Page 43 of Jackal's Pride
“A peacock,” I told him.
He studied it, rubbing his thumb over the orange peacock. The proof of my curse. “Peacocks aren’t orange.”
I exhaled. “I didn’t choose it.”
“Then why is it?”
“You can thank your creator for that.” His teeth clenched, green eyes molding into blazing embers, and it almost convinced me that he was feeling possessive. “He cursed me and all my siblings with one of the seven sins.”
Understanding crossed Jackal’s features. “Pride,” he uttered my curse as his eyes washed over me anew. “It makes sense now.”
“What?” I asked defensively.
“You.” He placed his palm against my abdomen. “I’m on my way to knowing you.”
I scoffed. “Don’t forget that collar around your—”
“A collar that might last another full day.” Emerald planets resided in his stormy eyes, burning me with the knowledge that he hadn’t forgotten.
I poked his chest. “Don’t forget my mark.” I beamed at my handy work.
He leaned over the tub and ripped the bandage off my neck. “Don’t play this game with me.”
I grabbed my neck right where his mark was—two giant canine punctures—and glared. “Exactly. We’re enemies.”
Why did it seem like I was trying to convince myself of that?
“I’ll be whatever with you as long as it’s something, little monster.”
What was that supposed to mean?And,“Monster?” I raised up and palmed the edges of the tub as I gawked at him. “And…” I tried to fight myself on this, but curiosity won out. “Have you really never had sex before today?”
“I thought we were talking about us being enemies?” His mouth tipped upward on one side, and it pissed me off that this entity found me amusing.
“I am. We are enemies. I’m just saying you didn’t seem inexperienced earlier.”
“I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean. We sought pleasure in one another and we got it, but I’m far from finished.”
“Go get it somewhere else.” The words burned like acid on my tongue. I tensed, fearing his reply. I dropped my gaze to the water to keep from seeing the expression on his face. The thought of sex with others might have appealed to him since I suggested it. I really fucking hated myself sometimes.
He leaned over the tub, and my stomach dipped. Silently, he inhaled me before dropping his hand in the water, splashing me with it. I blinked and wiped the water from my eyes. “You reek of fear.”
I lifted my head at his words and wished I hadn’t. He stole something away right then and there with his blazing stare.
“Why do you say things you do not mean? Is this how everyone lives in this age?” He grasped my chin and pulled me closer. “No matter how much you lie, your scent always tells the truth.”
My Reaper senses started tripping. I was glad for the interruption, but not this type. The disruption came from the human world. Ice filled my veins as images filtered through my mind one after another.
I jumped up, nearly clobbering Jackal as I fumbled with a towel and dried off enough so I could get dressed. Jackal stood behind me still completely nude.
“What’s wrong?”
I glimpsed back with a grim expression. “It’s the human world. The climates are different now that they’ve been affected by the approaching end. It’s not just the disease that’s obliterating the human world, it’s the catastrophes because of these brutal changes. The seasons are out of whack.” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “Just everything, Jack. The human world is in chaos. I don’t expect you to understand or even care.”
He grabbed my forearm and prevented me from turning. “You mean to tell me you’re not helping the humans so you can keep your eternal life?”
His words stung. It was like he took every good thing about me and crammed it up my ass. My chest squeezed and tightened. The sensation, like I was smothering, was weird. Was it all because of the way Jackal saw me? I’ve never cared what people thought of me or my siblings. Until now.
I yanked out of his grip. “Is that what you think of me? My family?”