“What are you doing?” Shotgun Reaper asked, lowering his weapon.
“It appears you guys needed some help.” I wasn’t about to bring up my debt to the Grim Reaper or the visit from the strange witch. That was my business.
“Help from a soul reaper,” Yellow Essence muttered. He scanned the area before adding, “The world really is ending.” Lifting his hand, the sword flew into his palm, and he disappeared.
The remaining male watched me carefully. “I sense no human death on you tonight. Don’t make me regret not killing you.” And then, like his buddy, he ported too.
My focus switched to where the woman had been. She wasn’t there. Instead, dozens of purple petals swirled on the ground.
A bottomless ache churned the pit of my stomach.
Where did the fucking flowers come from?
Two
Prudence
Seven days after the human festival
“Since Harvest is targeting my daughters, I won’t take any chances.” Dad’s dark essence flared around him. “None of your sisters are to be left alone. Each of you will have protectors.”
“Dad!” I whined and then realized I showed emotion. “We can handle ourselves.”
“I agree,” Maureen muttered.
“I know you’re all-powerful, but having help is a benefit.” Dad’s gaze flicked to me. “With Jackal around, the Harvesters might hesitate before going after Maureen.”
“Are you saying I don’t get a bodyguard?” Maureen smirked.
“For now. That changes if you’re attacked.”
What the hell?
I tightened my fists, having a hard time controlling the emotions I fought so hard to keep buried. It was unfair that Maureen got away from this mess because she had a soulmate. Absolutely absurd!
“I’ll find people for Joy, Prudence, and Kitty. Until we set everything up, the three of you will stay at the castle…”
I closed my eyes and sighed. It wasn’t the best time to think about the previous night’s conversation. But it was impossible not to think of what led up to my current dilemma.
“For the love of—”
Cutting myself off mid-sentence, I could feel Payne’s stare on my back as I whirled around. His dark eyes widened, and he froze as I snarled.
Breathe, Prudence.
I had no choice but to relax. I restrained my sin by repressing my passions. In that moment, Payne’s invasion of my privacy fueled my anger—a massive emotion I couldn’t ignore, although I desperately wanted to. Feelings became power for my sin and that always led to fatigue.
The best way to manage the curse of Lust was staying neutral, which meant keeping myself in check. Because everything, every-fucking-thing, led to desire. Get mad? Boom. Horny as hell. Get sad? I wanted to hump something. Happy? Good God, please hide the men. Something about my pheromones did a number on men. Even staying calm was exhausting thanks to my affliction.
Every second of every day, my brain thought about fucking.
I was itching for relief like an addict needing a fix. My skin tingled. My panties were soaked. It had been a week since the human festival, and I couldn’t fulfill my needs because my family and Payne wouldn’t go away.
Dangerous.
I walked a tightrope. My body was so wired I could no longer hide my thoughts and feelings.
“Do you have to hover?” I asked, noticing his wide chest.
Ewww.
Facepalming, I closed my eyes. Payne was a very attractive guy, but he was like a brother to me. Besides, he wasn’t available. Actually, he’d never been available. But I was the only one who knew his secret.
“I’m not hovering,” he said, turning and plucking a dagger out of a dead ogre’s chest.
We’d been to several places in the Underworld descending evil souls. Wickedness took all forms, and the ogres Payne destroyed were no different. Work never stopped, even after the slaughtering all the demons during the human festival. The world ending was to blame for everything, including my lack of solitude.
“You know what’s funny?” His goading tone let me know it wouldn’t really be funny to me. “We work with each other every day, but the second it becomes about protecting you—”
“Everyone likes privacy,” I interrupted. “Especially you. Hell, you moved away from everyone well over a hundred years ago.”
He gritted his teeth briefly. “Don’t do that. I’m not the one in danger. Harvest is after one of you.”
“I know the risks,” I huffed as I smoothed out my slightly wrinkled cloak. Payne and I had been fighting demons all day while I struggled with another inner battle all on my own. The level of demon activity was increasing, which was expected with the pending apocalypse.