Page 49 of Written In Flesh

“You don’t remember.” It’s a statement and not a question.

I nod my head, biting my bottom lip. “Ah yeah. Kind of part of the whole lost my memories.”

“So it was absolutely everything that year that you don’t remember?” He watches me and for the first time since I’ve been back his eyes seem to soften. Something finally clicks for him and again I nod my head.

Aero blows out his breath slowly, his hands resting on his hips. “We listen. The different mausoleums here are filled with spirits, guardians, or ancestors of our kinds. Not every reaper cares to do it, but the four of us know how fundamental the information can be. I start each shift, listening. Just drop by, close your eyes, and listen. Then you’ll know how to prepare for the night.”

“What if there’s whispering about something you can’t prepare for?” I ask, feeling a rising flutter in my chest, thinking of that boom, of the possible Nexa.

“We’re always prepared. There’s no room for failure.”

Madden’s deep voice cuts through the space. My eyes flick from him to Aero who shakes his head, a smirk pulling his lips. “You’re early.”

Madden keeps his eyes on me rather than look at his friend. “You should have let me know she was here.”

I roll my eyes at his bossy tone, which only makes Aero snicker out loud. “I can handle training Skully. Did it last time, remember? What if it’s the same as before?”

Aero’s reminder sends shockwaves through my system, my head throbs for two, three, four seconds and a wave of longing, loneliness, and a close friendship so bright and painful splinters behind my eyeballs like a flash of light. My steps falter, and I stop moving, my hand touching my head where the pain was.

“What’s wrong with you?” Madden asks, coming to stand next to me, his fingers brushing my arm before I yank it out of his grasp.

“Nothing.” I swallow back the pain and push down the lingering feelings. Glancing up, I catch Aero’s gaze and see his worry before he quickly masks it.

Aero clears his throat and once again speaks only to Madden. “Just some whisperings that the hounds are out. There might be a delivery later but that’s about it.”

Madden nods his head, his arms crossed over his chest. “You can leave.”

Aero shakes his head, another chuckle on his lips before he turns to me, and with a wave, his body shimmers out of existence.

“You could be nicer.” I turn to Madden, my brow raised. “He is your friend.”

Madden’s jaw tightens as he glances away from me. “Don’t worry about Aero. You have enough to worry about tonight.”

Scoffing, I step closer to him, my eyes narrowing when his lips turn down even more in a frown. “Let’s just get a few things straight here, okay. I didn’t ask for this. My dad demanded I have to learn. But I plan to give it my all and not slack off. Therefore, you’re going to have to put away your dickish behavior for a few hours. This seems like serious business that needs around the clock care and time from our kind—-”

“My kind.” Madden’s eyes fill with fire and challenge as he steps into me.

I raise my arm, once again showing him the proof that I am undoubtedly part reaper whether he likes it or not. “I have the marks, which makes me a reaper as well. Something you’re just going to have to get over now that it’s proof.”

“I know you’re a reaper, Skully, you always have been—”

“Then don’t pull the my kind card on me,” I practically yell, cutting him off this time. “I don’t remember what happened back then. Sorry, it’s probably never going to come back to me. But I’m here tonight, and I want to learn how to keep the Gate protected. I want to keep the Haven safe. So while we’re doing this, try not to be an asshole so we can work together.”

Madden’s chest heaves, and his silver eyes are blazing molten titanium. “You will listen to me, you’ll follow my direction, and you will not train with anyone other than me. Got it, Angel?”

My head whips up to look at him. That’s the second time he’s called me that and I don’t know if it’s meant to be degrading or a slip of the tongue. Does Madden know I also possess angel blood inside me?

“Why only with you?”

He stands taller, his eyes running over me. “It’s for everyone’s safety.”

Madden walks away, weaving around rows of headstones, and I almost have to run just to keep up with him. The night air seems to settle, the wind dropping off, and nothing stirs the very peaceful surroundings. “Aero was right, the hounds came through the gate and have been hunting.”

“What does that mean?” I glance at him, watching the way his face tightens with the mask I’ve seen him wear many times. His eyes become almost glacial.

“A demon escaped or resurfaced. The hounds are out to bring them back.”

My eyes scan over the cemetery and lock on the large, black iron gate. Up close for the first time, I notice the patterns, and symbols etched into it. “Is that common for them to escape?”