25

The Necromancer perched at the end of my bed like a gargoyle.

A silver glow accompanied him from behind, illuminating his features in contouring shadows. The features themselves were handsome, unfitting of his gruesome crimes. If I only looked at his jawline or his nose, they were flawless, but if I took it all in, eyes, lips, cheekbones, and brows, it made for an eerie painting. Each seemed cosmetically enhanced like they shouldn’t all belong on the same face together.

“Annoying isn’t it?” he asked.

Clay had called for me a few times now. I ignored him. It was my dream after all. I gripped the blanket, unsure if I wanted to use it as a shield or throw it from me so I could run. The fear of sleepwalking again kept me from moving.

“ End of the world, ” he scoffed, unphased by my silence, “Who says shit like that and leaves?”

Clay let his arms hang in front of him, getting too close to where my feet were. Like a turtle hiding its head in its shell, I tucked my legs into my chest. “Is this your thing?” I asked “Creeping on girls while they sleep?”

I shouldn’t have been surprised considering he messed with dead bodies.

His head fell to one side like a curious cat inspecting a rat. Ghostly white wisps poked out from beneath his hood. “You think it’s all a dream?”

It had to be a dream. I put a lot of faith in that fact. The alarms would go off again if he were actually present.

But then, he made his move.

Clay sprang from his spot and landed above me on all fours. I brought my hands up in time to catch him by the shoulders, but not before releasing a shrill scream. Sharp teeth glittered from behind his sneer. “Couldn’t help myself. You just look so pathetic under the sheets like this.”

“ Fuck you.”

“Well, we’re already here.”

The menace plaguing cities with Ghouls was making jokes. I grabbed hold of him tighter and rolled us off the bed. My chest rose from taking ragged breaths as I stumbled toward the window. “Stay the hell away from me.”

He was already back on his feet and still too close to feel comfortable. Curse this room . My dreams never allowed us to leave the box. I was stuck in there with him until it was over.

Nothing in his voice signified that he was bothered by my repulsion. “You’re not really living up to your name. It’s disappointing.”

My weak stance and rumpled sleepwear did little to counter his insults. “ Princess isn’t a name. If you’re that disappointed, go bother someone else.”

Clay wrapped a dry hand, skin cracking at the knuckles, over his lips and chuckled into his palm. I didn’t like any of it, but the way his orange eyes narrowed at me in the dark had to be the worst. “Sorry little demon. You’re all that I’m after.”

“I don’t want you here. Just leave me alone!”

“So fussy. I told you, I’m a friend.” The sinister grin spreading from behind his painted black fingernails said otherwise.

“Any friends I have wouldn’t turn people into monsters.”

Clay made a sharp pivot, showing me his back. The hand from his face dropped and he explored the deep pockets of his coat. I remembered the knife he had last time and my insides went cold. His neck turned unnaturally around and one of his eyes locked onto me. “What else would the dead be doing except feeding the maggots?” he asked.

“You’re disgusting.”

With a bone-chilling snap, the rest of his body jerked around to align with his neck. One quick stride and he was already in front of me. Before he could do anything else, I swung my fist at his jaw.

It never connected.

Black tendrils escaped from Clay’s cloak. They flailed about at first, making a wet, hissing sound, until one wound itself around my wrist. My hand was bent back and I strangled myself on the scream stuck in my throat.

“ Shh …” Clay brought his face nice and close, allowing me to count each of his many sharp teeth. His fingers pinched my chin so I couldn’t look away. “Let me show you just how special you really are.”

***

Sweat glued my face to the pillow. Tears? Drool? I felt like I’d been thrashed and beaten, even while I lay comfortably in bed.

I couldn’t get the images to go away.

Clay manipulated the dream just before I woke up. My room had become fire and brimstone. The earth stretched for miles and was charred like an overdone steak. We stood over a field of dead faces, most I couldn’t identify because they’d also been corrupted and burned by chaos. What was it, a vision? Another nightmare to torment me?

“This world needs a new start and you will be its creator,” Clay’s voice scratched in my ears. The worst was when I found Zak in the dream. His body had a gaping hole through his chest that continued to grow, sizzling his skin and clothes. He’d fallen to his knees, looking up at me with large, tear-filled crystals. “Jess…”

I couldn’t bear it.

Before ripping myself away from the Clay and the horrors surrounding us, he left me with a final whisper. “See you soon, Jessebel.”

See you soon.

It felt like a photograph taken in my brain and the images were permanent. Closing my eyes made it worse, so I stared at the wall, praying I’d never have to see Zak in that state. Ever. My chest felt swollen, sore, and distressed like pink around my eyes. It was only a dream.

I wished I could say that was all the weirdness from that night but when I woke up, a message was waiting for me. Written in a dark powdery substance was the word, “RUN.”

A strong, herbal essence tickled my nose. I coughed. Empty jars were scattered on my desk. Someone had emptied all of Naomi’s witchy seasonings to make the letters. Someone had actually been here.

They may have saved me from my dreams, though I didn’t believe that had been their intention. Whoever had broken in was in a rush. The ends of each letter didn’t quite connect. Had it been Clay? How would he have and why? I did want to “run.” Run from him , that is.

That asshole ruined my sleep and now the floor.

A twinge of pain brought my attention to my hand. A pink ring wore itself like a bracelet around my wrist. The tenderness faded, removing my proof before my eyes; the only time rapid healing really sucked.

It was past time I warned someone about Clay.

No one had reported back about my house arrest yet. I hadn’t heard anyone else arrive either, but the dreams were getting out of hand. If what I saw was any indication of what was to come or Clay’s desires, someone needed to know. Or I was just crazy.

As soon as I opened my door, my breath caught in my throat. A nearly lifeless face stared blankly from across the hall. I clutched my chest like a proper damsel, or elderly woman, given a fright. “Guy, what are you doing?”

He had himself propped against the wall; messy hair curling past his ears. His scythe was also behind him for some reason, creating suspicion in me already. It didn’t look like he’d gotten a wink of sleep but his clothes changed from last night from gray to grayer. His voice rumbled from exhaustion. “I didn’t want to leave you unattended.”

“Have you been here this whole time?” I asked.

Guy raised his slouching shoulders. Was that a yes? Was it cute or creepy if he’d actually camped out there all night?

I was still annoyed with how we’d parted ways last night; blue-balling me with minimal information, but there were bigger concerns. “Thanks for worrying, I guess.”

It must have been how I said it because his gray eyes became pointed. “What happened?”

I thought about telling him. He was the one who brought up chaos and the end of the world. But I got stuck. What if I did tell someone and they decided I was too big a risk after all? Staying silent to protect myself didn’t feel right either.

Gods…

What was I supposed to do?

Guy must have caught a glimpse of the new edition to my carpet because he stormed over to investigate. His face turned to stone and I thought his skin would crack. “You didn’t do this.”

“No,” I confirmed.

“Who?” he asked.

“Would you believe me if I said it was The Necromancer?”

I didn’t think Guy could glare any harder but I was sorely mistaken. “Is that a joke?”

It was too late to stop, now. I met his harsh stare. “I’ve seen him in dreams. I thought it was just in my head—”

“How long has this been going on?” His deep voice made my toes vibrate.

“A while.”

“And you didn’t say anything?” he asked.

“I wasn’t sure if it was actually him, at first…”

Guy’s mouth and eyes shut in unison, like he was preventing an explosion from coming out. When he spoke again, it was much slower. “We need to see Zak. Now.”

He reached for my elbow but I stepped back into my room. Was he seriously going to drag me away like a child having a tantrum? “I can tell him myself,” I said.

“Can you? You also kept quiet for this long.”

There were times I really appreciated Guy. Many, in fact. I wasn’t as experienced as he was. Not wise, either, or calm. I even enjoyed his dry sense of humor.

But not that. Not the accusing look in his eye. Hated that.

What if I’d just been a chore for him all along? Had I been stupid and desperate, hoping to be close to someone and blind to what really was?

“I didn’t know if I was dreaming or losing my mind, but I wouldn’t do anything to hurt Zak or anyone else here.” My voice climbed in volume and his brows lifted in sync. Emotions were bubbling over again. It always had to be in that damned hallway and with Guy as my punching bag. “I’m not plotting anything . Maybe it’s your job to make sure I don’t screw up. I don’t care. I need answers. Real ones. Not half-assed theories and rumors. If you can’t do that then at least stop pretending you give a damn about me.”

Guy paused in his tracks. His voice softened some. “That’s not what I was getting at.”

A low whistle alerted both of us to the end of the hall. I groaned. Aiden looked too lively that morning walking toward us with a carefree smile. “Good morning! What did I just walk in on?” he asked.

I knew he’d heard everything. Guy probably knew it too because neither of us humored his nonchalant entrance. His scythe was still in grabbing distance, whether Aiden could see it or not. I wouldn’t have been shocked if Guy started swinging. Not with the hurricane he harbored behind in his eyes.

“Looks like she doesn’t want your help, reaper,” Aiden said, “Smart girl.”

Guy kept a watchful eye on him as he lurked in my doorway. There was no explosive call to action or even concern on Aiden’s face after spotting the message. It was like he’d walked into the kitchen and saw a stack of dirty dishes. “Now, who would do such a thing? Those pesky purifiers could’ve snuck up here undetected. You don’t really think it was… The Necromancer ?” Aiden shivered for us in the audience. “How scary.”

“Do you have anything valuable to contribute?” Guy asked, sounding strained like he was balancing on his last nerve.

“Ouch. I thought we were all on the same team. Can’t I show concern for my peers?” Aiden looked at me as if to see which of them I would agree with. “Your assassin isn’t going to quit after one failed attempt, Cupcake. Whoever wrote your note probably cares more about your well-being than any angel. Or reaper . ”

Guy’s fingers tightened and curled around his scythe. What exactly happened when a reaper was pissed? I didn’t want to find out. Not without a morning coffee, at least.

Aiden on the other hand revealed his deep pleasure in taunting Guy with a twisted smile. “What? Worried she’ll get smart and ditch you?”

“You can both go, actually.” I couldn’t wait another second. Too awkward. I left them both to stand in the hallway together. My ponytail swished back and forth from my quickening pace.

“Jess?” Guy called out to me.

“I’ll take care of it myself.”

I got on the elevator without looking back. Either of them could have caught up if they’d wanted to, but they didn’t. Good.

The soft hum from the metal box calmed me down as it brought me to the bottom floor. Everything Aiden said was beginning to make sense, which was terrifying. Or was I allowing myself to be easily swayed by the vampire’s cunning tongue?

Zak had done a lot for me, hadn’t he?

I wasn’t sure where I was heading at first. Zak’s office? If he was even there, I had no idea. Then, I remembered EXO had purifiers prowling everywhere, and still no word on who my attempted murderer was.

It would’ve been nice to have Guy with me, after all … Dammit.

The elevator doors opened and I still had no plan. I didn’t make it halfway through the main room when Barrett’s massive shoulders created a blockade in my path. “Newbie! I’m sup posed to tell you we have to walk in pairs now. Ya’ know, buddy system and all that,” he said, “You especially.”

If it had been Aiden or Guy I might’ve been annoyed and pushed around him but Barrett was too chipper to snub like that. I was upset but that didn’t mean I needed to carry an even bigger target on my back by parading around solo. “Right… You’re right.”

Barrett puffed out his chest, satisfied with his message. “Zak also said he’d stop by later. Want some breakfast while you wait? I made eggs.”

He had. Barrett welcomed me over to the kitchen where he’d exceeded the max capacity for scrambled eggs in one pan. I aided him with his feast, sitting at the bar, but he could have handled the stack of fluffy protein himself. He ate faster than Zak with his pizza, and that said a lot.

“No training today so Max and I are heading to the gym. You in?” Barrett asked.

I grimaced. Gym time with Max sounded like the worst. On the other hand, I should have been training more, especially with people hunting me, and so close to home.

“Thanks, I’ll think about it,” I said, “Sorry you all had to stay up because of me.”

Barrett dove into his second helping without skipping a beat. “Wasn’t so bad. How are you holding up?”

“Alive.”

“Is that all that’s got you down?”

I sank deeper into the bar stool, thinking about who I’d abandoned upstairs. Barrett pulsed his brows, almost knowingly. “You’re too good for Aiden anyway. I hope he hears me.”

“You heard that?” I asked.

“Not all of it, but as soon as that guy opens his mouth, my ears perk up. Kinda waiting for him to do something stupid.”

“I get that but if I hadn’t bumped into Aiden yesterday, I’d probably be dead now,” I said. It was bad enough having to be airlifted out of the forest in front of everyone. I appreciated Zak but I felt stuck in a cycle of being catered to. Aiden rescuing me made me indebted to him too, which I didn’t love either.

Barrett paused to take a big gulp out of a glass of milk. “Does that upset you?”

“A little.”

“Hey, c’mon. I’m a big dude and I rarely get anything done on my own,” he said, “Maybe it’s just pack mentality but around here, we’re a team too. I keep trying to remind Max that.”

“I guess I just—” I stopped when he leaned across the counter.

“You got a problem with a big man helping you?” he asked.

“N-No! I don’t think so.”

Barrett chuckled. “I’m messing with you. You’ll save my ass and I’ll save yours. Doesn’t matter so long as we’re all alive at the end of the day.”

I smiled a “thank you” at him and finished the rest of my breakfast. Footsteps came from the stairs and my back tensed.

“Glad you didn’t run off.”

Guy’s brow was still pinched but he maintained a mellow demeanor. I had the feeling there was no avoiding him a sec ond time. He sat on the bar stool next to mine as if to answer my thoughts.

“What’s up, Guy?” Barrett asked but then shot me the goofiest look as if we were sharing an inside joke. It was not subtle.

“Just enjoying my day off with an ungrateful demon,” Guy said.

I choked on my eggs. Barrett did his best not to cringe which resulted in him coughing forcefully into his arm. “Sounds like a— hm , good morning,” he said.

Guy swiveled in his seat to look at me head-on. “Were you unsatisfied last night? Is that why I’m being punished?”

My eyes widened and one corner of his lips curled. He was not holding back, not even for Barrett’s sake.

“ Dinner was fine,” I said through my teeth. If that was clarification enough for Barrett that we hadn’t been promiscuous, I couldn’t tell.

Guy wasn’t finished. He rested his hand on the counter and crossed into my personal space. “Just fine? Should we skip the cake next time?”

Barrett had been making a slow retreat out of the kitchen but came to a dead halt when he heard that. He leapt at the fridge, opened it, and shut it again. “Cake? No, wait. Gym first. Guy, you’d share with your friends, right? Buddy-ol pal.”

“Sure. It’s not like she wants it,” Guy said.

“I never said that—” the whine in my voice was evident, even to me, “but fine. Whatever.”

“You know he makes it himself?” Barrett lit up, probably at the prospect of a subject change. “Reapers have a sweet tooth and mad baking skills. Who knew?”

“You do?” My irritation subsided for a fraction of a second while I asked Guy. As soon as I saw the smug look on his face, I was back to being annoyed. “It was fine.”

Guy rewarded my bluff with a staring contest. His lips pursed like he was holding back a laugh. “I seem to remember you salivating.”

He had no right making those words sound suggestive with his rumbling tone. I needed to escape before I started blushing or sweating. When I rotated my chair to face the opposite way, he stopped the movement by gripping onto the cushion. With a sharp jerk, I was brought back around until we bumped knees.

Feeling flustered, I shooed him away to squeeze through the small space between us. “Some reaper you are, acting like a four-year-old.”

“ I’m the childish one? Who stormed off?”

Barrett finally caved. He rinsed the dishes, barely, and made to leave the scene. “Uh, Zak said he’d be here but maybe he got held up. Anyway, gotta run.”

I heard him putting on his shoes and made to leave as well. “Hang on! I’m coming too.”

“Not waiting for Zak?” Guy asked, appearing behind me in record time.

“I’m too anxious,” I said. That was the truth. I wanted to be busy, doing something . Having petty battles with a reaper wasn’t going to cut it. If anything, Guy made me feel more anxious.

“Let’s go, then,” he said. The cocky nature of his tone and the glint in his eyes was a shock to my system.

“I’m going with Barrett.”

Barrett had already given me an apologetic smile and disappeared. I was left with Guy and his looming presence at my back.

“The wolf wasn’t assigned to you,” Guy said, “I was.”

My heart skipped a beat. I blamed his low, melodic voice for confusing my thoughts and making me release a loud huff. “Right. Your job.”

“That’s right. Mine.” He’d gotten much closer. The cold that came with him felt more like a soft brush of water than a harsh blizzard. I wasn’t even sure why we were still going at each other.

Guy muttered under his breath. “I haven’t forgotten our promise.”

The stubborn fortress I’d built against him cracked a bit. Even if he had been cryptic and vague last night, he had offered to help me. “I’m sorry,” I said, “I’m just sick of weird things happening to me.”

“Don’t apologize. If The Necromancer really is visiting you then you’re in danger. I responded hastily with no regard for your feelings.”

“A reasonable reaction,” I sighed, “It’s weird, though. I don’t understand what he wants.”

Cool fingers clasped around my hand. It seemed like such a simple thing, but not to me. His friendly touch of reassurance had my chest beating violently like my heart had forgotten how to work properly. “Whatever it is, it can’t be good,” he said, “I’m glad he hasn’t hurt you already.”

That last part wasn’t entirely true. Clay had gotten bold and touchy, but I didn’t go into those details. I looked into the glass fixtures of Guy’s eyes, losing myself in a maze of gray. Our subject was serious but I felt completely calm.

“Why do you think he’s coming to me?” I asked.

“I don’t know. There’s a chance he saw the video…” He stopped and the muscles in his jaw flexed.

“And what?”

Guy struggled with his next words. The peace I’d been enjoying turned to something more disturbed. “What has he said to you in these dreams, exactly?” he asked.

I searched my fogged memory bank for anything profound Clay had told me. “He told me his name was Clay, then called me Princess. I’m sure it’s just some stupid nickname.”

The overcast colors in his eyes turned dark, threatening a thunderstorm. At least we had a name, right? Maybe EXO could use that information to track him down more easily.

It was then that Barrett suddenly re-entered the room. “Forgot my towel. Oh?”

He smiled at us, still holding hands. “Did we make up?”

Guy dropped my hand and approached the door. “Take her with you.”

“I mean, sure,” Barrett hesitated.

“Where are you going?” I asked, following after Guy. He didn’t respond which got me nervous. Wasn’t he the one making a huge stink about being assigned to me? Now he was rushing out the doors with a phone in hand. I grabbed the back of his shirt. “Hey! Don’t just leave.”

“I need to fulfill my promise, quicker than planned,” he said, “Go with Barrett and stay out of trouble. Please.”

My fingers slipped away when his body turned into smoke. Every particle of him faded until nothing remained. I still had my hand raised to where his back had been.

He was allowed to make a dramatic exit but not me?

Barrett came to stand next to me and scratched his head. “I’m not going to pretend to know what that was about. How much can your demon-strength lift?”