Chapter 18 Audacity must be on sale this year
Hazel
My stomach aches from laughing so hard, but Dean keeps whispering ridiculous comments in my ear about everyone we pass, and most of the time… it’s exactly what I’m thinking.
I’ve never enjoyed myself like this. never laughed this freely or wandered around without purpose. I never sat back and relaxed as the sky outside changed colors.
Dean’s grip on my hand hasn’t faltered once, and I use that to tug him away from the last soul he reaped before he actually knocks the guy’s teeth out.
Apparently, dying and thinking he’s headed to heaven—he’s not—gave him the courage to ask Dean where he found a woman like me… and if he’d get a similar one as his mate.
Men are disgusting.
I was skeptical about coming with Dean, but seeing the world through his eyes is strangely relaxing. I spend so much time watching Anxo work and training kids that I never realized how little I knew about being the Grim Reaper. Or how heavy it could be sometimes.
We’ve reaped twelve souls so far, and now I understand why Dean hates the human realm. He’s right. They’re mouthy for people who have no idea how the universe works.
I finally manage to drag Dean away, but he’s still muttering about the man—rightfully so—when I sense something shift in the air.
My feet stop. Every nerve in my body locks at the familiar pull of a Divine I know too well.
Dean takes another step before realizing I’ve stopped. His grip tightens as he looks over my shoulder. I don’t know what he sees, but the color drains from his face as he pulls me into him.
My head turns, scanning every corner as dread claws up my spine. The clock on the wall stops ticking, and that’s when I notice the humans around us are frozen… just like me.
No. no. no.
Everything stands still as a tune drifts through the silence. Tears burn in my eyes instantly because I know that song. I know that voice.
But he can’t be here. He’s dead.
I killed him.
Through blurred vision, I see a figure approaching, and panic grips my lungs. I try to step back, but my feet won’t move.
No. It can’t be happening again.
My whistles are nothing compared to a true siren song. This is powerful, luring, paralyzing before you even realize you’re trapped.
I try to move, to fight, but nothing happens. I can’t move. I can’t breathe. I can’t—
Suddenly, a warm hand squeezes mine, grounding me.
Dean.
My head snaps to my right, and relief crashes through me when I see him. He’s here… right beside me, panicked and confused, but his eyes never leave mine.
I’m not in Eldoris. I’m here… with him.
Dean steps in front of me, his hands framing my face, blocking everything else out. His lips move, but I’m too shocked by how he just freed himself from a siren song that I miss whatever he’s saying.
I try to look past him, but he forces my focus back to him.
“Hazel, look at me. Tell me what’s happening. Right now.”
“I thought I killed him.” I breathe out.
His brows pull together before his head snaps toward the footsteps closing in.
“Is that him. Is that Tiberius?” Dean growls, his eyes darkening, his Divine surging dangerously close to the surface.
“So you know about our King.” I hear his voice for the first time in a decade, and my heart drops to my feet.
Timor.
He’s alive. He’s here.
Dean turns, his broad shoulders giving me a moment to compose myself. My hands are still shaking when his warm grip closes around mine, and he pulls me to stand beside him. My foot shifts on the tiles, and I blink in shock. I’m not stuck anymore.
I glance around, expecting the trance to be broken, but everyone else except Dean and me is still frozen.
How is Dean resisting Timor’s magic?
The man who nearly destroyed my life, who I thought I killed, steps into the light.
“Hey, Flaw.” I go rigid at the name. The name Tiberius gave me.
The smirk on his face stretches the scar that runs from his cheek down his neck, then disappears under his shirt.
A parting gift from me.
I should’ve cut deeper. He deserved more than just a scar. He deserved death.
Is that why he’s alive? Because I assumed the blade or the poison lacing it would finish him off?
I always knew my past would catch up to me, but seeing Timor is bringing up what I spent years burying. Tiberius finding me was always a possibility. But now that it’s real, fear claws up my throat. I can’t breathe around it.
“Who are you?” Dean asks, voice low.
“Timor. The king’s brother and second in command.”
When Dean stays silent, Timor’s gaze slides to me, lingering on where Dean’s hand grips mine.
“So the rumors are true. You found your mate.” He shakes his head with false pity.
“Tiberius is mad, Flaw. He wanted to tear the Tetrad kingdom apart to retrieve his slave, but I convinced him to try something more… civil.”
Dean glances at me, something dark and certain settling in his expression. “I’m going to rip his balls out.”
The fire in his eyes warms something deep inside me. He’s angry for me.
Timor inhales slowly before he bursts out laughing. “Your Divine is… weak. Was it worth it, Flaw? Running away and losing your identity?”
I didn’t run. I escaped. I saved myself from the pain of spending my life under a monster’s thumb.
I don’t know why my first instinct was fear when I saw his scarred face. all I feel now… is rage.
I narrow my eyes, pulling at my Divine even when it hurts until Timor’s smirk falters. Blood drips from his nose, staining his crisp white shirt.
He quickly wipes it off, afraid his men would see the fear in his eyes.
I might be the weakest in Eldoris, but I’ve made him bleed twice now. It was always my blood soaking the ground, but today I’ll finish what I couldn’t twelve years ago.
Timor isn’t leaving this hospital alive.
I squeeze Dean’s hand, borrowing strength from our bond before I ask, “Why are you here?”
“Tiberius wants you back.”
Over my dead body.
I scoff. “You’re still doing your brother’s bidding like his lap dog.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Timor laughs as merwarriors close in around us. “I want my brother to stop obsessing over a broken toy. If that means kicking you off the board…” He shrugs.
He’s not here to take me back. He’s here to get rid of me… against Tiberius’ orders.
Suddenly, something clicks into place. “The sniper.”
The smile on his face is all the answer I need.
Last year, when we were searching for Harvey in the human realm, a sniper took a shot at me. At the last second, Nevaeh shoved me aside and took the bullet.
I knew the sniper was a merman, but I thought it was Tiberius sending me a warning to come back to Eldoris.
Now that I know Timor isn’t dead, everything changes.
I can’t even imagine how Tiberius reacted to a fourteen-year-old slave nearly killing his brother before escaping. It must’ve destroyed their reputation… and whatever was left of their relationship.
That’s why Timor is here. He thinks capturing me will restore his image, and even if he fails, at least I won’t be a problem anymore.
Timor stands taller. “You can’t count on anyone these days. That’s why I’m here… to finish what you started.”
“Is this about how I maimed your face so everyone could finally see how hideous you are inside and out?”
Dean laughs in our link. “Ouch, that was mean.” He looks at me from the corner of his eye, a smirk spreading across his lips. “Do it again.”
“Watch your mouth, Flaw,” He growls.
I step forward, itching to break his nose. “Or what, fucktard.”
Timor lets out a humorless laugh, turning to Dean. “You let your women talk like that?”
“I don’t let her do anything. She’s her own person. She can say whatever the fuck she wants.”
Once again, I’m glad Dean is here. I don’t need him to fix my problem or fight for me, but his presence steadies me and gives me the clarity to remember that fear got me nothing while rage got me out.
Timor gestures toward the exit. “Leave now, Reaper, and you might keep your limbs.”
This motherfucker really thinks we’re the ones who should be afraid.
I don’t know what Dean’s planning, but I’m going to enjoy ripping every one of them apart.
Dean rolls her eyes, letting out a mocking laugh. “Oh, I’m terrified. Quaking in my boots.”
Timor grits his teeth. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Leave now, and my warriors might spare you. Surely you don’t want to risk your kingdom over a woman.”
Dean tilts his head like he’s considering. A slow smile spreads across his lips… and he starts backing away.
Wait… what is he doing?
Everything slows. My world tilts as I watch Dean turn on his feet.
No.
My heart drops as he starts walking away. I tighten my grip on his hand, trying to stop him… but he doesn’t.
I blink, but the world stays blurry.
He’s leaving.
I wasn’t expecting him to turn his back on me.
I didn’t realize how much I was relying on him until he showed me why I’m the only one I can count on.
It’s fine. I don’t need him. I’ve always done this alone.
I’ll survive. I always do.
His help would’ve tipped the scales, but I’ve trained endlessly for this moment for a decade. I am more than capable of fighting off every hand that comes for me… with or without Dean.
I’ll die before I let them take me back to Tiberius.
I knew I’d face my past someday, but this… this is worse than I imagined. I hate that somewhere along the way, I started believing my friends would be there for me. I wouldn’t have to do it alone.
But if my own mate won’t stand with me… how can I trust anyone else?
Anxo has been constantly offering to help, but maybe he was only saying what he thought I wanted to hear.
I don’t take my eyes off the Eldoris warriors as they close in, already mapping out where to strike first when out of nowhere Timor makes a choking sound, his hand coming to his throat… then his head drops to the ground with a wet thud.
I stumble back with a gasp, whipping around to find Dean, his shoulders shaking with laughter, his scythe raised proudly… dripping with Timor’s blood.