Page 78 of Cursed
“I had to. It’s not easy or convenient having a conversation in there.”
“What do you want, Cain?” She shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest, as if she didn’t want to accidentally touch me.
Hanging from her neck, the blessed pendant taunted me. Yet instead of feeling hate or fury, I experienced relief. Knowing it protected her from demons eased my heart.
“I want to apologize.”What?I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated at all the emotions flashing through me, emotions I shouldn’t have encouraged, emotions she evoked. “I’ve been alone for so long that when we met and you didn’t react to my mark, I screwed up.”
Her foot tapped on the short green grass. Mist swirled around our ankles, and weak sunlight filtered through the heavy clouds threatening to release something heavier than a drizzle.
This place is as dismal as what I’ve become.
Behind her, a large raven landed on a weathered stone statue of Mary holding the swaddled form of Jesus. The bird peered at me with intelligent eyes, squawked, then lifted a wing and preened its feathers. With the heavy fog and moisture muffling sound, I could almost pretend she and I were alone and not two hundred feet from a church.
“Being lonely doesn’t excuse what you plan on doing to me.” She rubbed her exposed arms. A few escaped tendrils of her messy bun lay plastered to her neck, and I fought an urge to reach out and smooth them. “Do you know how twisted and sick it is to throw someone’s life—theirsoul—away just because you want something?” She gave a sad shake of her head. “I think...” Clearing her throat, she gave a humorless laugh. “I think I was beginning to fall in love with you, even after knowing who you worked for.”
Her admission of love shocked me. No one had ever fallen in love with me. How could they? But she’d also called me pathetic.
She turned her head to stare at a gravestone and blinked rapidly, as if trying to hold back tears. “And maybe I’m just as pathetic and lonely.”
I couldn’t speak. My mouth opened and closed like a gasping fish, but in this moment, I could’ve had all the power in the world, yet her words rendered me powerless.
“Please, Cain. If you have one speck of goodness in you, leave me alone.” Turning on her heel, she slogged between the graves and toward the front of the church. “I’m all my mother has, and it would wreck her if something happened to me.”
Her attempt to leave broke my shock, and I trotted forward and laid a hand on her shoulder, stopping her momentum.
She tried to jerk away, but I spun her around. “Please. Don’t go.” I hated the desperation in my voice, but I couldn’t shake the panic rising at the thought of her leaving before I could convince her to listen to what I had to say. “I could make you stay, but it would be against your will, and I’m sick of manipulating people. I’m tired of taking lives, tired of taking souls, and tired of taking the scraps offered to me.”
The drizzle turned into the promised rain, soaking and cold.
Phoebe put her weight on one sandaled foot then shifted to the other.
“Please. I beg you.” I placed both palms on her shoulders and gazed into her guarded stare.
“Thought you said that word made a person weak.” A look of indecision crossed her face as she searched my eyes.
I shuffled closer, my breathing heavy, rivulets of water drenching my clothes and hair. Phoebe’s dress clung to her skin, showing every hidden curve, tempting me to distraction. “Perhaps I was wrong.”
“I must be the world’s biggest idiot,” she mumbled under her breath, then glanced to the closed doors of the church. “Fine. Let’s talk.”
Excitement made my heart pound.Is she going to give me a chance?“Let me get us out of this rain. I can also dry our clothes.”
She nodded. “I’ll let Mom know I’m leaving early. She and her friends always get lunch afterwards. She can have them drop her off at home when they’re finished.” Phoebe pulled out her phone and sent a text then gave me a critical once-over. “And please don’t use your magic, or whatever you call it, to leave. We can take my car. I can’t stomach the side effects of your demonic travel.”
A dry chuckle slipped out. “You have my word.” My soul filled with wonder and contentment knowing she was willing to listen to me even after my deceit.
It wasn’t only finding her company to be exhilarating and joyful. Being at her side offered extra protection in case Malachi disobeyed Samael, though the chances of that happening were probably miniscule. Our master always followed through on his threats, and I doubted Malachi relished Lucian’s reward of failure.
I resisted an urge to touch Phoebe’s face, to reassure myself she stood before me willingly, that even after last night’s revelations she could stand being near me. And she’d mentioned the possibility of falling in love with me.
She truly has a good soul.Which is what made everything so ironic. Time seemed to spin faster. I had one day left before Lucian expected me to return with Phoebe in hand.
I refuse to think about it right now. If Samael is truly on my side, then—
Thunder cracked overhead, its vibrations shaking the ground.
“Come on. Let’s go before we get struck by lightning.” After digging in her purse, Phoebe pulled out a key fob and jogged toward the graveled parking lot on the opposite side of the church. “Can’t believe I’m about to do this,” she whispered, probably not realizing my powers enhanced my hearing.
With my footsteps crunching on the rocky parking area, I increased my pace to catch up.
