Page 12 of This Ravenous Fate
“Lastly, but certainly not least, I announce a partnership with Stephen Wayne, the broker and philanthropist. He actually encouraged me to start this business many years ago when he saw how powerful my Saint steel was against reapers.” Elise recognized Mr. Wayne, who stood while impressed gasps sounded around the room. “Mr. Wayne funds a lab for reaper research and advocates for human-reaper legislation. With his and Miss Gray’s assistance, I am positive we can make headway into eliminating reaperhood.” Mr. Saint beamed, lifting his glass once more. “Toasts and blessings to the future of the Saint empire. Together, we rise.”
***
The party carried on through the night. Though the nine-piece band was still playing strong at ten p.m., Elise retreated to her bedroom with Josi, where they sneaked chocolate-covered strawberries,whispering and laughing. By the time Sterling had come in to check on them, Josi had fallen asleep in Elise’s bed, despite the booming music and noise downstairs.
Elise slipped out into the hallway with Sterling. “Very brave of you to skip your patrol shift just to spend more time with me. The estate grounds need you,” she teased.
“Not skipping it, just taking an unapproved break. Besides, I have to say goodbye to you. I miss you already,” Sterling said.
Elise looked over at her steamer trunk that the servants had packed, waiting near the hall elevator, and her heart ached with the thought of leaving soon.
“We’re not complete without you here,” Sterling told her. “Josi really needs you. And so do I.”
Elise touched his wrist and forced a smile. “I’ve been accepted to the Paris Conservatory. I must go back.”
Warmth lit Sterling’s eyes. “Elise, that’s incredible. Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”
“It’s not a big deal. Especially not with the ten-year anniversary and everything else.” Elise shrugged. “I’m going to tell my parents soon. I hope my father approves.”
“Of course he will.” Sterling playfully flicked Elise’s chin and she laughed. “I’m proud of you,” he said, voice soft.
Just then a high-pitched shriek split the air.
It hadn’t come from the party. It had to be Josi.
Blood went to ice in Elise’s veins as she and Sterling pushed open her bedroom door. Josi was standing on her bed, shaking so hard theentire frame seemed to move with her.
“What happened?” Elise gasped. It wasn’t like Josi to have nightmares, but no one else was in the room.
Sterling lifted Josi into his arms. Fresh tears glimmered on her lashes, brown eyes sharp with fear. “Monster,” she whimpered.
Elise and Sterling exchanged looks. “You don’t think—” Elise began.
“Let’s take her to her room to make sure she’s okay,” Sterling said, carrying Josi to the door.
“Just give me a moment,” Elise said. She got down on her knees and lifted the bed skirt to peer beneath the bed. Just as she had hoped, there was nothing lurking in the darkness. She stood up, sighing, but to her dread felt a brush of cold air. The window was open.
The curtains billowed with the night air. Chills rose on her arms. Elise took a deep breath as she walked to the window and looked out. Aside from a slight sway of the hedges caused by the breeze, nothing moved in her view. She stepped back and closed the window.
Deafening silence surrounded her, the room suddenly too still and the air too tense. Elise froze. She clenched her fists until her Saint ring pinched her palm, then turned around.
And came face-to-face with Layla Quinn.
Cold metal dug into Elise’s throat. The reaper held a blade, its silver edge angled right against Elise’s pulse point. Moonlight glinted off the knife and illuminated the golden hues in Layla’s eyes. Her lips curled into a wicked smile. “Long time no see,Saint.”
5
Panic swarmed Elise’s senses. Her heart spasmed, her body froze, and for a second, she returned to this very same moment five years ago.
A wild fury lit Layla’s eyes. Before, Elise had convinced herself that the feral state Layla attacked her in had been involuntary; the ire in her eyes was the kind that was only conjured up by newly turned, starved reapers.
But today was different. Layla was watching her with pure malice. Elise knew it was not merely an instinctive frenzy but a rage-induced hunt—personal and set to kill.
“Back to ruin more lives, are you?” Layla hissed, fingers tightening on the knife’s handle. She shoved Elise back against the wall so hard, Elise’s skull snapped with a searing pain. “Mine wasn’t enough for you?”
Anger flared in Elise, her chest going hot. She pressed forward,and the blade bit into her throat. The close contact pushed Layla slightly off-balance. It was all Elise needed to back away from her and lift the heavy gold hand mirror from the bedside table. Warmth trickled down her throat, and as Elise raised the mirror, her blood splattered onto the glass.
“You’re the one who put a knife to my throat. And you scared my sister. I’ll fucking kill you—” A snarl seared through Elise’s words. She didn’t think about how hard it would be to kill a reaper without proper training and weapons. She didn’t think about the force and blessed metal that was necessary to stop an ancient reaper heart. All Elise could process was her own rage, the stifling, burning anger that pulsed through her at the thought of Layla anywhere near her sister.I will not lose someone else to a reaper.
