Page 200 of Jagged Souls

“I did what you want!” She cries as she lifts her arms to block her head. So I hit her in the stomach, causing her to curl in. “Stop, please! I’m sorry.”

I kick down on her knee, breaking it with a hardsnap! She screams as she collapses to the ground, but still she tries to face me. Down on her knees, her hands together as if in prayer. “I’ll do anything to make this right. I just want Rafiki back. Please! I’ll do anything to get her back!”

My foot freezes an inch from breaking open her face.

My heart beats too damn fast.

Skips a beat.

Skips all of them, I’m fucking sure.

Because the world doesn’t feel right anymore.

My peripherals are closing in.

The noise of the shower’s fading behind the buzzing in my ears.

“What did you call her?” I rasp, my entire body shaking as I set my foot down beside her and haul her back upright.

Her head lolls, so much blood pouring from her nose, lip, and temple. “My baby?” she croaks. “I call her Rafiki.” Her face twists in pain, and I remember her saying she never really named her. So it’s just a nickname.

A nickname…

My hands fuckingshake.

“Please just let me help you get her back…” She sobs in my grip, so much pain on her face. So much mother’s love and worry. “I’ll do anything.”

Rafiki…

Rafiki...

Raphello

Fiana

Kimmy

The names of the three pups I shared with Siome...

February 14 1917, St. Augustine, Florida

“Do you think we’ll recognize each other if we meet in the next life?” Siome asks as we cuddle on the front porch, waiting for the sunrise. My hand is on her belly as she lies against my side, curled up on the couch I bought just for her to drag me out of bed too damn fucking early every day. But though I yawn, I cherish every moment I get to spend with her. Not even utter exhaustion can make me want to sleep in when she’s the alternative.

Especially since, although she might have convinced me that being sun-touched doesn’t mean I’m cursed, we are still in the middle of a war with the Shadow Domain and the Blood Fangs. Though, in a couple days, I’m asking them to meet me behind the old library in town, a place of peace talks that all three of our gangs have honored since this war began. Despite how quick I’ve been to turn to violence, I am excited for what can come from this parlay.

My fingers dance across Siome’s belly. I’m excited for the future family we are about to have.

When we found out she was pregnant – after years of struggle, she asked me to leave the Death Hunt for her. But with my desired skill set and past sins, it was too dangerous for us to live without a pack. Both our enemies and allies alike would hunt us – wanting us for different reasons but wanting us all the same.

She screams in frustration as she stands in our kitchen. “There’s always an excuse with you!”

“It’s not an excuse. Siome, I want to. I just –”

“Can’t. Yeah, I know! And so what? You’re just going to send me away again? And our three pups? Tosaveus?”

“You know that’s the best –”

“That’s not the best!You’rethe best. Us staying together is the best! They need their father!”