The Damned Holies (The Fallen Wars 1)

Chapter Fifteen

“The humans were a little surprised, to say the least, when he brought your body to D.C.” His eyes travelled up and down my body. I didn’t need to look down to know that the tank top and shorts clung to my body like a second skin because of the sweat and ash marked the rest of me. My long hair was wild and untamed, oily, and dark because of the black ash.

“Why?” I felt sick to my stomach, imagining how I looked like dead. My skin turning gray, eyes dulling and going flat, and limbs growing stiff.

“He’s quite convinced you’ll come back. Although,” he paced around me, “I don’t think you will.”

“And why is that?”

“I know death when I see it.” He purred in my ear bluntly.

I didn’t say anything, my tongue couldn’t find the words I needed to say.

“You could always stay with me…” He trailed off, sensually snickering. I felt his fingers tracing patterns down my arm.

“With your positively lovely decor? I’m flattered.”

He looked at my face closer. “Such lovely gray eyes, but I swore they were blue or purple when you showed up at my doorstep.”

I watched him warily, slightly defensive. Gray meant my emotions were unstable. “They change.”

“Interesting.”

I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. It. Was. So. Hot.

“I’m sure you’ll like to know that all the countries signed the treaty. You ended the war I was so very much enjoying, Aimee. You’re no fun at all.”

I smiled a little. “I didn’t want more people to die.”

“They all die eventually. And, I believe, you’ve sent many here yourself.”

I sighed, wiping my face again. “I’m aware of that.”

“Do you want me to tell your lover to bury your body?”

“How am I even supposed to answer that question?”

He arched an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Well?”

I swallowed and nodded.

A picture of Reven’s face appeared. “What do you want, Lucien?” He snapped moodily. I covered my mouth to contain a sob.

“Is that any way to talk to me, brother? It’s been too long.” Lucien said casually, feigning offense.

“What do you want?” Reven repeated, looking down into his arms. Probably at my body.

“Bury your lover’s body. She’s gone for good this time. Besides, it’s been days already.”

“No, she isn’t. Days doesn’t matter. She’ll --” He cut himself off. “Wait, how do you know?”

Lucien grinned in victory as Reven’s emerald eyes filled with terror. “Oh, don’t worry. She’s whole, I mean, she’s too good to let go to waste.” His hand waved at me and Reven’s eyes darted to me as if he just saw me. Lucien continued, “She isn’t supposed to be here, which is why I was quite surprised because… Here she is.”

Reven set his jaw, trying to look tough. “Send her back. Or, if anything, send her to Heaven.”

“Believe me, if I knew how to do that, I wouldn’t be here.”

“Lucien?” I tested.

“Yes?” He turned to me, smiling impishly. “I like the way she said my name.”