Chapter One

August

Another day, another wonder, “ Ah, what could make me happy?”

Nothing. No matter how much I poured into my desires, greed ran amuck. I stole, lied, and cheated to get things I coveted. But the second I had the object in my hold, the high faded and I needed more.

A mile out from the City of the Dead, I sat on a branch, observing the chatter. A demon city didn’t differ from a human one—loud and stinky. Yet everything was so dreary in the Underworld—scarce color on signs, no streetlights, only a fake moon.

How unwelcoming.

Boxing my fingers over the city like I had binoculars, I visualized ideas, wondering what it would become after belonging to me. Casinos would be nice for profit. All those buildings needed to belong to me.

There was so much I wanted to do.

Become a Reaper.

Control the city.

The human world after.

Planning was consuming and my favorite part of my curse. The idea of what I could take drove me until I succeeded. Then I felt nothing but an unnatural yearning for more. It was never ending.

Nothing was great about that city, but I didn’t care. I saw it and decided to fill the boring streets with whatever I wanted.

Materializing an apple, I took a bite, then hummed. I felt good when I obsessed over my wants. Or maybe my high spirits had something to do with leaving Sebastian in the streets when his curse kicked in. Sleep, sleepy sloth.

“I’m hungry,” a child whined.

I frowned, glanced down, and saw no one. “Derrick will only give us food when you master the explosion spell,” another child said miserably.

“Nova, I’m hungry,” the boy complained again.

I plugged my ears, annoyed by the whiny voices. All kids were annoying. I rubbed my stinging chest — I never got a childhood.

“I know, Odin. We all are.” I froze at the angelic, soft voice.

I’d never heard anything so melodic. My favorite sound was rain pattering leaves in Grim’s woods, which I stole storms to hear. But I found a new favorite. My heart stuttered before pounding against my ribcage. I never desired a person before, but the wheels of greed turned, giving me a new want instantly.

The tree was massive, but barren. Since the kids weren’t below or ahead, I knew they were behind.

“This isn’t the way to the river,” another meek boy’s voice piped in.

“No,” the soft-spoken Nova answered. “But we’ll tell Derrick that’s where we went.”

“Where are we going?” Odin asked.

“You’re staying here. I’m slipping into the city for food,” Nova said.

“Yay!” a little girl screamed.

“Shh,” Nova hushed.

Boom!

The branch shattered into pieces. Luckily, I landed on my feet, turning to the voices, and my mouth parted when I saw them. No, her.

The tallest one captivated me, for I’d never seen anyone more radiant. Her rich ebony skin was a striking canvas adorned with vitiligo's milky brushstrokes. The pigmentation around her eye bloomed in a creamy burst, mirrored by equally exquisite patches along her neck and hands.

A living calico cat, that's what her unique complexion brought to mind.

The radiant creature with her distinctive coat brought out foreign tremors through my body. For the first time, I yearned to take not just an object, but a living person as my prize.

And she wasn’t a woman yet.

Greed filled me with thoughts. She’s special, unlike anyone else. Mine. I knew the future held no one else. My heart slammed, my curse heated my skin as chills rolled over me. I knew nothing could change the fact that her future was with me. I would steal her like everything else I wanted.

I knew romance — a few words, my killer smile, and she’d be mine.

Entranced by her beauty, I stared before remembering the youngest ones gripping her dress. My gaze traveled to my future woman’s lips as she mouthed a word. I cocked a brow as the apple exploded in my hand. Yanking my hand away, I narrowed my eyes.

“Did you say boom?”

So she wasn’t an angel, but a witch. I felt her power’s staticky energy, like a wild rush and lingering tingle.

“Don’t say boom, Nova!” Odin complained—the scrawny blond boy with bright-blue eyes, shirtless, a giant golden coin swung against his chest. “Don’t let them hear you!”

I didn’t know what to process first about his strange words. Who did he mean? What was wrong with saying boom?

“Shh!” The red-skinned girl pressed her finger to Odin’s lips, glancing nervously over her shoulder.

“I won’t let you take them.” Nova glared, tucking them behind her tiny frame, shielding them.

I shrugged, tossing up my hands. “Why would I want the brats?”

You, I thought greedily. You, I will take and make mine.

“They’ve sent young ones after us before,” Nova said.

I stepped toward them, and she threw up her hand.

“One step closer, and I’ll burst your heart!” she warned.

“Burst it?” I laughed. “It’s been pounding since I saw you.”

Her nose wrinkled as she flinched back. “What?”

“How old are you?” A branch cracked under my boot.

“I’ve warned you!” Panic elevated her sweet voice—too beautiful for the Underworld.

Wanting to be closer, I ignored her warning and took another step.

After two explosive encounters with my future woman, I should’ve heeded her warning seriously. Fire encased my chest as I felt my heart torn apart from the inside. Thankfully, it didn’t last long.

After all, I felt no pain when dead.