by Zoey Woods
I faced the dark room, hoping I hadn’t made a huge mistake in coming here.
“Emily?” My boots scuffled across the rocky ground as I moved closer.
A moan answered me and made goosebumps break up and down my arms.
“I-I need to speak with you about your coven or secret group you were in.”
Silence. That was worse than the sounds she’d uttered. I moved deeper into the chamber though every nerve in my body said to run the other way.
My eyes finally adjusted to the darkness and I made out her shadow. She was hunched over, pulling strands of her hair out and was bald in patches. The scythe on my inner arm tingled.
“Emily, I-I need you to tell me who the other members of your group are.”
She yanked out more hairs.
“Can you give me one of their names? Something?” I pleaded, my throat constricting.
This wasn’t getting me anywhere. But I couldn’t give up. Nyx had hinted that this would be hard. I could do hard.
“Listen, I have to have those names.” I clenched my fists, my living tattoo of the scythe itching.
“We don’t have to do anything,” came her guttural response.
My scythe flashed out of my skin and it was all I could do to grab it before it struck her. What the hell?
Then she was on top of me, growling like an animal, her fingers around my throat and I couldn’t breathe.
Chapter 19
I shouldn’t need air, as one of the undead, but I did. Somehow Emily choking me was killing me all over again. The gleam in her eyes shone pure evil. It reminded me of when her blade stabbed me at one of the strikes of midnight. I had to get her off me.
The scythe was between us and the only thing keeping her from crushing my windpipe.
I thrust it forward, clipping her chin with the edge of the wooden staff.
She shrieked, stumbling off me.
I gasped for breath. The scythe pulsed in my hands. Guess I owed it one.
“Thanks,” I said in a hoarse voice.
Keeping my weapon out, I faced Emily. She shrank from me, holding her hands up in surrender and shielding her face.
“Tell me the names of the other eleven, Emily. The ones who helped you kill me.”
“I-I cannot…it’s forbidden.”
“You will or I’ll reap your soul again,” I bluffed. “I’ll sever your soul from the demon who possessed you and you both will be dead. No spirits, no souls, no underworld. Nada.”
Her eyes beneath her hands went so wide I worried they’d pop out of her sockets.
I stomped at her, jerking the scythe near her.
“Stop,” she screamed. “Okay, okay, we’ll talk.”
“That’s more like it. Names.”
“Oliver Pearson, J-Janice Kelly, Warren Davis.”
“Who else?” I took a step closer.
“They’ll kill me.”
“You’re already dead.” I ground the back of my teeth. “Keep talking or you’ll be worse when my blade cuts your soul.” I had no idea if my scythe would do anything to her or not, but as long as she believed it, that’s all I needed.
“M-Michael Cornwall, Steven Hindes, and M-Marian Schaffer. Please. That’s all I know.”
It was more than I had five minutes ago. Then they could give me the names of the remaining five. This wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
“Thanks.” I turned to the door when two huge demons blocked my path. “I’m done now, take me to Persephone.”
They didn’t move, but raised their clawed hands, their black eyes narrowing.
Fuck. This should be fun.
I flicked my wrist, calling my scythe to me. But it didn’t come. I tried again, sweat beading across my brow.
The demons growled.
“Easy guys, I’m new at this,” I said trying to stall.
They burst into the chamber. I backpedaled, flashing my left arm. Why wouldn’t the stupid weapon materialize?
Behind me, Emily started laughing hysterically.
Great. I was trapped between two demons and a lunatic soul.
One of the demons swiped for me, but I ducked, rolling across the dirt floor. The second demon charged me. It's bulk clipping my shoulder and sending me spinning to the ground. My hip and shoulder hit first. Pain lancing through me.
I pushed up to stand when its claws raked down my back.
I screamed. My scythe popping into my palm. About damn time!
I whipped the blade around, catching the demon across its chest. Both of us were blown apart from each other. The demon smoking in the corner, and me feeling like my flesh had been boiled.
Emily clapped her hands. “The second part of the phase is complete.”
“What the hell are you babbling about?” I grunted, trying to stand.
At least I’d scared off the other demon, he must have vanished when he saw his friend turned into a steaming pile of gooey ashes.
But I had the names of more than half my killers. It was time to strike.
* * *
I glanced at the bank manager’s nameplate on his desk, Michael Corwin. One of the names Emily had given me. He didn’t look like a murderer, but then again, neither had Emily. Persephone had granted my request to be returned to the surface and wherever this man was. She’d obliged me without question.
Yet, she didn’t tell me her payment for being able to speak to Emily. Part of me worried that I was racking up interest on the loan to her. The fact she hadn’t requested or told me what I owed, ate at me.
David, Finn, and Patrick had gone to find the other names on the list and see if they could get one of them to talk about the missing five. I would love to have one of the fates or hell, all three of them with me doing this, but we were running out of time.
Plus, doing this was telling them that I wasn’t theirs. That I wasn’t going to stay their reaper or with them. An ache spread through my chest. I’d figure out my future later. After, I’d dealt with being able to retire early from my reaper status.
My back and arm throbbed from where the demon had scratched me and where I’d sliced him with my blade. I was quickly running out of time to reap these foul souls. I could feel each passing hour of human time in my blood now. Like a bomb about to go off. I needed all the help I could get.
“Here is the paperwork you requested for the loan, Miss…”
“Tell me, Mr. Corwin, do you engage in ritualistic sacrifices?” If I had the wrong guy, I hoped somehow I would know. But I didn’t have time for full-on investigations and recon. I had to know if this was he was guilty or not and move onto the next.
His face paled and he stammered, “I-I don’t know what you mean.”
Yes, he did. I felt the assurance of it bubbling in his gut. That was all the proof I needed. I opened my hand, my scythe vibrating into existence against my palm. I swung the blade, hitting him across his arm. His life thread splintered and I frowned. It should cut all the way through.
“Stupid, bitch,” he hissed.
Well, at least he wasn’t demon-possessed like Emily had been. But why hadn’t my blade killed him?
I looked up just in time for his fist to hit me across the cheek. I tumbled backward over one of the chairs. Pain radiating through my face.
Even of this. I rushed forward, striking the tip of my blade into his chest.
Blood bubbled on his lips. But instead of looking panicked or fearful, he smiled like a madman before he dropped dead at my feet.
Okay. So maybe he had been possessed by a different kind of demon then.
Chapter 20
I sent messages to David, Finn, and Patrick. Yup, even in the underworld, there are cellphones and internet service. It’s hooked up to the dark web somehow.
David replied: We’ve got the missing five names. Meet us at the shipyard.
I didn't know how to teleport like the Fates. I set off at a jog toward the docks.
After several blocks, I was expecting to be winded or my mus
cles to hurt, but I was fine. Not even breaking a sweat.
I picked up my pace to a run. Still, no gasping for air like normally when I tried to work out. Wow. Another point for being dead.
Several streets later, I rounded the corner to the docks. The bay that was normally crowded with dark blue waters looked like a different world. Black waves crashed against grey piers and empty boats. I slowed my steps, hunting for any sign of David.
Lights flickered in a warehouse up the path and I approached. Because of the still, quiet of the darkness, I didn't call out.
My forearm itched like I'd rubbed it in poison ivy. I scratched absently as I entered the metal warehouse with rusted walls and concrete floors.
Low voices caught my attention and I froze. The same monotone that had rung through my head when I had been stabbed twelve times.
I placed my hand to my chest, a deep ache resonated through me from one of the many wounds I had suffered. Shadows loomed across most of the open, abandoned warehouse. I couldn’t make out anything further than two feet in front of me. The middle of the warehouse was completely dark.
Why couldn’t my scythe come with a flashlight or glow-sticks?
A scuff of a shoe on cement sounded. Was that David? Was he going to jump out at me, then chastise me for not being prepared for anything?
Taking a deep breath, I held out my hand for my scythe. The weapon snapped into my palm with a sting. Ouch! What was up with my weapon?
The overhead lights flickered on and I blinked against the brightness. In the middle of the warehouse lay David. Blood pooling around his head.
No! I dashed forward when two men wearing those damn robes blocked my path. Every part of me screamed to slice them down. These were two more of the guilty. Two more how had done this to me and now had hurt David.
“Last time we met, I was defenseless.” I lifted my scythe. “This time, I am not. This time, I will make you pay for your crimes.”
The metal blade of the scythe whistled through the air as I brought it down hard and fast. Both men didn’t have time to leap away, but fell to the ground, their threads cut. Their souls black and wavering before me. What the hell?
I spun, bringing the weapon down again on the specters and the disappeared as soon as the blade touched them.
“David.” I rushed forward, but a woman and a man with the hoods of their robes partially revealing their faces stepped between me and him. “Out of my way or you will meet the same fate.”
Three more robed figures crept out of the shadows.
They raised silver daggers, chanting, just like they did the night the killed me.
I would not let them do that to David or anyone else ever again.
With a yell, I ran at them, slashing across their middles. Ducking their blades and severing their life threads. When their inky, black souls drifted from their bodies, I cut those down too.
Sweat dripped down my back. My scythe was heavy in my hands. Where before I could wield it with one hand, now I strained to hold it with two.
I spun in a circle, daring any more hooded figures to charge me. “I know there are three of you bastards left. Come on out.”
Silence.
My gaze shifted to David. Was he breathing? Could a fate be killed? I swallowed, suddenly feeling like I had a thousand pieces of glass in my throat.
Where were Patrick and Finn?
I shuffled to him, my legs aching and heavy. I reached him and sank to my knees. Afraid to touch him. Afraid of what I would find…like his body cold…or no pulse or sign of life.
If only he had told me where these men were hiding. If he had waited for me, he would be all right. I held out my trembling hand.
“Let go of the past,” said a bored, male voice that sounded like it was right behind me.
I clutched my scythe, bringing it up in a wide arc.
“Careful, reaper, you’ve almost sealed your fate with that one.”
I braced my legs, holding my weapon ready, but I didn’t see anyone. “Come and face me.”
“We’ve met many times, child,” the voice continued. “In your nightmares. Any time there’s been bad luck or an accident.”
“Chaos.” My blood hardened. “I can beat you…just show yourself.”
He chuckled. “Ah, so brave and naïve.”
“Hiding doesn’t earn you any points.” I moved closer to where I thought he was.
“Who says I’m hiding? I am everywhere.”
A hooded figure leapt out at me and I didn’t hesitate. I slashed it down the middle. The soul shrieked and sunk into the metal of my scythe. I nearly dropped the weapon from the shock and the growing heaviness.
“What’s happening?” The question spilling out of my mouth before I could stop it.
“Ah. You haven’t figured it out yet?” the voice mocked. “And the Moirae said you were smart. That you won’t fall for my trap.”
Another light in the warehouse buzzed on. Patrick and Finn were bound with writhing, black chains. Their mouths gagged, but they both looked at me with expressions that said to run.
No, I wasn’t going to back down from this fight. Chaos had hurt them…would do worse than what it had already done and I was going to make the demon stop.
A hooded figure hovered near Patrick and Finn. Two silver daggers in his hands. When he stood between the men, he thrust both weapons into their chest. Blood spewed from the wounds.
The scream tore from my throat as I ran. Nothing else mattered except killing this monster.
Chapter 21
I clenched my teeth and dove for the figure. Whiteness flooded my vision until all I saw was the enemy’s dull, golden thread pulsing. My blade whistled through the life-force and the body crumbled to the ground. The spirit sunk into the metal of my blade.
Now, I could even heft my weapon. The blade sparked along the cement floor as I dragged it with me.
“One left to go.” I’d done it. I’d brought eleven of the twelve who killed me to justice. So why did I not feel nearly free?
“This was easier than I thought.” Chaos’ voice echoed around me.
“Oh yeah?” I brushed back my sweaty hair that hung in my face. “You’ve got one henchmen left so go ahead and send him or her out and let’s get this done. Because after I cut them down, I’m coming for you.”
A man dressed in a black suit and tie sauntered out behind a column. His blond hair was slicked back accenting his reeding hairline.
I lifted my chin. “You the leader of this evil gang? The one that killed me and brought me here to be a reaper?”
“Of course.” He inclined his head. “Though, to be fair, we didn’t know if you would become a reaper or not. You see, we’ve been making sacrifices on the dark moon every month for years and never had a soul come to the underworld as a reaper.”
“Well then I guess it’s your lucky day.” I strode toward him. “Cause I’m not only a reaper, but I’m going to slash you down until there’s nothing left of you. No body, no soul, nothing.”
He stuck his hands in his pockets like I was no threat.
I gritted my teeth, lifting my scythe a fraction, before quickening my pace to reach him.
Using every ounce of strength and anger I had, I swung the scythe upward, straight at his chest. Out of no where, a phantom hands snagged the blade. It pulsed in my hands. Vibrating so hard that it threw me several feet away.
Black souls leaked out of the blade and into the man. He grew in stature until he was about eight feet tall. His eyes pulsed with darkness.
“Like I said,” Chaos’ voice boomed from the man’s mouth. “You fit into my plan nicely.”
This wasn’t happening. Couldn’t be. I stretched out my hand, willing my sycthe to return to me. But my forearm ached where the tattoo had been. Now there was a raw scab in its place and everything clicked.
“You’ve been riding me since the start, haven’t you?” I said to Chaos. “Somehow you were part of Emily’s soul, so when I reaped her a sec
ond time, you attached yourself to the scythe and to me.”
He grinned and my heart shuddered. “So you’re not as stupid as I thought.”
“And every reaping I’ve done since Emily, the eleven who killed me, it only made you stronger.”
“Exactly. Now the only thing left is to get rid of the fates.”
My mind whirled. The Fates. My men. They were still alive…but their life-forces, their threads…
Chaos smirked. My scythe in his hand. It looked wrong there. It was supposed to be mine. I was the Fates’ reaper, not this monster.
“Let’s sever your past, shall we?”
I rushed forward, skidding across the cement floor to slam into David. My body was between him and the scythe. The blade whipped down, hitting my shoulder instead of David. I screamed. Pain flooded through me.
“Stupid bitch!” Chaos and another voice seethed. “The Fates have to be three. It doesn’t matter that you saved this one. There are two more for me to destroy.”
I couldn’t let him hurt Patrick or Finn either. Both of them, along with David, had become a part of my life. I couldn’t imagine being without them. Even if that meant that I would be a reaper forever.
“No!” I held out my hand, willing my scythe to me. Somehow I knew, doing this would seal my destiny and forever tie it with these three men who I had fallen in love with. Whom I wanted to hear their voices and their laughter. Wanted to feel their arms around me and kiss them. Wanted to find out more about their lives and who they were. Share in their hopes and dreams.
“You won’t stop me.” Chaos charged for Patrick and Finn.
They weren’t dead yet, despite the stab wounds to their chest and that they were both slumped over. Their life-force pulsed with a silver and gold vibration.
I pushed to my feet, racing after Chaos. When he raised the scythe, I screamed, I willed the weapon to me—but it would not come. I tackled Chaos, hitting him in the back of the legs.
We tumbled to the floor. He swung the scythe at me. I ducked, the blade whistling across the tips of my hair. My fists flew as I punched and hit him.
“Enough of this,” he bellowed and the warehouse shook.
