11. Her Ghost #2
“Death is the least of our fucking concerns if our children are at risk!” Lucifer shouted. “I don’t care if her soul is that of a goddess or another being, she is our child and she is ours to protect. We will protect her.”
The cafe walls shook. Steel circled his arms around me and pulled us into another booth. He shoved me into the corner, blocking me with his body. “Steel,” I rasped.
He shook his head. “Just hold onto me.”
Their words changed into another language, the tones turning more monstrous. My ears rang and I pressed my face against Steel. There was a pressure in the air, a storm brewing.
Something was wrong.
Very, very wrong.
I heard footsteps beneath the shouting and the wind that was picking up outside the little coffee shop. A roaring, screaming wind that was sweeping in something different.
“Layla,” Steel breathed out. “Oh fuck.”
The shouting stopped and I struggled against Steel, peaking over his shoulder.
Layla stood in the doorway, lightning flashing outside behind her, haloing her form as she stepped inside Creature Cafe.
Her gaze immediately fell to Death.
Suddenly, the creature rose from the booth, staring right back at her.
The Barista and Lucifer immediately launched themselves in front of her. “Leave her,” Lucifer snarled, his wings wrapping around her. “Do not even look at her.”
But Death continued to stare at Layla. And for the first time since I’d been taken by the being, his expression filled with awe. With brightness. “What . . . what are you?”
“What are you?” Layla growled, struggling against Lucifer. “I’m a reaper—”
The shadow was suddenly behind her. Lucifer cried out as his wings were suddenly cut, blood spewing as they were pried from her. His body flew straight into the Barista. They hit the ground hard, skidding across the checkered floors straight into two tables. The clatter was deafening.
“Fuck,” I gasped, gripping Steel’s fur. “We can’t just sit here. We have to help.”
Steel cursed under his breath, but jumped out of the booth. I got to my feet, and we rushed to Layla.
Death stood behind her and now I could see his figure clearly. He almost looked human, his hair pitch black and long, skin paler than the moon, and eyes darker than an abyss. But his form flickered—revealing a skeleton underneath that chilled me to my core.
“You’re mine,” Death said, his voice carrying the sound of reverence. I could feel it in my soul, my eyes widening as he kept talking to her. “I’ve been searching for you, little light.”
Layla spun around to face him, her body glowing like a thousand stars. Her hand lifted, and we stood frozen in place as she reached out to touch Death.
“No!” the Barista thundered.
In a flash, he drew his scythe and appeared next to them. In one smooth motion, he brought it down, cutting the air between them.
Layla cried out, clutching her chest as she went to her knees. Death stumbled back, his expression cracking with horror.
“Leave!” The Barista’s voice shattered the windows.
Steel threw his body over me as glass sprayed across the floors, cursing as he protected me. But I couldn’t pull my attention away from them. It was all I could do—watch the horror unfold.
Death’s lips twisted into a sneer. “You will regret everything you just did.”
And then he was gone.
Steel released me, a growl tearing deep in his chest. “Are you okay, Oli?”
“Yes,” I said. “I am. Are you?”
“Yes. Well. I’m feeling faint from seeing the blood, but I’m okay.”
No one else was. We had to help them somehow, but I wasn’t sure where to even begin. “Go to them. We need to call people. I think I have Trixie’s phone number.”
Steel nodded. “Call her.”
My heart thumped wildly as my mate rushed to Lucifer. Red was smeared across the floor, and his wings . . . Two pieces laid on the ground, the feathers soaked in blood.
Steel reached for Lucy, but he shook his head at him. “Steel, no. I am unwell right now. Please do not touch me. I couldn’t stand myself if I hurt you. Call your dad. Call Gabe and Cam.”
I didn’t know how to help, even as I found Trixie’s phone number. Lucifer dragged himself across the floor to Layla, his words soft.
The Barista stood still, his eyes pleading. “Lucy—”
“Do not speak to me right now, B,” he said, his voice soft and full of pain. He carefully put his hand on Layla’s shoulder, and my heart broke as I realized she was crying.
“What did you do?” I asked, looking up at my friend of twenty years. “What did you do, B?”
“What I had to do to protect everyone,” he said, his gaze on Lucy and Layla. “I had to. There was no other choice. Layla, I’m so sorry.”
I shook my head, every muscle in my body weakening. Everything had simply been too much between Alia, Death, and now this. “I don’t think this was right, B.”
“You are human. You wouldn’t know,” he said coolly.
Steel snarled as he dashed to Layla and Lucy. He knelt down next to Layla, looking up at B, baring his sharp fangs. “Fuck you. Fuck you. All of this is your fault and you stand there acting like what you did was right. This isn’t right. You severed her bond.”
“Her bond?” I whispered.
“Her fated mate bond,” Lucy said. “He severed her fated mate bond.”