The Reapers (The Hunted Series Book 1) Page 6

  Kain

  Kain climbed out his bedroom window and sat on the fire escape. The cold night air chilled his skin making him shiver. He couldn’t wait for winter to be over, gladly taking the blazing summer heat at the end of the day over this anytime.

  He let out a heavy sigh and contemplated how strange his week had been. It had all started with the mysterious girl. She either had a thing for hanging out in slightly dangerous places, or she was stalking him. She seemed harmless enough, he supposed. On top of that, there were the cloaked men he had seen today, the hoods they wore were the same as hers. They hadn’t seemed outright threatening, but they hardly gave off the impression of innocence. If he were right, and it was a new cult in town, then the girl following him could be crying out to be noticed or for help.

  As far as he could tell, the hooded organization only did a lot of standing around. Yet the way they just seemed to disappear without a trace nagged the back of his mind. Kain dropped his head against the cold brick of the building and looked up into the night sky. Thin patches of clouds floated across, playing hide and seek with the stars. He would have to talk to the weird girl the next time he saw her and ask her why she had been following him or if she needed help. Now that he thought about it, he wondered if they were trying to kidnap the girl in the alleyway and bring her into their cult. Is that what happened to his potential stalker?

  He let out a soft laugh at his overactive imagination. This isn’t a movie. There has to be a simple explanation for the weird girl and the cloaked men. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something unusual was going on, he just didn’t know which of these things was throwing up more red flags than the others.

  Seven

  Nivian

  Nivian peeled open her eyes early the next morning, the sun streaming in through the window. Tossing and turning all night, she had willed for sleep to overtake her. It came in short spurts of what felt like only minutes at a time. Each time she woke up, it had been a new battle. Finally, sometime around 4:30 in the morning, she won the war. Still exhausted, she squeezed her eyes shut. Something had woken her; something had kept her from sleeping through the night. There was no point in fighting it any longer. She stretched, closed her eyes, and rolled to her side. Sleep may be evading her, but at least she could relax before the day began. A soft rustling across the room poked at her consciousness, but she chose to ignore it.

  It’s probably just a draft, she thought, sleep clouding her mind.

  “It’s about time you woke up,” a deep voice said.

  “What the hell?” Nivian bolted upright, gasping in shock. Caspian leaned nonchalantly against the wall across the room, one foot over the other.

  Grabbing a pillow, she tossed it at him. “You scared the crap out of me.”

  He caught the pillow and set it down as he walked over to her. Eyeing the edge of her bed, he waited for her to offer him a seat.

  “Forgive me, Nivi, I could not help myself,” he said, his deep voice rumbled as he chuckled at her expense. Not wanting him to think his so-called “humor” amused her, she stuck out her bottom lip and gave her best attempt at a pouty face. But couldn’t hold it for long before she laughed with him.

  She took two deep breaths to calm her breathing and looked up at him. He had a knack for knowing exactly when she needed a good laugh. She never had to say a word. “Thanks, I needed that.” Nivian sighed. “I’m glad you’re here. I need to talk to you.”

  Caspian nodded. “I wish to speak with you as well. First, get ready for the day. I will make you coffee.”

  Nivian walked out of the bathroom, having showered and changed for the day. She threw on a plain black tank top and black leggings. Most of the clothes she owned were black. It was easier that way. Though, it didn’t matter what she wore; once she put her cloak on, her clothing transformed into the standard reaping attire.

  She absentmindedly rubbed her dark hair dry with her towel. Tossing the blue towel with yellow stars back into the bathroom, she walked over to her nightstand. Her fingers brushed over the watch and its chain that sat crumpled on its surface. She placed her palm over it and gently clasped it with her hand, then walked into the kitchen where Caspian and coffee waited for her.

  He poured a cup for her as she sat down on one of the bar stools around the kitchen island. Silently, Nivian watched him prepare her drink just the way she liked it. Caspian set the hot mug down in front of her. She lifted her cup and breathed in the warm aroma before taking a drink.

  A silent moment passed between them. She sipped her drink while both reapers studied the surface of the island she called a table. She lazily traced the lines in the wood. There were no scratches, nicks, or marks. There wouldn’t be; she never used it for its intended purpose. In her kitchen, the only items that were used were the coffee pot and a few mugs.

  “I have come to give you your next assignment.”

  He slid the folded paper that held her next mark scribbled across the surface. Placing her mug down, she picked up the note, careful to keep the hand that held the watch under the table. She lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. A few lines around his eyes gave away that there was more going on below the surface. He was not as relaxed as he would have her believe. Lines that told her a heavy burden sat on his shoulders. She pushed her assignment aside. She would hand over the watch before she would worry about her next mark.

  “Caspian, after I stopped by to see you yesterday I found the human again and followed him.” Nivian bit her lip and averted her eyes. Slowly, she lifted the hand she’d been hiding and set the watch down between them. It was nearly identical to the one she had given to him the morning before.

  With narrowed eyes, he picked up the watch and opened it, noting the nearly shattered watch face. The crack originated in the center and spider-webbed its way out to the edges. The dials spun uncontrollably underneath the glass.

  “What happened, Nivi?” Caspian’s eyes remained glued to the watch, his face solemn.

  Nervously, Nivian tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, hesitating. “I—I’m not sure. It happened so fast. I was watching the reaper. That human came out of nowhere, but he only went after the human holding the gun. Before I knew what happened, the reaper had vanished.” Nivian held her breath and peeked up at him from under her lashes as she tried to gauge his reaction. She had just delivered bad news to someone she cared about. Caspian had seemed indestructible for centuries. Now, he stood across from her, consumed by sorrow. His eyes darkened, and the muscle in his jaw worked.

  “Who was it, Caspian?” Her voice was barely audible.

  Caspian ran a finger down the face of the watch and whispered, “Keres…”

  Unsure of what to do, Nivian fidgeted with her hands. The silence made her uncomfortable, nervous energy bubbled to the surface. “I felt the loss of power. It was awful, I couldn’t breathe. It was stronger than the loss I felt yesterday. I—I’ve never felt anything like that before.” She shuddered at the memory of the pain.

  “That feeling was caused by his power being destroyed. He was an ancient among reapers, one of the most powerful. He was created only a few centuries after I was.” Caspian rested both hands on the island, still tightly gripping the watch with his head bowed. Nivian placed a small hand over his. She could tell he was struggling to hold back. The silence stretched between them. Twice in a row she delivered bad news to him, and she didn’t want this to become a habit.

  Caspian lifted his eyes and gave her a tight smile. Her heart grew a little lighter. He was trying.

  Schooling his features, he straightened. “I must go now. You have your mark.” He paused, adding, “There is a shorter time limit than normal. You have three days.”

  “Three days?”

  “Yes, this is an assignment straight from Silas.” Caspian hesitated. “Nivian, be careful of this human. He is dangerous, and no good will come from being near him.”

  Nodding, Nivian looked down as she opened the note that held her mark, “Kain Evers.�
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  When she looked back up, Caspian was gone.

  The sun fought unsuccessfully to shine through the thick, gray haze of clouds. People walked quickly down the crowded streets, hugging their coats tightly around them as they pushed their way down below the surface in an attempt to get out of the frigid wind. The clouds above the city, in the rapidly darkening sky, threatened to open up and release a freezing rain.

  Nivian looked up at the green and white sign declaring the Park Street subway entrance that led down below the surface of the street. She had calculated the trajectory of her mark. He would pass this point in a few minutes.

  A large stained glass dome covered the entrance. Light from an artificial sun lamp filtered through the ornate glass of the dome, throwing rainbows on the throngs of people rushing about. As they ran late for work, the mortals shoved their way to the turnstiles, impatient to get to the next step of their journey. Their shoving and pushing did nothing to help them get ahead and only served to put a scowl on their own faces. The smell of stale morning coffee mixed with colognes and perfumes filled the air, stinging her nose.

  Nivian walked with unhurried steps down the stairs, unseen by everyone around her, her fingers dragging along the cold metal railing polished from years of use. She admired the clean, tan bricks of the walls. Light blue and white tiles decorated the floor to look like clouds on a warm summer day, brightening the underground tunnels. The ground, already littered with used tickets people dropped as they headed for the exit.

  She walked through the tunnels, getting closer to her mark. She could feel the pull of Kain’s energy tug at her like a string. The distant sound of a man playing the guitar and singing floated through the air, bringing his small corner of the station a little piece of serenity in the morning chaos. She vaulted over the turnstile between busy commuters and walked down the platform.

  The guitar player sat back in a cove, his music echoing off the walls. His stringy hair fell over his eyes as he played. A small cardboard sign placed in front of his guitar case to let passersby know he welcomed tips. His clothes were covered in a thin layer of dirt and speckled with stains. On the platform on the opposite side of the tracks where she waited, a street performer juggled and performed tricks he had far from mastered. He threw cards up in the air, waved his hands commanding them to come back, and failed. The cards rained down over him and the unsuspecting passengers who tried their best to ignore him.

  Her mark traveled closer; his life energy was approaching with the speed of the train. She leaned against the cold tile of the wall and waited. Overhead, the automated voice on the loud speaker announced the incoming train. “Train D now arriving.”

  The train pulled to a stop in front of the platform and opened its doors to let the passengers on board. Nivian looked around, knowing her mark was in the sea of people in front of her. As the doors began to close, she saw the one face she didn’t expect. The one face she would never be able to forget. Their eyes met, and her heart dropped like a stone to the pit of her stomach.

  Fear gripped her, freezing her in place. It couldn’t be, it was impossible. Her mark was the same human she had been watching. The one Caspian suspected was at the center of the reaper deaths. It had to be a mistake. If she attempted to carry out her mark, there was a good chance he would destroy her. What Caspian had handed her this morning was not another ordinary mark—it was her death sentence. Ice worked its way through her veins until it reached her heart, gripping it. The train started to pull away from the platform, breaking the spell her mark had cast over her. Had Caspian known who the mark was before he handed over the assignment?

  The train pulled away leaving the commuters to rush on to their destinations. Now alone in the underground tunnels, Nivian shook her head. The shock of discovering her human was now her mark, disappearing. She tossed her hood up over her head and transported to G.R.I.M. Headquarters to find Caspian. She had never been so furious with him before. Why wouldn’t he tell her who her mark was? He should have warned her.

  Kain

  Kain stared out the window, his eyes narrowed at the figure who had seemingly been following him around for days. Maybe she wasn’t following him; after all, her face had seemed just as shocked to see him as he was to see her. Her blue eyes were wide and her mouth gaped. The thought crossed his mind that the universe or perhaps fate was trying to pull them together, that is, if he believed in that sort of thing. He looked up at the Park Street Station sign as it began to move away.

  “Crap.” Kain let out a frustrated growl. He was so distracted by the weird girl he had ended up missing his stop. Now he would have to walk farther or take another train back to the correct part of the city. Either way, he’d be late.

  Nivian threw open the doors to Caspian’s study and slammed them shut behind her. She began her tirade before he had a chance to look up.

  “Caspian! Is this some kind of sick joke?” She stormed up to him and thumped her fist down on his desk. With slow, deliberate movements, Caspian set his pen down and looked up at her, knitting his eyebrows together.

  Sparks of anger flashed in her eyes.

  “Is what a sick joke, Nivian?” His head tilted to the side.

  “My mark!” Nivian threw Kain’s pocket watch down on the desk. “Why wouldn’t you tell me?”

  The watch spun then slowed, gently rocking before it stopped. He picked up the watch and walked around his desk to face her. Firmly, he gripped her arm and led her to a chair, gently placing the watch back into her hands. Kneeling down, he set one hand on her knee.

  “This is not a joke, Nivian. Silas chose you to carry out this mark.” He ducked his head and looked her in the eye, tilting her chin up with his knuckle.

  She narrowed her eyes and jerked her chin out of his grasp. “This so called mark is the human who’s been going around destroying reapers.” Nivian raised her voice, glaring down at Caspian. “Did you know about this? Is this a punishment for following him?”

  “Nivian, you know we do not punish reapers for what they choose to do in their spare time. So long as you continue your work, you are free to do as you please.”

  “Then what is this all about?”

  “It is simply Silas’s wish that you carry out this mark. I do not know his methods or why he does what he does. It is not my place to question it, and it is not your place, either.” His voice was firm, but gentle.

  Nivian looked down, ashamed of her outburst. She knew Caspian was right. It wasn’t her place to question orders. She needed to resign herself to her fate, but at this moment she was finding it impossible. Why hadn't she been warned? She had questions. She deserved answers, and she was… afraid. It was a foreign emotion to her. Reapers didn’t have enemies; there was nothing she had ever needed to fear, until now.

  Nivian chewed on her bottom lip and looked down at her hands balled into fists in her lap. “Caspian… I’m afraid.” Her voice cracked.

  He placed both hands on her face and leaned his forehead against hers. “I know you are, Nivian. I would complete this mark myself if I could.”

  “Why can’t you?” The words came out in a throaty whisper. She knew it was an unfair question. She hated how scared she was, and it was weak and pathetic. It was strange and disconcerting; a feeling she had never expected to experience. She had always been so sure of herself. But now, the first time anything presented a risk to her she wanted to hide in the corner like a scared rabbit. She never knew this part of her existed, a part of her she never wanted to know.

  Caspian stood and leaned his hip against the desk, his arms folded. “You have to follow through with this mark. Silas has entrusted you alone. There is no one else. I am sorry, Nivi…”

  “What is so special about me carrying out this mark?” Nivian bit her lip. She knew she was whining now. It annoyed her, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. It frustrated her, but she had never had to deal with the possibility of the end of her own existence. As far back as she could remember, she’d known she
was eternal.

  “Nivian, you are a great reaper, you can do this, and you will. If it were possible to entrust it to anyone else, believe me, I would have done what I could to have Silas assign a more senior reaper to this mark.”

  “I don’t understand, Caspian, outside of classification our marks are never reaper specific.”

  It wasn’t that she didn’t want to do her job —though if she were honest with herself— she didn’t want to do this assignment. She had seen what this human was capable of, and it frightened her. The fear of disappearing into a void of nothingness overwhelmed her. It horrified her to face the end of existence. A destroyed reaper merely ceased to exist; their energy did not renew as a mortals life energy did.

  She didn’t know why this human would go after reapers. He didn’t seem bad or evil. There was nothing biased about what he was doing. She didn’t sense any anger or hatred in him. Death was a necessary part of life, and all living beings experienced their death from a reaper. Immortality belonged only to the reapers. Surely, her mark knew this.

  “Nivian, you must complete your mark to maintain the balance between the realms. You have been handpicked for this because only you are strong enough.” Caspian sighed. Cupping her cheek with his palm, he met her fearful gaze and whispered, “As much as you want to, you cannot fight or change it. This is your mark, and you must carry it out.”

  Closing her eyes, Nivian tried to find any shred of courage she possessed to convince herself Caspian and Silas were right, then opened them. He dropped his hand and stepped away.