Page 46 of Dancing With Death

“He’s running with Nex,” Donovan says with a wink. “It seems the two of them have worked out their differences.”

I sigh, wishing Nex would stop ignoring me. “I hope they’re not making out since I can’t watch them from here.”

“Really, trouble? That’s what you’re worried about?” Wraith sets aside the laptop as he leans back. “Since Brenden isn’t here, then I guess we’ll have to talk about it another time.”

“They should be back soon, Audrey. He’s been gone for a few hours. I can’t see him being gone much longer, but you can text him if you want.” Donovan grabs the bag of chips and turns back to his show. “Just let me know when we’re ready to plan your vengeance, and I’ll turn my show off.”

Honestly, it would be better if Nex and Cassian were here for this planning session, but I somehow doubt that’s going to happen.

“I’m going to go grab Wren, too. She should be a part of this.” I don’t bother waiting for either of them to respond, stepping through the shadows and into the hallway outside of Wren’s room.

It didn’t take me long to master shadow walking, but it’s completely different from how Wraith does it. He calls the shadows to him until they surround him and transport him. For me, one moment I’m walking in one place and then, with just another thought, I’m somewhere else. Donovan says it’s like I just disappear into the shadows that no one knew were there. All I know is I think it’s really fucking cool.

Knocking on my sister’s door, I bite my lip. I probably should’ve texted her to make sure she was even in her dorm. She still hasn’t made any friends, so the only place I can think she would be is in the cafeteria. I’m just about to shadow walk there when Wren throws open her door.

“Audrey? To what do I owe this surprise visit?” Wren grins at me, but it doesn’t hide how exhausted she looks. There are dark circles under her eyes and her shoulders seem to be caving in.

Frowning, I shake my head. “We’ll get to that in a minute. Why do you look so exhausted? Are you sick? Can reapers even get sick? Or almost reapers? You’re dead, so surely you can’t be sick.”

Wren laughs. “I’m not sick. I just couldn’t sleep last night. It’s fine. I’ll survive. Now, what’s going on?”

I don’t like her nonchalance when it’s clear it’s not just tonight she hasn’t slept well. Had she looked this bad last night?

No, she didn’t, which means she was wearing makeup and trying to hide this from me.

I don’t like it one bit, but I don’t push her on it—mainly because she’s begging me not to with her eyes.

“We’re finally going to come up with a plan on how to take out Michael. I thought you might want to be there.”

Her eyes brighten. “Oh, yes. For sure. Come in. Let me change really quick.”

She doesn’t bother to wait for a response, already darting toward her bedroom. I have to surge forward to catch the door in time so it doesn’t slam shut. Then I feel a little like an idiot when I realize I could’ve just shadow walked into her room.

Sometimes I just don’t think about things like that.

I head for the couch, coming to a halt when Wren steps out of her room, already ready to go. “How the hell did you get ready so fast?”

“Magic,” she tells me with a wink, and I frown. She’s always been better at magic involving spells than I am. Not that I’m jealous or anything.

Nope. Not me.

I would never.

“Brenden was out with Nex when I left, but hopefully he’s home now…” I trail off. “Even though it’s only been like five minutes.”

Wren laughs, linking her arm through mine. As she pulls me toward her, I realize she’s once again covered up how tired she is with makeup.

She might not want to talk about it, but she’s going to have to soon. Whatever is going on with her can’t continue. She looked like shit, and I’m not all about that shit.

“Well, let’s go! I’m very much looking forward to planning how Michael will meet his maker.” She lets out a happy sigh, and I have to bite back a laugh.

Since when did my sister get so bloodthirsty?

Probably around the same time I did—when he murdered us.

I step toward the door, pulling Wren with me into the shadows and popping out in front of the house. I’m more than a little surprised to find a shirtless, very sweaty Brenden talking with Nex, who’s wearing just as few clothes and just as much sweat as my mate.

I lick my lips, eyes running over the expanse of skin revealed on both men. I’m not surprised to see Nex has a few tattoos. I’m not close enough to make them out, but I’m sure they’re sexy as hell.

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