Page 34 of A Soul’s Curse (Fallen Souls #1)

“He’s what people call a Soul Siphoner.” I stared at Caspian like a deer in headlights. “He gets his magic by stealing souls, Theo. He kills people and takes their magic. But he can’t quite take control over something that was never meant to be his.”

“S-so what?” I refuted. “He was a spy within the Syndicate. I know he’s killed people.”

“You still defend this half-demon. Interesting. Would you still defend him knowing that he has information about what happened to your family ten years ago? That awful winter night that some seemingly random person broke into your house and attacked your family? What if I told you it wasn’t random at all? ”

My pulse throbbed in my ears, Caspian’s words like shards of ice sinking into my skin—cold, sharp, impossible to ignore.

“Ren?” I waited for the demon to answer. He stayed silent, but his fists were shaking, his breathing fast and heavy.

“Yes. That’s right. He knows every little detail about what happened that night.

Because he was the one who did it.” Caspian tapped his chin and peered over at Ren.

“Let me guess. It was driven by jealousy. Theo was friendly, got along with demons and other magical races when you yourself couldn’t even connect with your own kind.

He was happy. He was loved by a family who would give anything for him.

You hated he had that, so you made him your target.

You were just coming into your magic, and you were itching to give it a try. You … snapped.”

“Stop! I don’t want to hear this!” I dug my fingertips into my skull on either side of my head. “How could you possibly know any of this? How do I know you aren’t making any of this up?”

“I’m a phantom who has lived over a hundred years.

I have my resources.” Caspian put down his spoon.

“Besides, I don’t see him denying it. He hated what you had, and so he broke into your house one night and took it all away from you.

Your mother’s condition isn’t because she hit her head.

Ren ripped out her soul to take her power, but couldn’t quite finish the job.

He couldn’t kill her, so he left her a husk.

Then he got angry at your crying sister, and took something precious away from her as well.

But you, Theo. He left you alone. I’m curious why? ”

“Caspian, you fucking bastard!” Ren jumped to his feet, lunging at Caspian, but Gray snatched the back of his hood, snapping his neck back as he slipped back onto the floor. The gauntlets on Gray’s wrists glowed a bright white as magic swirled around Ren like invisible chains, keeping him in place.

“Tell me it’s not true, Ren.” I desperately tried to hold it together, but my voice cracked, betraying me.

My chest felt tight, a pressure building that I couldn’t shake.

I wanted him to deny it, to tell me Caspian was lying, that this was all some sick joke to turn me against him.

But the look in his eyes—guilt, hesitation—told me everything before he even opened his mouth.

“Ren, how could you?” My fingers curled against my chest, as if I could claw away the hollow, stinging ache of betrayal. Tears slipped down my cheeks. “How could you look me in the eye and just … pretend like you actually cared about me? Did what happened that night really mean that little to you?”

“Theo, I can explain—”

“ Explain? ” I walked over toward him with unsteady steps, then looked him straight in the eyes.

“Explain what, Ren? You broke into my house intending to murder my family. I … I don’t think I can do this.

I’m beginning to think this was all a game to you.

Whose side are you really on? You forced me into this deal with the Syndicate, then acted like you were being so fucking generous by helping me get out of it.

Why? Planning to tie off loose ends from that night? ”

“No, I’d never. That’s not—” Nobody touched him, but Ren hunched over, his body trembling as if something inside him was trying to claw its way out.

His fingers pressed against the floor, knuckles white, sweat beading along his forehead.

Each gasp was ragged, choked, like he was drowning on dry land.

“I trusted you, Ren,” I said, my voice trembling with the weight of every word. “But there’s no place in my life for people who betray me. I thought you had my back, but all you ever wanted was to bury a knife in it.” My chest tightened, the pain sharp, the realization sinking deep.

“Theo—”

“I don’t want to hear it!” Magic boiled to the surface of my skin and it surrounded Ren. “I’m done listening to you. I’m going to do this my way. I’m going to get Ellie back and I’m going to get out of this stupid deal with the Syndicate … consequences be damned.”

He collapsed onto his side, struggling to take in air.

“I read that grimoire too, you know. There are spells in there that can break my oath with the Syndicate. I’m going to find out where they’re keeping Ellie and take her back. My way. I’ll do this on my own, without your help. I don’t need it.”

Gray’s magic squeezed tight around Ren. Blood sprayed out of his mouth as he coughed. He was convulsing, and every violent tremor that shook his body tore at something inside me. But I couldn’t let myself care. Not after everything. His pain was a consequence of his own choices, not mine.

“You need to leave, Ren.” I turned away like a coward, watching as Caspian gave the signal for Gray to remove Ren from my sight.

Ren, too weak and disoriented to stand on his feet, was dragged carelessly through the back door of the ice cream shop and dumped out into the alley.

Even as the door clicked shut and he disappeared from my sight, I couldn’t help but to wonder if he’d be okay.

Caspian ripped me from those pitiful thoughts.

“So you are working with the Syndicate.” He patted the stool beside him. “But clearly against your will. Come sit, Theo. Tell me everything.”

I sank into the seat beside him, scooped up my ice cream, and let each bite numb my sorrows as I spilled everything.