Page 24

I walked Sera home after our reading with Edith, both of us silent as we processed what was said. The whole thing made me believe that maybe I was meant for something different. There were challenges, as expected. Nothing in life or death comes easy, but Edith made it sound like it’d all be okay in the end, until she foretold of a betrayal.

We’re here to deceive the witches, I’ve always known this. I’ve never had a problem with fulfilling my duties, or even questioning them, until Sera. Something heavy presses against my chest and claws at my skin when I imagine what she might do when she learns my purpose here. It’s not a case of if, but when. Once the coven or witch responsible for Catori’s curse is located, we need to convince them to remove it. We’ll scare them into believing a greater threat is coming that can only be fought with Catori’s power on their side, but they will learn that’s not true.

I don’t think Catori expected a witch with premonitions getting in our way. I still don’t know what I believe. Is Sera the one who releases Catori? Is she the one who can vanquish him for good? Vanquish me.

I’m crazy for seeking her attention, for not fighting this bond or curse harder. I don’t know what to think after Len confirmed it’s just me that seems to summon the gold binds when we touch.

But what could it mean? What’s it for? I’m a demon. I’m not meant for love and happily ever afters. I’m meant for destruction. I seek out the good things and poison them until they’re ruined.

At least, that’s what’s been conditioned in me since I became a demon. My path in the afterlife is to fight against witches, not fall for them, or to be bound in some strange love curse. I’m certain I’ve somehow intercepted someone else’s destiny; otherwise, this is just some cruel act of fate.

Am I the victim? Or is Sera?

There’s a whoosh in the air. The pages of an old newspaper on the coffee table flutter as Jett slips into place on the couch beside it.

“Can we talk about your mood yet?”

Another whoosh followed by a sigh from Lennox. “I told you to let me talk.”

“You’ve had all day, boss. He can’t have that many thoughts to sort through.”

Len brings one booted foot over his knee as he sinks into the couch. I abandon the bag and take a seat opposite my brothers, waiting for Lennox’s gray eyes to lift to mine.

“How’s the sister?” he asks.

Not what I thought he would lead with. “She’s okay. How did you—”

“Saw you standing outside with Sera last night. You were gone for a few hours.”

I squeeze the back of my neck. “Yeah.”

“Do you think that was smart? We already know Sera is having visions that keep leading to us. At any moment, she could see something that compromises you. What if we’re not there when that happens? What were you doing?”

Jett snorts. “I know what I’d be doing alone with a girl for a few hours.”

“We didn’t do anything like that.” I shake my head. The thought has briefly crossed my mind once I get past the simple need to just be around her.

“Probably best.” Len nods. “At least until we figure out what the connection between you two is.”

“What do you mean Sera was having visions of us?” Jett’s blond hair falls over his face as he tilts his head. His violet eyes are alight with curiosity.

My throat feels thick as if all the doubt and unspoken truths I’ve been holding on to are clinging to my tongue turning sour.

“Sera gets premonitions,” I start. “They keep leading her to all the places Catori sends the demons. Len and I think she’s somehow tied to our mission here.”

Jett’s brows pinch together. “But, what about that gold magic?”

“That’s what keeps gnawing at me too,” Len says. “Last night I was able to get a hand on Sera long enough to see if anything happened with us, but nothing. Whatever it is only affects Nix. We haven’t mentioned any of this to Hynde. I think we should keep things between us until we know something more certain.

“I got you, brother.” Jett nods, then winks at me. “Have you ever tried it with a human? Sex?”

I shake my head.

I’ve not been shy in my afterlife about seeking pleasures with another, especially as a new demon and learning the extent of my shadow powers. It was the perfect outlet after a mission, or to expel my anger and frustrations when my actions felt out of my control. I would constantly go through waves of resentment toward Catori. Despair ruled me when my soul was first taken, which slowly gave way to greed and power, then lust. Over the last few decades, it became an escape from my guilt. Faceless, nameless fucking. It was nothing more than animalistic, and wholly unfulfilling, but I kept chasing something to numb the feeling of emptiness.

“I have a few times,” Jett says, as if we’re all dying to know. “I can only go from behind, though. I can’t figure out how to control the shadows.”

“It’s easier with more practice.” Lennox smirks. “Or just turn out the lights.”