Ghost (The Halloween Boys #1) (112)
Onyx spoke next, his usual teasing tone somber. “I can search for my family, my mother . . . after so long.”
My heart clenched. I knew his mother was the blonde woman from the vision, or memory, he’d shown me. She was beautiful, and even in that snippet, I saw and felt the love his parents had for him.
Ames let out an exasperated sigh. “I don’t have to deal with that goddamn cat every day. Thank fuck.”
The guys rumbled with laughter, and I couldn’t help my own, too.
“We need more firewood. Be right back,” Ames said, kissing my temple. He and the guys filtered into the backyard in search of logs when a new presence rippled through the living room. I’d be lying if I said I had any sort of grip on my powers. I still didn’t understand the extent of what they were, or what I was, even. But I could always feel its pull. What I would have dismissed months ago, I listened to fervently now. And I knew what he felt like. Judas felt like the color red. And yes, I knew that didn’t make sense.
He sat slumped back in the velvet armchair next to the fire, loosely clutching a glass of amber liquid. I looked over and raised an eyebrow. “Hi?”
The Devil only offered a small nod in response, his deep brown complexion dancing with gold in the firelight. He looked at home next to fire. I shuddered. I knew almost nothing about Judas. He popped in and out with no warning, no rhyme or reason. He hardly spoke to me, or anyone, really. The Devil was a mystery, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing.
I broke the silence with no preamble, something I’d learned in our few interactions that he wouldn’t answer to anyway. There was no discussing the weather with the Devil. “So, you’re a Devil, more powerful than anything, but you’re helping them. Why?”
He shrugged a shoulder, still gazing into the fire as if he could see something in it. “You don’t think me to be altruistic?” His deep timbre rattled my core. I wondered if it was because of what he was . . . or something else.
I raised an eyebrow. “They believe you’re a part of their crew, their friend. And I may not know how to use my powers now, but I’ll learn.” I sat my mug down and faced him, rising onto my knees. “If you even think about hurting them, I am Death, and I will find a way to end you. And if there isn’t a way, I’ll invent one.”
His eyebrows rose slightly as he finally met my gaze. With disconcerting calm he replied. “Threatening the Devil, are we?”
“You’re not the only Devil,” I replied, acting braver than was wise. Raven squawked in warning, bird talk for shut the hell up, Blythe.
To my surprise, the Devil stood and took a step toward me. When I didn’t stand or back away, he let out a dark chuckle. “Look at you. So puffed up and brave now with death and your demons dancing around you. When you first came to Ash Grove, you were startled by the ring of a phone. Now look at you . . . My, how things change.” My mouth dropped open. How did he . . . My thoughts were interrupted as he continued, “I’ll Claim what’s mine when the time comes. Be sure of that, Reaper. Notice, you’re still on your knees for me.” He downed his drink in one gulp, tossing his glass into the fire. He disappeared in a cloud of smoke. I coughed, waving it out of the way, just as the guys came barreling back inside.
“What’d we miss?” Wolfgang asked, falling back onto the couch.
I coughed again. “Nothing. Bourbon burns my throat, that’s all.” The Devil was shady as hell, but he needed to know I was watching him. Apparently, he’d been watching me too. I didn’t know how I felt about that, but I didn’t regret my warning. As the guys fell into easy conversation, several earlier talks still weighed on my mind.
“Who or what do you think made and sent the Baphomet?”
The guys went quiet, glancing at each other. They weren’t telling me something. I could feel it. But ever so casually, Onyx answered. I always knew they were hiding something when they made Onyx answer. His gift of charm and way with words were distracting. But this time, I had my eyes open.
“Could be anything. It sounds like by what the Baphomet told you, that their master could be the devil who cursed us. That would explain why we couldn’t sense them. I wonder if other stolen girls of Ash Grove were likewise transformed . . .” He pondered quietly for a moment. The thought of other girls being turned into those horrifying creatures . . . Onyx continued, “If anything caught on to you being a Reaper, your strength and power would be a coveted tool for any immortal to wield . . . or exploit.”
My gut constricted. That last part wasn’t a lie. I was still wrapping my mind around what I was, and with so little information about Reapers, it was hard to land on anything solid in my thoughts. I hadn’t considered that whatever my abilities may be, they’d be sought after by others. But I was safe in Ash Grove. We all were. Which led me to my next question. “Are you all leaving Ash Grove?” I asked simply, turning my back to the fire to look at each of their faces. I wanted to cry at the thought. Ames answered first, plopping a purple grape into his mouth, “Hell no, I love Ash Grove. And you.” He winked. “Curse or not. This is my home.”
My heart fluttered. I liked that answer.
Onyx’s jaw tensed. “This may be my last chance to find my family. Wherever they are . . . it’s a long way away . . . but I have to try.” His emerald gaze glowed, meeting mine, searching my eyes for something. Permission, maybe. I couldn’t be sure with him. I didn’t know what was fun and games and what was serious. And with Ames policing the guys’ every interaction with me . . . it was difficult to sort through whatever feelings that existed between us.