Lacrimosa Read Online Free

feelings.”
    “Impossible. I took care of it myself.”
    “Well I don’t fail, whether I’m trapped in a human body or not. My host has to be the problem. It’s the only explanation.”
    “Are you certain?” Zane’s accusing tone fills me with anger, doubt.
    “Of course I’m certain. What else can it be?”
    The question lingers as my mind crafts the answer. My past. My memories. My feelings.
    No! I refuse accept that. I purged everything centuries ago.
    “You were only in form for a few hours, too fast for your host to change you.” Zane pins me with his stare.
    “What are you saying? That this has to do with last time?”
    He furrows his brow and reaches into my mind. “Does it?”
    Images and feelings race past my vision. Aydan singing to me, the feel of his skin on mine, the taste of his lips.
    Blazes. What’s wrong with me?
    “Your form isn’t the problem, Nes. Is it?” Zane takes a deep breath and retreats from my thoughts. “You’re going to have to manage the emotions—yours, the girl’s, whatever. You said you could handle this. The Council expects this taken care of quickly.” I open my mouth to speak and Zane raises a quieting hand. “And I expect you to do your duty.”
    The disappointment in his voice stings more than my failure. “What do you want me to do? I didn’t expect any of this to happen.”
    “I expect—”
    Before he can finish his thought, Cass appears next to him. She’s shorter than either of us, with long black hair that reflects the indigo color glistening from her skin and wings, the color of her order, the Anointed. Where Zane healed my mind so many centuries ago, Cass healed my heart.
    “So, did you tell her?” Cass smiles, a stark contrast to the scowl still etched on Zane’s face.
    “Yes. She understands her duty.”
    “My duty was never a question, Zanethios.” This is how it always is with Zane. I do something a tad reckless, and he lectures me about duty. Most days the routine is comforting.
    Today it only illuminates my shame. My failure.
    Cass ignores the frustration in my voice. She’s used to the constant bantering between Zane and I. “So,” she says. “Tomorrow you’ll enroll in Aydan’s high school, find him, and finish your task. No problem.”
    “Whoa, what? High school? No one said anything about high school.”
    “You should’ve thought about that at the club.”
    “Zane, stop. She’ll get it done.” Cass smiles at me. “We’ve been ordered to stay with you until you’ve completed the assignment.”
    “Why? I’ve never needed a team. Or a babysitter.”
    “You’ve never missed an opportunity to vanquish either.” Zane’s voice is flat. I’ve never seen him so disappointed, so angry, with me.
    I want to argue, justify every action. But the words won’t form. Zane is right. I messed things up. Just me. I let the stupid emotions of a teenage girl confuse me. Let myself feel broken. Let myself remember.
    That will never happen again.
     
     
     
    East Side Prep looks more like a large brownstone than one of the best prep schools in the city. I climb the steps, unfamiliar doubt surfacing in my all-too-human thoughts. But not just doubt. Fear. Something feels wrong. Evil. Maybe the UnHoly isn’t the only dark creature walking the halls of this school. Maybe there is something worse, much worse.
    I get my schedule from an office clerk and walk into the European History class, late. The loud bang of the door announces my presence to everyone. Not that I care. I’ll be gone by tomorrow and the UnHoly along with me.
    I hand the registration slip to the teacher and search. Ayden’s easy enough to spot: back row, dressed in black, whispering to his tablemate, a black-haired, Goth boy I recognize from last night. Neither of them have a care in the world.
    Let’s see how long that lasts.
    I stare too long into his amber eyes, feeling an ache of yearning that twists in my abdomen. Inhale…1…2… 3…Release…1…2…3…Control