lingered on mine. Then he pressed his lips together and gave me a jerky nod.
“Just improve the numbers,” he ordered and returned to staring down at the ferrule.
I bent forward slightly before I spun on my heel and floated to the door. After I closed it behind me, I glanced around and seeing no one, I leaned back against the solid wood. My mind chewed over the interaction, trying to uncover anything that could help us. Beyond the glee of getting one over on the King, I found nothing.
“Ah, Master Healani,” said a voice from my left.
It jerked me out of my thoughts, and I snapped to attention, turning slightly to find an old Reaper in the light purple, utilitarian cut cloak of an Assemblian. The color was rather close to that of the palace staff, but the material lacked the fancy touches and sheen that denoted someone who worked under the King. Even without the cloak as a guide, no one would have mistaken the wizened Reaper with a cleaner or a cook.
I dipped my head, leaning forward again.
“Now don't do that, child. Stand, stand,” he said, hobbling towards me. “Come. Tell me how you have been. I've heard rather exciting stories about your life since I saw you last.”
I nodded, taking his proffered arm. The last time I'd seen him, he stood on the palace steps, still marveling over what he'd witnessed in the Earth soul I'd brought as proof of my claims.
“It has been interesting, Assemblian Corlia. How have you been?” I asked, hoping to redirect him.
“Ah, well, my old body is beginning to catch up with me, I believe. But,” he paused, his lilting tone and twinkling eyes adding to the wagging of his finger. “You aren't distracting me. I can't quite start my own adventures anymore, but I can enjoy hearing about others' fun.”
I gave him a wry smile and began planning on what I would divulge. He might have been an Assemblian and worked with Master Akai on occasion, but I didn't know him well. I certainly didn't trust him, but then again, I rarely trusted anyone. If he wants a good story, I suppose I should give him one.
Giving his arm a slight squeeze, I launched into a tale that only loosely resembled the truth.
Chapter Fifty-Two
The next couple of sets passed rather uneventfully. Most of my free time revolved around trips to Earth, reaping soul after soul, and sacrificing sleep in favor of increasing our count. The trio took turns observing the abandoned planets, but only saw floating essence. Grace moved into Axton's room and worked too hard, though, at times, she disappeared. I'd sent Shadow after her to appease my concerns, only to discover that Grace had been visiting both Con and Corin on various occasions.
I'd also met with Con, collecting names of the Soulless that I could employ as spies. No one ever paid enough attention to them unless it was to abuse or blame them for something. They'd become fixtures, and most regarded them too stupid to understand much, anyway. That placed them in the ideal position to overhear things as they washed or cooked or stitched.
Trace made good on his promise of a date, though it hadn't gone quite as expected. It was a comedy of errors as it dragged on. The eatery caught fire while we were there, forcing us out before we ate. Then we were driven off Istra when a freak storm blew over the narrow pond we swam in. The only part that went right was the very end. He left me boneless and panting. Of course, he smirked and threw out a remark that he knew would lead to another round. And it did.
I also spent more of the King's credits on what I called marketing. If I tossed a few extra credits to some of the lower Reapers, they happily spread the word about how noble and lucrative reaping the forgotten souls could be. As more and more Reapers began chatting about it, more and more turned up at the DNB, ready to undertake their duty to the universe. Those who weren't Grims found it rather exciting since most had never been off-planet before.
Things seemed to be settling into a routine, and despite the lack of progress on identifying who was behind it, I carried a tiny speck of optimism that our path had smoothed itself out.
Except, I'd still felt that creepy, itchy sensation that occurred at seemingly random moments. I never discovered