The Reaper's Call: A New Adult Urban Fantasy Series (Bloodcaster Chronicles Book 3) by R.L. Perez

Author:R.L. Perez [Perez, R.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Willow Haven Press
Published: 2021-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

19

Cora

I used my last Jumping elixir to get us to our next hideout—an abandoned farmhouse just outside of Hinport.

Our tiny group of six felt bare compared to what we’d had before. Even though I knew Vince, Luke, and Hector were still on our side, their absence still throbbed inside me.

Well . . . one absence in particular. I hated that Vince and I had left things so uncertain between us. Though I still resented his decision to let his mom go, I understood why he’d done it. And, despite my anger, I still loved him.

I had to trust his feelings for me were strong enough to overcome our argument. It should’ve been a no-brainer: Of course Vince still loves you, Cora!

And yet . . . a small, dark part inside me told me it was inevitable. That I’d pushed people away my entire life and was destined to be alone. That I would eventually become just like Quentin and manipulate and torture those closest to me.

I’d never been in love before. Hell, I hadn’t even had a steady boyfriend. Damien hardly counted—he and I had been casual at best.

I had no idea what I was doing.

Then again, as I glanced around our group—all of us covered in dirt and sweat, our expressions bleak—none of us knew what we were doing.

The farmhouse smelled like mold and wood rot, along with the lingering stench of pigs and animal excrement. But it was cleaner than the old warehouse we were in before.

Gio and Maddie slumped to the floor, leaning their heads against a wall. Benny peered through the windows, no doubt searching for enemies nearby. Dex paced the length of the dining area, his jaw rigid.

Piper wiped sweat from her brow and glanced at me. “Ready to put up the wards?”

I nodded, feeling dejected. What was the point? Quentin had still found us, even after we’d put up wards at the last place.

Because of Cecile, I reminded myself. It wasn’t your fault, Cora.

That didn’t do much to assuage my guilt. I shouldn’t have trusted Cecile right away. Lilith knew she didn’t trust me. I’d let my feelings for Vince blind me.

My movements were stiff and robotic as I followed Piper out of the farmhouse. We clasped hands and muttered the same enchantments we’d spoken at the last several hideouts. My magic felt feeble and frail compared to the power I’d felt while fighting Quentin.

I was hollow inside. Nothing but an empty shell.

When we trudged back inside, Dex stopped pacing and met my gaze, his eyes grim.

“I hope we didn’t ruin things for you back at that vampire hideout,” I muttered. My chest ached at the thought of Dex burning bridges with his vampire allies just for associating with me.

Dex’s eyes softened. “What we’re doing is worth it, Cora.”

Is it? I wondered. How many other lives would Quentin take before this was over? Even if we did succeed—which seemed less and less likely—Quentin could kill everyone I loved. He could even kill me before we defeated him.

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