“You’re right, Logan.” Her words are lower than a whisper. “I am delusional and have been in a lot of ways, and not one of them concerns Chloe Backstabbing Bishop.” She sighs down at those feverish lists she’s been compiling the greater part of theafternoon.
“Forget the list.” Chloe lands her claws over Skyla’s arm before raking her nails across her flesh, leaving a trail of white lines that quickly turn pink. “You look great. Have you finally cut the burgers from your diet? I hear those saturated fat Frisbees are murder on yourarteries.”
As if Chloe cares about the hardening of Skyla’s heart. I’m sure she’s much more interested in knifing open her flesh like she’s currentlydoing.
“Not really. I just had to get out of the habit of eating for three, and, of course, trying not to snack around the clock or eat anything after dinner. But it’s really tough, so most of the time I’m munching on pickles between meals. You know, the ones Ilike.”
“The sweet bread and butter ones with a kick of heat.” Chloe doesn’t miss a beat. And why the hell don’t I know what kind of pickles Skyla likes? “Wesley loves those, too. Speaking of which, he made me promise I’d do a grocery run before I go home. He’s picking me up in a few minutes at his dad’s. I’d better head over. I’ve got fuck detailtonight.”
“Oh, come on.” Skyla laughs at Chloe’s sexual quip. “You know it’s the highlight of your week. He does look just like your favoriteOliver.”
Chloe reaches over and slaps Skyla five. “You know what they say, fake it till you makeit.”
They share a disconcerting laugh, and I’m suddenly sick to my stomach just watching theexchange.
Chloe stands and leans toward Skyla. “I’ll keep an ear out and see if he makes that noise when he hits a homer. Maybe theyaremore alike than wethink.”
That noise? Is Skyla actually dishing out private details of her love life to this witch? On second thought, I don’t want to know. It feels strange sitting here listening to them gab about having sex with their lookalike husbands—and whatever the hell that noise mightbe.
“Oh, hey, you want a ride?” Skyla offers. “I’m sure Logan won’tmind.”
Chloe smears a greasy grin my way because I’m pretty sure the two of them realize I very much mind. “No, thanks. I prefer the freshair.”
“Watch out for falling houses.” I cross my arms over my chest as she makes her way past me. “Word on the golden streets is we’ve really pissed off the grimreaper.”
“I’m not worried.” She gives a sly wink, those dark lashes of hers collapsing as if a moth were dying right there on her lid. “Word in the Transfer is it’s Oliver blood he’s thirstyfor.”
“I’m not worried either.” Chloe can follow her empty threats straight to hell where she camefrom.
“Do the math. You’re already dead,Logan.”
Chloe dissipates right along with that signature perfume she’s been bathing in ever since Skyla bopped her over the head with a great big bottle forChristmas.
“Did she just threatenGage?”
Skyla’s cheek rises on one side as if she were threatening her husband right along with her, and it sends chills down to my core. “I’d tell that nephew of yours to watch out for falling houses.” She gathers her paperwork and starts torise.
“Skyla, wait”—I gently grab ahold of her wrist and pull her toward me—“Dudley wants to see ustonight.”
Those lucent eyes of hers skirt the room. “Let me finish up here. I’ll need to feed the boys, and then I’ll see if I can squeeze you in.” She takes off for the living room, and the crowd surges toward her like amagnet.
Squeeze me in. Those words alone make me feel as if I’m nothing more than a bump in the road. That’s about all I’ve become to her, an afterthought, an irritant atbest.
Skyla and I once had something special. We still do. She just can’t see it at themoment.
And, at the moment, my vision isn’t so great either. I’ve hurt her. Scarred her heart. Maybe it’s time I stopped acting as if I have an all access pass to the girl I love. Maybe there are hard lines—there always have been, and I’ve crossed every single one ofthem.
Skyla clears her throat before calling the room to order. “I’d like to appoint each of you with an employment post, and then we’ll go over the rules and regulations on what to do once you’ve been captured by the government.” Groans and cheers break out amongst those ready and willing to lay down their temporary lives for the sake ofothers.
But it’s not the dead that have my attention. My eyes, my heart can’t seem to stray from that celestial being that glows with love from within for each and every soul in this room. Casey had it right. Skyla is a warrior princess. She is our strong leader, and if she’s proving anything, it’s that she doesn’t need Gage or me by her side to accomplish her goals. We are ephemeral, two dark shadows passing in the night, haphazard objects in her path, unnecessary, and in the end, not needed. Skyla has this handled. I always knew she could doit.
That sinister smile she shed at the thought of Gage’s untimely demise comes to mind. Gage Oliver is the polarizing figure that has drawn Skyla and Chloe together. There is no doubt in my mind about that. But for what? Their shared loved for him? Doubtful. Their hatred? Nope. Discontent would be more like it. But his death? Now that would be downright alarming. There is no way in hell Skyla would be a cheerleader to her husband’sdemise.
Wouldshe?
* * *
Paragon wrapsme in a coat of fog as I walk down the cool lonely street without a single resurrected body from the cemetery to keep me company. After the pomp and circumstance of inputting the information Skyla managed to pull together into a rather ambitious database, I’m heading over to Dudley’s. Skyla went next door to Barron’s to nurse the twins. In that respect, her new home is in the perfect location. Although, I’m not too sure Skyla is thrilled with the idea of being Emma’s new neighbor. I’ll be honest, it alarms me more than alittle.
