Page 14 of Stolen By the Reaper

The remaining glyphs shattered, the remnants of the broken magic flaring like green fire across my skin. My power exploded outward in a blast that sent Alain stumbling backward. He slammed into the far wall with a satisfying crunch.

I climbed to my feet as the illusion of Clauneck’s throne room disintegrated like smoke. My true chambers flickered into place around us, but it was Alain’s low moan and the trickle of blood from his lips that brought a vicious smile to my face.

I rolled my shoulders, savoring the fear that bloomed in Alain’s eyes. “My turn.”

The destruction of my glyphs had left me drained, my powers barely a whisper beneath my skin. No matter. I’d take pleasure in breaking him, anyway.

I stalked toward the crumpled pile of asshole that dared threaten my mate. I wrapped my hand around his throat, dragging him up until his feet dangled above the floor. His legs kicked uselessly, and his eyes bulged.

“You dare speak of my sister?” I snarled, leaning close. “You dare enter my lair and threaten what’s mine?”

Alain sputtered, fingers digging into my wrist. Without Clauneck’s power, he was no match for even my drained state.

“Just... orders...” he choked out.

“Then follow this one,” I growled, hurling him toward the door. “Get. Out.”

He crumpled to the floor in a heap. “This isn’t over,” he spat, blood and spittle flying. “Lord Clauneck won’t be satisfied until he has his sacrifice. You’ve only delayed the inevitable.”

Then he vanished, retreating to lick his wounds at his master’s feet.

I swayed on my feet, exhaustion hitting me like a tidal wave. My bones throbbed and my skin felt paper thin, but the threat was gone.

Josephine was safe.

She threw her arms around me, nearly knocking me down in the process. Her touch lit me up like a live wire. All the exhaustion faded as her sweet scent filled my lungs. I slid an arm around her waist, gripping the curve of her hip.

“Are you hurt, little dove?” I murmured against her hair.

“I’m fine, just a little shaken up.” She leaned back, surveying my face. Fierce determination buried the worry in her expression. “But we need to talk.”

CHAPTER SIX

JOSEPHINE

Ipaced the barren bedchamber, arms wrapped tightly around my middle to ward off the chill in the air. Azrael had warned the temperature might drop before he disappeared deeper into the stone halls to ‘freshen up’.

He’d smirked at that, but the flames of his eyes barely flickered.

I’d failed to muster the energy to argue. The buzzing silence was a welcome distraction, frankly. And so, once again, I walked in an endless back-and-forth while I struggled to put my thoughts in order.

Alain. Fuck.

Some part of me expected to cross paths with him again; one didn’t escape a wedding day demonic sacrifice without some showdown with the ex. But so soon? On the heels of…everythingelse?

Why me? What about me screamed demon bride? I lived a quiet life. I valued loyalty. Stopped at crosswalks, donated to pet shelters, didn’t weasel out of jury duty. I was a good person.

So why was it the man I’d almost married the evil prick, and the handsy reaper riding to my aid?

Underworld, reapers, demons, they were all words for myths. I had powers, apparently. Minnie, for heaven’s sake! I needed time coming to terms with living in a story, let alone the powers duking it out around me.

Alain wanted my soul.

Azrael wanted me.

I just wanted to know the score.

I huffed, glancing toward the roughly carved hall leading away from the bedroom. He’d kept it hidden the first night, but left it open after we returned from my harsh introduction to reaping and traveling between realms. Almost as if he’d known I’d need to wash it all away.

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