by Silver, Ruth
“Not well. Until I can master it, I have to stay here.”
“Then, I'll help you,” Leila said. She didn't want Wynter to stay a moment longer than necessary in this place. Besides, she was confident he didn't want to spend another night here either, if he didn't have to. “What do I need to do?”
“There's a book upstairs in his office, actually quite a few books. They explain the rules, laws, and experiences of other dark angels. I think if we break into his office and borrow the text, we might be able to speed up the time it takes me to adjust.”
“Is Edon upstairs?” Leila didn't want to come face-to-face with him if he was in his study.
“No. He's got his own responsibilities outside of this place.”
“Yeah, right.” Leila snorted. That didn't sound like Edon, having a life away from the reapers. “Do I need a key to get into his office?”
“Probably.” Edon laughed. “I have something you can use.” He walked toward the dresser and opened the first drawer. Digging his hand inside, he felt around at the top and removed a small key. “This should work.”
“You stole Edon's key?” Leila was surprised he hadn't been caught.
“I borrowed his spare. Just bring it back when you're done.”
“No, I'm going to keep it.” Leila rolled her eyes and met his stare with a smile. “I'll be back. Don't go anywhere.” As if sneaking around the asylum alone wasn't bad enough, Leila didn't want to return and find his room vacant.
“Where would I go?”
Leila dropped a chaste kiss to his cheek. They still hadn’t talked about the kiss from the other day. Leila didn’t know how to broach the subject, but she wanted to show him that she desired more. She’d always miss Larkin, he was her first love, but Leila deserved to be happy and Wynter made her feel that way. “I'll be back.” She headed for the door and opened it. Leila glanced back at Wynter and gave him a faint smile. “Wish me luck.” Hopefully Edon wouldn't be making any surprise appearances today.
“You'll be fine. Quit stalling, and go!”
Leila walked out of Wynter's room and to the back of the asylum. She found the stairwell easily. She'd been in the asylum enough times that she was learning her way around the place. Not that she wanted to know what was behind the heavy wooden doors. Were dark angels the only entities living in the asylum? Carrying the key, Leila made it to the third floor and walked down the hall, stopping in front of his office. She slid the key into the lock, surprised it fit. Wynter had done well. Unlocking the door, Leila walked inside and shut it behind her. No sense in alerting anyone to her presence.
Her eyes scoured the shelves. Finding a handful of texts on dark angels, she grabbed three of them. It was all she could carry. Besides, if Edon did return early, she didn't want his bookshelf to look bare. Locking the door behind her, Leila carried the books down the stairs and to Wynter's room. “Let me in!” She tensed, worried at any moment Edon could come in through the front entrance.
Wynter opened his door, taking a text off Leila to help her see. “What have we got?” He shut the door with his foot as he walked to the bed and sat down. “This looks good.” He showed her the title. A Dark Angel's Guide to Overcoming Death.
“I also brought you a book on the rules and consequences, so we don't accidentally turn you into a pig or something.” Leila grinned, hoping Wynter found that scenario as amusing as she did. The adrenaline was still kicking through her veins from stealing the books upstairs.
Wynter opened the book and skimmed the pages. “This looks interesting.”
“What'd you find?” Leila sat down on the bed beside Wynter.
Wynter read the text aloud. “A soul exchange or death transfer is only required when an outside influence requests a human be spared. Dark angels may at any time rescue a soul prior to death and change the outcome if it's in the best interest of society.” Wynter glanced up from the book. “So, because we asked the dark angel to save Mara, we had to pay the price. However, if Juliana had felt Mara was going to be a queen and a great ruler who would help society, than she could have saved her from death without the soul exchange and death transfer.”
“Sounds complicated.”
“Not really.” Wynter continued to read the book. “A dark angel may consult the oracle for guidance or a head reaper for a death list. Under no circumstance will a dark angel take orders from a grim reaper. A dark angel may not give orders to a grim reaper either. It is the dark angel’s responsibility to intervene if necessary. Reapers do not cause death, they are merely messengers who carry out assignments. Their responsibility is to spare souls from pain and suffering in death.”
Leila stood up and groaned. “I don't think I can take much more of this. It's too textbook. Do you understand any of it?”
“I don't know who or what the oracle is, but I'm betting the head reaper I'd be assigned a death list from is Edon.”
Leila frowned. “People die every day and not just where we live.”
“I know. I'm beginning to think that Edon might be a regional reaper or something. We may not be his only pack of grim reapers.”
“That's crazy!” Leila didn't believe it. “I know you said he doesn't come to the asylum every day, but come on, Wynter. How many reapers do you think Edon could handle?”
“Hundreds. Thousands?” He shook his head. “I have no idea. It doesn't really matter. I'll get my assignments from you. When someone's name is on your scroll, we'll do a little investigating to decide if they should be spared.”
Leila laughed. “Do you plan on interviewing their family, friends, long-lost enemies?” She was mocking him.
“No.” Wynter smiled. “I was just going to wing it.” He made his wings twitch slightly and laughed.
Leila rolled her eyes. “You're terrible!” She tried not to laugh, but it was becoming impossible. The giggles started in her stomach, causing her belly to ache before the sound vibrated through her throat and out her lips. “Thanks, I needed that.” She smiled warmly.
“You're welcome. Glad I could make you laugh.” Wynter stood up and stretched. His wings stretched out with him and Leila ducked on the bed, careful not to get smacked by feathers.
“Careful!” She didn't want a black-eye.
“I am. I still need to work on it, but I'm better than I was yesterday.”
“Speaking of yesterday. After I visited you, do you remember how I had an assignment from the scroll and rushed home?”
Wynter nodded. “What happened?”
“Violetta transformed into another body. I guess she died.” It felt weird to say, since they were all undead.
“What happened?” Wynter asked.
“Warner de Clare sent one of his men to kill us.” She recounted the entire story to him.
Wynter walked to the window. He wiped the dirt and grime with his hand, trying to look outside. “How are you holding up?”
“I should be asking you that question,” Leila said.
Wynter bit his bottom lip. His wings began to lift, moving away from his back.
“Control it,” Leila said. She could see it happening. If he couldn't manage his emotions, then he'd never be allowed to leave the asylum.
“I don't want to. I don't have a problem with feeling pain, heartache, anger, sadness. What I don't like is that it shows, like a dog wagging its tail when happy. My wings unfurl when I feel anything. I like feeling things, Leila.” Wynter stared at her. “Sure, I'm not thrilled with having bad days: the ones with regret, revenge, and longing, but I want the good that comes with it: love, happiness, surprise. There are a host of emotions that I'm not ready to bury away.”
“Maybe you don't have to bury it, so much as control it. We'll figure it out.” Leila wasn't going to ignore what he was going through.
Edon opened the door without warning. “What are you doing here?” Edon asked, surprised to see Leila sitting on Wynter's bed with him.
It startled Wynter as well, causing his wings to expand. Leila's eyes widened,
grateful the texts were hidden behind his massive wingspan. She really didn't want to get caught screwing up again.
“Just because Wynter's a dark angel doesn't mean we're no longer friends.” Leila wouldn't forget her new family. The rules had barred her from visiting Mara, but there was nothing against seeing Wynter.
“He needs to study.” Edon wasn't backing down. “And you, Leila, should have your own assignment soon.”
Leila glanced down at her scroll. It hadn't made a sound. “Nothing yet. I'll go when I'm needed. Right now, I'm helping Wynter so he can get out of the asylum and back home.”
Edon sighed. “Do you know who they keep in the other rooms on this floor?”
Leila shook her head. She had no idea. She was curious, but wasn't eager to ask.
“Reapers who didn't follow the rules.”
Leila stood up. Whether it was true or not, she didn't want to find out. “I guess that's my cue to go.” Leila swallowed her nerves. She didn’t know how soon she’d see Wynter again, and Edon was always making things difficult. This would show them both! She dropped a soft kiss to Wynter's lips. She had a feeling it would drive Edon mad. Good. “I'll be back tomorrow.” She made sure Edon could hear every word she said. She would visit Wynter until he was allowed to leave the asylum.
Leila heard a repetitive knock against the front door. She was making dinner for Violetta, who still hadn't come home. She wanted to tell Violetta all about her encounter at the asylum and how she'd been caught by Edon in Wynter's room. Leila hoped that Wynter hadn't gotten caught for borrowing a few of the books from upstairs. If he did, she'd take the blame. After all, she'd been the one to remove them from the shelves.
“Come on!” A muffled male voice reached through the door.
Leila cautiously unlocked the door and opened it. “Wynter, what are you doing here?” Leila's eyes widened, and she ushered him inside. He looked good. Wynter removed the jacket that mostly covered his wings. He wore a cotton shirt and long black slacks. The back of his shirt was torn for his wings to fit through. Leila wasn't sure if he'd intentionally torn the material by hand, or if the wings had done it.
“I'm tired of hiding in the asylum. I escaped.”
“Two days was your limit?” She laughed under her breath. “Edon is going to kill you.” She knew he was prone to breaking the rules, much like she was, but she didn't think he'd go this far. What were the consequences of leaving the asylum without permission? Ordinarily, it might not have been a big deal, except he wasn't a grim reaper. He was a dark angel. Everyone could see Wynter for what he was. This wasn't good.
“Don't worry about it. I'm going to spend the next few weeks in the house with Jasper. Once I'm comfortable with the wings and can hide them a little better, I'll be able to leave.”
Leila nodded. She wasn't sure he'd ever be able to fully hide his wings. He'd always have to cover them up, but so long as they didn't expand from beneath his clothes, he'd probably be all right. “You're really back?” Leila couldn't believe he was standing in her house. She threw her arms around him, not caring about his wings or that they were rising as she squeezed him tight. “I'm so glad you're going home.”
“Me too.” Wynter hugged her in return.
“So, how'd you get out of the asylum?” It wasn’t as though he was locked inside, but Leila knew he didn’t have a horse to get him home.
Wynter sat down on the sofa. “Jasper picked me up in the carriage.”
“The one he was supposed to get rid of?” Leila knew Jasper would hold on to that contraption for as long as he was a reaper. She didn't mind the carriage; it made her feel at home. However, she was concerned that Edon would find out and the boys would both be in a world of trouble.
“Jasper never listens. You should know that by now. I guess it's something us reapers have in common.”
She didn't remind him that he wasn't a reaper any longer. Leila sat down beside Wynter on the sofa. His wings had contracted against his back. “Does anyone around here follow the rules?”
“Emblyn, but she was reassigned.”
That didn't make Leila feel any better. She couldn't help the trouble she found herself in. It wasn't her fault. First, her appointment that she didn't show up for. That had been a mistake on Leila's part, but it was a mistake that most reapers made their first time. Then, her next reap was a child. Any sane reaper would have intervened. No one would have suspected the consequence for such an action. If the plague that followed wasn't atrocious enough, her sister Princess Mara was slated to die. Any young reaper would have made the same mistakes. Perhaps that was why she hadn't been punished for her actions, not really.
“What do you think Edon will do when he sees you're gone?”
Wynter grinned. “No doubt, he'll be pissed. I actually came here for a reason.” Wynter reached for Leila's hand. “Warner de Clare has been detained by the palace guards.”
“He's been arrested? He'll try and escape.” Leila knew he wouldn't go down without a fight. Warner wasn't going to sit in a cell and wait for his execution. He was manipulative and cunning.
“It's possible, but I don't think he'll make it very far. Edon came to see me today, because Violetta will be assigned his reap.”
Leila's heart skipped a beat. “You're kidding. Who told you, Edon?” It had to be him. Who else would know before the sentencing about a reap. “We should let his soul rot inside his body.” Leila was disgusted with Warner de Clare. He'd murdered her and attempted to kill her sister and her friends.
Wynter stared down at their clasped hands. A faint smile grazed his lips. “I knew you'd say that.”
“Am I wrong?” She'd be pissed if he said yes. She pulled her hand away placing it on her lap.
“I never said that. Trust me, I defended you to Edon. Personally, I think we should let the execution take place, then reap his soul. I don't know if there's a Heaven or Hell, but if there is a chance it exists, he deserves a ticket to the gates of Hell.”
Leila glanced at Wynter. Her hand reached up to stroke his jaw. Her eyes stayed locked with his. “I've never seen this side of you.” It was dark and dangerous. He'd set out for revenge when his sister had been murdered. His wings stretched out and Leila leaned in, brushing her lips against his. “You have to be stoic when we're out. It's the only way.”
“I'll work on it.”
Teamwork
Chapter 10
“I can't believe I have a reap today! This is unbelievable.” Leila mounted her horse and rode up the hill to find Wynter. He hadn't left his house, forbidden from stepping foot outside until he could control his wings. Stalking up to the front door, she pounded repeatedly until Wynter answered. Jasper wasn't home.
“Look at this!” She shoved the scroll at his face. “I have a reap today.” She couldn't believe the nerve of whoever decided their assignments. Warner de Clare was sentenced to death this afternoon in Casmerelda, and she was scheduled to be southeast in Talivia.
“Maybe it's for the best.” Wynter let her inside and shut the door behind her.
Leila glanced around the small cottage. Their house was smaller, cozier. It surprised her. “How can you say that?”
“You're volatile. Not that I blame you, I'm just saying it's a risk, us being there. Edon's right. You need to distance yourself from Mara and from your past.”
Leila huffed. “I will, after Warner is dead.” She needed to find peace and the only way to do that was to witness his execution.
“Leave it for Violetta. She can handle it.”
Leila struggled with letting someone else take control, but she knew the consequences of missing her reap. “You could help me.” Leila hoped Wynter would go for it. “I’ll go to the execution, while you save Johannes Thorn.”
“Who’s to say her life is worth saving? Besides you’re asking a lot of me, Leila. I’ve barely learned to control my wings and you want me to save a woman’s life. I’m not sure I even know how.”
“You’ve been reading about i
t. Doesn’t that teach you the skills you need?” Why else had she stolen the books from Edon’s office?
“Reading and doing aren’t necessarily the same things. You could have read about riding a horse, but would you possess the skill to do it?”
Leila shifted uncomfortably on her feet. “I figured it out. Quit stalling. Are you going to help me out, or not?”
“Yes, but I’m not going to save anyone’s soul today.” Wynter grabbed his black coat and buttoned the front tight, doing his best to hide his wings.
Leila wasn’t sure how Wynter was helping her out, if he wasn’t going to do her any favors. Not that she hadn’t asked a lot of him already. He had saved Mara’s life and turned himself into a dark angel. “I’m sorry.” She opened the front door. “Let’s find Johannes Thorn.” She hoped he’d come with her. Soul saving was lonely at times, especially traveling at strange hours. Leila glanced back at the house. Jasper was gone for the day. “Can we borrow the carriage?” She’d never driven one but it had to be better than riding a horse.
Wynter laughed. “Jasper hid it around back. We’re better off sharing a ride. If you don’t mind? My balance is a little unsteady with the wings.”
“You mean you can’t fly?” Leila grinned and walked towards the side of the house, mounting Wynter’s horse. “Climb on.” She waited for him to join her. His arms wrapped around her waist and she felt his warm chest against her back. Sighing, she rode with him toward Talivia.
“Any idea about the reap?” Wynter asked. She could feel his breath tickle her neck. Leila gripped the reins of the horse tighter. Talivia was a fishing settlement and trading colony.
“Just that I can’t swim,” Leila said. “If Johannes Thorn is out on the Jade Sea in a boat, I have no idea what I’m going to do.”
“You’ll drown, but I guess it’s good you’re undead.” Wynter laughed, teasing her. “I’ll teach you when we go swimming next summer. In the meantime, we’ll hope your reap is on land.”
“You go swimming?” Leila couldn’t imagine a group of reapers swimming, but it wasn’t as though they wore dark cloaks. They dressed like everyone else.
