Page 4 of Jackal's Pride

You’re mine, Jackal.

_______

Two weeks later…

For a fragment in time, watching Mom as she stood by the stove took me back to my childhood. Only it wasn’t her standing at the stove in my memory, it was a seven-year-old version of me. One I could barely remember because she was buried so deep in the curse of my sin.

At present, Mom tucked her blonde strands behind her ear and turned around. “Come, try a taste. I want it to be perfect,” she hummed as she held up the spoon—one dripping with her famous chili the Grim Reaper loved so much, but not as much as her or my siblings and me.

My parents love for one another and their love for us I knew would stand the test of time. Looking at her now, I often grew angry. Not because I didn’t love her. I loved my family more than I loved myself. I just often couldn’t get the right feelings and thoughts out.

Back to the past…

I remembered the way I stood next to the stove and tried to imitate everything she did, including trying my best to watch after my siblings, even my three brothers who were all older than me. And the worst part of remembering was how good I had been at mirroring her.

Once upon a time before a curse, there was a little girl who wanted nothing more than to grow-up and be just like her mother…

As a kid, I was an observer. I watched and adored the way my mom walked in the room and how the revered Grim Reaper lit up like he’d just seen her for the first time. I thought that was what growing up meant. That I’d find someone that worshipped me the way my parents did each other. I thought that despite being one of the Grim Reaper’s daughters life would stay happy—that I would stay happy. That I would never change on the inside, but the curse altered my belief.

I lost myself the day the Devil showed up and delivered our curses to us. Pride was an ugly thing. She was a real bitch, and I became her.

Becoming my mother was who I thought I’d be.

I crossed my arms and exhaled. “You’ve barely seen Dad lately. Every one of us is so busy because of the end of the world crisis. He probably doesn’t even remember what today is.” As soon as I said those words, I knew they weren’t true.

Mom simply smiled. “Oh, I’m positive he’ll remember.” Today was their reunion anniversary. My parents were separated for a very long time before they had us. A lifetime to be exact. The day they were reunited became a day of importance to them.

She turned back to the stove. “Anyway… What are you doing here? Have you already finished your quota for the day?”

My eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “Yes, and then some.”

Every Reaper had a daily quota for how many souls we descended or ascended—based on what kind of person they were before they died. That included demons. If they were decent demons before death, even they were granted access into the pearly gates thanks to my mother. Before her rebirth as the angel of light, good demons simply died—trapped in a limbo created by the Devil.

Now as her offspring, my siblings and I were capable of the same thing.

Within hours, I had reached my quota for the day and more. I was waiting on Barron to get back. For nothing other than to rub it in his face that I did better—I always did better. I made sure of it. I put a little more effort into everything I did to make it so.

My phone beeped in my tight-fitting black pants. Anticipation built in my stomach at the sight of Newt’s name on my screen. Him texting me could only mean one thing. I viewed the text:

Found him. Meet us at The Den in an hour. I’ll give the coordinates to you and Gavin at the same time.

Him being Jackal.

I smirked as I slipped my phone back in my pocket. “Tell Barron I’ll meet with him later.”

I had a bet to settle.

_______

“Why does it seem like it’s always bad news when you end up here?” Molly placed a drink in front of me. I sat on a stool at the bar inside The Den.

“Because it’s likely,” I responded with a grin as I took a drink. I sputtered afterward and glared down at the green liquid. “Is this your infamous concoction? You know I hate this shit.” I shoved it away while she laughed and switched out my drinks.

She quirked a brow. “You’re bursting with energy. What are you about to get into?”

She knew me well. I gulped down the new elixir she gave me. “Oh, you know, the usual. I made another bet with Gavin.”

She shook her head. “Bad news, that one. I’d be careful. He’ll eventually outmaneuver you in one of these games.”