Page 9 of Villainous Greed

Derrick’s words echoed. I stood quickly, anger sparking. August called himself immortal. I knew no immortals by that name — but everyone knew the Devil’s entities: Jackal, Fear, and Harvest.

Was he Harvest? A trick to get me to lower my guard? It made sense.

“Why!” I screamed. “Are you the one coming for me? If so, why? I am nothing and don’t want to belong to anyone!”I just want to belong to myself.

“Who comes for you?” His brows knitted together.

“I’ve never heard of an immortal named August,” I said instead.

August stood, jaws tightening. “Everyone will know my name, little star. Everyone will probably loathe me. AndIwill be the one coming for you.”

“Do you know what I am?” I seethed.

“A witch,” he answered.

“A proxy,” I retorted. I was tired of him pretending!

His jaw dropped. “I’ve heard of those. I didn’t know such power still existed.”

A shiver slithered over me. What I admitted wouldn’t stop ringing in my ears. Even if August wasn’t Harvest, I gave him a reason to be someone like that. Everyone wanted to own us. No one wanted to save us.

“I had a feeling you were powerful, but why can’t I sense your magic?” August asked.

Because it was bound and restricted by Derrick.

Before I had to say anything, August nodded. “Whoever you’re afraid of, I’m not him. I see hate in your eyes when it comes to me. I’m Greed, Nova. We don’t choose, sometimes we just are. And what you are is now something I’m wholly invested in.”

Fear seized my chest. Lifting my arm, August’s gaze darkened, “Don’t—”

Boom.I squeezed my hand into a fist, imagining it being August’s heart. His words cut off quickly and his body slumped.

No. Just another person who wished to own me.

Chapter Four

Nova

The fear of Derrick finding out we had eaten kept me up most of the night. The unease worsened when he woke us by throwing stale bread where we slept on the floor. Even the kids observed the food warily before Derrick barked, “I can’t have you dying, can I? But that’s all you’ll get until Odin masters the explosive spell.” He slammed the door behind him as he left, and dirt fell from the ceiling.

Strangely, none of them would touch the bread despite their hunger, yet they had eaten from a stranger without care the day prior. My stomach churned. They knew how monstrous Derrick was. They couldn’t be easily fooled. Knowing they wouldn’t eat until I did, I nervously plucked one of the hard squares up and bit into it.

“It’s safe,” I assured them.

With a loud scuffle, they grabbed the rest quickly. The morning proceeded as I directed it. I guided Odin and the others through some spells, ensuring Odin failed when attempting the explosive one. Derrick gripped my jaw and yelled in my face over the failure, but I took it silently.Better me than them.Telling myself made it easier.

What I couldn’t handle was Derrick’s newfound stare. He let his gaze drop to my dress. “Go wash up.”

I abruptly sidestepped away from him and reached for Sofia’s hand. “Come, let’s go to the river.” The boys would follow.

Derrick grabbed my arm. “No, use the bath in my cottage.”

Bile rose in my throat. “No, thank you.”

With a tug, Derrick let me go and laughed. “I’ll allow that. For now.” My heart roared in my ears. Odin’s nostrils flared as he glanced at Derrick’s retreating form. Sofia and the other three were stiff as boards, forlorn expressions pinching their faces. They knew since it didn’t matter about the age. Weallknew what happened around there to the women when the men watched them the way Derrick stared at me.

“Let’s go clean up,” I said, nudging Odin’s shoulder, so he’d relax. Sofia hugged my arm as we walked into the woods. No one was excited to go to the river that day, and the burst of fear threatening my chest finally cracked open. My vision blurred. That was why I protected them. They loved me too. Their gloomy faces clearly expressed their feelings.

“Don’t clean yourself, Nova,” Odin said with furrowed brows and clenched fists.

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