Page 85 of Villainous Greed

“He’s down below,” August muttered.

Barron and Sebastian nodded at each other before slipping inside the door.

August grabbed my hand and faded us. A multitude of colors hit us before a rocky surface came into view. We were in some sort of cave. Corroded lanterns hung from the rocks. Thepassage was smaller than I liked. August had to lower his head to walk through the archway.

My muscles felt tight. I couldn’t relax them. Revenge was right there, through those narrow corners. The thought made me jittery. I knew how well Harvest could evade the Reapers. He only encountered the Reapers when he wanted to mess with them. Finding him felt too easy, but we had to take the chance.

If there was a possibility that we could end the fight with Harvest, we had to try. The Reapers were becoming mortal too often. Grim was fading away, and I feared the Reapers’ resolve would falter if something happened to their father.

To make up for the wrongdoings I’d done while under his control, I would capture Harvest.Despite knowing it couldn’t undo my past, I was hoping for a brighter future with August. For once, I wanted to live and reach for happiness. I wanted to be with August and get to know Sofia again. I could save the Reapers and assist them in preserving what remained of the human world they protected.

Anything.Without shackles on me, I could do anything.Be anyone.

That day, I would imprison a monster. Or try with all my might.

“I need everyone to get out of here once I start my magic,” I said as I gripped August’s hand and squeezed.

He angled his body slightly. “I’m not leaving you. We’re immortal again. You don’t have to be careful.”

“I don’t want to capture one of you by accident.”

“You won’t.”

I didn’t share his confidence. My magic had gone berserk before and I hadn’t noticed until someone called my name. What if I lost control?

“You were upset about the harem that first day,” August said, as if sensing my turmoil. “You’ve always had control of your power. It was just about your emotions that day.” My eyes widened, and he smiled, tapping his temple. “I can hear your thoughts.”

“Since when?”

“Just now.”

“Do you not realize how strong you are?Oneday, my little star. You allowed yourself to fall apart and then you picked yourself up. You believed in me again and yourself when normally that would take people months, if not years. I would have waited however long it took to be with you, but you continue to surprise me with your resilience. You amaze me.”

August thought so highly of me. I felt far from strong on the inside, but I had always known how to protect. At least, I always tried my best. I had individuals I desired to protect. August and the things he held dear. Maybe that’s why I held on. Maybe if I held on long enough, we might reach that peace I so desperately wanted.

“We will. We fucking will,” August said.

Harvest’s chuckle echoed around us. August and I ran toward the sound. The cave opened into a giant, circular room. More lanterns hung from the rocks, lights flickering eerily.

Maureen and her mate stood side by side. Payne and Joy stood to their right. In front of them, Harvest bent over a wooden desk.Failed experiments littered the place.Parts ofdemon corpses, some still twitching, lay everywhere. And the smell. I wished I had a mask to conceal the putrid decay.

Harvest never looked away from the desk, but I knew he was aware of us. He continued laughing until I entered with August.

Harvest sighed. “I see Derrick’s obsession with you finally killed him.”

“Just like your obsession with my mate will soon end,” Sebastian said as he joined us with Barron.

The flames on Harvest’s head rose higher. “Not an obsession. The witch belongs to me. Since she survived all this, she’ll return to my side when the Reapers perish.”

Veins popped on Sebastian’s forehead and arms as he gave a menacing stare.

Harvest continued, “Tell me, how is daddy dearest fairing? Has he faded away yet? I wonder which of you will be next?”

Maureen reacted first. Two thin blades appeared in her hands as she rushed the entity. He chuckled as she approached, dodging every blade as she swung.

“You’ve lost, Reapers. You could trap me as you intended and nothing will change,” Harvest said, provoking her.

Maureen screamed as she lifted one of her blades above her head. Jackal appeared suddenly behind Harvest. He sensed Jackal’s presence and quickly covered the portal chip in his pocket with his hand. Harvest disappeared, only to reappear right in front of August.

---