Briar slowly sinks into the sand. My eyes fly open and I drag my claws through the transparency that has developed between us. I dig and dig but no matter how far I reach, I can’t touch her. The sand begins to shake and I pull back, feeling a force stronger than even mine. The surface of shimmering grains turns flat and shiny like a polished mirror. Briar screams out for my help, her arms reaching for me, her face covered in terror. As I press my palms to the solid plate separating us, the Nephilim appears next to her, grabbing her around the waist and dragging her away. I beat heavily against the surface, screaming her name over and over again, but she is no longer there.
Sitting up, I look around in panic, not knowing what to do or where to turn. The once vibrant beach grows grey and the melodic sound of the waves fade away. Beneath me the sand turns black, and I stand, stumbling backward. That all too familiar darkness returns and shadows fill the dream world, blanketing everything in bone chilling cold.
Chapter 5
Briar
The muscles of my arms clench and spasm with how tight I clutch the fabric beneath my fingers.
I blink open my eyes finding myself laying halfway on top of Kane with my hands tangled in his shirt. Glancing up at the surrounding trees, I realize it was all a dream. My hands release him and I roll off, pulling my knees up and straightening out my top. I can feel the tangle of hair curled and frizzed on top of my head. A devastating blush steals across my face as I remember the dream in full. The scent of salt and lemon still lingers.
“Did you sleep well?” The deep, raspy tone of his voice sends a tingle racing down my spine.
The knowing smirk is too much. I look away, but the sound of Kane’s breathy laughter causes me to meet his stare once again.
He knows. He knows the desires that fill me with so much frustration that I can barely stand to be around him. He knows of the fears that still hold me captive, fear that the Nephilim will return and finish what he started the last time. It’s foolish and embarrassing, but I feel a sense of relief that he knows. I no longer have to pretend that I’m alright. Whatever this is between us, I need to be careful. I can’t afford for Kane to learn about my plans.
I tear my gaze away and move to stand, feigning anger in place of my embarrassment. Kane’s hand finds mine and he gives it a reassuring squeeze. I don’t think much on it, packing up my bedroll in silence. I take a moment to nuzzle the horse with my cheek, desperately willing it to take the horrific aftermath of emotions from my chest. Unfortunately, I am not leaning against a magical creature.
Giving up on my quest for cleansing, I begin looking through my bag, wondering if there is anything for breakfast.
“Hungry?” Willem drops the carcass of some poor creature at my feet and I jump back with a shrill scream.
Bending down and peering at the poor thing, I grimace. “What is that?”
His mouth twists into a mocking grin. “Food. Eat up, mortal.”
I shake my head and nudge it back towards him with the toe of my boot. “I’ll just forage for berries.”
“Do you have any idea what sort of plants grow in the Blood Forest?” he asks condescendingly. “You’re better off starving if that’s the case.”
I put my hands on my hips. “I refuse to eat anything that has a face.”
Willem lifts an eyebrow. “You eat pork, don’t you?”
“Yes, but I don’t have to see it staring back at me. I just see the cooked meat, not the animal that provided it. This...this is too far.” I stamp down the urge to vomit. Behind me, Kane snickers and uses his magic to turn the poor little critter into a savory meal that causes my mouth to water.
I look up at him and quirk a slender brow. “I still saw its face.”
“How do you know it’s the same creature?” he asks slyly.
I don’t. My traitorous stomach growls and he nods his head toward the plate. I close my eyes and eat as fast as I can, blocking out thoughts of cute woodland animals. After breakfast we continue our ride through the wilderness. My eyes scan the trees, wondering if there was some truth to Willem’s legend of the beast that lurks in the forest. But I know the real threat is much closer than either of them thinks. My hand reaches back to brush against the dagger in a motion that brings me both comfort and courage.
I think of my family, of Delphine, Rose, and father. I think of how my mother suffered for so long because Death never came to ease her pain. That seething anger comes roaring back, pushing through the compassion that I feel for Kane. I know what sort of monster he is. I’ve seen him lick the blood from his fingers as his victim lay dead at his feet. I’ve heard the cruelty of his threat to my father. For all I know Kane still wants to make me vulnerable, to break down the walls I’ve built around my heart only to be the one to drive the knife into my chest.
I stare at his back. Things are changing between us. I know my opportunity to act is closing in, but Willem will never let me get close enough to do it. If I get rid of the reaper, I’ll have a chance. Slim though it may be. But still, it’s a chance.
Here the smell of jasmine mingles with the crisp scent of pine and eucalyptus. But breaking through the calming of the natural plants, I catch a whiff of Kane’s cologne. Beneath the intriguing perfumes lies the addictive fragrance of
