Page 79 of A Kiss From Death (Oath of Vengeance #1)

Tomorrow is my sixteenth birthday. Mama and Papa are hosting a coming of age ball in my honor today that will last all the way until the clock strikes midnight, marking me one year older.

All I can think about is how I get to see my eternal today and celebrate with him by my side.

That was my one wish. He told me down the bond that he would travel to hell and back to see me.

I still can’t fathom why people fear him when he’s sweeter to me than the candy I’m currently chewing on.

As excited as I am for today, an uneasy nervousness has been prickling the back of my neck after the talk Mama had with me this morning.

I had to take a trip to the crystal Papa and I made from our combined magic to calm myself.

An indestructible constant for you to seek, Papa had told me when creating it together.

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve sought out its solace over the years, loving the familiar hum of our magic.

I’ve been trying to shake the uncomfortable feeling all day and focus on all the fun to come, but the way she spoke to my soul today still has me wavering.

She kept telling me how much she loved me and to always remember that, as if she was going somewhere.

I asked her if everything was okay, and she assured me everything is as it should be.

I wasn’t sure if she was referring to my celebration or something much bigger.

She told me she left a secret birthday present under the floorboards of the library, and that I will know when the time comes for me to retrieve it, that it will open my eyes to the world and help forge me into the woman I am destined to be.

I asked her how I would know when to retrieve it, and she tapped my heart with soft fingers and said once again how much she loved me, how, deep in my soul, I will know when the right time comes.

I’m not sure why I would ever need a birthday present, but it must be important .

It’s silly to say, but it felt like she put the world on my shoulders with that one conversation. I’m not sure I’m ready to bear the weight of it just yet. For now, I will focus on celebrating another year older, surrounded by the people I love most.

Celebrations are meant to be exciting, right? What could go wrong ?