Page 8 of Death Trap

“No, Jade. To my home.”

I gasped a little too loudly at that but quickly clamped my mouth shut when I realized how rude it probably sounded. Sometimes it was hard to believe my old mentor was alive at one time. Or that he even had human-like possessions and needs.

“Sorry, Simon. I mean… I’mhonored.” My nervous laugh died at his look. So blasé.

After a minute, he said, “I’m sending the address to you now.”

“Okay, see you soo—” The screen went black, and an address popped up.

Luoyang District.Luoyang, China.

Wow. China?

Excitement bubbled up inside me. I’d never visited the eastern hemisphere before. I wondered why he’d picked it to live.

I strode down the street to the nearest transportation portal. I found one not too far away, in front of a quaint bookstore. When I stepped onto the symbols in the portal’s circle, they glowed white. Clearing my throat, I spoke my destination as plainly as possible. Instantly, I was swept up by the gust of magic and carried away, all the way across the world.

When the swirling winds around me stopped and the scenery came into view, I stepped off the platform and gawked at what was before me. Dark wooden structures with striking green rooftops, tall archways, and intricately detailed statues faced me. Beyond the front gate and huge red-painted doors, I could see bloomed treetops and hear the tranquil flow of running water. Somewhere in the distance, a flute played a slow, inviting song.

The place reminded me of a temple.

Wow, this day was just chock-full of surprises.

While walking up to the doors, my gaze fell onto the colossal golden dragon ornament hanging in the center. Its ruby gemmed eyes bore into me with such anger and menace, it was difficult to believe such a timid and peaceful soul like Simon would have it as the first thing to greet guests.

Not knowing what else to do, I knocked on the wood and called out, “Uh, Simon? It’s me. Do I have the right place?”

The door opened, revealing my old mentor in his normal billowing black frock. Now, he reminded me of a misplaced gothic monk, especially since he was standing amongst a beautiful, brightly colored garden that stretched out behind him.

Simon said something to me—maybe inviting me in—but I didn’t hear him. Too entranced by the huge fountain at the center of the greenery, my feet walked themselves through the gate. Two winding serpent-like dragons made of mosaic tiles and glittering stones for scales stood at the top. Water flowed from the basin into a pond filled with koi fish as big as my arm.

I gasped, absolutely stunned by the beauty all around me. “Wow, Simon. You live here?”

He closed the door behind us. “I do.”

“This is amazing.” I continued to walk around the garden and take in the sights. “It’s beautiful here. Why didn’t you tell me your home was a temple? Is it like…a Buddhist temple? Why? Were you a monk or something—”

Simon held up his hand. “So many questions, Jade. Come. We’ll talk in the garden.” He gestured me to follow him, and I did without another word, although so many rose up my throat, wanting release.

We walked along the stone path, past more fruit trees and foliage, until we got to a little alcove underneath the branches of a cherry blossom tree. The sweet perfume coming from the pink flowers filled my senses, making me relax instantly as I took a seat beside Simon on the bench.

“Your home is beautiful,” I said to him, then inhaled deep, despite the fact that breathing wasn’t needed for me anymore.

“Thank you.” There was a flicker of a smile across his lips.

Simon was always a man of very few words.

“Were you a monk or something during your life?” I asked.

Like many things, Simon never spoke much about himself. As far as I knew, he was a were-creature of some kind, but I didn’t know what. He’d never told me. Whatever he was, he was good at tracking, which I had found out the hard way when Azrael would send him after me whenever I would try to hide from our meetings. But that’s all I knew. I wondered if the reoccurring dragon theme had anything to do with it.

Simon raised an eyebrow at my question. “Like you, I don’t know anything about my life before this.”

Duh. I wanted to smack myself in the forehead for my own stupidity. Simon had been hit with the same mind-wipe I had when he got this reaper gig. He didn’t know anything before being picked by the cosmic lottery, just like me.

“Sorry about that,” I mumbled. Hopefully his life wasn’t as touchy of a subject as it was for me. God knows I didn’t want to offend him in any way.

“This is what brings me peace and joy. It may have something to do with my life, but all I know is this is my sanctuary.”

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