Existence 02 - Predestined

here today. The thought made it difficult to function. She ran her hand over Miranda’s curls in a comforting gesture I’d seen mothers use with their children. As much as I wanted to talk to her, to explain, I knew right now this is what she needed to do. It helped her grieve to comfort Miranda. They’d both lost someone special in their lives. Wyatt may have been the soul that was connected to Miranda’s so therefore her pain was more intense but Pagan’s soul was a kindred to Wyatt’s. This was Pagan’s first life and Wyatt’s soul attached itself to hers.
    Miranda laid her head down in Pagan’s lap and Pagan reached up and wiped a tear from her eyes. I wanted to do that for her. I wanted to comfort her the way she was comforting her friend. But I couldn’t. This was so damn hard.
    Movement out of the corner of my vision caught my attention and I turned to see a guy making his way toward the girls. He was tall with long blond hair pulled back in a ponytail. The dark suit he wore meant he’d been at the funeral but I didn’t recognize this kid from their school. Pagan had noticed him and Miranda was now sitting up. Both girls stood up to greet him. I watched as he hugged Miranda tightly and she cried softly in his arms as he spoke to her. He was assuring her that Wyatt was out there watching over her. He even said, “We know he can’t stay away from you long. He’ll always be hovering around you protecting you.”
    Then Miranda stepped back and he turned his gaze to Pagan. The translucent glow that intertwined connecting souls to their soulmates slowly wrapped around Pagan and the boy. Frozen in place, I watched in horror as Pagan stepped into his arms and he held her tighter than he’d held Miranda. With more familiarity. She’d been in his arms before. When Pagan stepped back from their embrace he seemed reluctant to let go. My legs began to move. This was not happening. His soul could go find itself some other soul to connect with. Pagan was mine. I already had a freaking voodoo spirit claiming her; I didn’t need a damn human soul doing the same thing.
    Pagan’s eyes lifted and met mine. Instantly, she stepped back putting distance between her and the boy. I knew the blue in my eyes had gone from the normal human color to the glowing orbs that manifested when I felt emotion. I couldn’t control their glow when I couldn’t control my fury.
    The guy finally tore his gaze off of Pagan and turned his head to see what had caught her attention. A small frown appeared on his face until he noticed my eyes. Then the fear all humans felt when met with Death’s gaze came over his face. That’s right buddy, I’m Death, now move away from my girl. I didn’t say a word. Instead, I walked up the steps passing the boy and stopped in front of Pagan.
    She swallowed nervously as she stared up at me. Then her gaze shifted toward the boy watching us. “Um, Jay, this is Dank Walker, my boyfriend.”
    I wanted to fall on my knees and beg her forgiveness. Hearing her still claim me as hers sent relief pouring through my cold form. Reaching for her hand I squeezed it and her thumb gently caressed the side of my hand. That was all the reassurance I needed. The soul behind me, obviously the soul meant to be her mate here on earth, meant nothing as long as Pagan wanted me.
    “Dank,” she said peering up at me, “this is Jay Potts. He’s a, uh, friend of mine. He graduated last year and moved away for college. He and Wyatt were very close.”
    Jay Potts hadn’t just been her friend. He’d been her boyfriend from the time she was a freshman until he broke it off at the end of last year. I knew she was worried about upsetting me and I couldn’t blame her since I’d stalked over here with glowing eyes and a snarl. I turned my head and glared back at him. It couldn’t be helped, I’d never like this guy.
    “It’s nice to meet you, Jay,” I managed to say in a calm even voice.
    A small snicker came from Miranda and I felt Pagan’s body ease some. This was amusing Miranda and right now Pagan would suffer through anything that would put a smile on her friend’s face.
    “Uh, yeah, you too,” he studied me a minute. My eyes were no longer glowing so he was probably trying to decide if he’d imagined it. His human brain would convince him it had been the sun hitting me just right or some other concocted story in order for it to make sense. Then something lit up his eyes, “Wait, Dank Walker, aren’t you