Page 64 of Death Wish

I didn’t know what to say besides, “Sorry.”

Arms crossed, she glanced down at her body and shook her head. “I had so much more to do in my life. So much more money to collect. What a waste.”

Cole moaned again, his breathing growing shallower.

She sighed heavily. “So, you work for Masters, huh? Not Mr. Johnson.” When I didn’t reply, she added, “You know, he’s not going to be too happy when he realizes he never got his package from me. He paid good money for it—not that any of that matters to me anymore.”

I had bigger issues to worry about than a secretive Mr. Johnson and his underhanded dealings right now. Whoever he was.

“What are you exactly?” Marla asked, tilting her head to the side and studying me.

I stood slowly, locking my knees before they could buckle again. “I’m a reaper.”

“I did sense something off with you when you came into my store but couldn’t place the magic.” She paused, as if what I was took a second to actually sink in. “A reaper. Like the grim reaper?” She glanced down at her body again, and a visible shudder ran over her ghostly form. “I guess it’s really over for me, huh?”

“I’m afraid so,” I said. “I can help you cross over, though. It’s my job.”

At least it was anyway.

“I just need your help,” I quickly added.

Her eyes rolled dramatically, and she tsked me, like a mother might do to a child. “Of course you do.” Glancing at Cole, who had gone completely still for the moment, she sighed. “Some fryda aloe with bikket seeds should help with the burns and speed up the healing. You can find them…” She pointed across the room where there were broken shelves and spilled jars all over the floor then grimaced. “Somewhere over there.”

“Thank you. But that wasn’t what I’m talking about.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“We’re looking for an herb called the Breath of Life—”

Marla’s widening eyes and gasp cut my sentence sort. “What could Masters possibly need that for?”

“It’s for me, too. Well, for my friend. She’s been attacked by a demon. We think the herb can save her life.” I didn’t want to give her too much information, just in case it hurt my chances. Especially since she didn’t particularly like Cole. If I kept her focused on me, maybe she would be more willing to help.

“And Masters thought I had it?”

I nodded. “He said if anyone was going to have it, it was you. You’re the best at all things magical.”

She squeaked a laugh. “He’d be right about that,” she said. “On both accounts. I have the herb. It is one of my most prized possessions since it was extremely hard to get ahold of. Actually…”

“What?”

“Two men—the ones who cut our meeting short—asked about the herb, too, after you left. I thought it was strange. Not many people know about it. But I didn’t give them too much information or even hint that I had it. They just left after that.”

“When did the Halflings attack you?”

Could they be connected?

“The moment I closed the store…” She hesitated, wringing her hands together. “You think those demon things were looking for it, too?”

“That’s what I’m guessing.”

“But why?”

Should I tell her the reason?

“Cole thinks it could help cure him of his demon side. Make him human.”

“He’s still chasing that crazy dream of his?” Marla laughed, shaking her head. “I should have known.”

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