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Wraith

MyeyesareonAudrey—as they often are—when I see her and Brenden share a look I don’t understand.

“What are you thinking, trouble?” I ask, already knowing I’m not going to like what comes out of her mouth.

When she lifts her head to meet my gaze, she straightens her shoulders and lifts her chin.

Oh, I’mreallynot going to like what she has to say, am I?

“I’m going to kill Michael. He killed me and my sister, and he deserves to be dead.” She pauses. “He could go after Mom next, and I’m not going to let that happen.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. I was right. I don’t like that at all.

Seeking vengeance isn’t going to change anything. She and Wren will still be dead, both becoming reapers.

Do I think this Michael needs to die? Absolutely, but I don’t think Audrey is the one who needs to do it. In fact, I want to keep her far away from him.

“I understand why you’re upset and why you want him dead, Audrey. I really do.” Shaking my head, I glance at Donovan. His face is blank, and I have no idea what he’s thinking. He’s blocking our connection, purposefully keeping me out. “But this isn’t what being a reaper is about. Reapers cannot seek out their murderers to kill them. It would be chaos if I allowed that to happen.”

She lifts her eyebrows as she shrugs. “Then I quit. I don’t want to be a reaper if it’s going to stop me from seeking vengeance for us.”

After knowing my mate for a few months, one would think I would expect the things that she says, but I don’t.

“That’s not how it works, trouble. You can’t just stop being a reaper.” I say it softly, knowing she will not like what I have to say, but she has to understand. This isn’t the path she needs to be on, and I can’t allow her to travel it.

Not that I’m going to tell her that. If I order her not to do something, it’ll only make her want it more.

Audrey pushes to her feet and turns until she’s fully facing me. “I’m doing this, Wraith—whether you like it or not. There’s nothing you can say that will change my mind. Either get on board or I’ll do it by my damn self.”

Fates. Why does she have to be so stubborn?

“I’m in,” Donovan tells her. I try to catch his eye, but he’s ignoring me—his focus completely on our mate. “If killing him will help you move on so we can enjoy the rest of eternity together, then that’s what we’ll do. I support you in everything you do.”

Wow. He’s putting it on thick, isn’t he? Making me sound like I’m the unreasonable one.

I realize her attention is still solely on me, causing me to glance at Brenden, who still hasn’t said anything.

“Why aren’t you asking Brenden?” I spit out, unable to hide my annoyance—with both her and the situation we’ve found ourselves in.

Brenden chuckles, leaning back as he catches my eye.

“Because this has been my plan from the moment I remembered who killed me, Wraith. Brenden’s been on board since day one. I don’t have to ask him for his support—he gives it to me without hesitation.” Audrey isn’t going to back down from this—at least not from my words alone.

Hurt shoots through me as I realize she’s questioning my belief in her. She’s putting my loyalty as her mate into question, and I don’t like it one bit.

“Audrey, I support you in most things. But in this? I can’t. This is asking for trouble. You’re smarter than this. You know it will fix nothing—you’ll both be dead, and you’ll still be angry.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret them—even before I see the anger flash across her face.

Audrey scoffs. “I am smart, you’re right. That’s why I waited to finish at the academy. That’s why I promised Brenden I would tell you and Donovan. I know this isn’t something I should do on my own. I thought I’d be able to rely on my mates to help me—to help me work out a plan, so it’s not as dangerous. I’ve told you once, and I’ll tell you again—you’re not going to change my mind about this, Wraith.”

“Audrey,” Wren calls softly, and my mate spins to face her. “Maybe Wraith is right. Maybe this isn’t the way to handle it. I know it’s hard for you to let go of the anger you feel at him, but it’s not worth something happening to you.”

Audrey softens as she reaches for her sister, and I wonder if Wren will be able to change her mind since she isn’t listening to me.

“He killed us, Wren. He murdered us in cold blood for something we don’t understand. That can’t go unpunished. I’m sorry, but I can’t let this go. I love you, but you won’t be able to change my mind, either.”

Well, there went that plan.

My eyes turn to Donovan and Brenden, but Donovan still won’t meet my eyes. He knows I don’t like that he’s opposing me on this. I can’t even be mad at him. All he’s doing is supporting our mate—even if I disagree with her choices.