Reaper's Order (Founders Series Book 1)

by Mari Dietz

  The reapers who weren’t seriously wounded worked in a well-organized rhythm as they put together pyres. A few glanced his way and gave him and Samuel looks. Some nodded to him, maybe in recognition of his helping with the wounded last night.

  William didn’t want to stay. He was an outsider. He trailed up the steps to find Vic’s room. He knocked quietly.

  “Come in.”

  He opened the door, and her back was to him as she toweled her hair. The morning light came through the window and hit her hair just right, making it look like burning flames. Without asking, he sat down in the only chair. Samuel stood behind him until William gestured for him to sit on the bed. A gray cat jumped in his lap, and he absentmindedly stroked the fur. The cat purred and made his hand vibrate.

  “What’s the plan, light lover?” She tried to sound teasing, but William could hear the tiredness in her voice.

  What was the plan? “Is the swamp still an option?”

  “Probably not.”

  The cat jumped down from his lap. To William’s surprise, the cat snuggled into his brother, and Samuel pet the cat with a smile on his face.

  “What do you want to do?” Vic asked.

  “I don’t know.” He hated that he’d become a beggar in a single day. “I suppose I could find a wand.” He slowly twirled the ring on his hand. “I don’t want to purify anyone until … until I find out more about what my father is doing.” He didn’t want to use magic either. Why did it have to be one or the other?

  Vic frowned. “What exactly is he doing?”

  William explained that he thought his father was purifying the unwilling.

  “Blight and stone,” Vic swore. “Just what we need. More people to prey on in the city. Don’t they realize that they’ll soon run out of people to control?”

  “I don’t think that’s a problem for my father as much as it will be a problem for GicCorp.” His father didn’t want magic anymore. If GicCorp found out, there would be problems.

  Vic rubbed her forehead. “I’m so happy to live in such wonderful times. We get to be mogs, radiant, or homeless and starving.” She let out a manic laugh.

  “Do you think your father or any of the other founders would help?”

  “Maybe, unless they’re in on it. Who knows anymore?” Vic plopped into her chair.

  William brushed the cat hair off his borrowed pants. “I guess it’s time to dig.”

  “I think so.”

  “We may find something worse.”

  “I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Vic stretched out her legs. “Do you need help finding a place?”

  “Is your old apartment for rent?”

  She gave him another grin that made his heart pound. “I think Kai has a better option. But you may want to get a wand. I have a feeling credits will be sparse.”

  “How far I’ve fallen.” What was he without the rules and structure of a radiant?

  “Us magic users will do that to you.” Vic winked.

  He smiled. It was strange to smile after all that had happened, but his chest felt lighter around her. “I was bound to be corrupted.”

  Vic stood, and he grabbed his brother to follow the fire girl out the door to his new life.

  25

  Vic

  Vic’s stomach turned at the smell of burning human flesh. Too many reapers from both Nyx and Dei burned today. Kai quieted talks of revenge. Everyone waited for officers to flood the building, but they never came. The burning of reapers was a private affair, mostly because a reaper ravaged by a mog was no sight a family member wanted to see. Kai would be tasked with telling families that their loved ones were dead.

  News of the reaper battle hadn’t reached the newspapers either. Gray ashes fluttered down and coated the reapers’ black clothing. Becks from Dei stood off to the side, along with a few from her Order. Despite a few looks, Vic didn’t think they were in danger of a fight. Not on a burning day.

  Reapers faced death every day. No one had thought it would come from other reapers. The embers died down, and the Dei reapers left. They would sweep the ashes, and then a farmer would pick them up and take them to mix into the soil. Would they mention that the quantity was greater than normal?

  Vic’s gaze followed the Dei reapers to the gate. In the quieting smoke, she made out a tall figure. Tristan Nordic made his way toward her, and Vic clenched her fists at her sides. She took a slow breath. He appeared in front of her, and somehow, the ashes of the reapers had avoided his clothing.

  “Nice to see you alive and well, Victoria.” His hands rested on his lapels. “I hope you don’t plan on playing any more pranks on your family. Your father was quite hurt by that radiant display.”

  Her fingernails dug into her hands, and the healing wound on her palm smarted. “I’ll try to control myself.” She took it that Tristan was letting her get away with the story—for now.

  “What did you want, Nordic?” Kai asked, his arms crossed over his chest. Vic couldn’t read his face, but it was as though he’d expected Tristan here today.

  “I think it’s best if we talk in your brand-new office, commander.” He put his arm out to his side, signaling for Kai to lead the way. “And your little partner can join you.” His stare zeroed in on Vic.

  Kai didn’t respond but turned to walk to Xiona’s old office. He held open the door for them and shut it after Tristan had entered behind Vic. Tristan sat down and faced Kai’s desk. He folded his hands over his knees and waited for Kai and Vic to sit.

  Vic stayed to the side of her chair, with Tristan in her line of sight.

  Once Kai sat down, Tristan talked. “I’ll get to the point. We need not lie to each other here.”

  Vic gripped the edge of the chair to give her palms a break. Her stitches pulled at her skin.

  “I gave Xiona a choice between making mogs or losing all funding from GicCorp,” Tristan calmly said. “You should know that what reapers collect from credits isn’t enough to survive on. Even if you pulled down multiple mogs a day, you’d still struggle to feed your people in the way you’re used to. Also, let’s not mention the deal you get for food purchases. We contained the information about your little civil war with Dei. You’ll find there is nothing in the city we don’t know about.” Tristan sat back in his chair. She wanted to slap the relaxed expression off his face. His mood would fit a tea party better than this situation.

  He continued, “We’re surrounded by swamp and trapped in a city, and my family holds all the power. You can either get in line or have your little rebellion.” With clarity, Vic knew that the reapers meant nothing to him. They would be controlled or wiped out.

  “We could tell everyone what you’re doing,” Vic said, testing the waters to see how Tristan would respond.

  He chuckled. “Go for it, Victoria. I’m sure everyone will believe you. The spoiled founder persona doesn’t benefit you. It would be a shame to pull another one of your pranks.”

  “All the Nyx reapers know what you’re doing.”

  “Do they? Or do they think it was Xiona?” His face remained a perfect mask. He already knew everything.

  A muscle in Kai’s cheek jumped. The reapers were only beginning to trust him. It would be a disaster if he admitted he’d lied.

  Tristan studied his nails. “You might be successful in getting the truth out to a few people, but honestly, what power do you have?” His eyes gleamed. “You better play it safe and keep your thoughts to yourself until you have a better hand to play.”

  Vic shifted in the chair. “Our choices are to continue to make mogs or lose GicCorp money?”

  “I always knew you were a smart one.” Tristan stood and brushed off imaginary ash from his jacket. “I’ll take your answer now.”

  Kai pushed himself up from his chair. “I think you already know my choice.”

  Tristan’s eyes dulled. “You’re a fool, but I knew you would be. These people you protect won’t support you.”

  “That’s their choice, then,” Vic replied
.

  “Dear Victoria, have you heard from your sister since the ceremony? She’s doing so well as a vital. You should be proud to have a hero for a sister. She’s the reason you can charge and not become a mog. Isn’t it wonderful?” Tristan’s tone dripped with honey.

  Vic lunged at him, and in a moment, his wand appeared. A force like a wall hit her and threw her back. She lay on the ground, shocked. What had he done? He didn’t imbue anything.

  Tristan placed his wand back in his jacket, his dark expression calm. “You have no idea what you’re dealing with, little heir. Stay behind these walls and try to survive without support.”

  With that statement, he left them.

  Vic pulled herself up and used the wall to support herself. Her right arm throbbed from the blow.

  “What in the blight was that magic?” Kai asked.

  The cold wall helped Vic stop shaking. “I don’t know.” She faced Kai. “I need to get my sister out of there. I know she wants to save me, but I don’t think the vitals are there to purify the magic.”

  Kai pulled her to him, and she listened to his steady heartbeat. “We’ll get her back.”

  Vic nodded against his chest.

  Emilia, what did we do? Vic asked herself.

  “I need to see what we have in storage. We’ll need to ration our supplies.”

  “To think I wanted to join an Order so I wouldn’t have to starve.”

  They sadly smiled at each other, and Kai left her alone.

  Vic wandered out into the courtyard.

  Vic walked past reapers sweeping up the ash. Her feet took her out of the Order. The sound of the canal echoed in her head. The scythe bumped against her back.

  It didn’t matter how long she walked. She let her mind empty. The wall of glass rose in front of her. It gleamed in the sun. Vic pushed open the gate, and her feet stepped into the courtyard. The same glass fountain greeted her.

  Vic hugged her chest as the ache grew inside her. The empty home surrounded her like a coffin welcoming her into the afterlife. Her vision burned, but she climbed the steps to her sister’s room.

  She pushed the door open. A beautiful figure made of glass greeted her. Anger, shame, and defeat raged inside her as she saw herself and Emilia immortalized.

  “Why? Why didn’t you follow me?”

  “You know why.” Her father’s voice greeted her.

  Vic focused on him. She hadn’t seen him in the room. “Do you think vitals are really keeping us all alive?”

  “There are things that I hoped I wouldn’t have to tell you.”

  “You need to make a choice, Father.” Whatever his plan, he needed to let her in if he didn’t want to lose her.

  “I know.” He was acting differently. Or was it normal?

  “I will get her back.”

  “Good.”

  Vic stood in silence with her father, their eyes filled with the two sisters who had tried but failed to protect each other.

  Thank you

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  Also by Mari Dietz

  Founders Series

  Reaper’s Order

  Radiant’s Honor November 2020

  Magic’s Curse Spring 2021

  Acknowledgments

  It feels surreal to publish my first book. It’s funny to think that this series wasn’t going to be my first. I had a lot to learn, and I decided to go with a shorter series before taking on a longer project.

  The best part of this series is that it wasn’t even on my radar. I saw this beautiful pre-made cover at Ravenborn Covers on Facebook and thought, Why do you need a reaper cover? That isn’t even in your five-year plan. But I couldn’t get this cover out of my mind, so I took a chance and messaged her. Then I came up with a story to match the cover.

  The world of Verrin and the characters that populate it came to life. So, many thanks to Ravenborn for the amazing cover for this book and the next two.

  I’d also like to thank my wonderful editor. My grammar is a bit of a chaotic mess. She put so much time into this book, and even though it isn’t her job to teach me how to self-edit, I find myself catching more of my mistakes… until I form a new habit. Thank you so much, Elizabeth (arrowheadediting.com), for all the hard work you put into helping me make my dreams come true.

  Also, to my amazing Alpha readers, thank you. A huge shout out to those who put up with the messy drafts and point out errors.

  Angela, Nicollee, Mary, Sarah, Grace, Nicole, Helen, Bryan, and even my mom—without you, I would have had too much self-doubt to finish. Thank you for your honest feedback. It really helped make this book the best it could be.

  A few years ago, I wouldn’t have thought this was possible. When you write, you feel like you’re isolated. I have my ups and downs, but thanks to my video chats, I don’t feel so alone. Thank you Katie, Tanner, Chris, Mary, Jessica, Justin, and Bobbie for pushing me. It helps knowing I’m not alone in the struggle of writing.

  To the wonderful Fire Hazards that help me get unstuck and to the Women Warriors that make me challenge myself and not take the easy plot path, without you, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. I’m so excited to keep growing with you and strive to craft better stories.

  To be a bit silly, I have to thank my number-one writing buddies, Fabio, Yona, Casanova, and Pixel. Whenever I feel discouraged, my sweet dogs are there to let me snuggle them.

  And, to Stacy Rourk, The Blurb Doctor for helping me fine tune my blurb.

  Last of all, I’d like to thank you, the reader. Maybe you picked up this book because of the awesome cover or maybe someone recommended it to you. Thank you for letting me share this world with you, and I hope you stay until the end of the journey with me.

  Thank you all so much. I am extremely blessed.

  This is only the beginning.

  About the Author

  Mari Dietz wrote her first poem about crickets when she didn’t even know how to write. Her mom typed it up for her on an old typewriter. From then on, she was a goner to the written word. Over the years, she fell in love with the world of fantasy and thought maybe one day she could write something too.

  She took a few side roads and got a major in Theater and English. Then she somehow ended up teaching in South Korea for three years. Now back in the middle of nowhere, she teaches Creative Writing and writes her own books in her “spare time,” when not distracted by lesson plans, anime, or K-dramas.

  Four rescue dogs give her the privilege of living with them, and they keep her sane-ish.

  This is her debut novel and series. If you want to contact Mari, feel free to connect on:

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  She can’t wait to hear from you!