There's a desk at the front but no one sitting behind. Plumes of scented smoke rise from a small dish lit by a fire not attached to anything. The further I move back in the store the more I sense the Nephilim. I know they are close, maybe hiding, maybe even stalking me. The rustle of a curtain catches my attention. At the back of the store there is a doorway covered with panels of satin that flutter with a breeze that comes from nowhere. I stop in the center and watch as a shadowy figure moves behind it. Fear bubbles in the pit of my stomach, but I push it away knowing I've come this far and I can't turn back.
"Hello?" I call out. "I can see you back there. I know you're a Nephilim."
The shadow pauses and moves again out of sight. I'm in no mood for games as I've come all this way and the sky's beginning to lighten. I take another step, heading through the store toward the curtain. As I approach, I hear a long deep breath echo out from behind it. I wait, knowing they see me just as I see them.
"A brave girl," they hiss. "A mortal. Do you like stories mortal?"
My eyes shift back and forth, making sure no one is sneaking up on me. "I don't have time for stories. I came here to…"
"Ask for my favor," they say, cutting me off. "If you want my help then you will listen to my story."
I bite the inside of my cheek and nod, not saying a word. There's a strange high pitch giggle behind the curtain before the stranger's voice whispers out again. "Far beneath the mortals edge, nowhere near the touch of light, a world revolves within the dredge, keeping quiet and out of sight. Along the shadow edges lay a man of soul and steel, whose life has long since passed. Each day he farms his dried-out meal, bringing nothing forward but sweat and rats. He feels his soul is lost to the never-ending heat, living in his own real hell, begging for defeat."
My eyes continue to span the room as I listen to his story. There’s something about it though, something that seems almost familiar. The Nephilim shifts behind the curtain as he continues. "Above that soulless place is a land of light, beauty, and grace. The sweet young girl sings merry tunes as she dreams of love within the blooms. Then one day the rapture comes, and the earth cracks open extinguishing all of life sums. Cast from the light the beautiful girl falls, sinking into the darkness as she screams and calls. Down beneath her the farmer sows, catching the girl within the rows. Their eyes do meet and their souls intertwine, an unlikely match sent by the divine. The farmers crops no longer crumble and the beautiful girl allows love to rumble."
The Nephilim goes quiet and I wait, and wait, but he says no more. "Is that it? That's where it ends?"
"For now," he whispers. "Now…"
The drapes flutter as the Nephilim steps into the room, moving quietly with the shadows as he rolls around me, hissing into my ears. "What do you want mortal bride of Death?"
I'm not surprised that he recognizes me. I am one of the only mortals within the Underworld. "You know what I want, for you to go to Kane and tell me if someone else has taken his body. If possible, maybe even remove it."
"I see," he hisses. "And what will you give me for this?"
My jaw clenches. "What do you want?"
He runs his finger down the side of my face and I shiver from the feeling. "To taste your soul."
I quickly pull my robes around me and shake my head. "I do not have that much left to give. But I do have a counteroffer."
"Yes?"
"A taste of Death's soul," I say, watching the Nephilim's excitement sprout. "Our journey to Drogaem's crypt has brought something evil back with us. I want you to get it out of Kane. All the souls of the Underworld will be lost if whatever evil plan he is hatching through this entity continues."
The Nephilim continues to surround me, cascading in circles as it thinks. "I will do it. At the next court event. But…"
I shudder at the sound of the word. "What?"
"The mortal will owe me a favor," he says standing very close to me.
I narrow my eyes, reluctant to put myself into debt, especially for a Nephilim. I never thought I would work with one, or even be around one again. I can feel that the strength has grown in me exponentially since my attack. I do not fear the Nephilim in front of me, and I wish to use him to do what is right. I will not tell him about the mortals below as I know he will ask for one of their souls. They are off-limits. They've been through enough.
Reluctantly, I nod my head. "It's a deal. Don't be late to court, you know that Kane does not like it when people are late."
As I turn to leave, happy to get away from the place, the Nephilim laughs, sending a chill up my spine. It reminds me of the one that had me locked in the basement, becoming so intoxicated by my soul that it left the door open for me to walk right out. I am starting to understand fully why the Nephilim are regulated. I hurry from the shop and back out onto the streets. Even within
