Home > Hope Lost (Unlocked Book 5)(9)

Hope Lost (Unlocked Book 5)(9)
Author: Lana Kole

Hope’s lips twitched into a grin and he shook his head. “He’s not wrong. You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she offered, and curtsied.

Death entered the room from the kitchen, and when his gaze settled on her, his eyes flashed dark again. “It’s your time to go,” he said in a dark tone, before breaking out in a grin.

Daria laughed, throwing the bag strap over her head and settling it around her waist. “Very funny, Dante,” she teased, practicing his ‘human’ name. It felt odd on her lips.

“I figured out how to keep an eye on the trackers in your phones, so we’ll be keeping watch on you guys from here,” Hope promised.

Daria nodded, and as Death stepped up to grab her hand with no hesitation, she squeezed back when he tightened his grasp lightly.

“We know the drill,” Death said, and tugged her toward the door. “You’re holding my date up. Let’s go,” he called over his shoulder.

“I’ll see you out,” Betrayal replied, and Daria rolled her eyes. She just knew his gaze was latched onto her ass, and sure enough, when she glanced back at the door, his honey colored gaze jumped up to hers.

“Eyes on the prize,” she responded, referring to the mission.

“Oh, they are,” he teased, and threw a wink in her direction.

Her cheeks flushed even though she waved him off and let Death lead her to the car. He even opened her door like a proper gentleman.

Once they were on the road, an hour-long trip looming over their heads, Death glanced over with a smile. “I know this is a serious time, and we have a mission on our hands, but know that every second I’m not scanning for security cameras or entry points, my eyes will be glued to you. You look amazing.”

Daria smiled over at him, taking note of the way the sunlight gleamed on his dark hair, now flowing freely around his shoulders. “Death is a smooth talker.”

“Of course. How else is he supposed to convince souls to come with him?” he teased, lips twitching.

“Very funny. But thank you for the compliment,” she offered, trying to fight back yet another blush.

“If you think I’m not going to try to… what do you say? Woo you while we’re out today, you’re dead wrong. As far as I’m concerned, this is a proper date, just with an added level of adventure.” His hands squeezed around the steering wheel before he placed his right one on the gear shifter.

Daria didn’t know what it was about his hands that captured her attention again and again. The strength in each joint? The slimness of his fingers? The veins running up the back of his hand?

Or was it knowing something—someone—so beautiful could pose a deadly danger if only they wanted to?

The silence was comfortable, easy, as she watched the town go by. They flew by the bar, yellow caution tape blowing in the breeze, light reflecting off the bright color to serve as a warning.

“I’m sorry about the bar,” Death murmured quietly, and Daria glanced at him. Tried to erase the images of the broken windows and char marks.

“Thank you. No one got hurt, and now at least I don’t have to worry about missing work while we figure all of this out.”

As much as she loved the bar, a part of her was glad she didn’t have to fret about shifts or hiding things from Allegra and her boss. But as easy and fun as serving drinks could be, she kind of missed the escape from the heavier problems in her life. Now, she had nothing else to focus on, which… for now, was for the best. Misery and Truth deserved her full attention, as did all of her other friends Pandora was determined to hurt.

“You know we’ll get them back, right?” he asked several minutes later, as if he’d been following her train of thought.

Daria turned her head away from the window and glanced over at him. “I know. There’s not another option.”

“But you’re still worried,” he guessed.

Daria nodded. “Of course I am. Even though I know we’re on the right track, finding the blade, finding her, I still can’t help but worry that it won’t be enough. If, once again, she’ll get away and we won’t get them back. I miss them.”

“I miss them too,” he agreed. He reached over and took her hand in his own. “But we’ll free them, kill Pandora, break the curse, and live happily ever after,” he stated.

Daria offered him a smile, hope blooming in her chest. “I like the sound of that,” she admitted.

After everything they’d been through, a happily ever after sounded a little overdue. Even if that meant living with five men. Or maybe especially…

Every minute she spent without Misery and Truth, the more she realized just how incomplete she felt without them there. The more she realized how incomplete she’d feel without any of them. Hope and his quiet intensity, Betrayal with his smart-ass remarks, Truth and his delicious… treats. Misery with his newfound sense of humor, and finally, Death with his unexpected but treasured gentleness.

Death rested his arm against the armrest, hand still clasped around hers. The little smile that crept on his face when she didn’t make an attempt to separate them made her own lips curl. Butterflies erupted in her stomach, and she tried to ignore them.

Eventually, their landscape switched from trees on the highway to the vaguely familiar buildings of Brighton. The GPS directed them to a parking lot, and once they were parked, Death flung himself from the car. The, “Stay right there,” command was added almost as an afterthought.

Daria rolled her lips in to keep from laughing and took her hand off the door handle, waiting for Death to come around to her side. In the side mirror, she watched his boots crunch over the gravel before he opened her door.

His head eclipsed the sun, appearing as nothing more than a shadow in the glare of the light.

He took her hand and helped her from the car. “What a gentleman,” Daria teased. She couldn’t remember anyone ever getting her car door for her, thinking the notion was dead.

Hah.

With her hand in his, they walked side by side to pay for parking, and then set out on the sidewalk, destination in mind. Daria made casual conversation with Death as they drew closer to the restaurant, and she made mental notes of where all the street cameras were placed.

The restaurant was nicer than anything they had in Maleston, one of those high-class brunch-serving places.

With the sun beaming down and a gentle breeze blowing, they decided to sit outside, which gave them an opportunity to watch the foot traffic in and out of the museum and keep track of the guards. It was nearing two in the afternoon, a peak hour for ticket sales.

The hostess seated them on the patio, right next to the railing that bordered the sidewalk.

“The good news is there aren’t that many street cameras,” Death commented quietly, as he flipped his menu open.

Daria mirrored him and glanced around, and if anyone was paying attention, it would seem as if she was just admiring the nearby buildings.

“You’re right. And they’re mostly facing the museum. If we snagged a spot behind the coffee shop, I don’t think we’d have an issue with the plates.”

Though she was sure their captive would be more than happy to provide a getaway car. If he was so devoted to taking down Pandora, that was.

A hum of agreement was all Death offered, and the next few moments were spent seriously considering the menu. She didn’t feel any guilt deciding on what to eat, this was supposed to be a proper date after all.

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