by the area for one reason or another.
“They aren't dressed right. Not like regular Reapers with their specific uniforms. And it's the same ones over and over. Something isn't right,” Con said, shaking his head.
A little seed of sickness settled in, gnawing at my gut and growing larger with each second that passed.
“Well, what do they look like?”
“I don't know. Black. Long,” Con stated, waving his hands around.
I pursed my lips, blowing out a breath. “That is not helpful. They're all black and long.”
“Just not like I've seen before. I don't keep up with Reaper styles. They didn't have the plain cut and decorations of the Grims. Nor did they have the multitude of pockets that the Techs have. Or the sheen of the Healers. Just…” He threw his arms in the air, huffing out a single word. “Different.”
That's super helpful.
As the eatery came in sight, I sighed. “Just be careful. Try to avoid them if you can. Take routes around wherever you've seen them, and if they see any of you, take an alternate path to the building. And do not let other Reapers use the thing.”
“Of course. You say it, we do it,” he groused.
I turned to stare at him, studying his slack face carefully, but I found nothing telling. I understood the bitter tone. After all, Soulless had been obeying the commands of the soul-filled for ages and received little in return. Even the tone he'd taken told me he didn't quite see me as a Reaper, not really. That or he'd taken so much shit, he could not deal with pretending any longer. The first didn't bother me. After all, I didn't quite consider myself a real Reaper. The second option was dangerous for both of us. If he talked to the wrong one that way, our entire operation would go up in flames.
“Con, I'm trying to help. I just don't want anything to happen that jeopardizes everything we've put in place.” We'd reached the eatery, and I spotted Grace's white-blonde curls quickly.
“I know,” he huffed. “I guess I'm tired. And worried, which I shouldn't be able to feel on my own, but I do. It's always there in my head lately.”
“Everything is fine. I'll ask around. I've got a meeting with Master Akai after this, and I'll see what he thinks. Hey, you want me to grab something for you?” I asked, knowing that he couldn't order anything nearby. They didn't allow the Soulless to sully the aesthetics so near the palace.
“Sure, but Master Akai? Really? Since when have you become so friendly with him? And do you think describing our friends is a good idea? What if it's him sending them?” Con's questions toppled out of his mouth, one after the other as if they couldn't wait to be heard.
I tugged him down to where Grace sat with her back to us. The instant we saw her face, he stumbled a bit and then grinned. My eyes narrowed. I knew that particular curve of his lips. It was the one he used when he tried to be charming.
“Oh, no, you don't, Con,” I warned him, drawing his attention.
“Zella! Are you finished? I have your meal here. I had to eat mine, or they wouldn't let me sit,” Grace said, using her fork to gesture to her mostly empty box.
Con shifted on his feet, and her gaze drifted to him. She glanced back to me, an eyebrow raised before shooting to Con once again.
“Grace, this is Con, a…” I hesitated before saying, “friend. Con, this is Grace, Liaison and Logistics Officer for my new Office. And a friend, too. Now, what do you want?”
He didn't answer, and I'm not sure he even heard me. It took a poke to his side before he responded at all. “Huh?”
“What do you want? To eat?” I huffed.
“Oh, well, I'm not sure. Can you pick something you'd think I'd like? Maybe get an extra or two?” His words were lazy as if his brain's processing center had been taken up with all things Grace and couldn't quite squeeze out coherent words.
An extra or two? For all of those Soulless he had hidden inside that building? That would be cruel. Either most would get nothing, or everyone would get a single mouthful.
“Fine. Stay here.” I caught Grace's eye before adding, “I'll be right back. He's mostly behaved. If he crosses any lines, give him a good whack.”
She nodded, and I hurried away. The sooner I got the food, the sooner