Page 11 of Architecti
Yeah, she thinks I’m hot.
Game on.
I slide my gaze away—on purpose.Women are playthings to me.Aurelia saw to that.Broke me hard enough I won’t commit to more than a night.What’s the point when I only have a year of them left?
I shift position and join a group of reapers, making sure I can see my dark-haired seductress over the shoulder of one of the lads.She’s a little older than me, maybe a decade?Possibly more.Her skin has that indulgent look of a woman whose youth refused to leave.But her golden eyes carry something else—weight, I think.
It surprises me that she maintains such a serene exterior when it’s clear she’s carrying a heavy burden of secrets.
She is fucking radiant even against the beaming floodlights.A tailored jacket clings to her curves, it’s black with faint filigree patterns embroidered in matching black threads.It screams elite, wealth and academia.I’ll bet she’s from Finis.She sports tight black trousers that hug her arse cheeks in a way that makes me ravenous.
I adjust my stance, my boxers soaked now at the sight of her, or more at the spiralling need of what I’d like to do to her.
She doesn’t seem to give a fuck if anyone stares at her.Hell, half the men and women dancing are throwing her glances, and she knows it.
I want to talk to her.But as I’m about to head over, another conversation seeps into my consciousness.
“Sorry?”I say, unable to comprehend what I’m hearing.I blink at Darwin, my face suddenly hot and stinging.
He grins at me.“Yeah.I got in.I can’t believe it.I’m thrilled.”
Inside, I’m kicking myself for not being able to paste on my best poker face.My expression falls, hard.On the one hand, I’m pleased for him, obviously.Who wouldn’t be?It’s a great achievement.But I am also deeply, deeply, fucking pissed.How is it he gets into Finis, and I don’t?What is it about Darwin that makes him better suited?
I’ve reaped more souls, I’m a better reaper and the demon—nay, devil now—I made my deal with is the fucking dean.You don’t get a lot more senior than that.
I swear I do my best to put as much happiness into the words as I can.“That’s brilliant, mate, really chuffed for you.You all packed, then?”
I fear my smile didn’t reach my eyes, though, because he falters.My failure to get in isn’t on him.But let’s be real, there’s only so much happiness you can shit out when you have to watch your friends achieve the thing you’ve been striving for… for nine years.Shoot me for being a pathetic, bitter mortal.
I need a distraction.Where’s the hot woman in the jacket?Still by the bar.Mmm.She is a way better option.I can shag my pain away rather than doing something reckless.
I hold my hand out to shake Darwin’s, trying to push warmth into my grip.I clasp a second over the top of our shake and squeeze gently.“Good for you, man.”
His eyes soften.Oh gods, don’t do it, do not fucking pity me.
“I’m so so—” he starts.
I pull my hand out of his grasp.
He rubs his jaw, concentrating on where his toe kicks fresh grave soil.
“Tonight isn’t about me.We should be celebrating your birthday.”
I take a step towards the bar.“I think you’ve got something bigger to celebrate.Besides, there’s always another birthday.”
That hangs in the air between us, because of course, there isn’t another.
Not for me, anyway.
His mouth opens and closes, but just like my future, there’s nothing but silence and air.
“Goodnight, Darwin.And good luck, my friend.May you become the greatest Veilwalker that ever lived.”
I give him a soft smile, and head for the bar.He must watch me leave because my spine is hot the entire way.
I park myself right next to the hot woman.
She cocks her head to look at me, her lips twitching.
