Page 42 of Vexed
The silence stretched out for a moment, punctuated by the chirping crickets. Then I remembered. “Hey, who was that at the door earlier?”
Vex stopped walking, his shoulders slumping a little. “That was Adimus.”
“Oh, that guy from the Underworld? Was he on his way to the dispensary again?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
He didn’t crack a smile. “He came to warn me. The Council… they know.” A cold dread started to creep into my stomach.
“They know what I’ve done and they’re coming for me. And the Council of Arc Reapers aren’t exactly known for their mercy.” I’m still unsure of what he actually did. Every time I tried asking him about it, he would just tell me it’s nothing to worry about and then change the subject.
My heart pounded in my chest. I swallowed hard, “What are we going to do?”
He reached out, his hand hovering over mine for a second before he pulled it back. “Don’t worry. I won’t let them hurt you.” He said it with a quiet conviction that was both terrifying and strangely comforting.
He bent down and plucked a single white daisy from the field, its petals gleaming in the moonlight. He straightened, his eyes fixed on mine, and carefully handed me the flower.
“For you,” he said softly. “To remind you that even in the darkest night, there’s always a bit of light.”
I took the daisy, its cool petals brushing against my fingers. It was a small, simple gesture that he did since I was a little girl.
I look up at him, giving him a small smile, but it quickly fades as something in the corner of my eye caught my attention.
“Uh, who is that?” I ask, my voice trembling.
Vex snaps his head to where I’m looking and he gently grabs me by my wrist, pulling me behind him.
“Stay behind me, Lily,” he growled, his voice losing all its usual snarky charm.
Three figures, all clad in the same black robes as Vex wore that night on Halloween, but with an unsettling electric hum crackling around them. They must be the Arc Reapers.
One of them, who I guessed was the leader because he had extra glowy eyes, stepped forward. “Vexlorn,” he boomed, his voice resonating with power, “We have come for you. You have violated the Reaper Code. You will answer for your transgressions.”
Vexlorn? Right, that’s his real name.
He just smirked, though his normally captivating eyes flickered with something that looked suspiciously like fear.
“Oh, joy,” Vex drawled. “A surprise intervention. Did you bring snacks, Ophiel? I’m famished.”
Ophiel just narrowed his eyes. Before I could process what was happening,moreshadows shifted. This time, threemorereapers emerged, and they moved with terrifying speed. They grabbed Vex, pinning his arms behind him.
“No! Stop! Don’t hurt him!” I shrieked, adrenaline flooding my system. I didn’t even think, I just acted. I lunged forward and slapped the nearest reaper right across the face.
The sound echoed across the silent field. He just… stared. His face was hidden in the shadow of his hood, but I could feel his gaze boring into me. I’d never felt so insignificant, so utterly terrified.
“Lily! Run!” Vex bellowed, his voice laced with desperation. “Get out of here! Now!”
The raw panic in his voice was enough to snap me out of my frozen state. I didn’t need to be told twice. I turned and ran. I ran like my life depended on it, which, let’s face it, it probably did.
The last thing I saw was Vex, struggling against his captors, his silver eyes blazing with both anger and concern.
I didn’t dare look back. I just kept running, the image of those Arc Reapers, and the fear in Vex’s eyes, burned into my mind.
My dream of a reaper romance had just turned into a full-blown nightmare. And now, I had to figure out what Vex had done, and how to save him. Because, despite everything, I really, truly cared about that ridiculously handsome, rule-breaking Grim Reaper.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Lily
Okay, deep breaths.
