Page 36 of Mortal Curse (Shadow Shifter)

“Reapers like to create chaos for their intended victim, but it is rare for them to be so open about it. I’m surprised the reaper unveiled himself at the shelter. Like us, they keep their species hidden from humanity. Humans outnumber us and if they became aware of the shadows, whether reaper or not, it would end in our extinction.”

“He was a prick, but he left when Margo told him to.”

Raine nodded. “Then attacked you when you were alone. His antics at the shelter were to draw you out. He definitely singled you out, but I don’t know why.”

“Because weird shit always happens to me.”

Raine’s eyes narrowed on her. “You never found a single home you felt safe? Fit in?”

Dannika took a stuttered breath as ice skittered along her skin. “Once, but that was the worst.”

“Why?”

She bit her bottom lip. “My social worker placed me with a nice family. He was an army officer and his wife couldn’t have kids. I was an ass at first. I expected this home to be like all the others. Collect the paycheck until it was too much, then ship me off. This time, I was wrong.”

“How was this placement different?”

“When Jacob couldn’t break through to me with milk and cookies and kind words, he started training me.”

Raine’s eyebrows arched. “Training you, as in military tactics?”

“Jacob was a sergeant at the military base in charge of training the new recruits. He started taking me to the obstacle course. Training me in hand-to-hand combat. I loved every minute and in time, I loved him and his wife, Lori. She was deaf and the one who taught me to sign. After a couple of years, I believed I had found my forever home. A father and mother I could trust. I should have known better.”

Raine’s muscles twitched. “They betrayed you?”

Blades skated over Dannika’s heart. Even after all these years, thinking about Jacob and Lori was still painful. “No. The darkness that is my life, my curse, found me once again. I came home from school to cops surrounding my home. Red and blue lights flickered against the white picket fence. Bullet holes punctured the cream paneling at the door. Shattered glass on the walkway. The destruction of my home, my room, was nothing compared to what happened to my foster parents.”

His eyes softened. “What happened to them?”

She took a deep breath. “They disemboweled Lori. The police wouldn’t let me see her. Jacob’s throat was torn out. He was a Navy SEAL but he couldn’t stop the man who killed them.” Her eyes filled with water. “They didn’t betray me. I betrayed them.”

CHAPTER22

Dannika allowed Raine to pull her onto his lap. The warmth of his body and the caresses of his fingers along her skin forced the ice from her heart. It never ceased to amaze her how comfortable she was in his presence when men had always made her nervous.

“That’s the past,” she said. “I have to focus on the future.”

Raine kissed her forehead. “It wasn’t your fault. It sounds like a reaper attack. They mutilate their victims so humans don’t suspect they are drained of blood. Even reapers hide their kills. They just choose to hide behind serial killers.”

Dannika lay her head on Raine’s chest. “That doesn’t explain the voices from the dark. After that attack, I was careful not to get close to anybody. As soon as I let my guard down, the voices were back.”

Raine wrapped a piece of her hair around his finger. “I’ve been thinking about that. I suspect a reaper saw you after that attack and fixated on you. They look for anything to restore their humanity despite choosing to become a reaper. You are light and beauty with an inner strength I have never seen before. It’s what makes Maddock fear you, but I believe it also made you a target.”

She shivered. “Can we talk about you? What was your life like before you transitioned?”

Raine allowed the strand of her hair to slip through his fingers. “It was some time ago. I don’t remember a lot of my life before transitioning to the shadow shifter world.”

She touched his face, turning it towards hers. “What do you remember about your life growing up?”

“I remember my mother’s smile. She had long blond hair, but wore it tied up under her hat. Sometimes I would brush it for her when my father was away. I also remember her tickling me when I would try to steal a sample of her stew.”

“Where did you learn sign language?”

“My entire family could sign. My baby sister was deaf. She was like sunshine as it brought in the new day, laughing and coming up with creative games for us to play behind the adults’ backs.”

“I like her already. How did you know I could sign?”

He winked. “You signed when you were delirious after the reaper attack.”

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