Page 49 of V for Vilified
Or Aram.
Oh, god.
It really felt like Fate had conspired against me with so many what-the-fucks in my past, present, and future. But was it crazy that none of that could trample the happiness that overwhelmed me at the mere thought they were here? That they’d come for me? That Phillip being Phillip meant he’d never given up for a single second?
Whatever happened, I’d never regret loving him. No matter what his reaction to the bonds, I’d tell him how much I loved him, how much I’d missed him, how much he mattered to me,and how much I still wanted him in my life the way he’d always been.
I’d fight for him the way he’d fought for me. I wouldn’t lose another person I loved when tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed. I’d put my everything into it so even if it didn’t work out, even if he decided he didn’t want to be with me after everything, I would’ve given it my all in the end.
The way Nigel had.
A tear escaped down my cheek, and I wiped it away.
I thought about Nigel’s letter and the last words he’d written to me, the hope to rekindle what we’d lost. It hurt so much to think that we’d never found our way back to each other until the very end.
But Nigel had done everything he could to prove he cared, and it gave me the push I needed to be brave the way he had been. I’d give it my best and make sure I didn’t live with any regrets.
That was the promise I made to myself as I followed Jo through another city, one we hadn’t previously visited, on the lookout for my guys.
Chapter 20
I Don’t Need You, But I Want You
Cash was oddly quiet, but I picked up on his anxiety. Or at least, that was what I’d identified it as after being around his emotions for nearly two weeks. He’d been unsettled since Aram showed up in frozen time, so I wasn’t sure if the boys being here were what bothered him or Aram.
Jo was her usual cool self. Nothing seemed to bother her after I’d successfully reversed time. It was nice how much confidence she had in my ability to take on a horde of enemies.
That made one of us.
The encounter with Aram had shaken me up in ways I didn’t want to admit. I could use my ability on him, sort of, but I definitely knew I’d never be able to hurt him. Worse, I didn’t want to.
A terrible part of me was frantic to see that evil bastard again. The bond was affecting me, and I hated that while I understood it was wrong, that it was dangerous, something was driving me to want things I shouldn’t. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be able to hold out against it. Would I cave into our bond the same way I did to the Season?
The burning in my chest was back, but I ignored it as much as I could. I had two new motivations for getting the fuck out of this place and putting these villainous assholes in the ground.
I hadn’t gotten a chance to see if I could fast forward time, but my mind was one track. I couldn’t care about anything else until Phillip and Sloan were back by my side. I didn’t even care how messy our reunion was, I just wanted to see them.
Despite knowing Jo would tell me when we were close, my eyes danced around the area, hoping to see a glimpse of the beautiful and familiar. Every part of me was alert and ready and eager to have my guys back.
“Well, devil woman? Where are they? We haven’t got all day, and the less time we wander around this city, the better. Aram will no doubt be anxious for another moment with my dove.” Cash’s fingers slipped between mine, dragging me closer to him like he was afraid I’d wander off.
I tensed and toyed with whether or not to push him off. I didn’t want that to be the first thing Phillip saw when we were reunited. My fear of seeing his happiness turn to rage led me to tugging my hand away and crossing my arms.
Sadness bloomed inside my head that wasn’t mine, but Cash didn’t try to take my hand again. He simply brushed back his hair and locked his jaw in frustration.
Jo led the way to a nondescript building in the middle of town. “I’m happy to let you do the work, asshole. God knows you’ve been nothing but a fucking downer since Aram showed up,” Jo said, not bothering to glance back. “I’ve tracked them to this building, but they have company. I sense a number of others. Be ready for anything.”
Scoffing, Cash walked ahead of her, his long cloak-coat fluttering out behind him. He was really out here looking like the master villain he claimed he wasn’t anymore. The road and its supernatural mixed bag of beings cleared the way in front of himlike they feared what he might be inclined to do if they didn’t. How they recognized him after all this time was anyone’s guess.
I kept pace with Jo and watched Cash pull out a stone from his little Mary Poppin’s baggy. It didn’t appear he was using it, but he kept it pinched between his fingers and ghosted across the cobblestone like he owned this damn city. Maybe he did. I wouldn’t put it past my Fae Karen.
Jo and I traded sassy smiles and eye rolls, but my heart was already ramped up at the thought that in a few minutes, I’d be seeing my guys again. I’d get to wrap my arms around them and take in deep whiffs of their intimately familiar scents. It took every bit of control not to take off at a run and head inside the building without any regard for what might wait for us on the other side of that door.
Worst case, I’d use my power again. I wasn’t some low-level Hunter anymore. I was a motherfucking monster.
We got inside without trouble, but scattered bodies everywhere we looked greeted us the second we entered. These were Fae I didn’t immediately recognize, but they were big, green, and ogre like. Trolls? No, maybe these were actually ogres.
I eyed the distinctive tusks coming out of their mouths and sent Jo a questioning look. She shrugged and scanned the room, on the hunt for any survivors. “Mean Greens, as we call them. Nasty bastards. Not an easy kill at all.”
