are born, based on a series of calculations and probabilities. It’s not a question of what great things they achieve during their lifetimes—well, not necessarily, not anymore. It used to be more important, but after I let the senior Reapers handle the selection process, which we all know to have turned out badly, I decided to change the selection criteria. It has become a matter of bloodlines and character, rather than anything else. And you, my darling, the rare son of a fae and a jinni, were chosen. When your life in this world comes to an end, you will become a Reaper.”
“Whoa…” Taeral breathed, finally finding the strength to look at her again. “What… What does that mean for me?”
“It means you will not pass into the world of the dead until I decide to relieve you of your Reaper duties,” Death said. “It also means that, unlike any other living creature that might touch that scythe you’re holding, you can actually use it to its full potential. You are destined to become a Reaper, and even Yamani’s scythe knows that.”
“Why do you think you were able to become invisible, even to Reapers?” the Word chimed in. “Why was Baethal so worried about you wielding the scythe against him?”
“He knew? They all knew?” Taeral asked.
Death chuckled softly. “You’re smarter than you look, my dear. Yes. Reapers know, deep down, when they meet future Reapers. It’s deeply embedded in their souls. One day, when you ascend into your role, you, too, will be able to recognize them before they even die.”
“How will this help me?” Taeral asked, his cheeks burning pink. I could only imagine the myriad of thoughts racing through his head, and I would’ve given anything to be able to ease some of the pressure off his shoulders. If there was one thing I’d learned to detest, it was seeing Taeral suffer or struggle like this.
“I take back my earlier assessment regarding your wits,” Death said, pursing her lips.
Lumi sighed, her voice still belonging to the Word. “You can use it against the three Reapers that guard the pieces of Thieron, Taeral. As a weapon, as an instrument, as whatever could help you get your hands on Eirexis, Zetos, and Phyla.”
So, at least we had that going for us, I figured. It was better than nothing, though a little bit more couldn’t have possibly hurt.
“Mind you, once you bring the pieces together, you will deliver Thieron to me. You will not have the capacity to wield it yourself,” Death warned Taeral. “It’s not your average scythe. It has threads of me in it.”
“I understand,” Taeral replied, nodding slowly. I could see the idea budding in the back of his head, and I probably wasn’t the only one, but no one else mentioned it again.
“You should also be aware that, while I may control the four Hermessi outside, I cannot say for sure that at least one of them won’t warn the others about what you’ve just accomplished here,” Death added, further hammering the nails into our future coffins. I hadn’t thought about the Hermessi since we’d set foot in this room. I’d almost forgotten about them. “The Hermessi, and Brendel, in particular, will stop at nothing until the ritual is completed. Right now, you’re the only thing standing between her and that objective. They will come at you with everything they have. It will get harder and bloodier and, while she may not be able to kill the three of you, she will keep you away from Thieron by whatever means necessary. Expect some bad news from home, soon enough, Taeral. But do not let anyone or anything stop you from this mission. I’ve put my trust in you.”
“Wait, what bad news?” Taeral asked.
Death, however, didn’t seem willing to explain. “Your friends are waiting for you outside. Go,” she said and snapped her fingers. An invisible force hurled all three of us out of the room. The doors slid wide open just before we would’ve rammed through them. We landed on our backs, sliding farther across the floor, while the screen doors closed, and the four Hermessi resumed their guardian posts.
Grunting, Taeral managed to get himself back into a seated position. “Wait! What news? What were you talking about?” he shouted at Death, but he couldn’t see her anymore.
Lumi moaned from the hard landing, blinking several times as I helped her back up. She was back to her old self, the glow completely gone from her. She seemed