Reaper's Novice (Soul Collector #1) (42 page)

I let out a shaky breath. “I messed up, Zig. Sinteler and Rolf are on my trail.” I proceed to give him a short version of what happened.

“Where are you?”

“Not sure. They keep finding me every time we shift.”

“Shift back to Vienna. Head over to World’s Edge building. The Ley lines and the energy surrounding them will block you by dissolving any shifting traces.” He blows out a breath. “I’ll meet you there.”

“No!” I say quickly and tilt sideways to peek at Kimdane. His dark eyes are trained on me like a hawk. It’s unnerving. Would he freak out if he saw Zig bearing down on us like a truck, blue eyes shining? Despite his good looks and charm, Zig can be quite frightening. I’ve seen how people part to let him pass when he’s unconcealed. Unable to hold the gaze any longer, I stare at Kimdane’s booted feet. “Not a good idea. One more thing, though. Do you remember Schulz’s story? Would you think of any other reason Sinteler and Rolf would be at the collection site?”

“Do you think he’s the one?”

“Without a doubt.”

Zig whistles under his breath. “Be careful, lovely.”

“I have to go.”

“Until later, then.”

I hang up and take the dagger from Kimdane. If he is shaken by what’s happening, I can’t tell. His pulse beats fast and hard against mine where our skin touches. “Come on. Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“Some place safe,” I say, then shift. Seconds later we walk inside World’s Edge tower. Not sure if I should go to Bastian, I lead Kimdane through the lobby area and to the east side of the room where it’s quieter. I slide to the floor, and he joins me, stretching his long legs in front of him. I take his hand in mine to examine it.

“I’ll try to make this as painless as possible.” The skin around his hand is already tinged with the black substance from the Tarnished seeping into his skin. “If I don’t do this, you’ll get very sick.” I remember what Bastian said when he helped remove the Tarnished. Later on, he explained other ways to heal the skin grazed by them. For a burn this small, the dagger would do.

“At this point, I’m not sure I can say no to anything you tell me.” As soon as the dagger’s sharp edge touches his skin, he tenses. He doesn’t move away. I cut three tiny slashes with the tip of the dagger and press the flat surface on the skin. Black ooze seeps out of the cuts. When I look up, his eyes are squeezed tight, veins popping on his neck.

“You didn’t tell me who you are,” Kimdane says, opening his eyes. He catches my gaze then turns to study the Euphoria Club’s interior. I can only imagine what this feels like for him. His eyes widen as he scrutinizes the Draangel bouncer. “I’m imagining things,” he mutters under his breath.

“I assure you you’re not.”

“Which means you won’t tell me who you are, as well. Not your name.
You
, you.”

I nod, scanning the lobby.

Kimdane grunts in frustration. “So, what can you tell me? One minute I’m normal and the next I can see things?”

“Sorry. I can’t. Really. I’m so sorry.”

About twenty minutes later, I release his hand. He rubs it, twisting his lips as his fingers touch some of the ooze. He wipes it on his jeans. His eyes move from my hair back to my legs, lingering on the dagger holster, then back to my face. Abruptly, he leans over and begins to unlace his ankle length boots.

I frown. “What are you doing?”

He doesn’t answer me. After slipping his feet out—pale feet with slender cute toes—he yanks the socks from them and slips the boots back on. “Here. Put these on.” He eyes my grimy feet. With everything going on, I forgot I was barefoot. I stare at the socks for a long time, until he pushes them into my hands. “Take them.”

“Thank you.” I wince as I lean forwards. He scoots closer and takes them from my hands. After slipping them on my feet, he leans back on the wall. Words are jammed in my throat, so I do another scan out the door. At least no one seems to be paying us attention.

Thirty minutes later, we head out of the lobby and into the street. There’s no sign of Sinteler, Rolf, or the Fate. What do I do with Kim? I can’t take him to Grim’s castle. If he is Elias’s son, Sinteler doesn’t have the power to kill him. Maybe he’ll just lock him up. He is a Restless Soul. Schulz said as long as he’s linked through the Elite Seven, he can’t die. Unless one of the Elite kills him. Right now, I’m the only one who is capable of doing that. He’s safer without me around.

Taking a quick deep breath, I slip my hand from Kim’s and step back. He sucks in a breath and spins around, eyes wide. “Ana? Where did you go? His voice rebounds around the buildings. A few heads turn his way. He lowers his voice and pushes hair off his eyes. “I know you’re here somewhere. I’m not sure what’s happening, but I want to thank you for saving my life.” Then he mumbles, “You owe me my socks.”

I giggle. I can’t help it, then shift and push myself into the wall, heading for the castle. I have to explain to Grim about my failure. Would he understand? Give me another chance?
My family’s souls
. I followed my heart to save part of my soul.

My soul.

I halt mid-step. What if something happens to him? What if Sinteler finds him? Or the Fate with her horde of crow people? I know I’m buying time before I meet Grim, but I can’t stop myself. I have nowhere else to go. Shifting to my favourite places won’t work today. I retrace my steps. Kimdane is no longer where I left him. After two blocks down the street at the taxi stand, I find him pacing and shoving his fingers into his hair, his lower lip snagged between his teeth. Blowing out a breath, he halts and hops in the first taxi in line. I follow suit, concealed. He gives the driver the address in the nineteenth district and leans his head on the headrest, flinging his arm to cover his eyes.

Twenty minutes later, the taxi slides to a stop in front of a huge black gate attached to a wrought iron fence. The doors open automatically and the driver proceeds down the long driveway leading to a yellow two-storey house, the façade resembling eighteenth century designs.

Stepping out the car, I watch as Kimdane shuffles up the steps to the house while rubbing his forehead, shoulders slumped. Suddenly the door bursts open. Dominik and Aggie, my music class students leap out the door and clamber up Kimdane. He catches them easily, his laughter joining his sibling’s giggles and steps inside the house. And I’m glad I saved him. I’m scared I saved him. I hate that my feelings are so messed up right now.

I shift to the castle.

***

As soon as I materialize outside the castle, I find Axe pacing the stone veranda, wringing his hands.

He halts and bows, looking feverish. “My lady, Sir Ernest requests your presence in the library.” He stares at me like he wants to say something but wrings his hands instead.

“How long has he been waiting?”

“A while. Since the news.”

A school of Nymphs glide by, darting sly looks at me, snickering. Afterworld must be buzzing with the news about my failed collection.

“Please, lead the way.”

I trail after him, forcing my legs down the hallway and arrive at the library much too soon. Outside the door, he pauses and clears his throat. “Good luck, my lady.” He scuttles away. Just as I am about to push the door open, voices drift from inside. I pause, leaning closer.

Sinteler and Grim. I breathe in and trap air in my lungs, but my heart is thudding loudly in my ears.

“Verdandi did her job. Your Novice failed, Ernest. I am giving you—
her
one more chance. If that soul is not collected within a fortnight, it is open season on souls,” Sinteler says. “I will capture every soul out there.”

Verdandi?
I have heard that name before. Isn’t she…? Yes. One of the Fates who attended the Unveiling dinner a few weeks back.

Grim doesn’t reply. I lean my forehead on the door. Given the chance, if this day was rewound, would the results be the same? I don’t know. I don’t know what to do anymore.

The door opens suddenly. Rolf strolls out, his eyes so cold and alien. In his face, I don’t recognise the boy who ripped my heart from my chest. His lips curl into smile. The lips that once sent my blood roaring in bliss, now freezes it in my veins.

“Ana.” I shudder and stumble away. He steps closer and leans down, his lips one inch from mine, and he still smells like
my
Rolf. Yet he’s not. “What a good job you did today. You see, Lucy and Anton adore me. I’m their idol.” He grins. “Now, collect Kimdane’s soul. Or I will pay them a visit, and you know what that means.”

I can’t move my feet. I’m waiting to exhale, but my lungs are busy trying to absorb air.

He leans forwards and brushes his lips to mine before turning to leave, dragging half of my soul with him. Sinteler stares at me for a moment, then says, “My son said it all.” He strides down the hall.

Once their footfalls fade, I breathe out, close the door and turn around.

Grim stands by the arched window, his back rigid. His long fingers stroke the red velvet curtains. His head tilts slightly as I enter, but he doesn’t turn to face me. I settle myself on the seat closest to the fireplace.

It feels like forever before Grim stalks from the window, his eyes narrowed at me. His face grows darker as he approaches. “You seem to have forgotten one small detail, Novice. I own your soul and your family’s.”

My stomach clenches. Tears press the back of my eyes. “I haven’t forgotten.”

“It’s
not
your job to save souls. You carry out the assignment allocated to you.”

“The soul wasn’t ready. You taught me that souls shouldn’t be reaped prematurely. It wasn’t right.”

His eyes flash. “
I
sent the instructions, which means the soul was ready for reaping.” I open my mouth, but he slashes a hand in the air, stopping me. “You have no idea the consequences of your reckless action, do you?” He paces, his body rigid. “You failed the test.”

“Is that why the Fate was present? To check on me?”

Grim stops. His eyes widen for an instant, then recover. “Your action will lead to
dire
consequences. Now, the gateway for that particular soul opens again in two weeks. Do your job and innocent lives will be spared.
Innocent souls
.” He turns to leave.

My mind tries to process Grim’s words, but all I can think about is Rolf’s words. I can’t. I can’t stay here. Rolf might be
visiting
my family as we speak.

I lift my gaze to his retreating back. “Ernest.” He stops without turning around. I straighten, choking back the lump in my throat. “I need to see my family.”

Grim nods. “Remember, fortnight, Novice. If you fail, I am duty-bound to hand over a soul every fortnight until the boy’s soul is collected. Your family’s souls are on the line. Do not force my hand.” He disappears through the door, his footsteps making no sound as if he’s walking on air.

***

Up in my room, I pace, trying to calm my thoughts. Music from Bringers of Life Band, a celebrated group in the Afterworld consisting of a Banshee and Vila, seeps through the walls. Without warning, the tone changes. The air crackles with the ear-splitting pitch of the Banshee. I grind my teeth. The band should be renamed, ‘Deathbringers’.

A knock sounds on the door, and I jump.

“It’s just little old me, lovely,” Zig says. Any other day, I would be laughing that he called his giant body
little.

“I’m decent,” I say.

He strolls inside the room. “So, you decided to snatch the spotlight from me, eh? You can’t imagine the amount of tongue wagging going on downstairs.”

I shrug. “Life was getting boring around here.” I turn to shove the rest of my stuff in a suitcase.

Zig touches my elbow. “Dance with me, lovely.”

I do, relieved that he doesn’t press me for details. One of the things I’ve come to appreciate about Zig. After a few minutes of moving to the sounds of the horrible music drifting from downstairs, I tell him what happened.

Over the last year, Zig has become a permanent part of my life, especially after Reiner’s death and Rolf’s transformation. He’s the only one who knows everything.

The tears that have been pressing behind my eyes finally spill over. Zig wraps his arms around me. Once I’ve soaked his shirt and I’m feeling better, I pull away.

“You saved the daredevil’s soul, eh? Lucky man. Maybe he can autograph my chest, and I can have it tattooed.”

I smack him on the chest with the back of my hand. “Whose side are you on, Zig? You’re supposed to tell me everything will be all right.”

He lifts my chin with his finger. “Lovely Ana, you’ve never needed anyone to tell you what to do. You’ve never needed anyone’s help, not really. And I’m
always
on your side.”

“But Grim saved y—”

“And I love him like a father. That doesn’t mean I can’t pledge my allegiance to you. To be there when you need me.”

I blink at him. “Thank you for everything. For being there when Reiner—” I can’t say the words. “And Rolf—”

“Went insane?” He grins. “Does that mean you’ll reconsider my proposal to let me be your bed-warmer?”

“Not on your life.” I move away from him. “Help me with these suitcases. I need to get to Vienna and take a taxi home.”

He glances at the suitcases on the floor next to my bed. “You’re leaving?”

I nod. “If Grim follows through with his threat about handing the souls… my family…” I can’t complete the trail of words. I need to maintain control.

“I don’t think he will.”

“I failed, Zig.” I lean down to scoop my rucksack. “We made a deal. He gives me back my family’s souls, and I promise—” I halt. “Sinteler.”

Zig frowns. “Thanks for the shudder.” He does a trembling impression. “What about him?”

“Last year…” I try to focus to make sure the details are correct. “Sinteler, Grim, and Schulz happened to come in the library while I was searching for information—”

“You were
sneaking
in the library?”

“Is that the only part you heard?” I shake my head. “Anyway, Sinteler mentioned a deal. Asked Grim if he wanted to risk more souls. A little while ago, I overheard Sinteler threatening Grim, saying if I don’t collect Kimdane’s soul the second time, he’ll start hunting for souls.”