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I feltlike a dragon had beaten me into a bloody pulp.
My head hammered. My limbs were too heavy. Even breathing brought with it a compressing weight upon inhale, and a stinging burn on the exhale.
“You were poisoned,” Reaper confirmed, brushing a lock of hair out of my face. He sat on a chair of darkness, rotated toward me, one leg crossed over the other. The picture of nonchalance, sitting on a seat of his own power.
The sobriety, and embarrassment at how empty my room was, hit me all at once.
“Get out!” I pointed at the window angrily. “Do you see how open that is? Do you know what could happen to me if I get caught with you in here?” I moved to sit up, but a dizzy spell dropped me back on my blanket.
“I think I prefer you sicker,” he replied. “You were much more honest about how dear I am to you.” He gave me a sardonic smile. I sulked, covering my face with my hands. A thought occurred to me, and I yanked them back down.
“Peekaboo?” He tsked. “You’re a little old for that.”
“Did you stay here all night? Did anyone see you come in? How did I get into my pajamas?” The questions jumped off my tongue.
“No, I had Gaksi watch you. Shadows concealed our entry. And I dropped you off at your friend Cordelia’s apartment first. It thrilled her to wash you on my behalf. I owe her a favor now.”
I checked my clothes. No vomit covered me anymore; the coral reef pattern was definitely Cordelia’s. I grabbed my phone to text her, only to be greeted by her usual messages.
Cordelia:He’s so much hotter in person. You struck gold. Share him with me sometime, will you?
Luna:I don’t share.
Red, fiery anger stirred in my chest. He was my bargain maker. Nobody else’s.
I rejected that oddity and came back to my senses.
“You put her in danger,” I told Reaper. “Do you know what the consequences would be if she were seen with you? Ruining my life is one thing, but destroying my friend’s is quite the other.”
“She didn’t seem to mind.” His eyes twinkled. “Perhaps I’ll even hit her with her own bargain.”
I threw my blanket at him. He held up a hand, pausing it midair, and floated it back around me like a cloak.
“You are reckless. Irresponsible and dangerous.”
A self-satisfied smile crossed his face. “You forgot gorgeous.”
I tuned him out. Flipped over on my side and started playing on my phone. Maybe then he would get the message.
His shadows roamed over my waist, tugging gently.Come back, they seemed to say.Play with me.
Despite their soft pressure, I remained facing the wall.
“Fine,” he huffed. “Stay there. I enjoy the view from behind, as well.”
Bastard.
I pulled the blanket up to cover my rear. He chuckled.
“You’re not the only one that wants my backside,” I muttered.
He snarled. The room temperature plummeted.
“I should have made his death more painful.” His voice dropped to a rich and primal baritone. “I had to rip that predator limb from limb for trying to take you.”
I was stunned into silence.
The vigilante watching me in bed was lethal. Cruel. And once the oracle named him specifically, infamous.
