A Shadow in the Reaping (The Shadow Realm, #1)

by Brynne Weaver

“I am Ashen of House Urbigu.

I can’t take this name seriously

She picks up her notebook and reviews the words she's written as she walks to the fridge. She pulls out a blood bag and empties the contents into another mug for me. “You spoil me, my friend,” I say, lining up my options of blood, tequila, and tea.

A girl has to have her hydratiion line up lol

“There's nowhere on Earth that I can't find you, vampire,” he says, and turns toward the unlit hall as he keeps hold of my gaze over his shoulder. “Just in case you're thinking of running too far.”

A hand presses a warm touch on my face. A slow caress sweeps across my skin, first on one cheek and then the other. When Ashen's hand grasps mine again, it's damp with the tears I've shed. “I won't let anything hurt you, Lu,” he says. His voice sounds like a promise. He sounds like a warrior. He sounds like he will burn the world to keep his word.

Ashen's eyes burn with bright flame as they bounce between mine. He seems to find something there that he didn't want to. I can tell he realizes that wherever my panic came from, it was from no accident. That life can be callous and cruel. His gaze drops to my lips and his jaw tightens. “The ones who did this to you. Did you kill them?” I nod. “Good.” We stand unmoving for a long moment. I only notice now that my hands are curled around Ashen's wrists. His palms are still warm on my skin. His thumbs coast beneath my eyes and sweep the last of my tears away.

I do not know who made me. I only know I belong near the top. And I don't care who you are or what realm you're from, I owe you no name to put on this list of future souls ripe for stealing. Let me be a shadow in your reaping and we will call your debt fulfilled.

“If you're trapped in the Realm of Light, I will still find you,” Ashen says. With one more brush of his skin across mine he pulls his hand away.

I take a deep breath as I lean against the column and look up. All praise to M.I.A. for the hype tune tracking through my mind. Live fast, die young, bad girls do it well.