Page 42 of Reaper's Quest

An impossible tightness clenched my chest. Despite my fear, I would never forgive myself if I left Chace or Mr. Aldine to the fate of those creatures.

A growl of frustration vibrated within my throat.

I curled my fists tight enough to turn my knuckles white and slice my nails through the soft flesh of my palms. Gritting my teeth, I prayed I wouldn’t regret my next move.

One quick pivot, and I spun back to aid my coreapers.

A wall of black awaited me. The shadows snapping at my back now before me, and advancing wickedly fast. Soon, they would topple right over me.

I threw up my arms as if to stop them. But I’d seen what the one had done to the woman. The woman’s state had changed, drained of vitality, without a touch between them.

Movement blurred in the corner of my eye. A solid body of force slammed into me, knocked me sideways to the ground, and weighed me down.

Dammit, Chace.

Who held my ire most, him or me? I had failed to stay on guard for any of his tricks. And so early in the reaping. I should have expected such a stunt to come at one of the worst possible moments. After all, Ihadturned my back and run.

A chill raced over my skin, and the clicking and clucking silenced, the wall of black smoke vanishing.

I swallowed hard, unsure if I should be happy or more concerned. Had I merely traded one vexation for another?

“Get off me.” I pushed at Chace’s chest.

“Sorry. Did I hurt you?”

I froze and flicked my attention to the force holding me down. My breath snagged. Chace didn’t gaze into my eyes, lay flush against my body, or pin me to the ground. No, not Chace, but a striking, blue-eyed, long pointy-eared stranger of white, weighted against me.

My heart thumped a boulder-crash beat in my chest.Where did this guy come from…and where are the specters?

I stiffened, and my cheeks warmed. I imagined my face beaming as red as a cherry, having allowed an unknown to pummel me to the ground so easily. But I didn’t have time for distractions. Not even distractions with eyes the bluest of blue and skin as clear as fresh snow.

“Excuse me.” I extracted myself from beneath his weight, rolled onto my side, and scanned the street for threats.

Specifically, the shadowy types that chased me.

None were to be found. Living up to the specter title, they appeared to have vanished into the night. Not quite the run-for-your-life type of threat Aoes had me believe them to be.

Before I could push myself off the ground, the guy who had bulldozed me jumped to his feet and offered me his hand.

“We don’t get many strangers visiting our fine citadel.” He glanced up the street to Chace and Mr. Aldine then turned his attention back to me and grinned. “You’re actually the first I’ve had the pleasure of running into. Quite literally. I’m Winter, at your service.”

“Do you do this often? Knock females over with such gusto?”

“Only when I feel undeniably attracted to them.”

I blinked and, catching my mouth hanging open, snapped it shut.

“In truth, you would be my first.” He pressed his hand closer, emphasizing his offer.

“Saying I’m your first is basically implying you intend to do this again.” I accepted his hand, his skin soft and chilled (not warm like his core), and allowed him to tug me to my feet. “Raven. And that there is Chace and?”

The words fell from my lips, becoming lost in my scrambled thoughts as I relinquished my hold. Mr. Aldine and Chace hunched beside the woman, and they… They were…

“Oh, hell.” I gulped, a small egg sized lump sliding down my throat. “I’m sorry, but… I have to go.”

I turned and ran.

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