62. Chapter Sixty-Two Ink and Rebirth
Chapter Sixty-Two: Ink and Rebirth
Tess
“I’m a terrible person.”
In a past life, I’d cursed myself and Maverick because I was pissy that he’d left me. It was so far past petty, I was ashamed of myself for it. All of a sudden, it made sense to me why I was living such a desperately dark existence. I deserved it. I deserved to suffer.
Maverick drove us across the city toward Empire Decay Ink, the hum of the engine thrumming beneath us. “That’s not how it works, monstre.” He laid his hand over mine, his palm warm and reassuring against my skin.
“You heard her. You heard what I did.”
The city lights blurred past the windows, conjuring distorted apparitions of neon blue and red across his determined face. “You didn’t do it, Tess. Susannah did.”
“Susannah was me in a past life, though.” The essence of leather and faint cologne filled the car, joining the distant aroma of street food wafting through the air outside, turning my stomach.
“No. Tess, your soul isn’t who you are. Your soul is like a lamp. If I have a lamp and put it in a different room, is it the same thing?”
“It’s the same lamp.”
“But it’s not the same room. The walls are a different shape, the wallpaper is different, the furniture is different, and it’s all arranged in a completely unique way. The light only illuminates the room.”
Everything I’d ever thought about souls began to rearrange in my head. But was he just saying that to make me feel better? “Really?”
“Would I lie to you?”
I glared at him. I’d never read about reincarnation, but now I’d be in deep research mode as soon as I could get the time. The lights and buildings blurred as we sped past them. I couldn’t imagine making the kind of decision Susannah had made, but I also knew sometimes shit happens, and it makes you crazy. “Was she already fucked up before you met her, Mav? Have you always liked them a little mad?”
He grinned. “More than likely. But I guess Susannah was hurting more than I realized. She wrapped her light in tar because it was all too much. I wish I’d known what she was capable of so I could have stopped her. She could have done so much more if she’d forgotten all about me like I told her to.”
I hummed in understanding, but I’d need some time to really process everything that had happened. It was all crashing over me, too much too fast. The rhythmic click of the turn signal echoed softly, a steady metronome against the backdrop of the engine.
“There’s something else you should know, Tess.”
I glanced up into his eyes, and he met mine with so much earnestness. “I’m not sure I can handle any more revelations. Is it important? ”
“You’ll want to know this.”
I sighed, peering at his hand over mine on my knee. “Okay, what is it?”
“Lux, Stone and I, like all Hellborne, we gain our power from the fear and excitement of those around us. You share my power source, for now, but you have your own as well. If you can learn to access it.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“You can generate your own power, Tess.”
“How?”
“Well, anxiety is one way.”
“Nope. I don’t believe that for a second.”
“Why not? It’s true.”
“Nah uh. How am I not a goddess with the power to destroy this Earth then?”
“You’re a goddess to me, monstre.”
I rolled my eyes. “You said that was only one way. What else?”
“High emotions, so anxiety, excitement, fury, passion.”
“Fury will do it.”
“Yes. So will orgasms.”
“Did you specifically design this, Maverick?”
He laughed. “No, it’s just how it affects mortals.”
“I already told you. You don’t get that benefit anymore.” But even I didn’t believe it completely. We would fall into bed again soon. And then I would hate myself for it. Wasn’t that the point of the curse?
“We’ll see, Tess.”
His fingers tightened slightly, a silent promise as we navigated the labyrinth of streets, the shop’s neon sign spasming on the horizon like a beacon.