Page 9

Audrey

CELESTE

You’re really missing out on these sweet-ass new apartments.

AUDREY

I thought you guys weren’t moving for a week? That’s what the text I got said.

DIANA

Ha. Probably because you’re the boss’s mate.

We haven’t been here for long. Just got here, actually.

CELESTE

And our girl is going through withdrawals.

Her girl passed her final—so did the boyfriend. But they’re not getting their new places until tomorrow.

DIANA

Shut up, Celeste. You’re making me sound desperate.

AUDREY

So where are your new apartments since I won’t be getting one?

CELESTE

What the hell do you need an apartment for when you have that massive house?

AUDREY

I don’t, but that doesn’t mean I’m not totally jealous.

DIANA

We’re in Ephonia—the city.

CELESTE

Not to be confused with the land of the same name that we’re also on.

AUDREY

You’re both nut-bags, you know that?

DIANA

But you still love us.

CELESTE

You’ll need to get your mates to bring you over soon.

Diana and I have apartments right next to each other.

AUDREY

I’ll talk to them.

I’m meeting Wraith and Donovan now. They have a surprise for me.

I’ll call you later. Love you both!

“Audrey!”

I glance up at the sound of Wren’s voice, spinning around to find her hurrying across the courtyard toward me. “Hey, Wren.”

It hasn’t quite been a week since my sister arrived, but it’s finally Saturday, which means a day off for all of us. I have no idea what they have in store for me, but I’m glad my sister found me before I left. When I stopped by her dorm room, she wasn’t there. I sent her a message but didn’t hear back from her. I figured I would catch up with her later in the day, but here she is.

“I was looking for you,” I tell her as she catches up with me.

She nods. “I figured when I saw you walking away from my dorm.”

“You didn’t have to chase me. I sent you a message.”

“I forgot my phone in my room.” She wrinkles her nose. “Honestly, I just needed a moment away from it all, you know? I’m a little surprised this is the first time you’ve come looking for me.”

I don’t like how hurt she sounds as I pull her into my arms. “I’m sorry. I was giving you space so you could adjust to the new normal. I remember how overwhelming it was when I first arrived here.”

Wren returns the hug, clinging to me almost desperately, and I realize just how badly I fucked up.

“I thought you were dead for months, Ree. Okay, you are dead, but I didn’t know I’d get to see you again. I don’t want you to give me space. I want you up my ass so I can be up yours,” she tells me as she pulls back, and I laugh.

“I’d rather neither of us was up the other’s ass, but I get what you’re saying.” I sigh. “I’m sorry. I won’t stay away anymore. Soon, you really won’t be able to get away from me. I’ll be helping out in at least two of your classes starting Monday. Since I passed my final, they gave me a few days off.”

Wren’s face lights up. “Does that mean you can come spend time with me?”

“I’m sorry, Wren. I’m actually on my way to meet up with Donovan and Wraith. They have a surprise planned for me.” I don’t like the way her face falls. “You know what? I’ll just call them and ask them if we can do this later. I’ve missed you.”

Wren shakes her head. “You’re not canceling your plans with your mates to hang out with me. Maybe we can hang out after you get back?”

“Oh! If we’re back in time for dinner, then we can have you over. Brenden is already pouting that he’s not allowed to come with us today. But I can spend all day with you tomorrow.”

“That sounds perfect. Just call or message me when you get back, and we’ll figure it out.” Wren hugs me again before stepping back. “Have fun.”

I hesitate as I realize Wren can probably help me fill in the one remaining hole in my memory. “Before you go…I seem to have a problem with crowds. It’s the only thing I haven’t remembered. Do you know why?”

Wren’s face falls as she nods. “It’s probably for the best that you don’t remember.”

Annoyance ripples through me, but I manage not to growl at her. “That’s all fine and dandy, but can you tell me why? It’s driving me crazy.”

“Are you sure?” She sighs at my nod. “When we were eight or nine, Mom took us to a concert—”

“I remember that. It was a supernatural music festival. We saw some great acts.”

She laughs. “We did, and we had a blast—for the most part. But hunters somehow found out about it and attacked the festival. Somehow, you ended up separated from me and Mom. You were almost trampled by the crowd. By the time someone grabbed you off the ground and we found you, you had a broken arm and leg. You haven’t really been able to handle crowds since then. You will if you have to, but usually only when I’m with you.”

A shiver runs through me as a flash of a memory rushes forward—me curled into a ball on the grass as people run over and around me, pain and panic coursing through me. It’s there and gone in a moment, and I think Wren is right. That’s one memory I don’t want back.

“Well, that sucks, but I’m glad I know. Thanks, Wren.” I glance down at my phone as it vibrates, seeing a message from Wraith. “I better hurry. I think they’re getting impatient.”

“Love you, Ree. I’ll see you later!”

I wave as she heads toward her dorm building, and I duck into the administration building. I could’ve gone around, but that would mean extra walking. Why walk more than I have to?

I nod to Barbara behind the front desk as I pass her, and she waves. Then I’m outside, staring at the academy gates. Wraith and Donovan are talking quietly beside it, and I hurry over to them.

“Sorry I’m late. I went looking for Wren so I could let her know I wasn’t going to be around. We had a quick talk, and she told me why I have so many issues with crowds.” I explain to them what she just revealed, and the two of them share a look. “What?”

Wraith frowns. “Honestly? I forgot about your issues with crowds. We were planning to take you to Ephonia to show you around, but it’s always crowded there. Hard for it not to be since it’s the major city of the underworld. Maybe we should do something else.”

“Oh, no. Nope. You’re not getting out of this. I want to see the city. Plus, Celeste and Diana told me they just got their new apartments. I want to see them.” I wrinkle my nose. “I can deal with crowds if I need to. Wren said I could do it with her, so I don’t know why I wouldn’t be able to with the two of you.”

As usual, Wraith looks like he wants to argue with me. “Fine, but if you get too overwhelmed, tell me. I can travel us through the shadows to get us away. That’s how we’re going to get there, anyway.”

“I promise, I’ll tell you if it gets to be too much.” I squeeze his hand as I grin. “I really want to see Ephonia. Can we go now?”

Wraith still looks uncertain, so I turn to Donovan as I poke out my bottom lip. “Tell him it’ll be okay, Donovan.”

Donovan shakes his head. “Don’t try to use me to get your way, pretty girl.”

Now I really am pouting. Now that I know what we were going to do, I’m not going to be happy doing anything else.

Huh.

Maybe Wraith is onto something. I am a brat.

“Please, Wraith. I really want to go.”

“Fine, but do not leave our sides,” he demands in his best dad tone, and I really want to call him daddy to fuck with him, but I promised I wouldn’t. “At least one of us needs to be with you at all times. If you get overwhelmed, I’ll bring us to the reaper apartments and you can see your friends.”

I nod. “I agree with your terms. Although I want to see my friends, regardless.”

“We’ll make sure that happens. Now, hold on tight and don’t let go.” He pulls me against his side before doing the same to Donovan.

I loop both my arms around Wraith, smiling when Donovan grabs one of my hands while locking his other around Wraith’s back under mine. I know that even if I do accidentally let go, Donovan won’t let me go. He’ll always keep me safe.

Shadows rise around us, pooling at our feet before wrapping around us like a cocoon. As with the last time, my stomach dips a little as I feel us beginning to move. It takes us longer this time. I’m guessing it’s because we’re covering a longer distance, but it’s still only seconds later when the shadows begin to recede.

I find myself standing in an alleyway, surrounded by tall, dark buildings. They’re not black but a dark slate. At first, I think they’re made from brick, but as I reach out to touch them, I realize it’s some kind of rock.

“Obsidian,” Wraith tells me. “Every building in Ephonia was built by Lucifer’s magic, and he fucking loves obsidian. We’ll point out his palace when we’re closer. I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise that it’s also made from obsidian.”

My ears feel like they’re blocked, so I yawn to clear them, and the noise finally filters in. I wonder if that’s caused by traveling through the shadows. I don’t remember it happening the last time, but I was also a little preoccupied then.

Turning toward the sounds, I see people bustling past the open alleyway. Sniffing, I realize something smells amazing, too.

“Can we go now?”

Wraith chuckles. “Yes, trouble. We can go now. Remember, one of us needs to be with you—”

“And I need to tell you if I get too overwhelmed. I got it.” I hurry forward, realizing we’re at a street market. “Ohhhh, what’s this?”

Donovan throws his arm over my shoulders and leads me to the first tent that houses leather clothing—my mate knows me so well. “Every weekend, people from all over the underworld come out to sell their goods. You’ll find a little of everything here—food, clothing, weapons. You name it, it’s probably here.”

“We thought it would be something familiar that could ease you into the city,” Wraith says as he comes to a stop on my other side. “If you see something you want, let me know. Most of the sellers are demons. They’ll rip you off if you don’t know how to haggle with them correctly.”

“I take great offense to that, Death,” an old woman says as she slips between the curtains at the back of her tent. She appears as a human, but I know that doesn’t mean anything.

“Evelyn, how many times do I need to remind you I go by Wraith now? And you know I wasn’t speaking about you. It’s these other assholes we have to watch out for.” My mate sounds exasperated, but he’s smiling down at Evelyn. He leans down to hug her when she reaches him.

Donovan leans over so he can whisper in my ear. “Evelyn is a pride demon. She doesn’t take well to people questioning her integrity—even Death himself.”

“You act as if I can’t hear you, hellhound.” Evelyn turns to face me. “And who is this lovely creature?”

Wraith hurries back to my side. “Evelyn, this is mine and Donovan’s fated mate, Audrey. Audrey, this is Evelyn. She’s an old friend.”

Evelyn bats at his arm. “Stop calling me old. You’re older than me—by a lot. But I’m glad to hear you’ve met your mate, and that you share one. That must make things easier.”

I’m not usually someone who embarrasses easily, but my cheeks warm at her insinuation. I hold my hand out to her. “It’s nice to meet you, Evelyn.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Audrey.” She shakes my hand, glancing between the three of us. “Not that I don’t appreciate the visit, but since neither of you wears leather, why are you here?”

I bounce on my toes. “Hopefully, it’s for me.”

Donovan snickers. “Yes, pretty girl, it’s for you. Our mate seems to prefer leather pants, and I like the way they look on her ass, so I thought we could get her some more.”

“Ahhhh, I can definitely help with that. Come with me, Audrey. Let’s discuss your likes and dislikes, and we can figure out what I have for you.” Evelyn pulls me away from my mates, and I glance back at them. Wraith told me not to leave their sides, but they’re letting a demon lead me away.

“You’re safe with Evelyn, trouble. I trust her,” Wraith assures me, and I shrug.

Thirty minutes later, I walk out of her tent wearing the most comfortable pair of leather pants. Plus, the ten pairs and a few shirts that Wraith sends back to the academy with his shadows—which is really fucking cool. Evelyn also promises to work on some designs for me she thinks I’ll love.

As my mates lead me through the crowds, I find I don’t mind it nearly as much as I thought I would. I was planning to fake it until I made it, but with Donovan’s arm around my waist and Wraith’s hand tangled with mine, I feel safe and protected. Half the time, I forget we’re surrounded by people as we shop.

Wraith wasn’t joking about haggling with the demons though—especially the greed demons.

Anything I look at ends up being bought. Both my mates ignore me when I tell them it’s too much before I finally stop complaining. If they want to spoil me, then I’ll let them.

I don’t think I’d want to wander the market on my own—I’d definitely freak out—but I hope they’ll bring me back. I meet so many people. Lots of demons, but so many other supernaturals that I wouldn’t have expected to be in the underworld. Apparently, some people choose to live here. Humans can’t. They can only enter the underworld as a spirit, but the rest of us? We can travel here whenever we want.

Not that it matters to me since I’m already dead, but I wonder why I never learned that. Is it not widely known by supernaturals? Or did my mom just not know? Or did she know and not tell us?

It’s not really important in the grand scheme of things, so I just let it go, allowing my mates to lead me from tent to tent until Wraith announces it’s time for lunch.