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“And I feel so crazy, because I know something happened to me, I just don’t know what.” Another tear falls down her face. Another rip-my-heart-out tear. This time, she doesn’t try to wipe it away. Part of me wants to do it for her. I hate seeing her this sad.
“You’re not crazy,” I tell her.
“And you’re only nice to me when no one else is around.”
It’s not that I want to be mean. At least, not anymore. Everything is just so complicated now. I’m wanting something I can’t have, and pretending things could ever be normal is a wasted dream. Bringing her here almost got her killed. Keeping her close is the one sure way to finish the job, and I can’t fucking think straight enough to even begin to process that.
Sumner is the only person who doesn’t know what I truly am. I always wanted to keep it that way. There is a darkness in me though, scratching so hard to get out.
I’m not ready…
“How are things at the house of poodles?” I ask, trying to deter the conversation to something lighter. “Any of them give you rabies yet?”
Sumner cracks a small smile, which I count as a victory. She’s done nothing but frown since the Reaper.
“No. It’s so chaotic all the time though. And for a group of could be dangerous if messed with carnivores, they’re all so freaking chirpy all the time.”
“Right.” I laugh. “What’s up with that?” She allows her smile to widen. It causes me to stop laughing, and I lower my head. “You could always move back into the guest house. If you wanted.”
She’s quiet a moment, and I think she’s actually considering it, then she sighs. “Thanks. I’m happy where I am though.”
I nod, ignoring the sting of that statement as I rise to my feet. Honestly, it’s for the best. I can’t keep her at a distance if she’s close. “Good chat, Vix. I’ll see ya later.”
“Wow. No bite goodbye?” she teases, giving the smallest glimpse at her usual smart mouth self.
Just the way I prefer her.
“Not today,” I answer, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Scoot back, okay?”
Sumner glances down, then shuffles her way back a few inches, leaving less room between her and the edge.
She seems in higher spirits, which is good. And maybe if I had a taste of her candied crimson, I would be too. I haven’t sunk my teeth into her since before I nearly lost her in my arms. I know she hates it, and maybe I’m done hurting her.
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
SUMNER
Sleep finds me easily. It engulfs me, pulling me from my bed to a place almost familiar. A place that makes my body shiver.
I slip a little deeper, the world around me morphing. Skies of darkened red and gray swallow the light. The ground beneath my feet is hard. There’s a sense of unease gnawing at me, like I’m not supposed to be here.
I’ve had dreams where I knew that’s what they were. This feels like a dream, but I’m not sure it’s mine.
The air smells of ash. I can taste it on my tongue. This land is cursed. I’m almost certain I’ve been here before.
A voice catches in my ears, and I turn to see two men. My focus draws past them, to the massive wall of dark granite stretching high above us. There are markings carved into the surface, so intricate they almost seem to come alive. At the center of the wall stands a massive doorway made of the same cold, gray stone. It looks heavy and imposing, with no visible handle or knob to push it open.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were your father. You look just like him,” one of the men says, drawing my attention back. He wears a cloak of black. It flows around him in the still air, swaying as though he were under water. My vision rises higher, seeing his haunting gray eyes, and my heart stops.
I know exactly who this man is.
“Tell me, dear boy,” he continues, “what’s inspired you to finally come visit your dear old uncle? It’s still a few months until your reckoning, no?”
I turn my head to the person at his side, somehow already knowing who I’ll find. Rhenn looks hardened, like there’s no emotion inside of him. He stares at the hooded man. The man I now know as the Reaper.
His uncle?
Rhenn’s eyes flash around, scanning in all directions. Neither one of them seems able to see me, but I can almost feel Rhenn searching for me.
