Page 8 of A Shadow in the Reaping
Ediye keeps her eyes fixed on her paper, but they sharpen in a statement that says death would have been the preferred choice. "All right. So far, I have:Queen that gives life to the dying. The weapon of sweet voice. My music let no man make. So, you set yourself as the agent of the spell and the Reaper's benefactor. You've protected your most critical weapon, your voice."
I brush my shoulders off and wriggle in my seat. I feel the build of anticipation. I have to admit, I do love getting away with something. This is the most excitement I've had since last year when I killed Barbossa ‘Bobby’ Sarno on the roof of his own club. I'd been waiting for over three centuries for another chance to catch up with that warlock motherfucker for selling me out and sending me underground. Rat bastard. I can almost feel his veiny temples in my hands as I-
Ediye snaps her fingers in front of my face, pulling me out of my memories. "Lu, focus. What's next in your spell?"
I sigh, thinking I'll have to revisit that memory later on. "Tirrama salutti sa kassapti sa ruhie ipusu supii arkis upuus," I say, watching as Ediye nods her head while she writes. She picks up her notebook and reviews the words she's written as she walks to the fridge. She pulls out a blood bag and empties the contents into another mug for me. "You spoil me, my friend," I say, lining up my options of blood, tequila, and tea.
"Yeah, well. I'm doing it for my own benefit as much as yours. You're too distracted when you're hungry and it gets annoying. So, this one isTurn away the enmity of the sorceress who has employed venom. Make clean quickly the one bewitched. That's pretty good too. Was it a woman who poisoned him?"
"Yes, a high-ranking pack member, I think."
"Okay good. It's precise and specific. So far, so good, Lu."
I smile at Ediye but I can tell she's still worried. She has good reason to be. I have a gift for fucking things up in a creative ways. But life would be kinda boring otherwise...right?..
"What else?"
"Saggiu Ashen giu," I reply.
Ediye's brow furrows. "Your Reaper's name is Ashen?"
"He's notmyReaper," I say, feeling the closest thing to blush in my cheeks that a vampire body can produce.
Ediye looks at me and her eyes spark with mischief. I glare at her and she glues her eyes back down to her notes. "Okaaaaaay then. Noted. NotyourReaper." Ediye suppresses a laugh and tilts her head as a question seems to emerge in her thoughts. "Oh heart of Ashen be reconciled. Was he stabbed in the heart?"
"Close enough," I say with a shrug.
"Close? Or actuallyinthe heart?"
"I dunno, Ediye. Close, but not right through it?"
Ediye smiles again but keeps her gaze fixed on her paper. "All right. Interesting choice of words you made there, that's all."
I definitely feel heat in my cheeks. I press my fingers to them and then fidget with my choice of drinks, settling on the hot tea and holding it close to my face to obstruct Ediye's gaze if she glances up. I see her smile through the steam and I'm certain she knows exactly what I'm up to.
"What's next, vampire?" she asks without looking up, the smile ringing in her voice. I roll my eyes.
"Suna sitaba kilal azzus."
Ediye's eyes narrow and her brows knit. Her head tilts. "His shining weapon is suspended at thy side. Wow, Lu. That's really good."
"I know, right?" I say, beaming a smile at her. It's the first time I see a spark of excitement in Ediye's eyes. I think maybe I didn't fuck it up after all. And I think Ediye is starting to believe it, too.
"Your pronouns are a little messed up between that line and the first phase of the spell, but it still works. He can't kill you by his own hand. How much more?"
"Uhh... Two more lines of the main incantation..."
"What do you mean themain incantation?"
I take the shot of tequila and snatch the bottle before Ediye can even blink. The fear kills the hope in her eyes and I put down the shot glass, drinking directly from the bottle until she pulls it from my hand to do the same.
"Tell me," she says.
"So, next I saidSuna liiktisuma. Asallah libakkunu, assus maratuktuk."
Ediye gives a tentative laugh, but I can tell she's holding onto her joy because she knows the worst is yet to come. "What is it with you and this Reaper's heart?"
"There isnothing, for fucksakes."
