Jackal's Pride (Seven Deadly Book 2) Read online

  Shit. I didn’t have time for this. Time was literally of the essence, and I just roped myself into searching for an entity who hadn’t been seen in thousands of years. “You gonna help us find him?” I glanced at Newt.

  He rubbed his bald head before grinning. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Newt was the best for tracking spells. As a Reaper, I could literally find anyone. I just had to conjure up a name inside my head and there they’d be, but sometimes, demons could hide themselves from our senses. Considering no one had seen Jackal for years, I knew I needed Newt’s help. The fact that our target was an entity only made it worse. Being immortal, he had no death date in which I could track him with.

  “Maureen!” Fear called me for the fight.

  “I’m afraid I won’t be finishing this poker game.” I glanced at Newt. “Let us know when you find him.” I rose to my feet. “Fellas, I believe it’s time for me to go kick some ass.”

  I dematerialized the collar somewhere safe as I strode toward the ring.

  Then a wicked gleam touched my lips.

  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.”

  I tossed my head back and chuckled. “You’ve got to be kidding. I’ll never let him beat me.” That sense of pride burst through my belly like a tsunami and with it, I got that heady sense of satisfaction that I chased after so much. “He’s scum, and I’ll never let him have what he wants.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “Me.”

  “Maureen.” I whipped my head around when Newt called my name.

  “Talk to you later, Molly.” I slid off the stool.

  “Tell that son of mine to come visit me when you see him.”

  “Ah, you know Payne, he’s all work and no fun,” I said good-naturedly. Her expression was sad as I walked away. I wondered how long it’d been since Payne had visited his parents for her to look that way.

  I had bigger things to worry about though. Namely catching the entity called Jackal before Gavin, or I’d be getting to know that cock of his. And I did not want any of what he had to offer. Not that I worried about losing. That was laughable. I never lost.

  I sauntered over to the bald warlock gleaming until I heard Gavin behind me. “I see you beat me here, Maureen, but you won’t beat me to Jackal.”

  I groaned. “I’ll eventually feed you to River and Ruby one of these days.” They were twin dragons that roamed Dad’s woods.

  Unbothered by my words, Gavin stopped beside me and looked to Newt. “So you finally found him, have you? It’s been two weeks too long.”

  “Give me credit.” The warlock’s eyes skimmed over me and a pleased expression crossed his face. “I have found what even a Reaper couldn’t.”

  Acid burned a hole inside me. I hated when someone spoke above me, and I especially hated when someone’s superiority collided with my curse. Placing my hand on my hip, I tried to tamper down my anger. “I never even tried to search for him. I left that part for you.”

  “Mm-hmm,” was all he said, but it was enough to make my skin crawl.

  “Are you saying I’m lying?” I bit out. “In case you two have forgotten, the end of the world is near and some of us are trying to prevent it.”

  “Exactly why I plan to win this bet and finally make you mine before there’s no more Maureen.” Gavin pulled the cigar from his mouth and blew a puff of smoke my way. “News of the Reapers impending fate has reached every corner of the Underworld. Everyone knows when the Devil rises out of here, you guys die. It’s prophecy—your fate to die when there’s nothing good left to protect, am I right?”

  I materialized my twin blades—dubbed Ben and Jerry, hello, because that was my favorite ice cream brand—simultaneously, letting them hover in the air at my sides while grabbing him by the neck so quickly that I was a blur to everyone around us. I clenched my teeth together as I knocked him to the ground. I grabbed my floating swords and crossed them at his neck, then I stood over him as he smirked. “Watch your mouth. I think you know more than anyone that my family and I don’t lose. I hope I don’t kill you before you get to see us defeat this fate thing just like I do you at every bet.” I spat on the ground next to him, barely missing his face. “Fucking vamp. One strike and your head is off.”

  “Enough, Maureen.” Newt exhaled behind me. Reluctantly, I stepped back and let Gavin stand. “He said what he did to get a rise out of you.”

  “Just tell me where Jackal is so this bet can be done.” I glanced over at Gavin when I said, “Once and for all.”

  “I won’t let you win this time,” he promised, rubbing his neck pathetically.

  “You know what happens when I win this time.” Because I couldn’t say no to a bet. I couldn’t back down from anything. He knew this and took advantage of my curse. I would no longer allow him to bet me with this final wager. That made me all the more excited.

  “Jackal is located in a northern cave of the Underworld,” Newt interrupted us. I faced him. “The problem is the cave has been concealed. What or how, or even why the Jackal hasn’t moved from that cave in thousands of years, I couldn’t tell you.”

  “Okay… We need coordinates,” Gavin said. “And how are we supposed to find something that’s concealed?”

  Newt ran his hand over his head. “Now if
I helped with that, where would be the fun? Figure it out on your own.”

  I smirked. This was a cakewalk for me. If I knew exact coordinates, I could fade right into the cave.

  “I’ve written it down for both of you,” Newt continued. “I’m giving each of you slightly different coordinates so there are no spats between the two of you when I’m not around to be the voice of reason.”

  I rolled my eyes and took one of the papers from his outstretched hand. “Now then.” As I glanced up, Gavin blew something into my face.

  The particles flew up my nose and immediately I knew what he did. “Mother f—”

  Everything went blank.

  _______

  I jerked forward as Newt hands passed over my face, waking me from the sleeping spell Gavin threw in my face. Newt was crouched beside me with his elbows resting on his knees when he sighed.

  “You should stop betting with the vampire,” he said as I got up.

  I dusted off my ass and hissed. “Don’t worry. With this final win, he’ll no longer find a way to bet with me.” I sought his eyes for confirmation. “You woke me as soon as he did it?”

  He stood, his slinky frame taller than mine, but I was curvy and feminine with more muscle than what the warlock had. “It’s not been even a minute, but that’s plenty enough time for him to have already ported there ahead of you.”

  I nodded. “See ya.”

  Right before I faded, Newt whispered, “Good luck. Gavin isn’t the one I’m worried about.”

  Without admitting it aloud, I reminded myself that his words rang true. My family recently went head-to-head with one of the Devil’s entity, Harvest, and if it hadn’t been for Isabella loving my brother Sebastian enough to defy the hold Harvest had on her, then… I would never acknowledge it. My pride would never let me. Still, I knew the truth, and it felt like acid raging inside me—pumping up that nasty curse.

  And once again I was about to face an entity—Jackal, a being no one had seen or heard from for thousands of years. As far as I knew he was a myth. A story. A spooky legend to some. Regardless, all I had to do was place this magical collar around his neck before Gavin could. It sounded easy enough. Something I could do with my eyes closed.

  I faded to the memorized coordinates, then later visualized the exact place in my head. Reappearing, I blinked and took in my location. Chill bumps spread over my bare arms as puffs of smoke left my lips. I peered up at the large snowflakes falling, and then down to my black leather boots which were covered deep in snow. Typically, climates didn’t exist in the Underworld. There was no sun and only a fake moon. The Underworld was a dark place unless you counted enchanted places like this where the creatures living here affected the way their atmosphere worked. Only thing about this place was no one seemed to live here. I was standing on the edge of a huge ass mountain. Around me all I saw was more and more white-covered mountains. Bitter cold bit my skin as I gazed at the dark night lit up by the pretend moon. Maybe what lie underneath this snow wasn’t green at all—it was probably just as rotted as the rest of the Underworld.

  As I took a step, my boot crunching into the snow, I came to a conclusion. The only one that I assumed was here was most likely the one bringing on this never-ending snowfall. As I walked, I materialized a new set of clothes over the ones I wore. I hated freezing. I hated the cold. Period.

  I tugged the hood closer to my ears—that was attached to the coat I now wore. My snow boots were so much better and warmer than the leather ones. I couldn’t help but let out a little pleasant sigh as I walked some more then stopped abruptly. This was going to take all day unless… I smiled, closed my eyes, and reopened them. When I did, I could see the strings of fate which was everyone’s lifeline. Of course I didn’t expect to see any chains around here, but I hoped for one. I wasn’t disappointed. All around the mountains, a thick glowing black chain floated. I also saw my eternal chain glowing orange which represented my immortal life. I realized this was the first time I had used my eyes to look at the string of fates since finding out the world was ending and knowing that Reapers would die soon. I was happy to find that mine was still everlasting and vibrant, no sign of any death looming. A relieved shudder washed over my body as I refocused on the other eternal life next to mine, flowing all over the place, it too, was vibrant but riddled with darkness. I followed the chain searching for where it originated. Considering it seemed to have no end, I guessed it belonged to Jackal. Problem was, it had to have a beginning—a point of attachment. Like everyone’s, our lifelines hung out of our chests. It was a gift passed down from my mom that I was able to see them. Only her, Barron, and I could use this trick. None of the other siblings had been born with fate’s eyes.

  After minutes of concentrating, I was almost positive that the string was coming from the other mountain across from me. It was also in that moment that I caught sight of another chain flowing with Jackal’s and mine. Another immortal but less vibrant since vampires were only everlasting until someone managed to kill them. Gavin.

  Luckily, he didn’t appear to be over there. Fading quickly, I found myself on the correct mountain. Several feet above me I could make out the edge of an opening—most likely a cave. I grinned and jumped, clearing the distance in one leap. There were perks to being born an entity after all.

  My pep died down though as I reached the entrance. It was time to get serious. I had no idea what the fuck I was walking into. No one knew Jackal. He was like an unopened history book because he never stayed around long enough for anyone to ever really get a chance to talk about him.

  Knowing that the chain led inside, I let go of my ability and returned to my normal eyesight. I ventured into the cave slowly. It paid to be cautious. I was an act first, think last kind of girl but right now, my spine prickled with the kind of awareness that meant danger. He’s here. My target. My soon-to-be… I guess I’d call him a prisoner. Once the collar was wrapped around his neck, I owned him.

  I tried not to smile, I really did but there was a certain type of undeniable deviousness inside me. Just thinking about it made me sick. It reminded of my brother, August. Although his curse made him extremely unlikeable sometimes, I’d kill anyone that messed with him or any of my siblings.

  I tested the cave walls with each careful step I took. The barrier Newt spoke of didn’t seem to exist. So the true obstacle must have been in finding the entrance—an easy task for me.

  I would let Jackal go once I won the bet. At least that’s what I told myself. No point keeping an entity on a leash, but then again maybe I should. The world was in utter chaos right now because of Harvest and Jackal might as well be his brother. They were all created the same day; I assumed anyway. They all had the same creator. At least, I think Jackal was male. Maybe I’d find a girl. Somehow, I doubted it. Something about his chain screamed male if that made any sense. It was dark and ominous.

  Wind blew into the cave, bringing a creepy howling sound and snow along with it. I paused and turned around just as I sensed his presence. I sidestepped and materialized Ben and Jerry as Gavin moved beside me. “I knew you’d find him,” he whispered with so much smugness I wanted to punch his face.

  I rolled my eyes and lowered my blades. “I’ll kill you eventually,” I muttered.

  “So you say.” He peered ahead of us.

  “After I win this last bet,” I promised as I trudged along.

  “I’m trying to decide if I’ll have your pussy or ass first.” It took a lot of willpower not to hurt him. So I kneed him in the groin instead and continued inside the cave. I wasn’t made of patience, virtue, not even butterflies and all that shit. Bitchiness, sarcasm, and hatred were my foundation. I didn’t take shit from males or entertain the stupidity sputtering from their mouths.

  I didn’t hear anything else from Gavin, but I felt him as he rushed past me with his vamp speed. I cursed and followed suit. Fading further inside wasn’t a smart move. Showing out was better when I was with other Reapers. Right now my ass and other holes were on the line, and I’d rather die a thousand times over than let Gavin anywhere near them.

  Yet, I couldn’t say no when challenged. My chest burned like liquid fire even as I ran. I didn’t lose. I wouldn’t—I couldn’t ever lose.

  The last time I lost at something was against Barron and let’s just say I became my own version of how Barron raged out during his curse. Only instead of being a danger to others like Barron was when his wrath kicked in, I was a danger to myself. My body attacked itself from the inside, specifically, my stomach.