Page 22 of Villainous Greed

“Oh, yes. Safe.” She nodded her head vigorously, showing her teeth.

I hesitated. “Are you?” She seemed abnormally smiley.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

I exhaled. “I’m glad you let me free you.”

Her mouth dropped. “Oh, so that’s what we’re doing.”

“Boom…”

Placing her hands across her chest, she laughed. “Did you really think I needed help from you?”

The organ in my chest shriveled up. Why was she acting so unlike herself? “Nova…?”

She cocked her head. “How did you expect to save me? Tell me.”

I lifted my hand slowly as I approached. “You already know. Why are you acting so weird?”

She laughed. The sound was so unusual and cold falling from her lips. “I can’t believe you took me so seriously.”

“What do you mean? You’re trapped, right? I can help you.” My heart pounded and roared in my ears. I didn’t know what to make of the Nova standing in front of me.

When I stepped closer, she grimaced. “Go back to where you belong, Reaper. You shouldn’t be here.”

“Not until I help you.”

“Why?” She narrowed her gaze. “Why do you want to help me?”

“Because you’re—”Mine.No. When she acted so hostile and different, I shouldn’t use the word she hated most. So, I’d say it uniquely. That meant the same thing to me. “Because you’re my heart. I’ve known it since the moment I—”

“I belong with Derrick.”

“What!No.The man has you shackled like an animal.” I hissed. “Did you not hear me?” I choked on the question. “I can’t leave these woods until I know you guys are safe. You won’t spend another day in this godforsaken place!”

“I said leave!” With the sweep of her hand, she sent me flying back. I fell to my ass and by the time I ran back to where she’d been…

Nova was gone. Fury beat down on my chest, sagging my shoulders. I felt like a fool—Nova made me one. I told her my feelings, and she said she belonged to Derrick. Greed burst through my pores, giving me chills. The tightness in my chest intensified. She dared to say she belonged to someone else. Anyone but me. I turned around in circles. “Nova!” I said her name so many times that my throat hurt, and my voice turned hoarse.

I glanced further into the woods, the place that led me in circles when I tried to get through.She’s in there.And I wasn’t going anywhere until I had her. Something inside me burst open. It was like someone or something slammed a door inside me and ran through. Only instead of a person, my power grew andgrew.Even though outwardly nothing had changed, I felt different. I lifted my hands, then noticed the yellow fog engulfing me.My essence.I unlocked more of my power. I could finally see it. My power, my soul, my curse rippling around me.

Closing my hands to fists, I knew I’d tear through the barrier that kept me from Nova.

____

The fiery sting in my chest told me I was too late. A part of me refused to believe that, though. Too desperate to steal what should have belonged with me.

My stomach dropped. I stopped running as I entered the camp. The absolute carnage that I stumbled upon had my chest heaving. The copper smell of blood filled my nose. Bodies…No,more like body parts littered the ground. A fire was still going by one tent.

I froze, unable to move for several long seconds. Ican’t… I’m terrified of going forward.There was no one to welcome me. No demons attempted to harm me with weapons. There was no attempt from any magic user to blast me. A cautious-eyed beauty with dark skin did not set ablaze my heart. Absolutely not! My lungs weren’t working right or someone sucked up all the oxygen. I took a deep breath, but it never reached its destination. My chest burned as I gasped and gasped… Until finally, I found my breath and the courage.

Come on, Nova.Don’t be here.

As I started walking, twigs snapped under my boots. I had to find Nova and the others. I didn’t care how cruel she was to me. It didn’t matter. I just needed her to be safe. Once that crossed my mind, I sprinted toward the small cottages. The larger one seemed the better choice to search first. I wasn’t wrong. I nearly stumbled over a body as I entered. I saw the edge of an ugly beige dress, blood on that and worn boots, and fell to my knees.

In my very bones, in my soul and curse, I knew my heart died that day. For the witch stole my love like I should have kidnapped her from the start.

Red stained the dark curls that were scattered out.Blood was everywhere, all around and underneath Nova’s still body.

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