Page 42 of Monsters in Love: Lost in the Fire

“I’m okay. Thanks,” I say, and she eases back to a comfortable distance for her. “I told you the gory details of my last relationship and how it would’ve ended—howIwould’ve ended—if the reaper who came for me hadn’t directed me here instead.”

“Reapers get a bad rap; they’re just doing their job. Still, I’m glad it was Kohl who got the call when your number was up. He’s one of the good ones.”

Asking how she knows Kohl is pointless; I’ve gone there before, when she’s made similar comments. For as much as she’s told me about her past, I know there’s even more she hasn’t.

“Is Raz one of the good ones?” That’s the question I really need answered.

“Depends how you define ‘good.’ I’m not trying to patronize, but you know what he does, right?”

“He grants people’s revenge wishes.”

“The kind of revenge people are willing to trade theirsoulfor, Dela.” Arm draped across the back of her chair, she crosses one sexy-booted leg over the other, making me squirm a little with her serious tone and stare. “We’re not talking about wishing for someone to step in a massive pile of shit, or get dumped by their girlfriend. Though I’m sure there are losers who’d give up their eternal soul for paltry crap, I doubt those are the typical kind of requests Raz deals in.”

“You’re saying he’s probably caused bodily harm. Or… killed people.”

“No probably about it.”

“Is that something youknow?”

“As in, from a touch?” Shay waggles her fingers. “No. From my coven’s history books, yes. It’s information I’m willing to share, if you’re sure you want to hear it.” She watches as I shake my head. “I don’t blame you. But if you’re looking for someone who doesn’t have blood on their hands, literally, you should stop looking at Raz.”

“I’m not looking for anyone. I don’t want to be looking at anyone in that way.”

She uncrosses her legs and leans forward, elbows on her knees, hands tucked carefully between them. “And yet, you are, and it’s Raz you can’t tear your sweet little eyes from. What does that tell you?”

“That I should move to an isolated cabin on the edge of town and get a job that doesn’t require I interact with others.”

Shay rolls her eyes. “Too late for that. Even if it wasn’t, I think fate might still have put Raz in your path somehow.”

“You think I was meant to meet Raz?” Of all the many, many things my mind has churned up and spit out, that was never one of them. “You believe in fate?”

“Girl.”Shay shakes her head. “You thought the ‘Fate’ in Fate’s Falls was just for the sake of pretty alliteration?”

“Actually, I thought it’s because the waterfall is so high and steep, someone probably died there. Yes, I’m a bit on the morbid side; my mind always goes to death. A side effect of narrowly escaping being a homicide victim.” I shrug. “Honestly, the town’s name is one of the few things I haven’t overthought. You’re telling me I should add it to the list?”

“Gods, no. Besides, this one is simple. Only those who are supposed to be here find their way here. If you’re in Fate’s Falls, it’s for a reason. I’m not saying Raz, specifically, is your fate. Maybe he’s just part of the bigger picture—how you get back on the horse.” Sitting straight, she spreads her hands apart. Widely apart. “I bet it’s a really big horse, too.”

“Shay!”

“Don’t even try to deny that you’ve thought about it. I don’t have to be a telepath to know what you’re thinking when Mr. Tall, Red and Horny walks in.”

“You think he’s horny?” Dammit, why did that have to come out sounding so hopeful?

“Horn-y.” Hands at her head, Shay gestures upward. “As in his horns, you dirty girl.”

I groan as she dissolves into laughter.

“Oh, that was good,” she says, fanning her face after her full enjoyment of my faux pas subsides. “As for your fate, only the Oracle knows why you’re in Fate’s Falls. Best advice I can give you is don’t try figuring it out. Just enjoy your life here and let it unfold.”

“That’s a lot to unpack. I have so many questions.”

“You always do,” Shay says, smiling as she stands. “You getonemore, then I have to go.”

Guilt twists its gnarly fingers inside me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you from something important.”

“Stop that. I’d have already left if it was. So, what’s it going to be? The most burning question in your mind right now.”

There are so many. About the Oracle. About Fate’s Falls. “Same question as before, and I know you can only give me your opinion, but, is Raz one of the good ones?”

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