
“Is that a threat or a promise?” I asked him batting my eyes.
“Don’t make me poke your dimples, dimples.”
I looped my arms around his neck, and he lifted me off of the ground. We kissed. It was better than Heaven. I’d never get confirmation but I just knew it.
“How’s August?” I asked once he set me down.
“Don’t know. Won’t talk to anyone long enough to get an answer out of him.
My guess is he’s already trying to find out if I’m right or wrong.”
I nodded. “How’s your wrath?”
“See any hands coming for you in my essence?” he asked.
“Noooo.”
“There’s your answer,” he said before grabbing me and fading us. I recognized the energetic colors of Grim’s woods right away. And the pond. “We got a few hours to spare. Go on.” As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the water turned to ice. I materialized a pair of skates on my feet. Barron plopped down on a rock, crossed his arms, and watched as I glided out onto the ice.
“Won’t you get bored?” I asked.
He smiled—a genuine, my-heart-pitter-pattered-nonstop-when-he-did-that kind of smile. He was a lot better at it those days. He still gave me his creeper smile while being perverted though. Not that I minded. “Never,” he swore. “You are my peace, Gwendolyn. I’ll always spoil myself with your presence every second I can. Besides, watching you spin circles is no hard feat.”
“Sounds like you like me, Reaper,” I teased him as I spun around.
“Are you happy, Gwendolyn?”
“The happiest.”
“I’m going to make sure you spin circles many eons to come,” Barron stated.
When I stopped to smirk at him, he was no longer at the boulder. I sensed his larger-than-life presence behind me. His palm flattened over my stomach before spinning me around. I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Hi,” I whispered.
“You’re the most important part of my life,” he uttered against my ear. Shivers broke out over me. “Don’t doubt your new life or this world. It’s where you belong. Right here with me.”
I buried my face in his chest to hide the happy tears from him. “I know exactly where I belong. And, there’s no other place I’d rather be than right here in your arms.”
“All right, all right! Break it up!” Maureen yelled. I looked up from Barron’s chest to see her at the edge of the pond grinning at us. “Joy’s wanting all the ladies at the castle. Who knows what weird mundane thing she’ll force us to do.”
“Go away,” Barron grumbled at her.
“You’re not invited,” she told him. “Hurry, Gwendolyn! You’re not the only one that wants to be with her man.”
“What does she want?” I asked.
Barron sighed as I pushed away from him. “I’m regretting the fact that you know my family.”
“Sharing is caring, Barron. We like Gwendolyn too,” Maureen said, and I laughed. “And, it’s Joy. Knowing her, she probably wants to have a sleepover at the castle like we’re twelve.”
“They’re upset with Grim, aren’t they?” Barron asked.
Maureen flicked her ponytail. “Yep. No one with the last name Reaper would be okay with needing a babysitter. It’s in our blood to be offended. So come on, Gwendolyn. Let’s go cheer up my sisters.”
I glanced at Barron. “See you—”
“I’ll use this opportunity to get some work done.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll come and get you later. Don’t head home until I’m with you. I don’t want you alone.”
Home.
I nodded before skating to Maureen. I dematerialized my skates once I reached her.
“Dimples?” Barron called out. I turned around. “Did the dying girl’s dreams become a reality?”
My heart fluttered. “Yes. Since dying, she’s never had the chance to be lonely.”
“Don’t expect to be lonely anymore. There’s no such thing with a family this big,” Maureen interrupted.
We shared a chuckle and parted ways with Barron. Even when I wasn’t with Barron, I knew he’d be waiting for me. I knew he’d hold me when life got scary. But, Barron wasn’t the only person I had. I knew that as I stepped into the castle and all the familiar faces greeted me.
I had my someone. I had an unconventional family.
I’d belonged nowhere all my life because I’d yet to find that world.
The one in which I truly belonged.
At last, there was no need to soar.
I'd found a home.
Virgin Lust
Seven Deadly, #4
Sneak Peek:
______
Melinda Thymes
Working for fate was a tedious thing. Fate was incorrigible, demanding only the right future came to pass. So was helping along the ones that had a chance of stopping the new destiny approaching. But fate was tipped, a terrible imbalance had fallen because of Harvest. The end was near when it shouldn’t be. A new outcome could churn at any moment. Or it could stay the same gloomy, disastrous one.
I saw two futures, but worked for one.
Tucking my portal chip in my dress pocket, I shuffled my feet forward as I took in the sight before me. If had been a long time since I’d ventured into the human world. Not much was different. At least not in that spot. The end was wreaking havoc on a lot of the world, but some places were still peaceful.
Not for much longer, I thought miserably.
My gaze wandered over the barren street. I noticed the few businesses in the area before my attention zoomed in on the bar across the road. As I made my way to it, the sounds emanating from it grew louder. A door swung open, and a man stumbled out. Spewing behind him was a mix of rock music, shouts, and slurs. The drunken fool glanced up and smirked.
“You all right, ma’am? Think you’re headed in the wrong place. This ain’t a church.”
Undeterred by the young man’s drunken words, I entered the bar. Laughter and stunned looks greeted me. I was unbothered. I came for one reason, and it didn’t take me long to find him.
With a pool stick in one hand and a bottle of beer in the other, Shepherd Donavan stood tall like a man that had no problems. In another lifetime, people called him Shep. But, that was years ago. The man wasn’t human, but a demonic shadow. The specter was a paid assassin meant to be feared.
I observed him for a moment. Three gremlins, unseen by humans, were in the center of the table causing havoc. One pressed his rump against Shepherd’s opponent and farted. The poor old human squinted and asked who did it. The gremlin cackled mercilessly.
“Should I mess up his turn, Sire?” one of the nasty creatures asked Shepherd.
“I’ll be disappointed if he needs help,” a grumpier one said to the other.
“Wallis is fucking the left corner again!” the one that had farted yelled.
Wallis scurried away from the corner, hiding his face and eyes from Shepherd who was doing a tremendous job at ignoring them.
“I’m sorry, Sire,” Wallis cried.
“Want me to kill him, Sire?” Grumpy asked Shepherd.
I was so busy watching the gremlins’ antics I missed the fact that Shepherd’s game was over. He must have won because the other guy was in his face yelling. In one quick movement, Shepherd had the young man face down on the table with his hands pinned behind him. “Pay and go. Or, don’t and see what happens.”
The man cowered at Shepherd’s words. His kept his eyes lowered as he pulled out his wallet. With a slap of a bill on the table, the man scurried away as Shepherd took a swig of his beer. “What a pussy.”
Grumpy crossed his arms and huffed.
“Do I know you, witch?” Shephard asked, not bothering to look my way.
So, he sensed me after all? I walked over to where he stood.
“No, but I know someone you know.” He cocked his head, waiting for me to continue. “The Grim Reaper.”
His body stiffened slightly before he laughed. “Did he finally decide I wasn’t worth saving?”
I placed my hands together. “No. He doesn’t know I’m here.”
“Want me to gut her, Sire?” Grump asked, stepping to the edge of the pool table and glowering at me with his yellow eyes.
Lifting my finger, I threw him across the room until he smacked the wall.
“They talk big, but they’re harmless,” Shepherd said.
“They’re disgusting creatures.” I huffed. Why he allowed them to fol
low him around, I would never understand. “You’ve not heard about what’s coming?” I asked.
“I live in the human world and have nothing to do with the Underworld. but, I’m sure you’re here to tell me.” He leaned against the table and crossed his arms.
“The end.”
He squinted his eyes at me. “Ah. What’s that got to do with me?”
“It affects everyone,” I admonished. “Plus, you owe the Grim Reaper a debt.”
“So, that’s what this is?” He pinned me with a glare. “I didn’t ask him to spare me.”
“He did because you didn’t know what you were.”
“You don’t have to tell me my life, witch. I already know. How do you?”
“I see the past, the present, and the future. I see everything.”
He bent down to grab the pool balls from the corner slot of the table and put them back on the table.
“That’s why I know you’d love the chance to get that I-owe-you off your shoulders. The Reapers are the only ones that can stop this, but they need help. Do this and it will pay your debt.”
“That’s why you’re here? To get me to help the world? I might like it once the Devil takes over.”
I had a hidden motive on why I needed him to be at the human festival. Prudence and Shepherd had to meet. Once they happened, my work was done. Love and attraction always did the rest.
“Don’t you still have some family left? What was the name of that place?” I pretended not to know as his eyes narrowed. “You have a sister, right? Or, was it a brother? You know the new world the Devil creates won’t be a place for humans. At least not a happy one.”
“Are you threatening my master?” Wallis said bravely.
“No. I’m here to warn him about what’s coming and tell him how he can help.”
I tossed a portal chip on the pool table, and one gremlin grabbed it.
“I haven’t seen one of these in years,” the creature beamed, yellow teeth peeking from beneath his thin, veiny lips.
“Can you take us to visit?” another asked Shepherd.
Conjuring Wrath (Seven Deadly Book 3) Page 26
