I don’t say anything, waiting to see if he’ll break the silence first. Instead, I use the time to look him over, and check that he’s alright. His brown hair is windswept, and his blue eyes look tired, and as I drag my gaze lower I have to fight back a groan, only it’s not one of pain, it’s of longing, because he’s wearing my clothes. I’m annoyed that the gown and blanket does nothing to hide the more obvious sign of my desire, because this is not the time, or the place to be getting a raging hard on. Besides, there are more pressing things to worry about than the fact I still can’t seem to control myself when it comes to Ethan. I can’t deny that he looks fucking hot in my clothes though.
“Devin, did you know when you made that deal with me, what might happen?” he asks quietly, and I look away.
So that’s why he’s here.
“Yes, I did.”
“And when your father tried to shoot me, why did you stop him? You could’ve gotten away with everything if he’d killed me.”
My throat is thick, and I swallow down the lump that’s stuck there, “I did it to protect you. You were back in that house because of me, although I couldn’t honestly have guaranteed your safety had you refused to cooperate, so I offered you the only thing I had left. My life, Ethan. Whether at my father’s hand or The Reapers, I made you a promise and I intended to keep it. I still do. Why did you save me, you could’ve let me die, and you’d have still been free. My father is dead, and Sebastian isn’t about to go out and harm Katy’s family after what I did, what my father did.”
“Katy. She wouldn’t have wanted me to let you die when I could save you, regardless of what you did. I wanted justice, I wanted payback, I wanted revenge. I sold my soul for it, and to you no less, but I didn’t want you dead. I still don’t.”
What’s left of my heart thumps unevenly in my chest. “You can have it back. I have no right to it anyway. This doesn’t change the fact that I made you a promise, and I need to honor it.”
“For fuck’s sake, Devin. It’s much too late for that. You nearly died, were willing to die to save me. Hell, from what Sebastian was telling me, you did die briefly. There’s nothing more you can offer because you’ve already given it all,” he finishes, and I frown at him in confusion.
“What’s too late? My offer?”
I watch as Ethan rolls his eyes and his lips kick up in the corners, “I thought you were smarter than this, but apparently you’re more dense than I anticipated. There’s no point in throwing away your life now, so don’t. Don’t go to the cops. Also, it’s too late to take back my soul, Devin. Somehow, in all this mess you’ve branded yourself on me. I still fucking hate you, though,” he tacks on at the end, and I laugh, then immediately grimace as the pain stabs through my body from the entry wound.
“Are you okay?” he asks, concerned.
“I will be. What about you?” I fire back at him.
“I will be,” he mimics, and we lapse into silence.
I’ll never be able to truly earn his forgiveness, and I’m not sure I’ll ever earn my own. But, as we sit in silence in my hospital room, I begin to think that maybe there may be more hope and light in my future than I ever anticipated and maybe someday it’ll eclipse the darkness of my past.
About Ally Vance
Ally is an International Bestselling Author who writes in the Dark Romance & Horror genres. Ally also co-writes with her close friend Michelle under the pen name Ally Michelle. Ally lives in Kent, in the United Kingdom with her husband, stepson, and two cats.
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To my Grims’
You have given me blood
Chapter One
Kenji
It all started with a dare. One which pitted us against each other since we were ten.
Who knew two brothers—twins, no less—would ruin their lives on one word. Wager.
My brother, Atlas, gives the stakes. “I dare you to kiss Stacy Castillo… on the lips!” It’s our tenth birthday, and he gets bored easily, so I try not to put too much thought into his question. I stare at him, watching as he dribbles the basketball in front of me as if H.O.R.S.E. wasn’t what he intended at all when bringing me out here. I’m already a H.O., yet he wants to plummet me at this point, making me a full mare on the court. It’s not unusual for him; he’s all about taunting, making the plays, and winning. Not today. Not this time. Not when I’m already mad at him for stealing my Nintendo 64, that he proceeded to smash with a bat.
I’ll win this time.
Show him I’m not scared of his stupid games.
He’s always been the aggressor and me the calm twin. He’ll learn that pushing too far doesn’t end with smiles.
Down at the playground, Stacy plays with Rusty, Elena, and Tristan. They take turns jumping out of the swings, seeing who can go higher and farther. It’s a dumb game and takes zero talent—that’s why me and Atlas play ones with losses. If you lose, you have to do something the other person wants. And you can’t say no.
“Okay,” I agree.
“If you don’t kiss her, you have to give me your gift from Nan for our birthday.” Nan always gives us money, saying kids are too hard to shop for. Which means we’ll buy a ton of candy or have Adeline—our aunt—get us some firecrackers from
