Page 17

Audrey

I blink awake and stretch before rolling onto my side to reach for my mates—except there’s no one there. I’m in bed alone.

Frowning, I glance at the clock. I don’t enjoy waking up alone, but as soon as I get a glimpse of the time, I realize why I did.

How is it already after one in the afternoon?

I fell asleep watching movies with my mates and Wren at some point, I guess, and they brought me to bed. I only remember a few minutes of the first movie, which means I passed out before eleven. I haven’t slept this long in forever—even when I was alive.

On the upside, I feel amazing. Although, I really need to pee.

I hurry into the en suite and use the bathroom before climbing into the shower. As soon as I’m clean, I throw on a pair of leather shorts—that’s what Evelyn’s surprise had been for me, and I’m in love with them—with an oversized tank top that’s almost as long as the shorts. My bra is completely visible, but I don’t care. I’m comfortable and that’s all that matters.

Thundering down the stairs, I find Donovan and Wraith sitting on the couch. Donovan is snacking on some chips while he watches TV and Wraith is working on his laptop with those sexy-as-hell reading glasses sitting on his nose.

I don’t know if he actually needs them or not, but he’s been using them all the time since I told him how hot he looked.

“There’s our sleeping beauty.” Donovan grins at me, setting aside the chips and pushing to his feet. He hurries over and pulls me into his arms, kissing me sweetly. “I was beginning to think you were going to sleep all day.”

“Too late, she already did,” Wraith says without looking up from his laptop. “Do you at least feel well rested?”

I hum, pulling away from Donovan so I can drape myself over Wraith. He cocks an eyebrow as he turns to look at me.

Leaning over, I give him a kiss. “I feel great. So great, in fact, that I’m ready to get to work.”

“Okay, I’ll bite,” he says dryly. “What are you getting to work on?”

“Hmmm…” I tap my chin. “What is it I was so worried about three months ago, after I had to reap my sister’s soul? I feel like it was really important, but I just can’t remember. Oh! Right! Killing Michael. You said we’d make a plan once Wren had adjusted to being at the school. I’m fairly certain we can call her well-adjusted, considering she’s at the top of all of her classes.”

Wraith sighs, pulling his glasses off before rubbing his eyes. “I was kind of hoping you’d forget about that.”

“Yeah. Like that was ever going to happen.” I close Wraith’s laptop, ignoring the annoyed look he shoots me. “Have you ever known me to forget something like this?”

Donovan snickers. “Pretty girl, I don’t think you’ve needed to remember something like this since we’ve known you.”

I wave him off. “Semantics. Where’s Brenden? I want him here while we make a plan.”

“He’s running with Nex,” Donovan says with a wink. “It seems the two of them have worked out their differences.”

I sigh, wishing Nex would stop ignoring me. “I hope they’re not making out since I can’t watch them from here.”

“Really, trouble? That’s what you’re worried about?” Wraith sets aside the laptop as he leans back. “Since Brenden isn’t here, then I guess we’ll have to talk about it another time.”

“They should be back soon, Audrey. He’s been gone for a few hours. I can’t see him being gone much longer, but you can text him if you want.” Donovan grabs the bag of chips and turns back to his show. “Just let me know when we’re ready to plan your vengeance, and I’ll turn my show off.”

Honestly, it would be better if Nex and Cassian were here for this planning session, but I somehow doubt that’s going to happen.

“I’m going to go grab Wren, too. She should be a part of this.” I don’t bother waiting for either of them to respond, stepping through the shadows and into the hallway outside of Wren’s room.

It didn’t take me long to master shadow walking, but it’s completely different from how Wraith does it. He calls the shadows to him until they surround him and transport him. For me, one moment I’m walking in one place and then, with just another thought, I’m somewhere else. Donovan says it’s like I just disappear into the shadows that no one knew were there. All I know is I think it’s really fucking cool.

Knocking on my sister’s door, I bite my lip. I probably should’ve texted her to make sure she was even in her dorm. She still hasn’t made any friends, so the only place I can think she would be is in the cafeteria. I’m just about to shadow walk there when Wren throws open her door.

“Audrey? To what do I owe this surprise visit?” Wren grins at me, but it doesn’t hide how exhausted she looks. There are dark circles under her eyes and her shoulders seem to be caving in.

Frowning, I shake my head. “We’ll get to that in a minute. Why do you look so exhausted? Are you sick? Can reapers even get sick? Or almost reapers? You’re dead, so surely you can’t be sick.”

Wren laughs. “I’m not sick. I just couldn’t sleep last night. It’s fine. I’ll survive. Now, what’s going on?”

I don’t like her nonchalance when it’s clear it’s not just tonight she hasn’t slept well. Had she looked this bad last night?

No, she didn’t, which means she was wearing makeup and trying to hide this from me.

I don’t like it one bit, but I don’t push her on it—mainly because she’s begging me not to with her eyes.

“We’re finally going to come up with a plan on how to take out Michael. I thought you might want to be there.”

Her eyes brighten. “Oh, yes. For sure. Come in. Let me change really quick.”

She doesn’t bother to wait for a response, already darting toward her bedroom. I have to surge forward to catch the door in time so it doesn’t slam shut. Then I feel a little like an idiot when I realize I could’ve just shadow walked into her room.

Sometimes I just don’t think about things like that.

I head for the couch, coming to a halt when Wren steps out of her room, already ready to go. “How the hell did you get ready so fast?”

“Magic,” she tells me with a wink, and I frown. She’s always been better at magic involving spells than I am. Not that I’m jealous or anything.

Nope. Not me.

I would never.

“Brenden was out with Nex when I left, but hopefully he’s home now…” I trail off. “Even though it’s only been like five minutes.”

Wren laughs, linking her arm through mine. As she pulls me toward her, I realize she’s once again covered up how tired she is with makeup.

She might not want to talk about it, but she’s going to have to soon. Whatever is going on with her can’t continue. She looked like shit, and I’m not all about that shit.

“Well, let’s go! I’m very much looking forward to planning how Michael will meet his maker.” She lets out a happy sigh, and I have to bite back a laugh.

Since when did my sister get so bloodthirsty?

Probably around the same time I did—when he murdered us.

I step toward the door, pulling Wren with me into the shadows and popping out in front of the house. I’m more than a little surprised to find a shirtless, very sweaty Brenden talking with Nex, who’s wearing just as few clothes and just as much sweat as my mate.

I lick my lips, eyes running over the expanse of skin revealed on both men. I’m not surprised to see Nex has a few tattoos. I’m not close enough to make them out, but I’m sure they’re sexy as hell.

Yes, I have a thing for tattoos and piercings. What can I say?

“You have a little something here.” Wren knocks her hand against my chin with a giggle, drawing both men’s attention.

Nex’s eyes meet mine, and for a moment, it’s like nothing else exists. It’s just me and him.

Then he looks away. “I should get going—”

“Actually,” I call out, hurrying over. “We’re about to have a meeting to plan how we’re going to take care of Michael—in case you’re interested in being a part of that.”

Nex refuses to look at me, keeping his eyes on Brenden as he shakes his head. “I shouldn’t…I need a shower after that run.”

“Oh, that’s okay. Brenden needs a shower, too. I’m sure he’d be happy to share with you so as not to waste any water.”

“Audrey!” Wren sounds scandalized, but I just ignore her and smile at Brenden, who seems to be considering my idea.

“You know…that’s not a bad idea. Conserving water is always high on my list,” he says with a smirk, stepping closer to Nex—who immediately takes a step back, running into me.

He jumps away, shaking his head. “I swear the two of you plan this shit.”

I shake my head. “Nope, but we’re both very good at taking advantage of a situation. But seriously, if you want to be here while we’re planning, you’re welcome to join us.”

“I…ummm…” Nex looks between the three of us before nodding. “Okay, yeah. I’d like to know what the plan is for that. But maybe I can take a shower in another bathroom.”

Brenden pouts, rolling his eyes. “If you insist. Come on, I’ll shower in Wraith’s room. You can use my shower. Let the others know we won’t be long since Nex doesn’t want to share a shower with me.”

“Are you okay, Ree?” Wren wraps her arm around my waist, hugging me from the side as I stare after them.

I sigh because what am I supposed to say to that? Of course I’m not okay. I have one fated mate who refuses to look at me, let alone talk to me. I have another who can’t stop fighting with another of my mates. I want to make them mine, but I’m beginning to wonder if it’s really worth it.

Is it time to just cut my losses and accept that I’ll only have three mates instead of five?

Pain courses through me at that thought, and I know I can’t give up on them yet. I don’t ever want to give up on them, but definitely not yet.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I assure her before leading her inside.

It seems Wren isn’t the only one lying. I wonder if she’s lying to herself, too.

It’s another half an hour before Brenden and Nex join us, most of which I spend trying to convince Wraith to let Cassian come over to help us plan.

“I don’t need his judgmental ass here telling us we shouldn’t be doing this. Neither do you.” Wraith crosses his arms over his chest. “We’re not telling Cassian—end of story.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and pray for patience—something I’ve seriously been lacking when it comes to Wraith and my two wayward mates—while I remind myself that I need Wraith to help make a plan that won’t fail.

“Fine,” I finally spit out. “We won’t have him help us come up with a plan, but you’re sadly mistaken if you think I won’t be telling him.”

I had to stop inviting Cassian to the academy. Wraith loses his shit every time he sees him now, which isn’t helping Cassian talk to him. It’s hard to get a word in edgewise when he starts attacking with magic as soon as he sees you.

At least I’m able to shadow walk to his place in Ephonia, otherwise I’d never see him.

Maybe this is why I slept so long last night. Maybe my body just finally gave up after all the stress I’ve been forcing on it.

Not that any of this matters right now.

“Come have a seat.” I wave everyone over to the table where I have my iPad. “Wraith, a lot of the planning is going to depend on you. You’re going to have to tell me what we can and can’t do since you want to piss Lucifer off as little as possible.”

He nods slowly. “Yeah, I’ve actually been giving that a lot of thought. I was thinking we could use Michael’s death for Wren’s final.”

“What?” both of us ask at the same time.

“I’m sure Wren will want to confirm Michael’s death, and she can’t leave the underworld until her final. I know that’s another three months, but that’ll give us plenty of time to fine-tune our plan.” Wraith glances around the table. “What?”

“I thought you couldn’t fuck with people’s finals?” I sneer at him. “Isn’t that what you told me? And that’s why you haven’t been able to find out who sent me to collect my own sister’s soul?”

Wraith sighs. “No, I usually can’t. As fucked up as it was that you were sent to collect Wren’s soul, it didn’t hurt anyone. You passed your final, and you were able to find out she was dead. I’m not going to push that, trouble. I’m sorry, but it’s not worth it. If you want vengeance on Michael, this is the only way I can make sure you’re both there. I’m going to be breaking a lot of rules doing this, but I understand that you both need this.”

“And then what?” Nex asks. “You’re just going to kill him in cold blood?”

I scoff. “Seriously? Is that why you joined us? I thought you were here to help us plan this—not try to talk us out of it. Plus, it’s not killing him in cold blood when he already killed me and Wren. You know what? If you’re going to be all judgmental, you don’t need to be here.”

“What? You’re the one who wanted me here!”

“Sure. When I thought you were here to help.” I throw my hands in the air. “If you can’t support this plan, then get out.”

Nex just stares at me. “You’re really kicking me out?”

“If you’re just going to try to convince me I shouldn’t do this, then yes!” By the time I finish my sentence, I’m screaming in his face. “You know what? This was a bad idea. I can’t be here right now. Why don’t you all argue over what we should or shouldn’t do? Then, when you have it figured out, you can tell me. I can’t deal with any of you anymore.”

I head for the door, stomping across the house before I remember I don’t have any shoes on. My boots are upstairs, but there’s no way I’m going up there to grab them. Instead, I pull on a pair of tennis shoes sitting by the door and bolt.

Was that the most mature way of handling the situation?

Definitely not, but I’m just so sick and tired of the push and pull that’s happening between me and everyone else.

I have no idea where I’m going. I just know I need to not be here.

After about an hour of getting lost in the damn woods, I shadow walk to Diana’s place and knock on her door.

When she swings it open, I burst into tears and throw myself into her arms.

“Oh, Audrey. Come on in and tell me what’s going on.”

I let her lead me inside, happy to see Celeste is here, too. The two of them surround me, wrapping their arms around me and letting me cry until I can’t anymore. Then it’s time to let them in on the mess my life has become.

Thank the Fates for my two besties.