Page 2 of Villainous Greed

I plugged my ears, annoyed by the whiny voices. All kids were annoying. I rubbed my stinging chest —I never got a childhood.

“I know, Odin. We all are.” I froze at the angelic, soft voice.

I’d never heard anything so melodic. My favorite sound was rain pattering leaves in Grim’s woods, which I stole storms to hear. But I found a new favorite. My heart stuttered before pounding against my ribcage. I never desired a person before, but the wheels of greed turned, giving me a new want instantly.

The tree was massive, but barren. Since the kids weren’t below or ahead, I knew they were behind.

“This isn’t the way to the river,” another meek boy’s voice piped in.

“No,” the soft-spoken Nova answered. “But we’ll tell Derrick that’s where we went.”

“Where are we going?” Odin asked.

“You’re staying here. I’m slipping into the city for food,” Nova said.

“Yay!” a little girl screamed.

“Shh,” Nova hushed.

Boom!

The branch shattered into pieces. Luckily, I landed on my feet, turning to the voices, and my mouth parted when I saw them. No,her.

The tallest one captivated me, for I’d never seen anyone more radiant. Her rich ebony skin was a striking canvas adorned with vitiligo's milky brushstrokes. The pigmentation around her eye bloomed in a creamy burst, mirrored by equally exquisite patches along her neck and hands.

A living calico cat, that's what her unique complexion brought to mind.

The radiant creature with her distinctive coat brought out foreign tremors through my body. For the first time, I yearned to take not just an object, but a living person as my prize.

And she wasn’t a woman yet.

Greed filled me with thoughts.She’s special, unlike anyone else. Mine.I knew the future held no one else. My heart slammed, my curse heated my skin as chills rolled over me. I knew nothing could change the fact that her future was with me. I would steal her like everything else I wanted.

I knew romance — a few words, my killer smile, and she’d be mine.

Entranced by her beauty, I stared before remembering the youngest ones gripping her dress. My gaze traveled to my future woman’s lips as she mouthed a word. I cocked a brow as the apple exploded in my hand. Yanking my hand away, I narrowed my eyes.

“Did you say boom?”

So she wasn’t an angel, but a witch. I felt her power’s staticky energy, like a wild rush and lingering tingle.

“Don’t say boom, Nova!” Odin complained—the scrawny blond boy with bright-blue eyes, shirtless, a giant golden coin swung against his chest. “Don’t let them hear you!”

I didn’t know what to process first about his strange words. Who did he mean? What was wrong with saying boom?

“Shh!” The red-skinned girl pressed her finger to Odin’s lips, glancing nervously over her shoulder.

“I won’t let you take them.” Nova glared, tucking them behind her tiny frame, shielding them.

I shrugged, tossing up my hands. “Why would I want the brats?”

You,I thought greedily.You, I will take and make mine.

“They’ve sent young ones after us before,” Nova said.

I stepped toward them, and she threw up her hand.

“One step closer, and I’ll burst your heart!” she warned.

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