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Not that I’m worried about Wren not doing well. She’s always been an exceptional student, and she gives everything her all.

I’m glad neither Brenden nor Donovan tries to talk to me on the walk back. I’m too lost in my thoughts to keep up with a conversation.

Today has been a long ass day, and as much as I’d love to climb into bed and sleep for the next twelve hours, that’s not really an option.

My twin is dead and at Scythe Academy.

Nex is my fourth fated mate, but he wants nothing to do with me. All because of some curse that’s supposedly been placed on him. Sure, Lucifer is a god, but is that really something they do?

I try to recall if there have been stories of any gods cursing anyone in the past. I don’t know a lot of mythology, but I seem to recall more than a few people cursed by the gods in Greek mythology.

Damn it. Maybe he is cursed, but then I really don’t understand why the Fates would make us mates if it was never meant to be.

Ugh, there’s no way they gave me a star-crossed mate, is there?

Fucking hell. This so isn’t what I need to be focusing on. I need to figure out how I’m going to kill Michael now that I have more freedom as a reaper. Although who knows how much freedom Wraith will allow me since he doesn’t want me seeking vengeance.

I don’t understand why he can’t just have my back on this. So what if I piss Lucifer off? So what if he punishes me? I’ll gladly take any and all consequences I receive for my actions.

As long as Michael is dead—that’s all I care about.

Sighing, I run a hand through my hair as I consider Nex’s story. Yes, he was sent into servitude and unable to return to his homelands, but is that really all that bad? Does he regret what he did? Was it all worth it to him?

These are questions I wanted to ask him, but then I figured out we were fated mates, and all those questions slipped my mind.

How long has he suspected that we’re mates? Did he know when he was so cruel to me? Did he know way back in the beginning and that’s why he offered to tutor me?

Why does all of this have to be so confusing? Is it because I’m dead? It just doesn’t make any sense.

I’m frustrated beyond belief at everything that seems to be currently raining down on me. It feels like too much.

My mind trails back to what the Fates told me. I was always meant to die because I have a destiny to fulfill. While that sucks ass, it makes me feel better to know that there’s likely a reason this is all happening at once. The Fates wouldn’t give me more than I can bear, would they?

I can’t break beneath what’s happening around me—even if it’s just to spite every fucker who wants to watch me fail. Not that I can think of many people who want to see me fail. Probably Professor Freeman, the fucking cunt. But besides her? I can’t think of anyone else.

I blink, shaking away my thoughts, and realize we’ve already made it back to the house. Brenden’s hand is still in mine as he drags me up the stairs to where Wraith is waiting in the doorway.

I guess it’s time for another conversation.

Chapter Seven

Audrey

Wraithreachesouttotake my free hand, pulling me away from Brenden and into his arms. “I love you. You know that, right?”

Holy shit.

Did Wraith just tell me he loved me for the first time?

“Uhhhh….” I bury my head in his chest, refusing to look up at him. It seems like a weird time for him to just announce that. “I…ummm…”

“Nex is one of her mates,” Donovan announces, brushing past us into the house.

Well, I guess that’s one way to change the subject. I’m not sure if I should kiss Donovan or hit him.

Yes, I was definitely floundering after Wraith told me he loved me—even Donovan hasn’t said those words to me yet—but did he really have to throw me under the bus about Nex?

I was planning to tell them what happened, but he could’ve at least given me a minute.