Page 47 of TBR: Dead But Well Read

Evander leaned forward. “Philetus was pushing for that change. Remember? He even took a collector as his wife.”

“A lot of good that did since he disappeared before they could produce a child,” Loch shot back.

Rhodes scrubbed a hand down his face and sat in the armchair across from me. “Philetus didn’t leave. He was murdered.”

Fear trickled down my spine like ice water. “Someone is murdering reapers? Who would do something like that?”

Evander shook his head. “Either the reapers don’t know, or they aren’t telling.”

We sat in silence for several minutes, which was good because my brain had a lot to process. Why did Zacharias care where Philetus’ scythe was?

Rhodes was the first to speak. “Evander, did you figure out the name of the reaper who attacked us?”

My forehead creased in confusion. “I thought you knew all the reapers?”

“We know all their names, but we wouldn’t recognize them all in person. Some we know because we’ve bumped into them more often than others, and there are others we know by reputation,” Evander, ever patient, explained. “The one who attacked us is named Zacharias, and we only know him through rumors.”

“Zacharias?” Loch sat up. “Are you sure?”

Evander nodded. “He matches the description on file and the inscription on his scythe matched the records as well.”

“If Zacharias is in town, then Saul is close by as well,” Rhodes murmured, exchanging a dark look with the other two collectors.

Saul.

An invisible hand seemed to squeeze my throat closed, making it impossible to speak. Which was fine, because I was afraid if I spoke, the guys would catch a tremble of emotion in my words.

“I’m not surprised they’re involved in whatever shady business is going down in Amberwood.” Lochlan stood and began pacing in front of the window.

“How do you know?” I tried to act nonchalant, shifting positions and tucking my leg under me in an effort to avoid eye contact.

“Saul, Philetus and Zacharias were close for as far back as their records go. If you bumped into one, the other two were nearby. Since Philetus’ death, Saul and Zacharias are usually spotted in the same vicinity, at least from the gossip I’ve heard.” Evander grabbed a notebook from the coffee table and flipped idly through the pages.

“Yeah, well, according to some collector friends, Saul went off the deep end in the past few years and Zacharias has been forced to pick up the pieces.” Lochlan turned from the window and crossed his arms over his chest. “Even the reaper court is fed up with Saul and his unwillingness to follow protocol. If it weren’t for Zacharias’ dedication to keeping his friend out of trouble, Saul would have gone dark.”

A memory of glittering purple eyes with cat-like slits leaped into my mind, followed by the memory of the inky shadows that had wrapped us in a protective cocoon while we slept.

Those were normal traits for all reapers, right? I didn’t have a clue, and this didn’t seem like the best time to ask.

“Then it’s possible Zacharias attacked us to protect Saul,” Evander mused aloud.

“Do we know who the second reaper was?” Loch asked.

Evander and Rhodes shook their heads. My fingers drummed against my thigh as my anxiety spiked. Saul said he hadn’t attacked us, but could I trust him?

“None of us got a good enough look. It would make sense if it were Saul, though. Maybe he showed up and Zacharias gave up fighting us to focus on getting Saul away from there?” Evander laced his fingers through mine, and gave them a gentle squeeze.

“I think that’s the theory we go with right now.” Rhodes sighed. “If any of us encounter any reapers while alone, back away and do not engage. Is that understood?”

Clearing my throat, I clarified, “By engage, do you mean don’t start battling it out?”

Rhodes nodded his head. “Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.”

“Okay, got it.” I gave him a little salute.

Rhodes’ dark eyebrows drew together. “What else did you think I could be talking about?”

Trying to look innocent, I shrugged. “Oh, nothing in particular.”

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