Page 11 of Payne's Envy

“Payne?” I whispered.

He was so close his body heat radiated off him and clung to me. “You’ll call me if you need me. No matter what. If something feels off or you need me—foranything—Joy, you better call or come to me.”

Derrick sighed. “I assure you she’s safe with me.”

Payne never looked his way too focused on me. “You heard me.” When I said nothing, Paynegrowled.“Joy,answer.”

“I will,” I whispered.

Maureen shoved Payne away, scowling at him. “Funny. Normally, you can’t wait to get away from Joy.”

I flinched, chest tightening.She’s right.

“Get your nose out of my business,” Payne muttered, and with one last lingering look at me, he ported.

My soul ached the moment his essence and scent disappeared from the room.

“When will you stop?” Maureen snarled. “You deserve more than to pine after someone that left these woods to get away from you!”

My stomach churned as tears filled my eyes. “Payne didn’t leave because of me…”

“Oh? I remember you not leaving your bedroom for weeks after he disappeared. Something happened before he left because I see the rejection clear in your eyes every time he walks away from you.”

It wasn’t like I didn’t know my family saw all my failed attempts with Payne. But it still hurt that Maureen threw the truth in my face. Tears clouded my vision. As quick as the hurt came, the sudden anger hit stronger. Payne wasn’t finished speaking to me, and she interrupted with her usual ranting. How did none of them realize Payne was like air to me? They kept trying to steer me away from him, not knowing that a second each week in his presence carried me over into the next one. A glimpse of him was all I hoped for, but I neededmore, and she sent him away like she had the right.

“Keep out of my business, Maureen.” I warned.

Maureen lifted a brow. “Someone has to look after you. You can’t do it—”

I slapped her across the face. My palm stung from the force of it. Maureen howled, and my stomach churned when I saw her cheek as she gripped it. I imprinted a burn mark onto her skin in the shape of my hand and itsizzled.I gawked as her powers kicked in and healed her. The sound faded away as new skin replaced the burn.

“Holy Hades, Joy!” Maureen shouted. “Did you have to add fire to the smack? I have to admit that I’d never thought to add elements to our attacks. You’ve given me some sweet ideas, but how did you keep it from burning you?”

Problem was, I didn’t do what she said. All I did was smack her. The fury bled out of me. “I’m so sorry, Maureen. I don’t know why I—”

Maureen laughed. “I didn’t know you had it in you. You might have a little me in you after all.” She slapped my shoulder, beaming, but stopped and frowned, placing her hand on me again. “Joy, you’re burning up.”

I touched my forehead. “Am I?”

“Do you sense a sickness inside you?” Maureen tried to touch me again, but I swatted her hand away.

As a healer like our mother, I could heal fatal wounds. But since my family was immortal, I use it more on other Reapers that worked for my father. The only injuries I could help were physical ones. I couldn’t cure diseases like Jackal. I couldn’t reverse curses or hexes, either. If I could, my family would have been free of our sins long ago. So, if I was right in my assumption that someone did something malicious to me, there was nothing I could do. But maybe a witch could help me.

“I’ll figure it out.”

Awareness trickled down my spine. I glanced at Derrick. His head cocked slightly, eyes moving between me and my sister as if searching for something.

Good luck with that.

Knowing I caught him staring, he winked. “Ready.”

No.

Chapter Seven

Payne

The roars were louder than the wind. Louder than the flames crackling through the city. A city unlike anything I’d ever seen. Igloo-shaped buildings that collapsed under the fires. The homes were three times the average size, with garage like oval doors that seemed built for giants.

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