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But when Roman started swiping antiseptic cream on her fucking chest, the way he touched her, the way she looked at him—I had to turn away, this close to going over there and—what? What did I think I was going to do?

I finally heard her saying goodbye, and I couldn’t stop myself from turning back. She had her shirt on again, and for some reason, that soothed us—my fox wasn’t baring his teeth anymore, at least.

Her gaze lifted, finding me, and she froze, just for a split second. Her throat worked before she quickly looked away and started for the door.

“Jaz,” Rome called.

She turned back, and he tossed something to her. She caught it, lifted it, and laughed. Peanut M&M’s, her favorite.

I didn’t like that either. Not at all. So much so, there was no stopping my feet from following her. “Catch you later tonight,” I said to Relic and told myself I was leaving anyway, when I knew I was full of shit.

I’d tried to convince myself there was nothing going on between Jaz and Rome, but now? They were close, too fucking close. Fuck, were they…were they actually together?

I walked out and it was as if my fox was locked on to her scent like a fucking bloodhound, following her as if his life depended on it.

And I let him.

I walked out into the parking lot in time to see her drive away.

I got in the hearse and followed.

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Chapter 7

Jasmine

* * *

I strode into my field at the end of the street and breathed in the cool air. The scent of this place helped soothe me instantly. Walking to my favorite oak tree, I kicked off my shoes, pulled off my socks, and sat down, burying my toes in the earth. Placing my hands down beside me, I let tendrils of magic flow downward. The earth replied, sending vibrations back through my feet and hands, the oak humming softly behind me.

When I felt off-kilter, or alone, this place patched me up, stitched me back together. I’d been coming here a lot since Zinny started spending time in Limbo.

And now that I was alone again, all my fears bubbled to the surface. Somehow, I had to find those missing souls or my sister could be trapped in Limbo indefinitely. Who the hell did Death think I was? I was not my sister. Zinnia was the capable one, the powerful one. Hunting for the souls while she was here had been easy. She led, I followed. I always followed.

Breathe.

You can do this. You have to do this.

I forced myself to focus on the tender skin on my chest and stomach and the new ink Rome had just given me instead of thinking about what I had to do, or what Zinnia was doing now and if she was okay.

I took another deep breath and wriggled, getting more comfortable. The packet of peanut M&M’s crackled in my pocket. I smiled and slipped it out. Relic always had them for me on movie nights. He’d started doing it after seeing Rome give them to me. I liked to snack when I was nervous, and so I brought some along when I got my first tattoo. Now it’d become a tradition between Rome and me. He always had some for me whenever I got a tattoo, even though I wasn’t nervous anymore. No, getting new ink helped me get out of my own head, and after saying goodbye to Zinny, I’d needed that more than ever.

I popped a candy in my mouth and closed my eyes. Think, Jaz. I needed a next step. Had souls ever gone missing before? If Zinnia knew, she hadn’t said. Where would I find that out? We had a library full of our histories, but Death was a god, and in his case more closely linked to demons. I’d need access to a demon library. I knew where one existed, but I’d need help to get to it. I’d need safe passage.

There was a chill in the air, but the early autumn sun was warm against the tops of my feet and ankles.

I kept my eyes closed and tried to focus on the earth and the healing energy it was giving back—but my mind kept wandering.

Ren had been at the clubhouse while I was there. I don’t know for how long, but as soon as I saw him my stupid heart had filled with…elation, quickly followed by hurt. Ugh. My heart was an idiot.

I couldn’t get out of the den and the clubhouse fast enough. If Ren was there, Breanne probably wasn’t far behind, and the last thing I wanted right now was to see the two of them all over each other, or have her bring up that I’d liked that photo to humiliate me.

No, it wasn’t Ren’s fault that I was in love with him, or that he didn’t love me back. It did fucking suck, though. Goddess, if I could take these feelings away, I would, in a heartbeat.

I felt a gentle push against my magic, a little rush of joy, then more, until the energy I felt was like ten overexcited puppies jumping all around me at once. Something tickled my cheek, and I opened my eyes and chuckled. At least ten mourning cloak butterflies danced and dived around me, their happiness at finding me infectious. I held out my arms, and they landed, then took flight, over and over again. Their love for me was instant, beautiful, and utterly pure. My familiars were tiny in size, but their love for me was overwhelming, all-encompassing. I often wondered how it was possible for such tiny beings to love so huge.

One fluttered around my face and landed on my head, and I giggled again, letting their happiness and excitement fill me.