Robin Wasserman - Wrath

The fourth book in the Seven Deadly Sins series, 2006

It was a mistake.

It had to be.

Shed heard wrong. Or it was a lie.

A dream. A nightmare. Something.

Because if it was true-

If it was true, and this was reality, there was no going back to the person shed been. Before.

She remembered that person. Hard. Angry. Fury coursing through her veins. It had consumed her, until her focus narrowed to a single point, a single goal: vengeance.

It had been the perfect plan, every detail seamlessly falling into place. She had lain awake imagining how it would play out-wondering whether it would still the howling voice inside her, not that shed finally given in to what it most desired.

Vengeance.

The plan had worked. Everything had unfolded as shed imagined it. Shed gotten exactly what shed wanted. But

Shed made a mistake. A fatal error. Because it hadnt gone exactly as planned, had it?

There was supposed to be humiliation-and there was.

There was supposed to be suffering-and there was.

Everything had gone the way it was supposed to. Except-

No one was supposed to die.

Harper burrowed deeper beneath the covers. How was she supposed to sleep with all that banging?

Come on, Grace, open up.

Damn her parents. Which part of I dont want to see anyone did they not understand?

Were bored, Kaia complained through the door.

Come out and play with us! Kane added, in that little-boy voice most girls found irresistible.

Harper Grace wasnt most girls.

Go away, she shouted, her voice muffled by the pillow pressed over her head. Please!

With that, the door opened-and the covers flew off the bed.

Times up, Grace, Kane said, flinging away the comforter. No more feeling sorry for yourself.

Screw you. I could have been naked under here! Harper said indignantly, suddenly realizing that the ratty sweatpants and faded gray Lakers T-shirt was an even more embarrassing ensemble.

Why else do you think I did it? Kane asked, chuckling.

How could he laugh?

The three of them had worked so hard to split up Beth and Adam and, for an all too brief moment, theyd finally gotten everything theyd wanted. Kane got Beth. Harper got Adam. And Kaia got to stir up some trouble, which seemed to be all she needed. But now? Everything had come to light, and gone to shit. They were alone. How could Kane laugh, when Harper could barely stand?

What are you looking at? Harper snapped at Kaia as she climbed out of bed and wrapped a faux silk robe around herself. She hated the idea of Kaia seeing her bedroom, all the shoddy, mismatched furniture and cheap throw pillows; compared with Kaias surely elegant and unbearably expensive digs, it probably looked like the pathetic before shot on one of those lame homemakeover shows.

Harper sighed. Even the prospect of trading insults with her former rival didnt deliver the jolt of energy it should have-not now that Kaia was one of only two friends that Harper had left. Some friends.

A heartless playboy. A soulless bitch. And me, Harper thought sourly.

Not quite the Three Musketeers.

Were here to cheer you up, Kane said. So cheer.

Like its that easy, Harper grumbled. Though, obviously, it had been for him.

We even brought reinforcements, he added, pulling a bottle of Absolut from his pocket with a magician-like flourish.

What, is that your answer to everything? Harper asked harshly. If you hadnt been so drunk last week, and opened your big mouth-

Children, children, Kaia cut in, placing a perfectly manicured hand on Kanes broad shoulder. I thought we agreed we were going to move past all that unpleasantness, kiss and make up. Her voice was soft and light, with a razors edge-that was Kaia. Beautiful and dangerous.

As if Harper was scared of her.

I dont care what we agreed, she shot back. If Kane hadnt opened his big, stupid mouth if Beth and Adam hadnt overheard his stupid bragging She couldnt finish.

And if I hadnt opened my big, stupid mouth, the two lovebirds would be back together right now instead of at each others throats, Kaia reminded her. But no need to thank me, and no need to blame him. Even if hes an idiot.

Hey! Kane protested. But he was smiling-the infamous Kane smirk, which not even heartbreak could wipe off his face.

Thanks for the pick-me-up, guys, Harper said, but Im not interested.Youre dismissed.

Are you just going to wallow here forever? Kane asked in disgust. Doesnt sound like the Grace I know and love.

As if, she snorted. I meant, Ive got better things to do than play guest of honor at your little pity party.

Like what? Kaia asked skeptically.

Like getting ready for my date, Harper lied. She rolled her eyes. Did you really think I was going to spend Saturday night in bed? Or at least, in my bed? Please. She shook her head as if pitying their poor reasoning skills. Im just resting up for the main event.

Now thats more like it, Kane said, his smirk widening into a grin. Kaia just narrowed her eyes, unconvinced.

So I mean it. Get out, Harper told them. Or Ill be late.

Whatever you say, Grace, Kane agreed, grabbing Kaia and backing out of the room. Who am I to stand in the path of true lust?

Harper sighed, and waited for the door to close so she could crawl back into bed, blissfully undisturbed. On second thought-

Kane? she called, just as he was about to disappear down the hall. He popped his head back in, and Harper forced herself to smile. Leave the vodka.

I cant wait to see the look on her face when she reads this, Miranda Stevens crowed, putting the finishing touches on their masterpiece. Shell be out for blood.

Too bad she already sucked us dry, Beth Manning pointed out. She laughed bitterly.

The flyer had been Mirandas idea. Shed been thirsty for revenge against Harper. Beth still had no idea why Miranda was so eager to take down her former best friend, and she didnt really care-Beth had more than enough reasons of her own to go after Haven Highs reigning bitch.

And Harper was only the first name on a long list of enemies.

There was Adam Morgan, who was supposed to be the love of her life. Too bad hed turned out to be a lying hypocrite, accusing her of cheating when he was the one whod slept with another girl.

Then there was Kaia Sellers the other girl.

Last-and least-there was Kane Geary, whose lies shed been dumb enough to believe and whose kisses shed been weak enough to accept.

Sweet, innocent Beth, who rescued spiders and cried at the sappy reunions in long-distance commercials, now hated them all, and none more than Harper Grace, the one pulling the strings.

All they care about is what people think of them, Miranda had pointed out, so we flush their reputations and thats it-theyre finished.

Any chance you want to tell me why youre doing this? Beth asked now.

Now why would I do that, Miranda replied, pulling her chair up to the computer, when I could tell you about the time in eighth grade when Harper laughed so hard at the movies, she wet her pants? Miranda shook her head, almost fondly, and began to type. I had to call her mother on a pay phone to tell her to bring a new pair of underwear when she picked us up. And meanwhile Mirandas voice trailed off as she concentrated on typing up the story.