8
A noise comes from behind us and my hair stands on end. Oh, shit. Someone’s found us.
We both turn around to find Brad riding up on his bike. His face is flush, and his eyes widen when he notices us. “Hey, are you guys on this job, too?” He gets off his bike and scratches the back of his neck. “I don’t remember seeing your names.”
Kill me now. I haven’t even confided to Christina about my feelings toward him, but here I am all tongue tied.
Christina gives me an odd look but puts a finger to her lips. “We aren’t on the mission. We want to watch it.”
“Dude.” A wide smirk crosses his face. “You’ll get in so much trouble if you get caught. You’d better go back home.”
“Nope, not happening.” I shake my head. He knows us better than that. “I want to watch this.”
“Ah, come on.” His face turns neutral. “Charlie will tell you everything.”
Yeah, he will. “That’s not the point.” Maybe I need to play into him first. “Aren’t you excited about this? Isn’t this your first job?”
“I’m so pumped.” He glances down toward the others. “I can’t believe I got assigned to this. I’m not even sure how, but it’s freaking awesome.”
“It’s an honor.” I gush. I need to lay this on thick.
Christina gives me an unreadable expression. She mouths the words, “What are you doing?”
Yeah, I’m ignoring that. I need to focus on my task and keep him with us a little longer.
“That’s what my parents said.” He rubs the back of his neck. “To have so many of us in action is going to be amazing. I wonder what it will be like to work together as a team.”
“Reapers aren’t known for being team players.” Christina pipes in, placing her hands on her hips.
Oh, dear God. She’s knows I’m up to something. I just hope she doesn’t try to ruin this much harder than she’s already trying.
“Right?” He turns to her and grins. “But that’s awesome that your parents and Charlie are involved.”
“Really?” She tilts her head. “How so?”
Can she not just be quiet? She’s patronizing him when I’m trying to excite him.
“Because,” he motions toward the others in the yard, “each one of our families will be part of this legacy.”
Her body stiffens, and her mouth opens.
If I don’t say something fast, she’ll ruin this. “That’s so true.”
“You do realize that you’re the last one to get here.” She crosses her arms and shakes her head.
“Oh, shit.” He turns around and grabs his bike. “No, I had no clue. I better get going.”
That little traitor. I grab his arm. “Wait, one second.”
“Huh?” He doesn’t turn and tries to continue on his way.
He’s going to make this hard. I hurry in front of him before he gets too far ahead to where we’ll be visible. “Why don’t you take us with you?”
A chuckle leaves him but when he looks at my face he stops. “Wait. You’re serious.”
“Yeah.” How can I convince him this is the right idea? “This is the best way to make sure my brother stays safe and figure out what’s off with my magic.”
There is a pause and then he glances at Christina. “She’s crazy.” He blinks. “Please tell me you don’t think this is smart.”
“I’m just trying to prevent her from getting into more trouble than she’s already in.” Christina lifts her hands toward the sky. “It’s such a hard job.”
Dude, I’m right here. Jerks.
“Apparently so.” He turns back to me and shakes his head. “No. Absolutely not. I will not encourage you two nor risk my standing on my first job.”
What do I have that he won’t want to refuse? I’ve got to think of something.
“This has been fun and all, but I need to get going.” He turns his bike to begin to walk around me.
Shit, he’s leaving. “If you take us,” I reach out and grab his arm again, “I’ll get Charlie to provide you some one and one training so you look better on the next job you’re selected for.”
Something passes through his eyes. “Beth, I’m sorry. I can’t.” He glances at Christina for one second longer than necessary than back at me. “I won’t do it. Both of you mean too much to me. I’ll see you both tomorrow.” He pulls his arm from my grip and walks around me.
Did he really just turn down training from my brother? I can’t believe it. Charlie is one of the top young reapers, so a lot of people would have jumped at that chance. “He’s crazy.”
“Get your ass back over here,” Christina’s tone is low, almost a warning. “You’re about to get seen.”
I turn back to the mansion and realize I how close I am to being seen.
After squatting next to Christina, I lower my head to gaze through the bush. All sixty reapers are now lined up and looking at some picture in their hand. One by one, gray smoke circles them and they become transparent and eventually disappear from sight.
“Oh my God.” I breath out. I have never seen someone transport before. That was freaking amazing.
“Yeah,” even Christina lets out a shaky breath. “Well, I guess we need to head home.”
“What?” I jerk toward her.
“We have no way of getting there.” She points to where they have just disappeared. “We can’t transport.”
Shit, she’s right. But we can’t give up. We’re so close. I mean, we even know the location of where the reaping is now. “Wait, I know. Let’s borrow Charlie’s car.”
“Are you insane?” Christina’s eyes almost bulge out of her head.
“I have an extra key.” I pull out my keychain, “and he owes me one. So even if we don’t get back here before he does, he won’t say anything.”
She bites her lip for a second. “Are you sure? I don’t want my parents finding out.”
How can I comfort her? She’s worried about getting caught. “Yeah, positive. Let’s go.”
“You do know how to drive,” she rubs a finger across
