my way through one of the open portals, back in the witches’ dimension. It took me to a place called Calliope. I didn’t stay long there. It was teeming with Reapers.”
“Ah, I see. Then what are you and your friends doing here, on this barren little moon?” Herbert asked. Behind Kill, the other original ghouls were watching, quiet and still very suspicious. It felt as though maybe they could see me or something. They would’ve pounced if that were the case.
From where I stood now, they didn’t strike me as the nearly all-powerful original ghouls that had once founded Nevertide, and nowhere close to the one that my parents had personally dealt with.
They’re significantly weaker, Herbert said, reading my mind. The Nevertide ghouls, as far as I can remember, were very well fed, as far as their… soul diet went. The synergy they created with their sentries allowed them to grow extremely powerful. Most of the original ghouls may be scary, but they’re still just scavengers. Not like Hellswan or his brethren.
His explanation gave me a sliver of relief, knowing now that we weren’t dealing with that particular type of original ghoul, but weaker ones.
“There are fae on Neraka,” Kill said. “In one of their so-called Sanctuaries. We’re waiting for them to die so we can feast.”
“Really? But aren’t they guarded by Reapers, like Calliope?” Herbert replied.
Kill nodded. “Fewer than Calliope, though. My crew and I have planned a way to distract them when the fae finally die. Six of us will keep the Reapers busy, and two of us will pick up lunch from inside the sanctuary.” His cold grin made me shiver. “What the hell brings you all the way here? You’re a degraded ghoul. How’d you even find a portal to get you into this dimension?”
“Oh, I didn’t. I’ve been in the Witches’ Sanctuary since they caught me. One of the warlocks there brought me to Calliope today,” Herbert explained, choosing his words carefully. “I offered him information about Death in exchange for my freedom. It worked.”
Kill and his friends chuckled, exchanging knowing glances. “Yeah, they’re pretty desperate with this whole Hermessi mess,” he said. “I do hope you gave the warlock some good information.”
“I know less than you, Kill, but yes, I told him where to find her,” Herbert replied. “Hopefully, they’ll sort this out before these elemental creeps complete their ritual.”
Kill nodded. “I agree. The last thing we want is the Hermessi wiping out all these creatures. They’ll be cutting off our food supply, too. We’ll all become like you, or worse, if that happens.”
“Why didn’t you reach out to one of these GASP people, then, if that’s how you feel?” Herbert asked, picking up on my thoughts. That was a good question.
“Rule number one, Herbert. No matter what, you don’t talk to the living. You just eat them,” Kill shot back, his tone clipped. “No. Matter. What.”
“I think the circumstances do allow an exception,” Herbert muttered.
“Well, you were obviously there to help them out.” Kill laughed, though I could still sense the resentment. “You didn’t have a choice, so there’s your exception. The same could apply to any of the other ghouls they’re still keeping in the Witches’ Sanctuary.”
I had a feeling the ghouls wouldn’t be all that affected by the end of the world. In my mind, I was doing the math. The Hermessi wiping us all out meant that billions or even trillions of souls would perish. Like Herbert had said, not all Reapers were punctual or careful, and, with such a big number, the ghouls would surely have a feast on their hands. What would’ve stopped them from grabbing as many lost souls as they could, right after this ritual was completed, and storing them for eons to come until new lifeforms sprang from these clean worlds?
Good thinking, Harper. You’re a smart girl. You now understand that, one way or another, the ghouls are set and have zero interest in helping your kind, Herbert thought to me. Of course, it would be easier for them if you people saved the day, but they obviously have a plan B for this, and it’s likely what you just thought of, word for word.
I wondered about the logistics of storing souls for years, but Kill broke my train of thought. “Either way, I suggest you stick around and wait with us,” he said. “You can either help with distracting the Reapers or collecting the souls from inside the sanctuary.”
Herbert nodded slowly. “It’s a tempting