latest batch. The nib he used slid too far on the page, creating a longer tail than usual on his signature. He clucked his tongue at the skewed squiggle, regretting his lack of control over his own actions and figuring out how to muzzle his pet. The beak presented a containment challenge. This contemplation led him to believe he’d been signing Certificates for the better part of a few hours, nonstop.
“Something I can do for you, Tomas? As you can see, I’m busy.”
The Reaper of California had emerged from wherever he’d been and bobbed his chin, his concern beaded across his brow. “Master, there’s been a development.”
Death set aside his work and picked up a crystal sphere, which contained a fluttering butterfly with acid pink wings. He squeezed the orb like a stress ball. “Proceed.”
“It seems the connection Niko has built with the mortal Arianne Wilson has crumbled. They no longer seem to be in contact.”
“Do you believe his attitude at the meeting has something to do with their relationship problems?”
“He’s a teen. It is this time in anyone’s life where relationships are often fleeting and tumultuous. I believe he will recover. As do most boys his age. The fact that he’d shown signs of attraction towards another is truly promising.”
Death reflected on the wisdom of Tomas’s words, tongue in cheek. “Continue to…” He paused mid-sentence and brought his fingertips to his temples. The lines on his face dug in. A painful ping resounded behind his eyes.
“Master?” Tomas materialized at Death’s side.
Blankness erased all other expressions. “A Certificate has been defied,” Death said.
Janika landed in the room from a portal she’d created on the ceiling, narrowly missing the chandelier. A layer of dust rippled upon her making contact with the rug composed of actual Persian flesh. She took a knee, resting her arm over it and bowed her head. “Master, Nikolas has defied your will. He has failed to enforce a Certificate,” she said.
Death studied Tomas. “How could you not know of this?”
“It must have just happened, Master.” Tomas thumbed his chin. “I’m sure Nikolas must have a reason.”
“Regardless,” Janika interjected. “Our solemn duty is to enforce Certificates.” She lifted her head. “Master, allow me to be the enforcer for this case.”
“You seem too eager, Janika,” Tomas chided.
“If my willingness to serve can be seen as eagerness, then so be it. I only want what is best for our family.” Janika maintained a level gaze on their master.
Death retreated within himself, into a dark room he reserved within the depths of his mind to think. He reached out for the unenforced Certificate and manifested it before him. His eyes widened at the name printed on it. He considered the complications and possibilities. He summoned the threads of fate—red strings that floated in the darkness, carrying with them scenes of a mortal’s life. Death viewed how each event played out on several strings, all the consequences that could come about according to the decisions he would make. He rarely consulted fate, but occasionally, when a Reaper defied his will, he needed to regain order with minimal disturbance to time, space, and the human realm. He picked the best thread and returned to his consciousness. Tomas and Janika remained where he’d left them.
“I will allow you to go to Georgia, Janika,” Death said. At the young Reaper’s feral grin, he added, “Keep in mind that it is not your territory, so maintain respect as you would demand of any Reaper in your domain. I’m giving you this responsibility to teach you the importance of keeping order among us. Investigate the matter first before you act.”
“You will not be disappointed, Master,” she said then jumped into her portal in a whirl of wind. The hole shrunk, leaving the ceiling in its original state.
“Do you think it’s wise to send Janika? Wouldn’t someone lower be better equipped?” Tomas hid his hands in the pockets of his finely pressed trousers.
The tip of Death’s eyebrow rose. “Are you disagreeing with my decision, Tomas?”
“It’s just…we know Janika’s had it in for Nikolas since he first angered her. There’s a conflict of interest there. I don’t believe she will be fair. In fact, if I were a gambling creature, I would bet on it.”
Death considered his first in command, the air growing frigid around them. Every breath Tomas exhaled swirled like smoke. To his credit, the Reaper of California showed no signs of discomfort at the show of strength by his master. He stood his ground, meeting Death’s gaze head on, lips set in a rigid line.
“I know what I’m doing, Tomas.”
“You’d better,” Tomas said with derision before he evaporated, the icicles that formed on his clothing falling to the floor.
Death studied his cluttered desk, returning the temperature in his office to normal. His crow thanked him for it by flapping its wings then preening itself. He waved a hand and the papers and baubles vanished, leaving the tabletop bare. Snapping his fingers, a shimmering red thread materialized before him. It rose and swayed like a cobra in a basket. It slithered toward Death’s left hand and coiled around his fingers. He questioned himself for a mere instant, cursing Tomas for messing with his head.
Chapter 22
ARIANNE GASPED, TAKING IN THE FRESHNESS of mint into her lungs. The screech of tires and loud crash of crumpling metal followed by hissing steam made her flinch. Her heart seemed to beat everywhere at once while she pressed rewind and play on the scene. She had landed the starring role in a dizzying action sequence. It started with counting the pavement cracks, Arianne walking away from her grief. A flash bomb of headlights, followed by a whirl of glittering stars, then being pulled into a sturdy embrace—one she’d only experienced in her dreams lately. She actually felt her eyes pop out of their sockets when she focused on the here and now.
“Niko?” She looked up at him to see his Adam’s apple bob up and down in recognition of her voice before he met her gaze. She shivered.
“You…huh…” He glanced over his shoulder. “I think I did something terrible.”
His uncertainty and fear infected her completely, picking up the pace of blood flowing through her veins. “What are you doing here?”
“Following you.”
“You…” Arianne processed the information, causing a total brain reboot. “You’ve been bringing me home, haven’t you?” He dipped his chin once, affirming the answer to her question. She punched his shoulder. “You jerk! Why did you do that? Why can’t you just let me be?”
“Because I love you.”
He said it so confidently, like it had been set in stone long ago, that she couldn’t quite believe him. “Right. How can that be true when you took Carrie away?” The pipes that had burst inside her when Carrie passed, miraculously still held water in them for her eyes to well up. Fury, her newest ally, aided her in blocking the coming deluge.
“I didn’t take her away, Ari.” Remorse filled Niko’s eyes, and despite herself, Arianne wanted to console him. “I don’t decide who goes or stays. I just escort their souls to be processed.”
“Processed?”
“I guess you can call it judgment or the afterlife. It’s above my pay grade to know what happens to a soul when I bring it to the Crossroads.”
“You didn’t kill her?”
The deliberate head shake confirmed the truth of his words. And his gaze, piercing yet tender, never wavered from her face.
Guilt followed Arianne’s understanding of Niko’s words. “Oh Niko, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to judge you.”
