Page 6 of Thanatos' Craving

I let the shadows clear and as I moved, I heard my feathers rubbing against the stone and echoing through the darkness. The sound was soft yet distinct, like a gentle whisper carried by the wind. The pebbles on the path shifted and scattered as I walked, creating a low rustling noise that followed me home.

When I drew closer to my cave, I heard the clicking of talons on the rock. The flame coming from the cave only lit for my companion, that refused to leave my side. A tongue lolled to the side, the wolfish grin, but the sly body of a feline, a panther-like body with black stripes trailing down its body, is unmistakable.

I believed his death hurt me the most when a reaper reached out to me. He begged for this creature’s life. Fluffy was loved,and I could still hear the cries of his masters from the battle of the Dark War in the Bergarian realm for this soul to live.

I kneeled, cradling the gigantic creature’s head. He purred loudly, and I chuckled, scratching just above his ear. Fluffy was given the highest of honors, a hero's death to play in the Elysium fields, but he refused to leave my side. I wasn’t sure why, but he filled this lonely home with more company than I deserved.

“Ah, Fluffy, Uriel sends her best wishes.” I pulled the cookies from under my cloak. “And her sweets.” Fluffy reared his head back and pulled my cloak by his teeth to enter our home.

My choice to change my appearance to look like a boned figure of a Grim Reaper to match a more modern take that society has its approach upon death in the last few hundred years suited me and my personality. Fluffy had never been fearful of me or my appearance, and that is all I wanted for company besides my brother.

I’d often wondered if he had a special gift, an ability to look inside one’s soul and know if they held good intentions or not.

I untied the package as I entered the cave. The entrance to the cave was shrouded in darkness, but as I moved further in, light from several blazing torches lining the walls revealed a surprisingly cozy and warm interior. The small flames flickered and danced, casting eerie shadows and illuminating the rugged stone walls of the cave. In the center of the room, a large fireplace crackled with heat and light, its glowing embers providing a soft orange glow that spread across the space. The only other source of light came from a single candle placed on a mantle above the fireplace, its flame dancing with a gentle warmth.

The crackling of the fireplace and occasional hiss of burning wood provided a calm background noise. The occasional pop or crackle added a subtle liveliness to the otherwise quiet cave.There might also be the faint sound of dripping water that indicated that there was a source of water nearby.

I took cookies from the wrapping and sat them on the table. Immediately, Fluffy ate them all in several licks. He whined disappointedly.

I hummed a little tune and sat in the old rocker in the corner of the main room. The fire was lit to keep Fluffy warm, and only him. He circled several times before he made himself comfortable and laid at my feet.

I continued to tap the scythe with my finger as I pondered Ember’s words. Instead of sending a reaper to pull the soul tonight, I felt it was best that I go instead. It wasn’t often I went to earth anymore. Rather, I let my reapers do my bidding, and I stayed home and helped from afar.

Maybe I would get a better idea of how this female’s body and mind truly were. She may be worth saving, but I would not put her soul at risk for further damage.

The female, however, was someone’s mate.

I'd witnessed how souls undergo a transformation once they bond with each other. It changes them. Usually for the better. I had spent little time with a bonded pair, but it helped Hades.

What if this female didn’t meet her destined soulmate, and I took her and let her rest? What happened to the other soul? Would they die instantly or live out their life? Would I have to reap another soul when their body was perfectly healthy? Seemed to be a waste of life.

I gripped my scythe one more time, my blue fire in my sockets coming a blaze in frustration. Why was I being so foolish as to let emotions impede my duty? I should know better, after all these centuries of being a reaper. But this human girl, this one soul, was making me think far too much.

So much trouble, this bonding, this mating…thing.

I couldn’t let Ember’s request deter my decision. I had a duty to reap, to bring a soul to rest if I must, whether she was to be bonded. If she had lived a good life, they could reincarnate her, as well as the soul that needed to bond with her.

I growled and balled my hand into a fist, slamming it on the rocker. Fluffy lifted his head and tilted it to the side. He was confused, as am I. Why did I feel such anger and indecisiveness over this?

But it didn’t matter now. My duty was clear—I must go to Earth and take the soul of this girl if it was to be so. No matter what Ember requested.

I stood from the rocking chair and walked towards Fluffy, who looked up at me with his far too eager and pleasing personality. “Come, Fluffy,” I said as I patted his head gently. “We have work to do.”

Chapter Three

Juniper

Iwrapped the silk ribbons around my calves, placing the bows strategically behind my knee. I heard the banging of the bass even in the dressing rooms. The guards yelled over the sound and screamed for the girls to hurry and get to the stage. Their voices hit my ears as I tried to hurry, but my fingers slipped, and the ribbon fell to my ankle.

The door flew open. The women beside me all squealed in fright. I didn’t look up, I just grabbed the silk and tied it again. I never gave the guard the satisfaction of knowing that they scared me. It would blow their ego out of proportion and then they would take advantage of me.

And I wouldn’t give it to them. I learned that the hard way.

I bit my cheek until it bled and continued to wrap the silk. My fake nails scratched my skin.

“Dang it,” I whispered and tied it around the back of my knee. I stood and pulled down the white skirt and took another last look in the mirror and adjusted the bright blonde wig.

The women in the dressing room shuffled around me, threw on the last bits and pieces of their costumes. Their wigs, their tiny scraps of bare mid-riff tops, bras, strings, and skirts to make up their outfit for the various numbers for their dances fly about the room. Amanda, the girl beside me, swears. She’s new and still hasn’t mastered putting on her wig fast enough.

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