A Reaper Made (13 page)

I looked at Tully, whose stoic expression confirmed Tessa’s information. “You didn’t feel like telling me this before?”
 

Tully’s thick arms crossed over his broad chest. He scowled at me. “Reapers are rarely in such a position to have to say such things.”
 

Shame made me look down at my shoes; maybe he had me there. In fact, Tully was certainly endangering himself to be here, with his grand poobah council as well as with demons. Alistair would reap us both himself if he caught us interfering with their instructions.
 

Tully did that thing where he managed to fit too much disappointment into one little word. “Grace.”
 

“I’m sorry, okay?” Even I heard the defensiveness in my response and I tried to soften the tone. “Really, I am. I apparently needed the reminder.”
 

Tessa relaxed, trying to diffuse the situation. “Then our job is done here, so let’s move on to the big problem at hand.”
 

She glanced at Tully, who remained quiet. When he said nothing, she continued to explain what I’d missed while out with Matt.
 

“I’ve been researching what kind of spells can hold Reapers to one spot,” Tessa said. “It’s some seriously dark stuff, things I never wanted to touch.”
 

“How do we get around it?”
 

“That’s the problem,” Tully said, heaving a sigh. “The spell only breaks when the caster says so. There’s not a whole lot we can do until we find the person responsible.”
 

“At least we’ve got one jerk in our sights,” Tessa said, referring to Brady, “but I checked Brady’s place out while you distracted him on the date—”

“You did?” I asked, surprised. She hadn’t told me that.
 

“Yeah, I did,” she said, a bit cross that I hadn’t already asked. “While you were making googly eyes at your new boyfriend, I broke into Brady’s apartment to check out his magic set.”
 

“And?”
 

She shrugged. “He’s got some impressive toys and is definitely into black magic, but nothing like what’s needed for this kind of spell.”
 

Her manicured finger tapped the book on the table. I glanced down at the page, my nose wrinkling at the awful sketches of what looked like painful stuff. Judging by the drawings, it appeared a few pints of blood were needed.
 

“Does that mean he’s not our witch?” I asked.
 

“I don’t think we should cross him off our list, not yet. More like he’s got a powerful partner in crime.”

I frowned, not liking this new information. We’d guessed as much, but to have the confirmation that we’d be battling against more than Brady worried me. We had no idea how to defend ourselves or decide on a plan of attack.
 

“I can read every emotion on your face, child,” Tully said. At least this time he sounded more worried than disapproving.
 

“Well aware,” I said, trying not to scowl.
 

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

It was now day three and I felt we were no further in our mission than before. What’s more, I felt at a loss, unsure of what to do. Tessa pored over a book, leg tucked underneath her on the couch. Tully had popped out to check on our souls; he’d declined my offer to go with, though he didn’t offer a reason why. He usually took a while with each of his souls, though, so it didn’t surprise me he’d want some time alone with them.
 

Memories of Matt bounced in my head and I couldn’t help but wonder what he was up to right now. Maybe I could go see him, just for a few minutes.
 

“I’m going to go check on Ally,” I said. I didn’t add that I might swing by Matt’s dorm room after making sure she was okay.
 

Tessa shot me a look over her reading material, knowing exactly my intentions, but at least she didn’t jump down my throat. “All right then. Better make it quick. You know Tully will shit a brick if he comes back and you’re off gallivanting again.”
 

I snorted, but promised to be back within the hour. I thought of Allison’s college campus and appeared near the fountain I’d deemed “my spot.” Coming around the building, I got lucky, spotting Allison with Brady. I headed their direction and tried to appear surprised when I passed them.
 

“Oh hey guys, what’s up?” I asked. They pulled apart to greet me — well, Allison did. Brady more or less stood there, a blank expression on his face. He was still doing that thing where he didn’t look at me, but the more I’d thought about it, the more I figured that was deliberate. Even if he didn’t suspect me, he couldn’t afford a flash of his purple eyes giving him away to anyone.
 

“Headed to the last class of the day, actually,” Allison said. “Big test today.”
 

“You’re ready for it, you’ve been studying your cute butt off for two weeks,” Brady said, giving her a pat on the rear.
 

I bit back the older-sister-comment that sprang to my lips, not wanting to embarrass Allison or weird them out.
 

Ally stood on her toes to kiss Brady goodbye. With a short wave to me, she went to class. That left me standing there with Brady. I began walking casually; he followed suit, apparently needing to head the same direction. I decided to stick with it and see if I could get anything out of him.
 

“What are you majoring in again?” he asked me. Even as he asked, his eyes went down to his phone to check the time.
 

I blanked, unsure of what I was supposed to be studying. “Uhh, I’m still undecided. Like we discussed the other night.”
 

“Oh ok,” Brady said, coming up short on conversation. “I didn’t choose my major until last year, you’re not alone.”
 

Brady slowed his pace, probably about to head to his own class. We paused near the entrance of the science building. I averted my eyes from the spot where Brittany Green had fallen to her death. Someone had worked hard to get the bloodstains out of the concrete.
 

Wandering students slipped through the door, rushing so as not to be counted tardy. Soon we were the only ones outside. Still Brady stuck around and I wondered what he was up to. I decided to jump right in; how else would I get his attention?
 

“Did you have fun the other night on our double date?” I tried to keep my voice light and teasing.
 

“Sure I did,” Brady said, his expression turning serious, “and you really made an impression on Matt.”

“He made one on me too,” I responded with a smile. “He’s great.”
 

“Sure he is,” Brady said, lowering his voice, “but I don’t think he’s really your type,
Reaper
.”
 

I recoiled, instinct screaming at me. I tried to sound though I hadn’t heard him. “Well, I think it’s time I get to class…”
 

“Which one is that? Saving Souls 101?”
 

The malicious grin that spread across his face put a ball of fear in my gut. He grabbed my arm; I spun away from him, thinking of somewhere safe near Tessa’s place and stepped forward. Brady’s grip tightened, however, and rather than appearing somewhere else, I went nowhere at all. He roughly pulled me back into him; we grappled, but Brady was too strong for me. I looked at him in astonishment and he smiled back. We were the only ones out here; no one could see his attack. The ball of fear grew.
 

“I’m sure you’re wondering,” he whispered as he grabbed my hair, “what sort of power I have over you.”

“It crossed my mind,” I said through gritted teeth, ignoring the uncomfortable pull on my scalp.
 

Brady’s lips came to my ear, his pronunciation precise. “When your mother is a witch, you learn all sorts of things that aren’t taught in school.”
 

The pressure on my head stopped as he held his free hand up so that I could see better. On the entirety of his pale palm was a terrible scar. How had I missed that at dinner? A symbol had been carved into his skin for what I guessed to be some sort of black magic. I’d never seen this symbol before, with its peculiar swirl and dotted interior. I took it in, memorizing every detail for Tessa.
 

Brady wrapped his arm around my torso. “You’re coming with me. And believe me when I say my magic is all over the room; there’s no escape for you.”
 

He squeezed hard, my ribs feeling as though they could crack. The world swam before my eyes; then we were standing in a damp, underground tunnel. I managed a look around, but only made out two dark hallways on either side of us. Enough yellow light flickered to see the paths, but gave no indication of where we were or more importantly, how to get out.
 

“Your witch will need more than luck to find you down here,” he said, breath still hot in my ear. I heard the smile in his voice.

“Get your damn hands off me!” I shouted. My plea bounced off the tunnels, mocked me as it echoed down the way.
 

He released his crushing grip on me, though kept his hand lightly on my arm. Despite my attempt to shrug it off, he kept it steady.
 

“Ah, ah,” he said knowingly, “my magic is good, but why risk such a great meal ticket? Stay in line and no one gets hurt.”
 

I wrinkled my nose, keeping count of how many steps we took as we walked. I’d seen the hero do it once in a movie and thought that might come in handy if I really couldn’t zap my way out of here. I took a deep breath as I began what could be the longest walk of my undead life.
 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

We turned left and right down various tunnels, so dark and maze-like that I had no idea where we were or how I’d escape. I lost count of the steps somewhere around 75. Brady had loose lips and I was keen to hear what he had to say.
 

“So then Allison told the drunk dude if he kept picking on the handicapped kid, he could answer to her. The guy called her a bitch and she broke her middle finger punching him in the nose,” Brady said.
 

“No way! That sounds exactly like something she’d do!” I exclaimed. A snicker escaped me before I could stop myself.
 

I couldn’t help myself when he offered up information about my sister’s life. Sure, he was probably baiting me with distraction, but I wanted to know everything, to soak up every detail and know she was happy. I didn’t want my death to hold her back in any way. Brady had technically been dating her for a while, so he had some stories.
 

A smile flickered on Brady’s face. Sensing his human side, I took a shot in the dark.
 

“Where are we anyway?”
 

Brady smiled at that, though it was more sinister than I’d prefer. “You like it? This is where BAD used to hang out before they became a joke.”
 

I couldn’t let him know that Matt had revealed information. No way would I bring him into this, too. I feigned ignorance. “The secret society? What are they doing hiding in sewers? I thought they were a big deal on campus.”
 

“Used to be, back when they had balls,” Brady mumbled, sidestepping a puddle.
 

“Are you a member?”
 

“I’m bound by oath not to answer, but I suppose I’m breaking a lot of rules tonight,” he said, smirking.
 

I scoffed. “Riddle me not, frat boy. What’s so special about your undercover brothers?”
 

“Careful, that’s your new boyfriend Matt you’re talking about,” he said.
 

I froze at his words and he impatiently tugged me along. The question left my lips without my permission. I hated the fear in it.
 

“Is…is he a witch, too?”
 

“Boy, you’ve got it bad for the living, don’t you?” Brady said, smirking. He surprised me when he shook his head. “No, he’s a human. He doesn’t know the real history of BAD.”
 

“And if he did?”
 

“What’s it matter?” he asked, giving me a long look. He smiled a bit. “Oh, I see, you want him to be a decent guy? Well, congrats, he’s got a clean record. You know you can’t actually date him, though, right? On account of your being dead and all.”
 

I resisted the urge to stomp on his foot. “Why are you doing this?”
 

Discomfort flashed across his face, the first time I’d seen him hesitate. It was gone a split second later, replaced with his typical cocky attitude. “I’ve waited years to get what I want.”
 

“And what’s that?”
 

He shrugged. “Power. Fortune.”
 

“You’re going to all this trouble for cash?”

“It’s not about money,” he said, his upper lip curling into a snarl. “You have no idea what it’s like, being a half-anything. Half the power, half the respect. I deserve so much more.”
 

“You know what the term ‘deserve’ means, right? You have to earn that, both in the human and supe world.”
 

His grip tightened on my arm. “Oh, I will, once I get my full powers and they see what I can do.”
 

“How do you get that by killing me?” I asked skeptically.
 

“I don’t,” he said, dropping to a whisper, “but the guy I work for can give it to me, once I deliver you.”
 

I rolled my eyes. “That is so cliche.”
 

His grip on my arm tightened. “We’ll see if you’re singing the same tune once you see this guy’s magic weapon.”
 

His serious tone made me pause again. “Brady, what about Allison?”
 

“Don’t talk about her.”
 

He shook me and I stumbled, stubbing my toe on a stone step. I caught myself on the wall. Stone scraped my palm, full of earth and magic. More light glowed and I realized we were almost wherever he was taking me. Alarm bells went off in my head.