Page 84 of Blade
My voice rings out loud, confident, brutal and angrily.
“Excuse me.”
The priest is shocked and taken aback, which probably means he hasn’t planned for this.
Then, I remove my shades, hovering halfway down the aisle, and my gaze locks on the one man I hate with every part of my soul.
“What the–”
He blinks several times, his expression almost comical as I stand facing my tormentor.
The man who almost broke me.
A loud gasp from the congregation, the bride cries out, and a cool resolve settles over me as I regain the upper hand.
“I do.”
I reaffirm as I slowly advance, my protection moving with me. I sense the nerves as the door slams behind me; many more guests arriving, filling the back of the church. This time dressed in combats, arms folded, expressions grim, menacing, warnings lit like neon signs in their eyes.
He steps forward, disbelief painting his withered smile.
“What the hell is happening?”
His bride steps forward, her expression disbelieving, and I flash her a sympathetic smile.
“It’s good to see you, Tallulah.”
“Aspen!”
Her shocked gasp echoes around the church, and she cries out, “But you’re dead.”
“Obviously not.”
I shake my head. “But that’s only because Gideon failed to dig my grave himself.”
“Aspen. What the fuck is going on here! Who are these men?”
He is recovering; shock replaced by anger. It’s almost interesting to watch.
The priest calls for calm and says, “Perhaps we should reconvene in the vestry.”
“No!”
I sound confident, almost badass, and that gives me courage.
I point to Gideon.
“This man drugged me, beat me, imprisoned me, assaulted me and then attempted to murder me.”
“Aspen, darling.”
Gideon’s voice is smooth, as if he is talking to a mad woman, attempting to control the situation, leaving me in no doubt how he wants to play this. The Reapers briefed me on this, so I wait with interest for his excuse.
He approaches and then falters as Blade steps a little in front of me, Razor mirroring his brother, a wall of menace if ever I saw one.
Gideon’s voice falters. “You are sick, darling. You must remember to take your medication.”
Tallulah cries out. “Gideon. You told me Aspen was dead.”
