Page 77 of Virgin Lust

The beast had no protection, which allowed me to study the poorly stitched patchwork on his body. Heads, limbs, and other demon parts held him together.

With a battle cry, August, no longer shielded by Shepherd, launched into the sky toward the creature. One giant arm swooshed through the air. August faded before it hit him. Shepherd jumped in from the left and cut into the creature’s limb. The monster wailed and went to swing his other hand. Payne jumped into his palm.What?I gasped as the fingers closed with him inside.

“Payne!” Joy screamed, and Derrick rushed toward her.

Materializing my scythe, I transformed it into a bow and created a pink arrow. I pulled the string back, looking for a spot of weakness. A bright glow of orange burning over the creature’s hand caught my attention. Steam rose. A second later, it exploded, and Payne burst out with a roar.

August reappeared above the giant; blade raised. My brother swung forward, straight down the beast’s chest. Body parts fell from the gaping wound. The ground shook, buckling my knees, as the abomination howled. I focused on the opening and let go of the arrow. It whizzed through the air, whistling as my pink essence expanded.The tip touched the monster’s flesh and then detonated.Yes!There was a thunderous boom then pink sparkles of my power lit up the night sky. Body parts fell around me. An arm landedonme, and I gagged. So many limbs belonging to wolves, the legs and torsos of rat demons, ogre heads littered the ground. The stench of smoke and burning flesh watered my eyes.

Shepherd greeted me in his reaping form the second I reappeared. He shifted into his human form and pressed me against his chest.

“One down,” he told me.

“Two to go,” August finished Shepherd’s words. Turning to Payne with a scowl on his face, August said, “Mind telling me what the fuck you were thinking? None of us could have gotten to your ass in time to save you. And you’re glowing like a human flame.” When Payne didn’t say a word, August gritted his teeth. “You’re not even listening.”

Payne stalked away. I looked toward what held his focus.Joy.Derrick pulled her closer as he walked like he was trying to lead her somewhere and she shoved him away. What was Derrick doing? When Joy turned toward us, Derrick caught her jaw, preventing her from seeing Payne coming.

“Oh, no, you don’t.” August faded in front of Payne, blocking his path. “You’re going to do whatever you just didtwomore times. Grim is with Barron and Sebastian now, dealing with the same monster.”

“Move,”Payne told him.

“Soul Reaper, you’re coming too, in case Payne can’t do his little trick again,” August muttered. “Prudence—”

“Don’t order me around,” I cut him off. “I’ll stay here and tend to the humans and souls that need guiding. All of you stay safe.”

August froze and stared at me. “Is Prude showing she has a heart bigger than most of us?Fuck.The world really is ending.”

Shepherd hugged me tighter. “Ask me to stay and I will. Your brother will manage.”

“Go. There’s no danger here anymore.” I patted his back. “Besides, you sense my emotions. You’ll come to me when something’s wrong.”

“Always.” He placed his forehead to mine and closed his eyes.

“Get Joy’s bodyguard to help you guys.” August waved his hand toward Joy. Of course he wouldn’t know Derrick’s name. August couldn’t care less about who he was. “He’s done nothing but watch. Make him work.” With that, August latched onto Payne and faded.

“Can you sense where August is going?” I asked Shepherd.

“Yes.”

“Be safe,” I whispered.

“Don’t worry, Sire, we’ll be here with my lady,” Dirk said, panting heavily. I turned around and smiled at the three breathless gremlins.

“My heroes,” I deadpanned.

“Don’t get in her way,” Shepherd told them, then faded to catch up with August.

Twenty-Four

Prudence

“Why aren’t more Reapers coming to help?” Dirk inquired as I ascended the hundredth soul.

“Because the end approaching has the human world in chaos. Our Reapers are scattered everywhere, dealing with death. Like this little girl,” my voice quaked. My fingers shook as I gently closed her terror-filled eyes. So young…

She’s going some place better.

Funny how those words were the only ones we could find a degree of comfort. We were losing. We weren’t protecting them enough. So many people were dying before their true death dates.

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