Chapter 19
Skully
IT’S FINALLY THURSDAY, and my nerves are frayed from the week of waiting.
The anticipation has been flowing through me since the scene Madden caused at my work.
I had never been so embarrassed with so many pairs of eyes on me while he carried me away.
I never wanted to be entangled with them since coming back to River Falls and now it seems like I don’t have an option.
The pull from them is strong. Talking to Heath comes easy, natural, like he’s always been the younger brother I never had.
When Aero is talking, he’s funny. When he lets his guard down, his eyes reflect warmth, and I can see why at one point we probably were friends.
Killian and Madden I struggle with. Killian pushes my buttons; he baits me, but I don’t believe that it’s to be mean.
I’m constantly haunted by what he said to me last time at the library.
Do you ever think that maybe you didn’t lose your memories?
What could he mean by that? Every time I think about it, I’m even more puzzled.
I want to ask him more about it but that means seeking him out, and if I do that, I know it will stir up trouble.
Madden-sized trouble. His push-and-pull game is getting old.
My emotions are strung tight when it comes to him in ways I don’t fully understand.
At this point trying to stay away seems like wasted effort.
It’s confusing to know someone is bad for you, to not want them, yet something inside of me sparks to life when he’s nearby.
“If you think too hard like that you’ll get wrinkles.” Baylee giggles as she sits across from me at the breakfast nook table.
Despite my mood, I still crack a smile at her joke. “Things have just been weird lately.”
“I heard a rumor about something happening at the Deck.” She waggles her eyebrows, and I throw one of my grapes at her.
“It wasn’t what it seems,” I try to say, but she cuts me off, laughing so hard her hand holds her belly.
“It seemed like he carted you off and was jealous because you weren’t wearing his shirt.”
My lips turn into a frown. “Okay, so it’s kind of what it seems. He did carry me off and was mad about the shirt but not because he’s jealous.”
“Oh, please, Skully.” Baylee shakes her head, a huge smile on her lips. “Why else would he do it?”
“Control.” I shrug my shoulders. “Because he’s a dick. I don’t know, take your pick. It’s annoying either way. He’s all caveman one second and the next he acts like it’s my fault he noticed me in the first place.”
Baylee drags her finger across her lip, her eyes watching me thoughtfully. “This is all very reminiscent of the past. Minus the part of you hating each other. Last time you were a couple.”
“Sounds very toxic. I’m not surprised we didn’t last.” I scoff and push my plate away. “Anyway, what’s new with you? I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. I’m a bad friend.”
“I haven’t had time to be around, same as you.
Skully, you are anything but a bad friend.
My mother has kept me busy with helping her and the other matrons of the council prepare for the Harvest Ball.
” She rolls her eyes and tears a chunk from her cinnamon roll.
“Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the night and take off work. I need my bestie to survive.”
“What is the Harvest Ball?”
“Every year on Halloween, the Dark Protector Council throws a ball. Just to celebrate our many peaceful and harmonious years here in River Falls. Since dressing up that night is acceptable, many paranormals feel comfortable to be themselves,” Baylee explains, with a soft smile on her lips.
“I don’t know, it is actually kind of fun to get dressed up. ”
Her cheeks blush and reach across the table to squeeze her hand. My friend likes dresses, sparkles and everything that most would consider girly. I’m not surprised she looks forward to a glamorous ball, and no one should make her feel bad about that.
“I can’t wait. Knowing you, it’s going to be amazing,” I reassure her.
“Thanks.” She shrugs and then her eyes widen slightly. “When do you have to meet Madden? It’s tonight, right?”
All my dark thoughts from earlier flood right back. “Yup. Tonight.” I sigh.
“If it helps at all, you used to help at the Gate. It never seemed like it was something you couldn’t handle. Granted, one of the guys was always with you,” Baylee tells me, her voice trailing off in the end.
There’s a small pang in my chest, one of hurt and longing.
In the next second, it’s over, shadowed by the anger I feel at the way they pulled away, and the anger at how Madden has treated me since returning to River Falls.
It’s times like this that I slip up, wishing for my memories to return so I can understand the person I was.
I just want to know what happened so that I can fix it, or apologize, or just move on with my life.
Hours later, the sky is dark, blanketed with stars.
Few clouds move through the sky, often covering the sliver of the moon that’s still visible.
A chilly breeze blows through the cemetery, rustling leaves across the ground, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Glancing at my phone one more time I wince, knowing I’m going to be early, and dreading whoever I’m going to run into.
I’m not prepared for Killian’s bullshit again, but I don’t know how to act around Lily either.
My feet take one step off the gravel path that leads to the front gate when Aero appears out of thin air.
His head cocks to the side, his hazel eyes flickering to mine briefly.
“Did you walk here?”
My brow rises at his tone. “I don’t have a car. I took the bus as far as I could.”
His gaze roams over me, his jaw locking before he turns and heads for the opening. “Follow me. Madden won’t be here for another ten minutes. I have one more pass to make.”
I scramble to keep up with his longer strides and follow him through the front gate into the cemetery. My magic bristles under my skin, and the dark, tattoo-like marks on my wrist and arm flare to life. “Woah.”
Aero eyes me warily, but there’s a flicker of something in his eyes like surprise or maybe confusion. “Can you even run in those boots? How are you expecting to train?”
My eyes fall to the black Docs on my feet and over the wide leg of my jeans. At least I opted for a long sleeve t-shirt and my flannel jacket rather than the usual leather one I wear. “Madden didn’t really say what was happening. Just to meet him here.”
A huff of laughter escapes him. “Of course he didn’t. Okay, so it’s been peaceful tonight. But I did hear rumblings that the hounds had a delivery for later. Our job is to make sure we prepare their way.”
“How do you hear rumblings?” I turn to him, and once again find his eyes on me cautiously.
“You don’t remember.” It’s a statement and not a question.
I nod my head, biting my bottom lip. “Ah yeah. Kind of part of the whole lost my memories.”
“So it was absolutely everything that year that you don’t remember?” He watches me and for the first time since I’ve been back his eyes seem to soften. Something finally clicks for him and again I nod my head.
Aero blows out his breath slowly, his hands resting on his hips.
“We listen. The different mausoleums here are filled with spirits, guardians, or ancestors of our kinds. Not every reaper cares to do it, but the four of us know how fundamental the information can be. I start each shift, listening. Just drop by, close your eyes, and listen. Then you’ll know how to prepare for the night. ”
“What if there’s whispering about something you can’t prepare for?” I ask, feeling a rising flutter in my chest, thinking of that boom, of the possible Nexa.
“We’re always prepared. There’s no room for failure.”
Madden’s deep voice cuts through the space. My eyes flick from him to Aero who shakes his head, a smirk pulling his lips. “You’re early.”
Madden keeps his eyes on me rather than look at his friend. “You should have let me know she was here.”
I roll my eyes at his bossy tone, which only makes Aero snicker out loud. “I can handle training Skully. Did it last time, remember? What if it’s the same as before?”
Aero’s reminder sends shockwaves through my system, my head throbs for two, three, four seconds and a wave of longing, loneliness, and a close friendship so bright and painful splinters behind my eyeballs like a flash of light.
My steps falter, and I stop moving, my hand touching my head where the pain was.
“What’s wrong with you?” Madden asks, coming to stand next to me, his fingers brushing my arm before I yank it out of his grasp.
“Nothing.” I swallow back the pain and push down the lingering feelings. Glancing up, I catch Aero’s gaze and see his worry before he quickly masks it.
Aero clears his throat and once again speaks only to Madden. “Just some whisperings that the hounds are out. There might be a delivery later but that’s about it.”
Madden nods his head, his arms crossed over his chest. “You can leave.”
Aero shakes his head, another chuckle on his lips before he turns to me, and with a wave, his body shimmers out of existence.
“You could be nicer.” I turn to Madden, my brow raised. “He is your friend.”
Madden’s jaw tightens as he glances away from me. “Don’t worry about Aero. You have enough to worry about tonight.”
Scoffing, I step closer to him, my eyes narrowing when his lips turn down even more in a frown.
“Let’s just get a few things straight here, okay.
I didn’t ask for this. My dad demanded I have to learn.
But I plan to give it my all and not slack off.
Therefore, you’re going to have to put away your dickish behavior for a few hours.
This seems like serious business that needs around the clock care and time from our kind—-”
“My kind.” Madden’s eyes fill with fire and challenge as he steps into me.