Page 9 of Reaper & Ruin
“What was that for?” My voice was rough as I slowly stood upright again once I was sure she was lying down properly.
The woman looked at me, yanking her mask off. I was greeted with her black eyes, cruel smile, and pale skin that made her look like a demon or something. She looked the same as she had on our fake date, only less inclined to pretend she was normal and hadn’t snuck off during the first course, so she could eat out the pretty bartender for fun.
“You can go now, Dominic. Your contract is over.” She didn’t answer my question. Not that she usually did.
I narrowed my eyes, not moving an inch. Her eyes rolled, and she stepped closer to me, fingers twitching on the trigger. “I’m not a patient woman at the moment; if you stay longer, I’ll put a bullet in your empty head.”
I glanced down at Blue, then back up again. “Why?”
“Because killing is fun?” She cocked her head, a tumble of dark hair falling over her shoulder.
“No, why is my contract over? I’m not dead.”
“Oh,” she snorted, “your dad died. Someone burned his house down and turned him into charcoal. He had too much of an attitude and seemed to think he could talk to a lady like garbage. Now he’s a corpse, so I’m no longer getting paid and well…” She waved around the space, “It’s rather boring here. I’m tired of being in this dungeon. Plus, I’ve been paid for a better job. One that lets me get revenge, and be all sorts of petty.” Shelaughed loudly enough to make me flinch. “All of that is more fun than playing games with you. You’re not a very good sport.”
She stepped back and gestured toward the door. Her hand flicked once, impatiently, like she was already done with me.
I started forward slowly, keeping my face toward her. My wrist still ached, and the air felt heavier than it had a moment ago. I didn’t trust her not to change her mind. Didn’t trust that this wasn’t another game.
The dirt ended just past the doorway. Then the floor turned to concrete, and the walls closed in around me a little more. The place was plain, with nothing in it but cold air and the faint smell of metal. There was a set of stairs at the far end, leading up to the outside. A thing I only remembered because it was the same way she’d dragged my almost comatose form all those weeks ago.
I kept my eyes on her as I crossed the room. She followed a few steps, then stopped, resting in the doorway like she meant to see how far I’d get. I could see past her to Blue, who was still on the ground, unmoving.
At the stairs, I hesitated. My chest tightened, waiting for her to speak, to call me back, to decide she wanted one more round of whatever this had been. But she stayed still.
I placed a foot on the first step, then the next. I climbed without breaking eye contact. When the wall finally rose between us, I let my gaze drop and kept moving.
Then she spoke.
“She spared you.” She called out. “This bundle of rainbow saved your life, and you’re going to leave her here without a single attempt to barter for her life?”
I tasted copper on my tongue as I shrugged. The bitch was smiling. But it was the same smile she wore when she was going to cut lines into my skin for fun.
“Maybe that’s why your own daddy wanted you dead. You’re a shitty human, Dominic.” She clicked her tongue.
I laughed, hand clenching on the railing. “What does that make you?”
“A monster.” She spat. “But at least I have loyalty. At least I would go through fire to save people who cared enough to save me.”
“Guess you’re better than I am.” I spat right back.
I finally turned my back, hurrying up the steps to freedom until I could touch the thick wooden door that was the best thing I’d seen in years.
“Her name is Heaven.” Poison laced words were shouted at my back. “I hope you remember that every night when you sleep. I hope you know you’re the one responsible for her dying all alone in a dirty dungeon.”
My hand remained on the wood. Palm flat. Pulse racing. For a single moment I stopped walking. Stopped opening the door, and tasting fresh and free air on my tongue.
My head turned, heart pounding loud enough to drown out my own thoughts.
Lips parting, breath harsh, I whispered, “Sorry, Heaven. I’m sure your men will come. They can play hero, but I’m not a hero.”
Then I shoved the door open and headed off into the too bright day, knowing without a doubt that I was the worst man alive.
That I had always been nothing, and always would be.
Chapter Three, Let’s Play A Game
When I came to—again—the woman in the mask was still there. Still staring down at me, with her face covered.
