Page 46 of The Monster's Desire

“Hell, no.” I spit the words before I can stop myself. My magic yanks me across the room, and I’m drawing sealing runes before the grim can fully manifest. “You’re not needed here. See yourself right the fuck back to wherever you came from.”

A low, raspy chuckle fills the air as a pair of white irises flash in the space right outside the still open door. My instincts scream that my magic isn’t enough to keep him out if he wants to make it inside. Ripping the pin out of my bracelet, I slice my skin and redraw the runes a second time. This time, I add a protection rune to all three sides. I’d do the floor, but I don’t think taking my eyes off him is smart.

The white eyes flash before darkening to a shade blacker than night. My magic still flows to Milania, but my focus is on the reaper.

“How do you know she’s worth saving?” a low, growly voice asks. “She could be a murderer.”

“She could,” I agree. I don’t blink as I stare into the spot I’m sure holds a pair of dark eyes that burn back at me in return. “That doesn’t matter today.”

“Ah, I see. You’ve claimed her soul already,” the masculine voice says, his tone lined in humor.

“No. I’m not that kind of witch.” But I am, aren’t I? Echo is tethered to me as my vessel. Maybe not willingly, but I’m already teetering a little too close to the edge of going dark.

“Are you sure you wish to take my meal?” the reaper asks. His tone is oddly melodic, and I still can’t blink. Why does he feel so familiar?

My magic doesn’t seem as enamored. It lines my voice when I speak. “Find another meal. You’ll not reap here.”

Silence fills the air as my magic pulses.

Is my magic seriously posturing against a grim reaper right now? This town has destroyed my self-preservation skills.

My heart races as I stare into the black abyss of the grim’s eyes.

Finally, a faint shadow of the hood covering his head nods. “I will not,” he replies. “It’s been too long since someone stared straight into my true eyes and didn’t flinch.”

The trance fades away as I take a heavy step back. My feet and arms feel like lead weights as I stagger.

“You’re spent. No matter how much blood they shed, it won’t matter. You won’t be able to save her,” the reaper says in a level tone. “And yet, I feel I must honor your commitment.” I can practically hear the smirk in his tone. “Tell me, is she that important to you?” His head tilts like he’s appraising me.

“I lost my mother when I was young. Those two won’t even have the chance to remember her if she doesn’t make it,” I whisper, swallowing around the lump that’s formed in my throat. “I’m committed to doing everything I can.”

A claw manifests from the long, flowing robe. A pale palm appears from the other sleeve, and the reaper slices his flesh. Barely three drops of blood drip from the wound before it seals. My fangs descend and my tongue reflexively runs over them.

The reaper takes a step forward as his hood rises. He pushes through the protection barrier of the door with little effort.

I swallow thickly as my chin tilts in the air. This could go very badly.

My heart races, which is likely sending my blood out dangerously fast.

“Next time you need us, don’t wait until it’s dire to make the call,” he murmurs, swiping his blood over my lips. My tongue flicks out, lapping it up. The taste slams into me with the force of a freight train, but it’s the level of his power that has me stumbling back. I stagger my way over to Milania. My head spins around, and it’s then I realize everyone except for me is frozen in place. They aren’t blinking or breathing.

The reaper is gone.

I ignore the utter fucking craziness of what just happened and again draw runes over the new mother’s skin.

Healing, health, life.

A strange urge inside me isn’t satisfied with simply healing her womb. I repeat the pattern over her forehead, her heart, each arm, and her legs. As I finish, my hands fall to the bed. I grip tight to keep from keeling over.

Being a conduit for the blood everyone else is spilling doesn’t normally take my energy, but it’s almost more than I can handle at the moment.

A light popping fills the air and time seems to start. A baby cries, and the low murmuring of River’s voice fills the air as he reassures his mate. Her heartbeat stalls, and for five long seconds, I hold my breath.

How did I fuck this up?

Oh god, tell me I didn’t accidentally draw the rune for flatulence in my half-delirious state. Oh, well. She just gave birth to two babies. If she’s gassy, then these motherfuckers better grin and bear it.

If she wakes up at all.

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