Page 45 of Payne's Envy

“Didn’t I tell you?” Sebastian asked.

“The outside finally matches the inside,” Barron said, a smirk plastered on his face, which was a sight to behold. For so long, Barron’s jokes weren’t hilarious. With Gwendolyn taking his wrath from him and weaponizing it, he could smile. Truly smile and not a grimace passing as one.

“I’ve been searching for you, my darling sister,” August said. “When have I had the time to worry about my appearance?”

We weren’t human. August could remove all traces of hair on his face with only a thought. He could give himself clean clothes, too. How he looked must have been some sort of decision. Like he wanted to ruin something he used to take pride in. I didn’t call him out on it.

Another glance around the room, and I saw that while August appeared the worst, everyone had dark circles under their eyes. My heart squeezed tight. Everyone looked exhausted. They might not have found me, but they never would have stopped searching, either.

That gave me perspective. As much as I wanted to wallow in my sorrows, I couldn’t. Payne might not be Payne, but he was alive. As much as I wanted to hear about his past and feelings, our pending fate mattered more. Whatever we did would influence what happened to the human world.

As the offspring of the Grim Reaper, we were born with a purpose. I had to remember that. If we failed, Harvest or the Devil won.

Yes, get it together, Joy.

I gripped my spoon with renewed vigor and took a huge bite. Then another. By the third bite, I said, “Call Dad.”

“I’m here.” Stepping into the kitchen, he slipped his cloak off his head. I studied how quickly he rushed inside. Had he lingered outside the halls the entire time?

Anger and disappointment clashed inside me as he met my gaze. I understood why he feared for me, but I didn’t know how to forgive him. Not when it came to Payne. He was my father, but Payne was mymate.

When my nose and throat burned, I looked away and ended up meeting Mom’s stare. She was far too perceptive. Her eyes darted between me and Dad, trying to figure out what happened. I didn’t know how she’d react to what he’d done and how she’d feel to be kept in the dark.

Speaking to my brothers seemed the safest option. “Derrick told Harvest about our powers. Harvest plans to send out his creations to attack. Has he yet?”

August shook his head. “It’s been quiet.”

“Too quiet,” Sebastian murmured.

“He intends to send them repeatedly. Since he has no idea when our powers will stop working, he’s hoping to attack enough to catch us in a fight when we lose our immortality again.”

Barron slapped a portal chip on the table in front of me. “Carry it. We haven’t been separating too much when we go out now, and we started carrying the portal chips after you were…” He didn’t finish the thought.

“We need them on us in case our powers disappear, and we can’t fade,” I stated.

Barron nodded.

“Why hasn’t Harvest attacked if that’s his plan?” Maureen crossed her arms as she leaned against the wall.

“Me,” I replied. “He seemed to think someone would come if he hurt me enough.” When Dad visibly tensed, I crossed my arms. “He mentioned how the Devil intervened during our fight at the human festival. For some crazy reason, I believed the Devil was who Harvest expected.”

Dad glanced at Mom, who covered her lips. I swore more than worry pinched her features. Fear did. Not just Dad, Mom knew something about that, too.

“Of course, the Devil never came, but it made me wonder why Harvest would think he’d show.”

“Well, it’s still weird when I think back to the human festival,” Prudence murmured. “Whydid the Devil make such a display with the blood and screams?”

True.

I slammed my spoon down on the table. “Dad, do you know?” When his jaw tightened, I turned to Mom, who sighed. “Mom?”

“When does the Devil need a reason to do the things he does?” Sebastian asked.

“Because maybe it wasn’t for nothing,” I muttered and stood.

The castle rattled. A few pieces of concrete fell onto the stove. Mom’s apple shaped wall décor crashed to the floor. We all glanced toward the ceiling as Deathraka roared. My body trembled, and I nearly crumbled to my knees as my clit pulsed. Then my panties dampened more. Oh, Hades. I couldn’t stay in that room with my family if Payne was near, especially knowing everyone had a heightened sense of smell.

“Payne’s going to destroy the castle,” Barron grumbled.

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