Awaken the Soul (Havenwood Falls High)(19)

I still.

“He sensed your feelings, he said he would take my soul away from you, he told me not to let you taint it.”

She’s right.

Our bond is through our souls. Soul mates. It makes perfect sense.

And it’s exactly the type of thing that would drive a reaper crazy with power.

I hold her gaze. “It doesn’t matter what he wants. He’s not getting it.”

“You sound so confident.”

“I’m an angel, Vivie.” She cracks a smile. It’s small, but it’s there, and it lights up the dark corners of my being, and breathes life into me. She’s changing me with every look, touch, and smile. I’m hers. “Tell me about this morning.”

My hand holds hers all the way home as she explains what happened with Zara and the reaper, Sebastian.

“And you’re sure it was him? You said you had no memories before you saw me in chemistry.” I turn onto Fairchild and pull directly into our drive, waiting as the garage door opens.

“I’m certain. When I saw him, I had this immediate reaction. I didn’t have to know why I knew him, there was just something off. Something that made me wary. And after—” She doesn’t finish. She shakes, like she’s working a shiver through her body.

We pull into the garage, and I cut the engine. I pump her hand in mine as she reaches for the door. “Wait. Stay there.”

Hurrying around the Bronco, I make sure the garage door closes all the way before opening her door and extending my hand.

“You’re a gentleman? Who knew?” She teases as she jumps down from the jacked-up seat with an “umph.”

“I’ll find you a stool.”

Her fist connects with my abs, then flattens, rubbing where the punch landed when I grunt. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you so hard.”

“Aw, you’re cute, tiny girl. You think your little baby punch hurt me?”

Her palms slap at my stomach, pushing, as she walks around me. “You know there is such a thing as being too cocky.”

“Not for an angel.” I wrap her in a bear hug from behind, inhaling her scent. Intoxicating. She melts into me, her back molding with my chest until we’re one.

She sighs and hooks her hands around my forearms. “I’m scared.”

“I know you are.” As if I can infuse her with my courage, I squeeze tighter. “I won’t let anything happen to you. He can’t kill you, it’s against the rules.” Then again, he isn’t playing by the rules anymore.

She turns, her eyes skeptical. “What about today?”

“He wanted to scare you. Or me. Sebastian is playing a dangerous game.” One that will end with him ceasing to exist if he threatens Vivienne again.

“This is too much. I don’t think I can deal with this. Maybe I don’t want my memories, maybe I—”

“It’s too late.” I clasp her to my chest. “Memories or not, he knows who you are and what you are to me. He’s not going to stop.”

“So what do we do?”

Hunt Sebastian down and end him. Vivienne’s fear prevents me from saying the words. “We go inside. We take an hour to eat and think about anything other than Sebastian. Then, we call my uncle.”

I head for the door, but her hand yanks me back when she doesn’t follow. “Breck?” Her fingers tighten around my hand. “What am I to you?”

My eyes scan the frailty of her. This delicately beautiful slip of a girl who claimed my soul and is taking possession of my heart.

“My soul mate.”





Someone to You





Vivienne





“You have an uncle?”

I follow Breckin into the house, and this time we stay on the main floor. He points to the stools sitting at the kitchen counter, telling me to have a seat as he raids the refrigerator. Seriously? He throws words like soul mate around, then drags me into his million-dollar kitchen and offers me a snack? How did this become my life?

Soul mate. My mind refuses to process his words. I’m numb.

“Sort of. We’re not related, but he’s the closest thing I have to family.”

“Is he the one who erased my memories Saturday night?”

A jar of nacho cheese slides across the pristine marble counter as he shuts the refrigerator. “Yeah.” He moves to a pantry the size of my bedroom and grabs a bag of chips.

“And what does he think of all this?” I prod, when he doesn’t elaborate.

“Chip?” He pops the lid from the jar, dipping a blue corn chip into the sauce.

“Breck?”

“Vivie?” His brow arches. I force back a reply at his flippant tone.

“What does your uncle think of this?” I wave a hand between us.

“You can ask him when he arrives.” He stretches across the counter and holds a chip out. “Eat.”

“Did you just order me to eat?” I bristle, taking the chip without thought.

“Order is a strong word.” He dips another. “I asked.”

I cross my legs and square my shoulders, taking a breath. “You most certainly did not ask.”

The corner of his mouth tugs up. “Are you mad at me for trying to make you eat something?”