Page 79 of Jackal's Pride

There were no saving lives that day. We were too busy getting blown to pieces along with them. Did she kill her own people? I didn’t notice.

Chapter 30

Maureen

Holy mother of—

I groaned against the ground, at least I thought it was the ground. I hadn’t opened my eyes yet. Too busy feeling around with my recently rejuvenated hands—every bone, every organ and muscle, every single hair restored. I’d never been blown to pieces and had to regrow everything. It was crazy, and I was in no hurry to repeat it. Ever.

Who was the witch?

“Oh, you’re awake?” No matter how tender and sore every part of me was—even my brain—I opened my eyes and lifted my head when I heard Newt’s voice.

I wasn’t home, not that I even had a home now that the random figure had blown me to bits. If we were still in the Underworld, where the hell were we? Touching my temple, I winced. My brain pounded like it was split in half. I was naked and the sheet beneath me felt like sandpaper against my skin which was still pink as it healed.

I reached over the edge of the bed and peeled back the sheet to drape it over my new skin.

“She was very thorough in blowing you up,” Newt said as he got out of the chair he sat in and crossed the room to the bed. “It was only because I managed to find a leg that I was able to bring you here,” he mused as the bed dipped with his weight. I could barely even manage a glare let alone trying to work my new tongue. “Interesting process, watching your body regrow.”

“I’m sure.” My tongue was heavy, voice too raspy to sound completely normal yet.

It was easy to see my predicament. I’d been taken again. I refused to say kidnapped on account of pride burning a hole in my stomach. “What...” Little late for that, the moment my fingers lingered to my neck and discovered the new collar he placed on me. “I can’t believe it!” My curse couldn’t either. I felt the recoil in my stomach, the burning fury of my pride.

“I am your friend, although I wish to be more—”

“What are you doing?”

“—That can come in time,” he finished. “I’m afraid you’re going to be mad for a while but that’s okay.”

“I’m furious, you—”

Their deaths swept over me like a dark cloud stealing my words. I felt a pang of grief so strong that it was staggering. My lungs had to remember how to breathe in and out, only to remember all the ones that could never breathe again—I’d been kidnapped.Again.I hadn’t been there to help them, help my family.

I screamed as my curse assaulted my stomach, my mind, all reason. I clutched my abdomen and would have vomited if I had anything in my gut, but I didn’t so I was left dry-heaving as the spasms coursed through me.

“What’s wrong with you?” he asked, concern in his voice and on his face. Then his mouth dropped. “Ah, your curse. You really beat yourself up when it comes to letting someone best you, don’t you?”

He was making it worse. “Shut your mouth!” But it was me that dropped my head to the bed clutching my stomach, wishing for my failures to go away. If only to please my curse. I slowly sat up. “Why did you kill them? To spite us?”

“To be fair, I was only doing what I was told. In all honestly, it’s better to die in pieces than to die by everything that will come with the end.”

I materialized Ben and Jerry—got as far as his neck before the collar threw me against the wall. I coughed up a groan. “We’ll never let the Devil have his reign.”

“You’re right,” he agreed. “It won’t be his reign.”

I rolled my eyes despite the pain. “You honestly expect the Devil will let Harvest take the one thing he’s predestined to have?” I laughed. “I can imagine the horned monster sitting on his throne right now sipping on the blood of his victims or whatever it is he does while he lets Harvest do everything that’s needed for him to rise from Hell.”

“You underestimate Harvest.”

“And you underestimate a Reaper,” I replied with cold eyes, but then I exhaled loudly. “To think I considered you smart at one point. I acknowledge that Harvest is powerful, but neither him nor Satan will rise up.”

“If that’s what you think, but he’s bested your family twice now.” I gritted my teeth as he continued. “You wouldn’t believe the mass of demons he’s collected since his confrontation with you guys. Demons came to him willingly after he managed to break fate and bring the end upon us sooner. The Devil should be worried.”

“You know you’ll die long before you get to see the outcome?”

“Hear me out, there’s no reason I can’t try to help your family when the end comes. We have tricks up our sleeves. Power you wouldn’t believe. I wasn’t lying when I said I think I can save you from the end.”

I grabbed the collar. “I don’t believe a word you say. I’m just pissed that I won’t be the one that will get to kill you! The moment my family realizes I’m gone—if not—”