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“You’re cursed,” he said.
“Absolutely cursed,” he repeated, before he stepped back into a void and vanished.
ChapterThree
THE ORACLE MUSINGS
Do you believe in soul mates, fanciful reader? The universe does. At Aether University, they’re affectionately termed “starborn souls,” souls fated in the stars to be together. However, the universe demands balance. Which is why, to be a starborn soul, one must also encounter a spirit saboteur. Someone who hates you with their whole spirit, enough to sabotage any and all attempts at happiness you pursue.
Watch out, dear reader! I spot demons, naked men, and curses! Is this still Aether University or a secret dungeon? A path toward your starborn soul or a trap laid out by a spirit saboteur?
THUD.Adam and Xavier collapsed on themselves, crawling off the mossy floor. Lukas whimpered as the vines retreated into the ground, cursing as he removed the blood-coated thorns embedded in his skin.
I rushed forward to catch Lukas first. Xavier and Adam sauntered forward, still in wolf form but looking relatively unharmed.
“Are you okay?” I asked him. “Are all of you okay?”
“Yeah,” Lukas grunted. “But that was… bad,” he muttered. Xavier and Adam nodded.
“Are you well? I saw him encase you in a violet haze,” Adam said. Alpha energy radiated from him, compelling me to answer.
“I’m fine.” Thank heavens, that was his interpretation.
“I’m also fine,” Gaksi added from wherever the hell he was.
“Curse you! Why didn’t you do anything?” I yelled at the sky.
“I’m not the cursed one,” Gaksi replied. “That’s you, sweetheart.”
I launched my water bottle up at him. It froze midair, meaning he must've caught it.
“Where was this energy when Reaper was trying to kill you?” Gaksi asked.
“Reaper?” Lukas rasped, pushing himself off the ground and leaning on my shoulder.
“The Reaper helps guide souls to the afterlife,” Gaksi stated matter-of-factly, like a professor leading a lecture. “He was probably here to collect the boy’s.”
“What is he doing beyond the veil?” I asked my water bottle. Which moved its way back to me at an infuriatingly slow, casual pace, considering I almost died.
“Collecting souls, probably.” My bottle tingled in my hands, like Gaksi was laughing. “Or just messing around. That’s what I do.”
Adam’s hand landed on my shoulder. I whirled around, Lukas in tow, only to whip back around when I realized he’d shifted without backup clothes.
“Stars, Adam! You could have warned me!” I cried, face heating. Lukas groaned beside me.
“Apologies. Wolves are often nude.” He was rather composed, considering our ordeal.
“Put on some clothes, man,” Lukas said.
“Can’t, siren. They exploded when I shifted.” He spoke to my back. “Are you intact, Luna?”
“Fine,” I said. “So this Reaper—he collects souls?”
“Unclear,” Adam answered. “What are you?” Adam’s voice asked next.
I knew immediately who he referred to. Stars, I hoped I could hide it longer. “Gaksi is… an unhoused demon that has allied itself with Aether.”
“I have allied myself with you, Luna,” Gaksi corrected aloud.
