Phantasma (Wicked Games, #1)

by Kaylie Smith

“Angel…”

I sense a nickname

Phantasma. The Devil’s Manor. A place often spoken about in whispered rumors and haunting cautionary tales in the dark.

“Go home,” the stranger advised. “A house of Devils is no place for an angel like you.” The way they continued to call her angel made her think they were teasing her.

But all she could think about was that, for now, she wasn’t alone, and she wanted to linger in that feeling for as long as she could.

Damn this bitch really lonely

a deep, vaguely familiar voice commented from behind her.

Here is the mysterious stranger from last night?

“I’m what? Very handsome? The most striking person you’ve ever seen?”

surprisingly muscular—biceps,

She's just a girl after all ;)

The stranger.

Knewww it

“Though, none have been as much a vision in red as you are.”

“Ah, so that’s the true distinction of a Phantom—an ego.”

Oh, and that she wrote in her diary that she’s trying to find someone named Gabriel.”

Erm should we be revealing such info??

“Do you know a Gabriel?”

Im guessing he IS him

“Ophelia,” he repeated, tasting every syllable. Her name on his tongue sounded like a wicked prayer. “You are exactly the person I’ve been waiting for.”

Blackwell leaned forward until their gazes were level with one another’s, the tips of their noses nearly touching. “No one has ever turned me down before.”

“Don’t forget, you keep finding me.” He gave her a pointed look, and she was already regretting giving in to his antics. “Yes, and I’m starting to wonder if it would have been less hassle to just get murdered by the Ghoul in my bathroom.”

LOL

she hated herself for thinking that the gesture was attractive. She couldn’t help it, though. Everything about him was frustratingly attractive.

“Not interested in socializing,”

We live for the snark

Excuse me for not just taking the word of a Ghost who keeps stalking me.” “Stalking is a bit dramatic,” he drawled. She only glared at him.

“A Devil is a Devil.”

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take. Life happens. Even in death. No use worrying about things that haven’t occurred yet.”

“Are you going to need me to hold your hand while we walk through?” he taunted over his shoulder with a smirk. “Oh, bite me,” she deadpanned. His smirk grew wider. “Is that an invitation?” She ignored his teasing and asked, “Why don’t you just do your little disappearing act and transport us where we need to go? Or do you only pop into places that you’re uninvited?”

“C’mon, angel, show me your teeth.”

I remember every contestant I’ve worked with, and every city we’ve traveled to, but nothing outside of Phantasma’s competitions. A shame, too. I feel robbed of my first time laying eyes on you.”

“Did you know that every time you lie, your left eye twitches a little?”

“I don’t care if you’re already dead,” she hissed. “I’m going to kill you again.” “Is this your attempt at flirting, angel?” he choked out despite the pressure she was putting on his neck. Her lip curled up in disgust. “Both of my hands are wrapped around your throat!” “That doesn’t make it any clearer,”

“No,” Ophelia retorted. “Our conversation is done. I don’t know how close you and Genevieve were, but that does not make the two of us allies. If you were smart, you wouldn’t be making allies at all. It will only lead to heartbreak.”

Woah chill it tough guy

As much as she hated to admit it, she craved confirmation when she did something well.

Wait twin

she was chiding herself for having such a lack of upper-body strength. She was going to start lifting books in the library after this.

Her mother’s grave was probably nearing seven feet deep with how many times she’d made the woman roll over in the past week.

“How in the Hell can you drink this stuff?” “You learn to tolerate it,” he said. “Sort of like your personality?” she quipped. He smirked and crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you admitting I’m not so bad?” “Never,” she answered

“Twenty generations of Grimm women have taken on the responsibility of being Necromancers, and I will be damned if I let all of them down because I’m too selfish to carry on.”

Perhaps she would always be destined for darkness no matter what she did or where she went.

“Men are always useless,” she growled to them both, half-exasperated,

“I tried to help him hide his lover.”

Or he is the lover?

And two, because she needed to start figuring things out for herself.

Preach

and then you found me. Because it seems that’s what we do. We find each other.”

we’ll meet again someday,” Ophelia vowed. Her mother smiled. Not too soon, though, my darling. Live.

She really hoped Charlotte survived, if only because the world needed more people who minded their own damn business and weren’t afraid to speak up when needed.

“I know this is a dangerous path. I know I should have enough self-control to just stay the fuck away, but you are the only thing that’s ever made me feel even a semblance of hope in this eternity of Hell.

“In a different life, in a fair one, I would’ve kept you until my eternal soul withered away to dust,” he vowed to her.

“Have I ever told you how much I adore a woman who isn’t afraid to get her hands bloody?”