Page 13 of Stolen By the Reaper

“You think this will hold me for long?” I sneered. “Get out before I return you to your master in pieces.”

“What a temper,” Alain chuckled. He leaned forward, elbows braced on his knees. “Did you really think you could hide her away forever?”

The sound of footsteps made us both turn. Josephine stood frozen in the doorway, her wide eyes bouncing over the unfamiliar furnishings. Water still clung to her skin, and the thin robe she wore left little to the imagination.

Black silk. A little extra I left behind in her wardrobe.

Seeing her wear something of my choosing sparked a feral, possessive pride in my chest. But the sight of her in Clauneck’s throne room, even just a copy? No. It had to be destroyed.

All of it.

Josephine’s dark eyes landed on Alain, and the surprise melted away. She drew herself up to her full height and lifted her chin, those red splotches blooming across her cheeks. “What are you doing here?”

Alain devoured her from head to toe as he rose from his seat. “Hello, darling. Did you miss me?”

“Do not talk to her.” I let my power flare. The glyphs etched into my skin blazed to life, straining against Alain’s hold. “Do not even look at her.”

“Or what?” Alain’s eyes narrowed, all pretense of civility vanishing. “You’ll reap me? I’m afraid that’s not possible anymore, Azrael. I speak with Clauneck’s authority now.”

Pain sank deep into my skin and down to my bones. One symbol burned away, then another. Still, I drew on the extra protections to add to my own power.

Alain’s voice took on a formal tone. “By order of Lord Clauneck, I demand the return of Josephine Clark. She was promised as a sacrifice, and her soul is rightfully his.”

“No.” The word came out as a growl, and another glyph burned away.

I stepped through reality and put myself in front of Josephine the exact millisecond Alain’s grip on me slipped.

“You dare defy a demon’s will?” Alain’s eyes glowed with unholy light. “Perhaps you need a reminder of your oaths, reaper.”

Power slammed into me, driving me to my knees. I snarled, fighting against the compulsion with every ounce of my strength. More glyphs flared and burned away, but Clauneck’s influence was too strong.

Fury and shame scorched through me as I bowed my forehead to the ground before this pathetic human.

“That’s better,” Alain purred. “Now, let’s discuss the consequences of your petty act of thievery, shall we? Resetting your reap count would be a kindness compared to what Lord Clauneck has planned.”

I glared up at him, hatred burning in my chest. But when Alain’s next words left his lips, that hatred turned to ice-cold fear.

“Your sister’s soul hangs in the balance, Azrael. How much are you willing to sacrifice for this... distraction?”

The mention of my sister sent a jolt of pain through me. Memories I’d buried centuries ago clawed their way to the surface. Hester. So innocent, so pure. She deserved the best in the afterlife, not some wretched existence as a mindless ghoul.

“I’m not going anywhere.” The heat of Josephine’s glare should have singed the hair on Alain’s head.

“I don’t think you understand the situation,” Alain sighed, reaching for her. “You were offered as a sacrifice, and it is not your place to decide otherwise.”

“Isn’t it?” Josephine batted away his hand, but her own trembled. “There’s no reason to threaten Azrael if it’s me you want. For someone so concerned with my retrieval, you sure had time to redecorate the place. You know what I think?”

I snickered, pushing against the power that kept me on my knees. She unknowingly bought me time. Precious seconds to gather my strength and focus.

“Enlighten me, my dear,” Alain said dryly.

“I think you messed up. I think your boss is pissed I’m here and not locked away for his disgusting entertainment.” Josephine’s hands curled into fists. “I think you can’t take me because of a technicality, so here you are trying to make Azrael do it for you.”

Oh, she was a distraction. Just not mine at the moment.

My glyphs cracked and burned as I pushed harder against the compulsion. My skin and bones protested, pain screaming through my limbs as I channeled every ounce of power I possessed. The chandeliers swayed overhead, dust rained down from rumbling columns, and the surrounding air charged.

“What are you—” Alain started, but his words choked off as I surged to my feet.

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