Page 38 of Dancing With Death

“I told you it was. It is what it is. We deserved to be punished. Wraith and Donovan were already together when we arrived. I was a complete asshole to them, but they seemed determined to be my friends. They eventually wore me down. They never gave up, even though it took them over a hundred years. One thing led to another, and we ended up together. I was happy for the first time since I was banished. Of course, I had to fuck it up.”

Cassian leans back, staring up at the ceiling. “Ophelia and Sol were giving me a hard time about being with the two of them. Sol, more than Ophelia—part of me thinks he doesn’t believe in homosexual relationships—but their comments were beginning to get to me. What kind of demigod was I to be sleeping with one of the horsemen and a hellhound? How was I ever going to be forgiven and welcomed back to Mount Olympus when I was making myself so at home in the underworld? Didn’t I want to see my mother and my aunts again?”

“Seriously? And these are your friends?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Kind of? Not really. They are now because I don’t really have anyone else. Either way, they got in my head. That’s about when Wraith started up the academy. The amount of people murdered was growing, but it’s nothing like it is now. Back then, a lot of people died because of wars and diseases. The reapers still had to reap all the souls, but there weren’t as many reapers then. One of his reapers mistakenly delivered a soul to us for judgment that was meant to go to the academy.

“I saw the mark on his arm that indicated he was meant to be a reaper, but I didn’t care, and neither did the other two. So we judged his soul. He wasn’t a good man, so he was sent to Tartarus. When Wraith came looking for the soul, I informed him it was too late. The man’s soul had been weighted and judged.” He shakes his head. “He was rightfully pissed, but at the time, I didn’t see that. He had already confided in me that some of his reapers didn’t agree with the academy, and I threw that in his face. I said a lot of things I didn’t mean.”

I blink at him, trying to reconcile what he’s telling me with what I know of these men. “I understand why he would be angry about what you did, but to hold on to it for this long? That doesn’t make sense.”

He winces. “Honestly, I was trying to avoid telling you everything I said to Wraith that day. I was cruel, and I hit him where it hurt. I’m not sure which straw broke the camel’s back. If I had to guess, it was when I told him that he and his horsemen should go back to doing the thing they’re good at—bringing pain to humans. I told him that’s all they were good for. That he was beneath me because I was a demigod. That I was kind where he was evil. That there was no saving his soul. Then I told him I could never love someone like him or Donovan, which was a complete lie. I loved them both.”

“And yet, you still said the words.” No wonder Wraith hasn’t been able to let it go. “I’m assuming you never bothered explaining any of this to him?”

“Oh, I tried for a long time. Donovan listened, which is why we’re friendly now, but Wraith wouldn’t even listen to him. This is one hundred percent on me, but I don’t know how to make it right. It’s like every time I open my mouth, he takes everything I say the wrong way.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Of course he does. Although, that’s a really long time to hold a grudge. He must have loved you a lot for him to still be holding on to his anger.”

Cassian’s face falls. “He did, and I just…threw it all away for no reason. Now, he purposefully goads me, and I let him. It’s far easier to be angry with him than to be hurt.”

“While I understand that, this can’t keep happening. You need to talk to him. You need to force him to listen. I was serious earlier. If you can’t figure it out on your own, then I’ll be forced to knock your heads together. But considering you’re both so much older than me, I shouldn’t have to get involved.”

“I understand. I’ll keep trying,” he says quietly.

“Good. Now tell me about this place you brought me food from.”

Chapter Fifteen

Brenden

It’sbeenthreeweekssince my mate’s sister arrived at the academy. Which means it’s been three weeks since she discovered Nex is her mate, and two weeks since I walked in on him fucking her with his tongue.

He’s barely said a word to her since then and even requested Wraith to stop having her help in his classes. Wraith had denied that request, telling him to man up and get the hell over himself.

Wraith doesn’t like how much Nex is hurting my firecracker. I can admit, I don’t much care for it myself, but I’m trying to give Nex the benefit of the doubt. After all, he’s been dealing with a curse for a really long time.

Audrey told him about Wraith’s belief in a loophole, but he didn’t want to hear it. I’m not sure if he’s being stupid or stubborn. Maybe both.

Either way, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands.

It’s Saturday, and Audrey is spending some time with her sister. Wren has already been able to call on her magic, much to Audrey’s chagrin, but hasn’t been able to access hellfire. As twins, they obviously have the same father, so Wraith thinks Wren will be able to control it eventually, too. He reminded both of them it wasn’t until after Audrey graduated that her magic changed, but neither of them listened.

Wren is determined to call on hellfire, and Audrey is determined to help her.

That means she spends a lot of time with Wren outside of classes, which means less time with her mates. I’m not a fan of that part of it, so I may or may not have been stalking her when she’s spending time with Wren.

Who am I kidding? I’m absolutely stalking the shit out of her.

I would do it all the time if I didn’t have to teach at the academy, and they’re desperate for teachers.

I never realized just how many teachers they have at the academy, but with a batch of a thousand new students coming in every day, Wraith is continuously having to bring on new teachers. But I also hope he doesn’t expect me to keep doing this forever.

While I don’t mind helping out, I can’t see myself teaching here day after day—and that’s only partially because it keeps me away from Audrey. At least she helps in my classes every other day.

Shaking my head, I glance around to see I’m nowhere near the house where Nex is supposed to meet me. I really need to stop getting lost in my head like this. It had taken a lot to convince the demon to come over to the house. Wren had to confirm that she would be with her sister before he would agree. I can’t remember the last time I had to work that hard to get someone to hang out with me.

That’s probably because I usually use mind control to get them to do what I want. I don’t even know if I can control a demon’s mind, but I figured since he’s my friend, I shouldn’t try. I’m sure if I did, I’d piss off him and Audrey both, and there’s no need for that.

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