Reaper's Novice (Soul Collector #1)

by Cecilia Robert

  After digging through his drawer, I find a pen and paper, scribble a quick “call me”, and leave.

  The next day, I wait for his call, which never comes. My calls go unanswered.

  The first time he broke up with me hurt. This is twice as bad. My chest aches, and I’m not sure what to do about it. So I lose myself in collections.

  SUMMER BLURS IN A FLURRY of collections, helping Mom in the shop, visiting Lea, and shifting to places I’ve only dreamt of.

  Autumn arrives in a flash of gold and orange, as well as cool mornings, warmer days, and chilly evenings.

  I’ve been visiting with Bastian to get more information on what Schulz was up to since Sinteler was keeping a hawk’s eye on Schulz. The last time Bastian heard from Schulz was two months ago. Schulz was in India, searching for one of the Elite he and Kian had been tracking for a while. After Kian left him to consult with Bastian, Schulz disappeared with no trace. Zaynab and Schuster are somewhere in Iceland, waiting. For what I don’t know. And Bastian is close-mouthed about it.

  Finally, I got on Bastian’s nerves and he sent me away. Told me to go enrol in the Conservatory. Good thing my application was still active. I went ahead and rejoined the winter semester. Attending classes was the only thing that kept me sane, marking my time until, hopefully, Schulz showed up again. Waiting for him was like holding my breath indefinitely. Things seemed to have cooled down for a while, though.

  I step through the Conservatory doors and glance around the streets bustling with activity. Right now, I feel… directionless. All I managed to find out is that: 1) My race has existed since the beginning of time. 2) There are over a billion of us tucked away somewhere on Earth, waiting for “The Resurrection”. He won’t tell me where everyone is, because Sinteler can access my mind. 3) Ancient tablets to govern our people are buried somewhere in Iraq—ancient Mesopotamia and in Egypt—where the initial portals were before Sinteler destroyed them so no one could go back. The true name of our race is carved in those tablets. 4) We need a good army to fight Sinteler.

  Just two days ago, Bastian informed me that Sinteler had captured a prize he’d been eager to get his hands on for a long time. His name is Cedric. He has the ability to breathe life into practically anything. Cedric is one of the Elite on my list.

  As I round a corner, the smell of roasted potatoes slams into me, and I follow my nose to a small stand where a guy with bushy eyebrows is busy roasting potato wedges and chestnuts. I pay for my order of salted potato wedges and stroll along The Graben, waiting for Zig to show up so we can head over to Bastian’s. We’ll be meeting with other Draangel hunters to locate Cedric and try to break him out.

  Collection instructions flash inside my head. Nice timing, really. I shove the potatoes inside my shoulder bag and whip out my trench. I look for a less populated street and duck in the Bräunerstrasse in the first district. I dash past Starbucks, concealing myself between one step and the next. It’s become easy with time.

  The collection site is at the Wiener Prater Public Park in the second district. A crowd is already gathered around a crumpled form on the floor. Someone’s speaking into their mobile. I skirt around the group, wedge through a crack of space big enough for me to crawl through, and come face to face with—

  No! This can’t be happening. A moan erupts through the form’s lips. I drop to my knees, lifting my hand to touch his face. Brown eyes stare at me, lips pulled slightly at the sides.

  “Rein.” My hand moves to his chest. When I lift it, it comes out wet. I lower my gaze, and gasp as my eyes zero in on his black T-shirt soaked with blood. What happened to him? I wipe my hand on my jeans and grab his. “Rein, look at me. You’re going to survive this. You hear me. The ambulance is on its way.”

  “I don’t think—the pain. It’s too much, Ana.” His lips don’t move. He’s speaking inside my head. Soul Conversation, only possible during the last stages before one dies.

  “Of course, you will.” I grip his fingers and swallow the panic lodged in my throat. “Your mom needs you. Lola needs her big brother. Lea needs her love with her. I need you to stay alive. You are the only one who knows what I’m going through. Please, survive. For us.”

  The vibrant green of his soul flickers. His breathing rattles in his chest. I pull my hands from his and dig inside my messenger bag to retrieve my mobile, then speed dial Zig.

  He answers after the first ring. “Hey, lovely Ana. I’m wait—”

  “Not now, Zig. Reiner—” I stop and take deep breaths. Don’t cry. “Rein is dying. Please tell me what to do. He can’t die.”

  “Where are you?” I tell him. Seconds later, he shifts through the crowd and crouches next to me. He places his hand where Reiner’s heart is and shakes his head. “You can’t save him.”

  “Of course I can!” I punch Grim’s number on the mobile he rarely uses. He doesn’t answer, so I yell his name in my head.

  “You called, Novice?” I jerk about to see him standing with a white piece of cloth in his hand. He dabs at his mouth, eyebrows raised.

  “Save him,” I manage to utter through my tears. “Please. I can’t lose him.”

  Grim looks at Reiner, then back to me. “Tell me which of your family member’s souls would you like to trade with, and I will save him.”

  “What? Can’t you just do it without trading with another soul?” Zig straightens and takes two steps back, mouth carved in a grim line. “You mentioned a test. Is this it?”

  “Every collection you have done so far was a test, Novice.”

  “I will do anything you ask. Just, please let him live.”

  “You have nothing more to offer. As a matter of fact, you owe me. Four souls for one. Think about that.” His expression is neutral, but his eyes have darkened. “Now, collect that soul, or lose it to the Snatchers.”

  I look up. A dark cloud looms above us, nearing by the second. The temperature has dropped several degrees.

  I turn to Rein and twine our fingers. His eyes are glued on mine, unblinking and glassy. I drop my head to our connected hands.

  “What happened, Rein?”

  As if on command, his mind opens up to me, and I watch everything. How he received the call to meet someone who called themselves Anonymous. Reiner pulls out something wrapped in a plastic bag and begins to fiddle with it, his hands shaking. Abruptly his body convulses and jerks forwards. He screams, bending backwards. A hand holding something shiny jabs at his stomach. He collapses on the ground, writhing, his chest and stomach an explosion of blood. The same hand holding the knife snatches the bag from Reiner’s fingers. A foot kicks his back swiftly, and then, they’re gone. He never saw his attackers.

  “You broke your promise, Rein.”

  “I’m sorry. I tried to leave, but I owed them a lot. Had a couple of deliveries to finish.” He pauses. “I like him. Grim. He’s funky. Would be fun to hang out with him under different circumstances.”His thoughts sound cheerful, but his breathing is shallow and irregular. “You’ll be fine. You’ve never needed anyone, Ana. I love you, my best friend.”

  I love you, too. I raise my head. He’s gone. His vibrant green soul gathers above his skin’s surface. I pluck a vial from inside my trench. Immediately it dances inside, and I turn the cap closed.

  When I look up, I find Zig with his soul dagger in his hand. His eyes alter from me to the Snatchers. He nods once, and I know he’s got my back on this one, like always. After stowing the vial inside the trench, I stretch out along Rein’s body and place my head on his shoulder, feeling his warmth seep away. I close my eyes and try as much as I can to absorb the heat, trap it inside of me for always, letting the tears fall.

  Oh God, this sucks.

  Sirens pierce through the air, and my eyes peel open. I lean forwards to kiss Rein’s forehead, then straighten to my feet as the ambulance pulls to a stop a few metres away. People in red and white leap out and surround Rein. One shakes his head. Two people pull a gurney to where Reiner’s body is, while others stretch a
black body bag. Within seconds, the bag is zipped and loaded on the gurney. My eyes remain on the pool of blood on the grass as the crowd dwindles, and I force my feet to turn away. Grim is gone, but Zig slinks closer, wrapping a hand around my shoulder.

  ***

  Later on, while trudging through the streets at rush hour, I try to come up with a thousand different ways to tell Lea, but they’re all useless. Either way, this will break her. I’m not sure how to tell her without me shattering in the process.

  I shift to Stephansdom Cathedral tower and pull my mobile from my trench. It’s four fifteen p.m. Part of me wants to avoid this, breaking her heart. I have to, though. I’d like her to hear it from me first. I am, after all, the one who collected his soul.

  Taking a deep breath, I dial her mobile number and wait. It rings, once, twice. On the seventh ring, it hits me. I’m not well prepared to tell her, but I don’t get the chance to hang up.

  “Hey, Ana! Been thinking about you.” She sounds too cheerful. “Can I call you in a bit? My boss is glaring at me Schulz-style.”

  I’m silent for a heartbeat longer, words stuck in my throat. Finally, I say, “Sure,” and hang up so fast, relieved. Immediately my mobile starts to ring, and I stare at the name flashing on the screen. My finger shakes, hovering on the answer button. I press it, knowing there’s no avoiding it.

  “What’s wrong, Ana?”

  “Um—why don’t you finish what you were doing? I’ll call you in a bit, ’kay?” I say, trying to muffle the hoarseness in my voice.

  Silence. Then, “No. You don’t sound okay. I don’t want to spend the next half hour worrying about you. Spit it out.”

  And just like that, I know she won’t hang up until I tell her. And if I end the call, she’ll just call again. Right now, I wish determination wasn’t one of her strongest qualities. “Lea—God, Lea, it’s Rein.” I pause, feeling as though the ground is about to swallow me whole.

  “What about him, Ana?” Lea’s voice is a hushed whisper.

  I bite my lip and take a breath. “He—someone stabbed him, and he’s… he’s… gone.”

  Silence follows. I wait. Lea’s breathing comes fast over the line. “Oh dear God, no.” Those four words are infused with so much pain my knees give way. I collapse on the cool stone ground. Shoed feet slapping on ground travel over the line, then fast breathing. Someone calls Lea’s name, but she’s weeping quietly into the phone, running.

  Minutes later, she mutters with a trembling voice, “It’s the deals with those people, no? I knew it! He lied to me. Told me—told me he stopped. Wasn’t dealing anymore.” The last word is a whisper. She weeps softly into the phone. I pull my knees up and drop my head on them, listening to my best friend fall apart.

  Almost an hour later, I trudge down the spiral, winding stairs. Once outside, I enter the Cathedral and join the mass of visitors by the candle stand. After lighting one for Rein, I follow a group of people heading over to visit the catacombs underneath the church.

  ***

  Four days have crawled by since Rein’s death. I see his smile in every face. I swear I’ve heard his voice, his laughter, more than a thousand times drifting in the air, but I know if I turn to search for him, he won’t be there.

  I turn anyway.

  Just in case.

  Lea arrived in Vienna four days ago. I’ve spent most of my time between staying with Lea and visiting Reiner’s mother and sister.

  Now, standing beside the Wasserman family grave in Aspern Cemetery in the twenty-second district, I listen as the reverend reads from the Bible clutched in his hands. Lea shudders under my arm, and I pull her closer. I wrap the other arm around Anton, who is sobbing silently at my side. One of Mom’s hands is wrapped across Reiner’s mom, whose eyes are glued on the shiny brown casket, barely holding it together. Dad, hugging Lucy with one arm, stands beside Mom, his fingers intertwined with Mom’s free hand. Lola, Reiner’s five-year-old sister, snuggles into her mother, eyes closed, face flushed. Dieter, Reiner’s father hovers at the edge of the congregation, his head bent forwards, not having the decency to join his family in grieving.

  I lift my face to absorb the rays of sun dappling through the branches as if to celebrate Reiner’s life, even in death.

  His coffin is lowered into the ground. I watch as people queue to drop roses where Reiner’s casket disappeared, but my feet can’t move. Finally I force them forwards, taking Lea with me. Anton moves to stand next to Mom.

  Right after the funeral, we go to Trude Wasserman’s flat. After asking for permission, Lea and I disappear inside Reiner’s bedroom.

  WINTER GRACEFULLY FOLLOWS AUTUMN, spraying the world around us in snow, twinkling colours, and happy faces. Spring finally announces its eagerness by forcing winter out, decorating the earth with flowers, bees, and scents. Then summer shoves spring out of the way.

  My thirteen months as Grim’s Novice are almost up. My family’s souls will be free.

  I visit Reiner’s grave every day. I enjoy our conversations since he’s the only one who knew about the deal I made with Grim. I’m sure wherever he is he loves to listen as I regale him with my shifting adventures—of which I’ve become a professional. I tell him about my favourite places among them: the Oceanarium in Lisbon, Colloseum in Italy, pyramids in Egypt.

  Lea and I talk on the phone and email a lot. She decided to attend university in Florence. She told me she couldn’t bear to stay in Vienna. Too many memories.

  Anton seems to have emerged from his shell and honoured Reiner by taking up photography. He attends my former school, St. Johann’s Gymnasium. He seems happy.

  I moved away from home. My parents believe I share a flat with a classmate. I don’t live there, though. I moved into Grim’s castle and sleep in my deer-ceiling room. It’s safer. Sinteler has become unsavoury in attaining souls. Two months ago, his Snatchers accosted me after a collection in Romania, who was rumoured to be a Gypsy with powers beyond anyone’s imagination. Pure white magic. Ever since, the Snatchers have been my second shadow.

  I needed them as far away from my family as possible.

  Sunday brunch is still on, but it isn’t the same without Rolf, Reiner, and Lea.

  Grim informed me that tomorrow is my final test. I’ll officially be a Soul Collector graduate. My stomach clenches painfully every time I think about it. What if it’s a collection of someone I know? Grim was right. Watching your family and friends die and collecting their souls sucks.

  I move to the barred window. This spot—Watchman Chamber inside Stephansdom Cathedral—has become indispensable. I gaze to my right, absorbing the city’s sweeping view, burying my fingers through my short, curly hair. Cutting it was one of the changes when I moved to Grim’s. Mom threw a fit when she saw it the first time.

  The Cathedral’s bell tolls. One hour before my shift is over. I’ve made it a habit to visit my family every evening before shifting to the castle.

  A ding sounds inside my head. Collection instructions appear in my mind.

  Collection destination: Prague. A fifty-eight-year-old male. The cause of death is heart failure. Soul colour: orange.

  After the collection, I stroll down Charles Bridge, past a man who whistles while drawing a portrait of a dark-haired woman. I lean on the wall, watching as a few people sway to the music being performed by a group of musicians. Prague, hauntingly beautiful with its ancient buildings and streets. So romantic. Rolf and I had a list of places we wanted to visit together someday. Thinking about the past only brings pain. I block the memory and shift to the castle.

  ***

  After delivering the soul to the soul chamber, I shift to my house. Mom and Dad are in the living room, watching one of those criminal detective series they love so much. I smile, happy just to see them, even though they can’t see me.

  I shift to Lucy’s room. She’s already asleep. Next, I check on Anton. His room is the same—a nightmare. His eyes are glued on the TV, fingers flying over the Playstation controller.

/>   After shifting back to the castle and kicking off my heels, I undo the ankle dagger holster and place it on the night table. Since buying the holster, it has been easy carrying the dagger around, instead of inside my trench. The downside is, Zig’s flirting doubled after that.

  Ten minutes later, I step out of the shower in time to hear a ding-dong echoing down the hallways, announcing dinner.

  I slip on a floor-length red dress and complete the look with a gold sash hugging my waist and a pair of gold high heels. Last, I sprinkle glitter along my arms.

  I descend the stairs, ignoring the shifting shadows on the walls and the sudden burst of flames from the sconces, and stroll into the dining hall.

  As if sensing my presence, Grim smiles at me. His date—a Rusalka—follows his gaze, her blood red lips tightening. She flicks her golden hair, her large pupil-less eyes scrutinizing me. Dark veins strain beneath her translucent skin. I shudder. This is one water nymph I’ll make a point of avoiding in the future.

  “She’s jealous,” Zig says, as I pull my chair to sit. I stare at the woman at Zig’s side. “Dahma, Ana. Ana, Dahma.”

  She’s breathtaking! Long red hair, flawless skin, ocean-green eyes. “Wow, Zig.” He must know what I mean because he nods, smiling.

  I sense Grim watching me, and I turn. He smiles a proud fatherly smile. “Good evening, Ernest.” He tilts his head in acknowledgement, before his date reclaims his attention once more.

  After placing the cloth napkin on my lap, my gaze roves around the hallway. Where is Schulz? Does Sinteler play a part in Schulz’s disappearance? Schulz said my father survived and came through the portal. What does he look like? I’ve been thinking about him more and more lately. I wish I could meet him.