by Liz Long
“I have what might be a stupid question.”
Tully nodded at her to continue.
“I’ve never met one, but if there’s you guys and demons, then there are angels, right? Why don’t we talk to one of them about this and see if they can help?”
I winced, wishing I’d been able to stop her from asking. It wasn’t a stupid question, but rather one that always put Tully on edge. I knew because I’d asked my first week in. He’d swerved the topic by reminding me of how Trues and Mades came into being. I’d learned to drop it. Sure enough, Tully’s eyes closed as he counted to three before responding.
“Reapers are neutral; we do not have relationships with demons or angels.”
When he left it at that, Tessa’s eyebrow raised in question. My maker stayed silent and she prodded him. “I’m not telling you to ask one to dinner. We explain about the souls and fate being in danger. Surely they’d see it as a problem.”
“Angels will not help us with this matter. They abide by the old ways as we do; even if we wanted to ask, they would not help us.”
She turned to me, wide-eyed in frustration, and I shrugged. “There are only so many walking around on earth anyway. We’d spend too much time trying to find one.”
“I don’t understand.” Tessa’s eyes flashed purple with annoyance. She directed her question at me. “Why aren’t you pushing for more information on this?”
I motioned to Tully. “You think he’s going to talk about anything he doesn’t want to talk about? I don’t even know what the deal is there.”
Tully heaved a sigh. “It is not something we discuss.”
“If it’s the reason they won’t help us save souls and my family, then I have the right to know,” I said.
That remark must’ve made an impact, because his shoulders sagged in defeat. After a long moment, he spoke.
“You know that Death created Reapers.” He eyed us and we nodded. “The first ones were called the Originals. When the human population grew, the Originals realized more Reapers would be needed. Death allowed them to create Mades, which is how we came into existence. The Originals created the Trues, the first wave of humans into Reapers. They are direct descendants of Originals, therefore having more power than those of us Made afterwards. Once the Trues were established, the Originals disappeared, leaving Trues to create Mades.”
“Where did the Originals go?” I asked.
Tully shrugged. “Some say they found a way back into paradise. Others believe they wander the Earth, helping souls as requested by Death. It is not certain.”
Tessa leaned forward in her seat with rapt attention. I, however, wasn’t sure where this was headed.
“Tully, what’s the big deal?”
Tully hesitated, shifting uncomfortably before answering. “The ones we call Originals, Death’s very first wave of Reapers, were made from angels.”
My jaw dropped. Even Tessa paled at the bomb drop.
“They were the only ones who could bear the responsibility - it was the logical choice. When the Creator made Death, he was allowed to choose a small group of angels to help on Earth. But for a few of them, it was hardly a gift. Angels did not want to be ripped from their paradise only to help human souls cross over for the rest of their existence. Even centuries later, there is still bad blood.”
Tessa and I exchanged flabbergasted looks. Why had Tully never explained this story? It was the very definition of who we were. He read the question on my face.
“Few people know this story. We have told the same lie for so long that everyone has forgotten the truth. Elders lead the way, but they are actually the first wave of human souls that were made by the Originals.”
“Wait a minute, they’re human?” I asked, my voice going up a couple of octaves. “Alistair is technically a Made like us? Why are they such jerks about Mades then, if we’re the same thing?”
“I suppose they feel they are more powerful because they are direct descendants of the angels. They have been around the longest,” Tully said. “We are tarnished, more human than they ever were as they have been detached from humanity for so long.”
I opened my mouth to reply in anger, but Tessa waved to get our attention. “How did Death choose which angels would be turned into Reapers?”
Tully shook his head. “I do not know. Angels are jealous creatures. Most angels want nothing to do with humans. If Death did not select them at random, perhaps certain angels were being punished in some way.”
“Wouldn’t the new Reapers take out their anger on the human souls?” I asked.
Tully shook his head. “Obviously Death would not condone that behavior. Rumor had it if they all complied and helped Death, they would be rewarded in the future. Once Death encouraged them to make their own progenies, they realized their new existence and gave up hope of ever returning to paradise.”
Tessa’s face softened. “I guess asking a bunch of angels to help Reapers save souls isn’t really the polite thing to do.”
“They would undoubtedly remind us that it is our duty,” Tully said, shifting his weight from side to side.
“Do any of the first angels hang out in the museum with Alistair?” I asked.
His eyes hardened. “They are Reapers now, and no, they do not ‘hang out’ with Alistair and the elders. No one knows where they reside.”
“The statues,” I said. Tessa looked baffled at my outburst, but Tully nodded.
“Yes, those were depictions of the Original Reapers.”
Tully looked so uncomfortable I let go of the subject. Time for another matter. “That takes us back to square one. We need to do something.”
Tully’s jaw tightened; I had to give him credit for keeping his cool during this testy conversation. He couldn’t hide the frustration in his voice, though. “Alistair said they would handle it.”
“Tully, it doesn’t sound like they’re going to do much of anything. My family is in danger!” My voice rose to a near shout, catching on the word “family.” I knew I shouldn’t let my emotions show this way, but I didn’t know what else to do.
“Child, the elders will monitor and solve this situation.” Tully’s Irish voice remained steady and calm but doubt lay behind his words.
My resolve strengthened and I stood taller. I reminded myself of the old Reaper ways, how he’d still treated Alistair with a sort of awe.
“You are my maker and you have my loyalty. However, these special circumstances require a different sort of plan. Souls, destinies, are in danger and I can’t let my family die at the hands of demons. I’d rather have you by my side, but I’ll do this with or without you. I’m willing to risk the consequences.”
Tully remained still as a statue and I held my breath. The age showed in his blue eyes, years and decades of humanity and loss. A long moment passed between us and I braced for the outcome.
“I will go with you, of course. You are my progeny and I will not leave you to be discovered or taken by demons,” he said.
“Or worse, elders,” Tessa added under her breath. Tully gave her the side eye.
“It is my responsibility to make sure you do not upset the balance of life and death,” he said. My eyebrows came together as I scowled and he hurried to add, “at least that is how I will respond should any elders come questioning.”
I couldn’t help the small smile that grew on my face. The corner of Tully’s mouth shifted, his beard twitch the only giveaway. The apology blurted out before I could stop myself.
“I’m sorry I blew up at Alistair. I should’ve kept my mouth shut and I know it was rude. The old ways are what you know.”
“And apparently what you refuse to learn. I do not suppose you will ever really accept the old ways, even once you understand them. You may always have a streak of humanity in you.” He heaved a sigh, though it did not sound a bit sorry.
The lines around his eyes wrinkled just so, and my smile grew wider. “Humanity, huh?”
If it could save my family, maybe that
wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all.
CHAPTER EIGHT
After much discussion, Tully decided we had to act sooner rather than later. Despite whatever trepidation I had, another Reaper would be taken soon if we couldn’t find clues to help us stop the enemy. That meant facing my family earlier than I’d anticipated, like tomorrow instead of next week.
We let Tessa sleep and met at her apartment the next morning, greeting her as we stepped inside. Going into her living room, we saw her backpack by the doorway, ready to go. She’d already sketched the chalk mark into her floor, the magic symbol that those on the physical planes used for the fastest travel method. With her magic, she could get us from one spot to another in a few seconds.
“You guys are going ahead to Grace’s house without me,” Tessa said behind us. We turned to face her as she strapped her backpack on and stood in her circle.
“And why is that?” Tully asked in a crisp tone.
“I found a tiny coven the next town over. I’m going to check out their local shop and see if anyone knows anything. I’ve got Grace’s old address, I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” she promised.
Tully and I agreed as she sprinkled a powder on the floor. After mumbling a chant, she disappeared with a pop! I ignored the tightening sensation in my stomach and shut my eyes as we concentrated on our location and left the space.
When I opened my eyes, my house came into view, front and center. The image almost knocked me over, would’ve taken my breath away had I been alive. For a moment, I felt such a tug in my chest I thought I might actually cry.
“Grace, you must stay on our spiritual plane.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m a ghost, keep it that way,” I muttered as I walked to the door. When my feet hit the front porch, I hesitated, heart lodged in my throat.
Tully hesitated, discomfort all over his freckled face at breaking one of the oldest Reaper rules. I turned to face him.
“You can stay out here, pretend you never saw any of this. If anyone asks, you couldn’t stop me.” He raised an eyebrow and I shrugged. “Or I did it behind your back.”
“If any of them find out, your Reaper status could be taken away.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. “Which means what?”
Tully half shrugged. “You would be forced to move on.”
“Even after all the good I’ve done to help other souls?” I asked.
“You are brand new, child,” he said as though it were simple enough. “You’ve barely put a dent in the numbers, all things considered.”
I scoffed, kicked my foot against the concrete porch step. “I’m doing them a favor, you know, if we can figure out what’s happening to the other Reapers.”
“Perhaps,” he agreed softly. “In any case, I don’t suppose I can change your mind about being here, which means I would like to get it over with as soon as possible.”
I looked back at my old front door and out of habit, took a deep breath. “Yeah, okay.”
Without another word, we passed through the solid entrance. I didn’t know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised to see that my family’s home hadn’t changed much in my absence. The downstairs rooms looked the same, other than a kitchen renovation.
Tully froze, cocking his ear to the side. “Your parents and brothers are home.”
“What about Allison?” I asked, referring to my little sister.
He paused for another second and shook his head. “No.”
Right before I decided to head upstairs to see my old room (if they’d kept it as such), someone called out from the laundry room off the kitchen. It was a sweet tone that hurt my heart - my mother’s voice.
“Boys, dinner!”
Seconds later, the thunder of footsteps crashed down the stairs, the two of them jostling each other to be first to the bottom. I didn’t bother hiding a smile as they came into view. Well into their teens now, Simon and Sean were identical, from their tall, skinny bodies to mops of curly brown hair. Both wore jeans and t-shirts, their bare feet still a common staple in this household.
They scrambled into their chairs at the dining room table, where we’d had dinner every night. It tugged at my heartstrings to know they still did that and I silently thanked the fates that my family had been able to hold it together so well after my death. When I counted the chairs, I realized there were two extra; they hadn’t removed my or Allison’s chairs. I bit my bottom lip.
Mom swept into the room carrying a giant casserole dish. Her short, dark hair had streaks of gray that hadn’t been there before and the lines around her face seemed deeper, but otherwise she looked just like I remembered.
“I swear, one of you will have to text your father to get his butt into that chair,” Mom said to them, pushing a few strays hairs out of her face.
“No phones at the dinner table, remember?” Simon said, his face sour.
Mom spared a minute to put a hand on her hip with that particular glare she had. “I believe that rule exists due to constant buzzing from your phones.”
“Don’t bring me into it,” Sean mumbled. “Not my fault his girlfriend never stops texting.”
Simon rolled his eyes at his brother. He reached for the serving spoon, helped himself to the casserole. Mom took the dish towel from her shoulder and swatted them both with it before going to the hallway and calling my father in. Then she went back to the kitchen to bring the sides and tea pitcher out like she always did.
Dad strode in, still in his work attire. Before coming to the table, he paused to remove his tie. He sighed with relief once he released what I imagined as a chokehold. He rolled up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt, smiling at his boys.
“Good day?” he asked.
The twins nodded and I listened to them talk about school and lacrosse while Mom finished putting out dinner. The meal continued on like that with familiar conversation.
Mom and Dad were discussing their day with each other; I leaned in to hear what Simon whispered to Sean. Too late, I realized my mistake when they both froze. Their light brown eyes met and I knew they were having one of those strange silent twin talks they always had. Allison and I had always been jealous, even inventing our own code they couldn’t understand. They couldn’t see me, but they could sense my presence.
“Allison got an A on that Economics test,” Mom was telling Dad.
Dad nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. “Of course she did. Girl’s got the business smarts for sure. Proud of her.”
“Mom?” Simon said, his voice quiet.
“Yeah, honey?”
“We saw in the paper today,” Sean said, shooting a look at Simon, “um, we saw that the driver…that guy who killed Grace got arrested for drugs.”
My mouth fell open in surprise. What were the chances I visit the day my killer got brought up in conversation?
Dad put his silverware down to look directly at them. “We saw that as well. I’d say jail ought to be a better place for him, so he doesn’t hurt anyone again.”
Mom’s mouth tightened, her eyes not leaving the table. I’d never wanted anything more than to appear in front of her to hug her. The table went silent, perhaps unsure of how to push through the discussion.
Simon looked over to the living room, at the large framed photo above the fireplace mantel with all of us in it. Our last family photo, it had been taken a mere month before my death.
“We miss her,” Sean said with a shrug. I resisted the urge to reach out and touch his shoulder in comfort.
“Believe me, I miss her too, everyday,” Mom said. Her voice went up a notch and I knew she was trying not to cry in front of them. Dad put his hand over hers, squeezed tight.
“She’s watching over us,” Dad said, his sorrowful tone reaching all the way to my core.
“Less than you’d think,” I muttered. Tully nudged me and I jumped, had forgotten he was even there.
I swallowed hard, wished more than anything I could ease their pain. Since I could do no suc
h thing, I knew I had to leave here soon before my humanity came back with full force. I didn’t want to hear any more. I glanced out the window and saw a familiar witch waving frantically at me.
“Time to go,” Tully said, gently steering me by the elbow.
“I know.” I took one last look at my family around the dinner table. I hoped they knew I would do anything for them - including take on any demons who tried to collect their souls.
Tully and I swept through the brick walls and back outside to Tessa.
“Do not appear outside your family’s window,” Tully warned me. I nodded and we walked a couple blocks down before popping back into the physical plane. Tessa could see us either way, but we looked less ghostly this way (that and she didn’t look like a crazy person talking to herself should anyone pass by). She dove right in.
“There’s not much magic in this area,” Tessa said. “The coven didn’t know anything about kidnapped Reapers. I can’t sense any magic in the air.”
“It seems fairly human to me as well,” Tully admitted.
I butted in. “How can you tell?”
“You have not been around magic long enough, child. When you are surrounded by it on a daily basis for so many years, it is easier to recognize magic around you; most lingers for several days.”
“Okay, so no magic, that’s a good thing, right?” I asked.
Tully half-shrugged, but Tessa nodded. “No one’s been watching your family. I say it’s a win.”
“I think we let it stay that way and head back. I do not want our presence to attract enemies,” Tully said. He shot a furtive look around at the quiet neighborhood.
“We need to go check on my sister,” I told them. “I’m thrilled my family’s okay here and all, but she’s vulnerable by herself.”
They nodded and Tessa pulled a piece of chalk from her left jacket pocket.
“Can we, um, maybe arrive outside of her room? I should brace myself,” I said, wincing at my cowardliness. Tessa’s face registered sympathy while Tully didn’t blink.
“Very well,” he said. “We’ll need the location for Tessa.”
“Already thought of that,” Tessa said, pulling a sheet of paper out of her back pocket. “Here’s the address. Let’s hit this back alley here and get going.”
