Page 10 of Stolen By the Reaper

Time slowed, or maybe it just felt that way. Cracks spiderwebbed from my palms, radiating across the entire barrier. The wall gave one unified shimmer, then the illusion vanished into nothing.

Minnie’s eyes widened as they locked on me. “Jo? Jo, what’s?—”

Azrael’s charm evaporated instantly. The green flames leapt higher, licking at his brows. He was behind Minnie in an instant, one hand gripping her shoulder.

Minnie whirled, hand going to her mouth when she caught sight of Azrael again. Whatever illusion he’d cast over himself must have also failed, as fear washed over her expression. She scrambled away from the reaper, then bolted for the path.

Before I could blink, Azrael raised his fist in the air, then ripped it down.

Minnie crumpled to the ground.

Horror froze my muscles, locking me in place. She’d been so full of life only moments before. Now she lay as lifeless and cold as I felt.

“What have you done?” Azrael turned to me, his flames roaring with fury. The grass beneath our feet hissed and browned at his approach, the stench of burnt vegetation wafting through the air.

I ran.

My feet pounded against the earth, and I couldn’t tell if the thunder in my ears was my racing heartbeat or the monster at my heels.

The lush greenery of the park blurred past, but something was wrong. Colors seemed to bleed away, leaving behind muted shades of gray and black. The air grew thick and heavy and hardto breathe. A chill crept through my veins as my heart and lungs pushed my body to its limits.

I skidded to a stop as the ground beneath my feet changed. Soft grass gave way to the rough, craggy stone of a jagged cliff. Far below, a dark, desolate desert stretched on as far as my eyes could see.

The underworld. Somehow, I’d crossed over.

“Foolish, foolish, little dove. You nearly damned that soul.”

I flinched at the words, spoken low and close to my ear. The stone rumbled beneath my feet as heat bathed my back. His arm wrapped around my middle, hauling me back against his body.

The world blurred, and my stomach dropped as the cliff plummeted. Air rushed around us so hard and fast that my hair whipped and stung my cheeks. My hands gripped his forearm, but he held me steady even as we plunged.

Until we didn’t.

He stopped our descent suddenly, feet settling on solid ground. I tried to step away, but his arm kept me pinned against him.

“Look,” Azrael commanded, forcing my chin up with his other hand. “This is the fate of souls not properly reaped.”

Shadowy figures shuffled listlessly in the gloom. Their gazes never met, their steps aimless and mechanical. No hint of light shone in their dull, unfocused eyes. They walked over and around each other, paying no mind to the beings they passed.

“What are they?” I whispered.

“Ghosts. Ghouls. Lost souls,” Azrael spat the words like a curse. “There is no moving on from this. No peace. Not for them. Not ever.”

I shuddered in his grip, pressing closer. Something about this place awakened the dormant voice in my chest that urged me to run and hide. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the lost souls wandering the dark landscape.

“And it is all because a reaper allowed them to linger in life too long, losing themselves in feral madness,” Azrael continued, voice tight. “Reaping may seem a trivial task to your fragile little heart, but we are the guardians of your existence. When life comes to its inevitable end, a soul deserves a merciful release.”

The force of his conviction reverberated through his body into mine. A warm hand rested on my hip, bringing me back to the moment. The feel of his breath stirring my hair and the comforting scent of his smoky skin calmed my nerves.

“Minnie,” I croaked, “was she...”

He released me, stepping back and adjusting his tie. “No. I completed the reaping. Despite your interference.”

Relief coursed through me.

Fresh anger followed swiftly on its heels. I spun to face my captor. “Why her? Why Minnie?”

“It was her time.” The flames of his eyes banked. He avoided my gaze, looking out over the wasteland of lost souls instead. “I did not expect you to know the soul I’d been assigned.”

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