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“You fucking asshole!” Darien drove his fist into the Reaper’s nose.
Malakai shouted out, blood misting the air. He fell to the ground and landed on his shoulder.
Darien jumped on top of him, pinning him down with a knee to the chest. He started hitting, the thud of his fist on the Reaper’s flesh mixing with the shrieking and blaring of car alarms. He was vaguely aware of Max shouting at his back, pulling on his jacket, trying to get him off Malakai, but Darien didn’t budge, and his fist just kept flying, rings tearing into Malakai’s face.
It took him several hits before he realized Malakai wasn’t fighting back. Darien froze mid-strike, bloody fist raised.
“Hit me, you stupid fuck,” Darien growled.
“I’m not fighting,” Malakai gritted out.
“Why not?” He grabbed him by the collar, pulling his head up off the ground so he could snarl in his face, “Where were you?”
Malakai spat a mouthful of blood onto the road. “I was at the hospital,” the Reaper panted.
“What for? You don’t look sick.”
“It’s Jewels.” Malakai winced in pain. Some of that pain didn’t look like the physical kind. Moisture shone in his eyes, the sight of it loosening Darien’s fist. He’d never seen him like this, not once. Another wince preceded Malakai’s next sentence. “She’s dying.”
Shit.
Darien stood, pulling Malakai up with him. He backed up a couple paces and waited for the Reaper to speak. Malakai took a minute to compose himself, looking at nothing but the ground, hands trembling faintly at his sides.
“She’s sick,” Malakai panted. He swallowed, looking like he wanted to puke. “She was diagnosed with the Tricking about a month ago. I saw the signs for some time, but I was hoping it wasn’t true. She barely uses her magic, Darien. She’s smarter than that. She barely uses her magic, and she still got sick.” Hard green eyes settled on Darien’s face, hatred for the Tricking simmering within. “How is that fair?”
“It’s not,” Darien bit out. “I’m sorry, man.”
Malakai had the same kind of bond with Jewels that Darien had with Ivyana. They’d all grown up with home lives that were less than savory. While Malakai’s dad had been nothing like Randal, his mother and stepdad were real pieces of work, tyrants and bullies whose ways had only worsened after their biological father passed away. For eighteen years, Malakai had sheltered Jewels the same way Darien had sheltered Ivy, and as soon as they were of legal age to live on their own and support themselves, Malakai had pulled his sister out of the water they were drowning in and built his own shore.
Malakai waved away the apology. “Don’t be sorry, you had no clue.” He glanced about, chest still rising with frantic breaths, his attention snagging on the House on the Pier.
Darien turned to see a handful of Wargs and Huntsmen watching from the front steps. Among the group were Lionel and Lumen, one of Channary’s daughters.
They’d seen the whole thing.
“Well,” Darien sighed. “You were late as hell, but you somehow managed to still get the job done.”
Malakai gave him a small smile that showed the blood staining his teeth. “There’s nothing like an explosive entrance.” He turned and made for his bike. “I’ve gotta roll. Got a couple blondes waiting for me back at the house.” He gave a lazy wave. “Catch you dickheads later.”
“Same ones as the other night?” Darien asked.
“Course not.” Malakai tossed a crooked grin over his shoulder. “You know me better than that.” He picked the bike up off the ground.
Max said, “How about swapping the blondes for a redhead?”
Malakai was shaking his head at the busted headlight and the scratched paint. He muttered a string of curse words, propped up the bike, and shook the tangled hair out of his face. “Huh?” He gave Max a blank expression. “Who are you talking about?”
Darien shared a glance with Max. “That’s pretty sad if you’re that clueless,” Darien said.
Malakai blinked. “Aspen?”
A low whistle slipped through Max’s lips. “Boy, you sure are dumb.”
“Aspen doesn’t feel that way about me,” the Reaper insisted, swinging a leg over the bike.
Max shared another look with Darien. “And my name’s not Maximus Reacher.”
Malakai waved them away. “Stay out of my business.” He fired up the bike, engine rumbling to life.
