Page 89 of Virgin Lust

As soon as I faded into the ballroom, I bumped into someone.

“Whoa!” Melanie, Prudence’s mom, wobbled slightly before turning around. I held Prudence so I couldn’t help Melanie. Luckily, she didn’t fall.

“Are you okay? I didn’t mean to fade right into someone,” I told her.

Instead of answering, Melanie’s palm went to her mouth quickly, visibly shaking, before she reached out for Prudence. “What happened?”

“Nothing,” I assured her as she checked Prudence’s forehead. “She wore herself out. She’s asleep.”

Melanie frowned. “You can lay her on the couch.”

“I’d rather not,” I admitted. “Prudence goes where I go.”

Melanie’s brow lifted as she smiled. “Well, okay.”

“Anything on Joy?” I asked, but immediately regretted it.

Melanie’s chin trembled and tears welled up in her eyes.

“Nothing yet,” Grim replied. After his wife left the room, he added, “I’m heading out now. I’m glad you’re here. Fear’s out searching with the others so he can’t stay. I need someone to watch over Payne.”

“Payne?” I tensed. Although I understood that Payne was going through something, I still didn’t like him near Prudence.

“Come.” Grim gestured for me to follow. “You must see it for yourself.”

Thirty-One

Prudence

A sigh tumbled from my lips as I stretched and opened my eyes. I frowned, looking around slowly when I saw I was cradled on Shepherd’s lap in the infirmary, a room for the other Reapers to heal. His eyes were shut, and his head bent forward. How could he sleep in such an uncomfortable position? Then again, how long did I slumber in his arms? And how did he bring me to Dad’s castle without waking me?

The smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils, and I bolted out of Shepherd’s arms. How long was I out? Every hour I napped was another that Harvest had Joy. Did we lose our powers while I rested? I didn’t know.

“Prudence,” Shepherd warned, hand sliding against my back as he stood.

I took in his unkempt hair and bloodshot eyes. My stomach knotted. I’d put him through a lot over the last few days. I would be the death of him.

“Calm yourself. Nothing can be done by stressing out.”

“We need to—” My stomach growled. When did I last eat?

“Eat,” Shepherd ordered. “We can’t go anywhere, anyway.”

I frowned. “Why not?”

Shepherd sighed and grasped my wrist, tugging me forward. In front of us was a white curtain. He pushed it back, and I gasped. “What is that?” Even as I asked, I had my suspicion. I could sense the faint traces of Payne’s essence beneath the blazing flames. I stepped forward, but Shepherd pulled me back.

“Don’t get any closer. Your brothers caught on fire bringing him here.”

Payne wasn’t lying on a bed. I saw the flow of power—a blackish-blue color holding him steady in the air so the flames covering him couldn’t touch anything. Dad’s power bound Payne in the air for the castle’s protection. But I couldn’t see him beneath the flames.

“What’s wrong with him?” I asked.

“No one knows,” Shepherd replied. “August and Barron found him like that while searching for Joy. Whatever this is its most likely a part of him.”

A ball of unease rested in my throat the longer I looked at him. Payne’s scent along with his essence were diminishing. “Why are we here exactly?” I asked nervously.

“To watch him.” Shepherd exhaled slowly. “Don’t pretend you don’t sense it. He’s altering beneath those flames. Grim said no one’s been able to identify what he is. I think you’re all about to find out, and I don’t know if that will be a good or bad thing.”

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