Reaping Mercy

by Ciara Graves

  “Not sure I’d agree with you.”

  “You will. Shuval’s working with the reapers.”

  “What do you mean? How?”

  “I didn’t get everything, but I overheard Morris talking to the hybrids before I was taken. The new ally the witches were talking about? Pretty sure it’s Shuval, but not just her. She’s bringing the reapers with her.” Gigi grabbed my hands frantically. “Mercy, she’s recruiting them to join her. Where do you think she got those sacrifices for the rituals?”

  I wasn’t sure what she was getting at until it hit me. “Donors. Damn it.”

  “They didn’t say it outright, but they mentioned a new shipment coming in, and they were going to be divided.”

  “How?”

  She gulped then whispered, “Between fighters for the cage and those to be sacrificed.”

  We were running out of time quickly.

  “You have to find a way to stop the reapers from helping her.”

  “It’s not that easy.”

  I pushed out of the chair and walked slowly around the room waiting for some genius plan to hit me in the head. But none came. It’s not like we could just walk right back into Sector 13 after the stunt we pulled tonight, knock on the reapers’ front door, and ask them nicely to not help Shuval start a war to end all wars. Why could nothing be easy? I sure as hell couldn’t do it alone, unless I had about twelve of those bombs Rufus used to blow up Liam’s mansion. Which, come to think of it, might be the only way to stop them. Reapers were a pain in the ass to kill since they were pretty much dead already.

  “Mercy, you’ve got that look on your face.”

  “What look? I don’t have a look.”

  “The look that says you just got out of one stupid mess and you’re ready to throw yourself back into another one. Don’t do that.”

  “Don’t have a choice. If we can stop the reapers, we might be able to hold off Shuval’s plans, slow her down.” I would have to talk to Bowen and Rufus about making plans. If they were even willing to talk to me again. I wouldn’t drag Rafael into this. I’d told him once we saved Gigi, I’d leave him alone and I meant it. Did I like it? Hell no, but until he made up his mind, he was nothing, but a distraction.

  Facing down the reapers without him left me anxious. Rafael and I worked well together no matter what he seemed to think about my heritage.

  “You do have a choice.” She was eyeing me funny when I turned back to face her. “You were with Rafael.”

  “Yeah and?”

  “And last you texted me, he pulled a gun on you for learning the truth.”

  “Then you went and got yourself captured.”

  She waved away my words. “We’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you. He was with you at the conference. Care to fill me in on what occurred between him trying to kill you and him saving your ass and mine?”

  There was too much that I did not want to get into tonight. “I told him I needed help.”

  “And he just said he would?”

  “Not exactly, but then yeah, he came through. It’s not a big deal. I’m sure I won’t be seeing him again.”

  She rolled her eyes and shifted her pillows around. “You’re a dumbass.”

  “Wow, really? I just saved your dumb ass if you recall.”

  “I never said you were a dumbass when it comes to fighting, but damn, Mercy, you really think he would’ve risked his life for me? You know that’s not why he went along.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Yeah, you do. So stop playing stupid. He went along to keep you safe.”

  “Rafael doesn’t want to be with me, alright? Just drop it.” I stormed for the door, not wanting to go off on my recovering friend. “Get some rest. I’ll check on you and Val tomorrow. You sure you’re okay with taking her in?”

  “It’ll be nice to pass my gifts along to someone else. And you know I’m right. Don’t let him get away,” she warned.

  I didn’t have the heart to tell her it was probably too late for that and left.

  Val was in the front room, reading through some of Gigi’s spell books.

  “You still have my number?”

  She nodded as she quickly set the book down, looking like she was in trouble.

  “Hey, you’re safe here with Gigi. Just call me if she’s pushing herself too hard or if you need anything, got it? There’s a cot in the corner over there. I’m sure she’ll get you set up better over the next few days.”

  “Thanks for this, Mercy. You didn’t have to take me with you.”

  “Didn’t want that asshole coming after you. You’re safe here,” I reminded her and gave her a quick hug. “Get some sleep. I’m sure Gigi will be running you ragged soon enough.”

  Val seemed eager to learn, and I left, waiting until I heard the door lock then walked down the steps to the sidewalk and cringed.

  I had to walk the rest of the way to Damian’s place. I considered turning around and crashing in Gigi’s place for the night, but if I went back up there, she’d start talking about Rafael, and that was not a topic I wanted to discuss. Forgetting about him was what I should’ve been doing. I’d been working on it, sort of, when Gigi had to get her ass captured. If she hadn’t, we wouldn’t have seen each other again, unless it he decided to turn me in. Not that anything would come of it since I was sure Nor and Damian knew each other far better than I originally thought.

  As I walked, I checked my cell, but there were no missed calls or texts from Damian. The next time he gave me a lecture on acting impulsively, I’d remind him of this night right here.

  Back at his place, I took a shower, changed clothes, and fell onto the couch I’d been using as a bed. I lay in the dark, shifting my concentration to what Gigi told me about the reapers, but no matter how hard I focused on them, it was Rafael’s face that appeared in my mind’s eye. His voice that whispered across my ear.

  I turned over and faced the back of the couch, studying the dark blue fabric closely for imperfections, counting fuzzies, anything I could to get my mind away from Rafael.

  Eventually, my eyes fluttered closed, and I was back in that cage, fighting for my life. His furious bellow as his demon rage took over shattered the nightmare, then we were fighting side by side, carving a bloody path through the enemy. When they were all dead at our feet, he wrapped me up in his arms—

  I bolted upright off the couch, feeling his lips against mine as if he was here with me.

  I held my face in my hands knowing I would never get over Rafael. That demon rage told me as much the first time he used it to save me. This time had been no different. He’d come for me as if driven by pure, raw instinct. Not want, but need. We were stuck with each other whether we liked it or not.

  Did I risk going to him? Our last words had been jumbled with the rush of emotions from nearly dying.

  Again.

  Then we were running out of the hotel and through the transport.

  There’d been no time to talk and figure things out. There never was, and I was tired of it.

  I dug through my bags of clothes and pulled on pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and my old black leather jacket, then high-tailed it out of Damian’s place. I had no idea what I was going to say, but if I didn’t say something—anything—I’d regret it forever.

  Chapter 15

  Rafael

  Wesley’s breathing grew worse the more we walked. The rest of the ones we saved from the cages were being tended to by Sycamore, Iris, and the Feds.

  Bowen, Rufus, and Todd were right behind me. All three looked pissed off. None of them said a word to me, not that they said much to Mercy either, after they rushed in to get us out of there alive. I ground my teeth, thinking of her and how she disappeared from in front of the transport. I hoped to talk to her, but it was probably for the best she got out of there so fast.

  My gut twisted painfully as I thought of not seeing her again and I growled without meaning to.

  “Best k
eep that rage of yours in check,” Wesley mused as we slowly walked into the Underground and aimed for the Wailing Siren.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Yes, I’m sure every man has said the same at some point in his life.”

  “You’re talking nonsense. Perhaps you hit your head on the way out,” I muttered, readjusting my grip on his arm.

  He said nothing else until we reached the bar.

  Shep sprinted outside and easily picked the old gryphon up and carried him in.

  I was tired, beaten, bloody, but found myself following them to the back room.

  Shep situated Wesley on his decrepit couch and fussed over him like a mother would a child. The sight would’ve been more amusing if I wasn’t currently tearing myself apart over Mercy and what I should do. Back at the hotel, watching her fight that vampire and shifters on her own had destroyed what little control I had over my demon rage. The adrenaline hadn’t fully worn off yet. That and a voice in my head that screamed that I should track down Mercy.

  “You look quite distraught,” Wesley said to me after Shep finally stepped away from the couch.

  “I said I’m fine.”

  “And you’re full of shit. I’m old, Rafael, I’ve seen your situation far too many times to count. Sadly, most of the time, people choose the wrong option.” He looked at me with those blind eyes as he said sternly, “Do not be one of those people.”

  I crossed my arms, turning my back on him. “You don’t know anything.”

  “The hell I don’t. What’s more important to you? Right now, at this moment. Your job? Your sense of what’s right and wrong? Or the half-mage, half-dragonborn woman you’re in love with?”

  I was about to fling at him the same excuse I’d been using the whole time but swallowed the words back. They weren’t true anyway. Mercy had lied to me, but how could I blame her for doing so? She’d done it to protect herself and me. The decision hadn’t been selfish on her part. It had been practical. I wasn’t mad about her lying. I was pissed off at how I reacted. I was the one who lost control, who acted out, who pulled a gun on the woman who stole my heart the first time she set those cold blue eyes on me. Who took the rest of me and turned me into the demon I never thought I could be. My chest rose and fell with each heavy breath.

  I was making a terrible mistake.

  “How am I supposed to be with her when there’s a war coming?” I confessed to Wesley as I turned back around.

  His blind eyes focused on me.

  “How am I supposed to try and live a life with her when I don’t even know what’s coming?”

  “Would you rather not know what you two could be together?”

  An annoyed growl slipped from my lips.

  He chuckled.

  “You two are stronger together, and the sooner you realize that, the better off we’ll all be. She will need you before the final battle. And you her, I think.” He waved me closer.

  I crouched in front of him.

  “Dark times lay ahead. I sense it deep in my bones. Death looms so very close now, and it will try to claim all it can.”

  “What are you saying, there’s no hope?”

  “There is always hope, but you must remember that. You must cling to the light, and all that makes you who you are. You will be tested, both of you. If you fail, the rest of us will be doomed.”

  “You can’t put that on us.” I backed away from the weight of his words. “We’re not the only ones fighting Shuval.”

  “Maybe not, but you’re the only two that matter.”

  “What do you know, old man?”

  He shut his eyes and rested on the couch, laying his hands on his stomach. “I know enough. We’re in the middle game now. The pieces are moving into place. If you are not where you’re meant to be at the right time, Mercy will die.”

  A snarl tore free as I seethed, “I won’t let that happen.”

  “Then what are you doing standing here?”

  Numb, I left Wesley to rest, and exited the back room.

  Shep had closed down the bar. Seemed he did so after Bowen called to tell him we were coming. The vampire stood with Rufus at the bar.

  Todd hovered nearby.

  They glared at me as I approached, then Bowen blurred and was in my face.

  “What the hell were you thinking?” he snarled, eyes glowing red as he shoved me.

  I braced my feet and barely budged. “Really? You’re going to yell at me?”

  “Mercy nearly died tonight. She wasn’t meant to leave Sector 21. She’s not supposed to be flinging herself at the hybrids or Shuval and what do I get on my phone? A message from her, saying the two of you were in Sector 13.” He went to shove me again.

  I snatched his wrists and shoved him back this time.

  He staggered away, baring those fangs at me.

  “If I hadn’t gone with her, she would’ve gone alone. Is that what you want?” I scoffed as I stared the three of them down. “You stand there and claim you know Mercy. But what did you think would happen if she was left alone? Gigi was taken, what did you expect her to do?”

  “Wait for sufficient backup.”

  “And if we had, more would have been killed. Gigi was going to be sold off. Wesley would probably have been killed then sold for parts.” I moved to his right, but Bowen shifted with me. “Get out of my way, vamp.”

  “You don’t deserve her,” he hissed, and my anger flared red hot. “You never will.”

  “Coming from the vampire who thought it was a good idea to leave her out of the hunt for whatever it was you searched for. Tell me, did you find it?”

  Bowen’s clenched jaw was enough of an answer. “We did it to keep her safe, something you are incapable of doing. How many times have you put her life in danger? How many?”

  “Don’t push me,” I warned, getting in his face this time. “You won’t like what you see.”

  “Oh, big bad Fed. What are you going to do? Arrest me?”

  “Bowen,” Rufus said loudly, but neither of us looked away.

  “Come on, Fed, we both know, sooner or later, you’re going to have to pick a side, and it won’t be the one Mercy’s on. You’ll get her arrested, bring in the Hunters. She’ll die because of you, mark my words.”

  “Bowen, that’s enough,” Rufus said, even louder. He dragged the vampire away from me.

  “Back off, gob,” Bowen hissed.

  Rufus wasn’t fazed.

  They stared each other down.

  Eventually, Bowen stalked to the other side of the bar, glowering at me the whole time. “He’s going to get her killed,” he shouted suddenly. “He’s going to be the reason we fail.”

  “No,” Rufus argued. “You are, if you can’t get your temper under control.”

  “Rufus, I’m warning you—”

  “Oh, pipe down, you spoiled, rotten prince,” Rufus snapped viciously.

  I forced myself not to smirk as Bowen blanched.

  Rufus continued, “He’s already picked a side, and he’s right. We shouldn’t have left Mercy behind. Shit, we’re as bad as Damian.”

  “Thanks, I think.” Rufus arched his brow at my words. “And I have, picked. A side, I mean.”

  “I know, otherwise you wouldn’t have risked your neck for her. That demon rage is damned impressive.” He grabbed me by my shirt and dragged me down until I was eye level with him. “You’ll protect my ugly with your life, or you’ll be answering to me. Is that understood?”

  “You know I’m getting tired of people telling me I need to protect her when that’s all I’ve been doing.” I removed his hand and shoved my way around him. When I reached the door, I spun around and hit them all with an accusing glare. “Maybe you all should take a step back and see what you’re doing to her. You’re putting her at risk. You’re driving her to do crazy shit because you treat her like she’s a child instead of a damned powerful mage.”

  “She’s cursed,” Bowen said as if I needed reminding.

  “And if you think that
’s what’s holding her back, then you’re blind. All of you are.”

  I stormed out of the Wailing Siren. Once I was on the main street outside the Underground, I aimed for Mercy’s place until I remembered it was destroyed. She could be at Gigi’s, but I doubted she’d want to bother her friend for long. Damian’s was where she’d been before we left for Sector 13 and that’s where I headed.

  Wesley’s words of warning pushed me on, and soon I sprinted through the city, rushing to get to her and tell her I was a dumbass for turning on her as I had.

  At Damian’s place, I banged on the door and shouted her name, but there was no answer. After five minutes, I kicked the door and ran my hands through my hair wondering where she’d go. Obviously not the Wailing Siren. I wanted to call her but remembered I lost my cell. With another furious growl, knowing I messed up again, I stalked away from Damian’s and walked home.

  There’d be no sleeping tonight, I was sure of that. How could I when Mati was out wandering around the city somewhere probably hating me? I had my chance to tell her how I felt before Morris took her, and I blew it. Once I was at my apartment, I kicked the door closed and bashed my fist into it over and over until my knuckles split and bled.

  I pushed off the door with a yell and grabbed the nearest table, chucking it against the wall. The lamp followed, then the kitchen chairs. The rest of my anger from the fight collided with the raw emotions I’d kept pent up since the night Mercy told me the truth. The night I betrayed her trust, not the other way around. I tore apart my apartment and was ready to destroy the bedroom when I caught sight of something moving out of the corner of my eye.

  “Spring cleaning?”

  “Mercy?” I almost didn’t get her name past my lips, but there she was, standing in my now destroyed apartment.

  At first, I thought it had to be a dream, that I passed out on the floor in the face of my rage, but as she walked over the debris and those blue eyes landed on my face, I knew she was here.

  “How long have you been here? How did you even get in?”

  “Guess you should get your locks changed.”