to get all of these violent urges out. Yeah, that sounds so good. What do you think, Grace? Getting a bump in rank and getting to beat the shit out of someone is the perfect way to start our venture.”
I spun around, and a bit of pride dripped into my well when I found her standing as tall as possible. Her tiny frame was overshadowed by her glare and deep frown.
“Oh, yes. Section 45, subsection 23, line 3, gives us the authority to detain any being or soul on any planet that impedes our ability to carry out our duties to clear the planet designated as Earth. Line 4 further instructs us on apprehending them, even allowing us to do so here, on Delon. A quick summary instructs us to use whatever method we deem necessary,” she recited, nodding the entire time. “Subsection 24 pertains to the detention and treatment of anyone we have reason to suspect is involved with perpetuating the block on Earth. It is a harsh, very harsh language.”
I caught the apparent hint she threw out and spun to face the Reaper that now appeared to be trying out his' too relaxed to be suspicious' routine. He'd clearly been inside this building for far too long because his acting skills were quite poor. The tenseness of his body made his attempt look awkward at best. The bead of sweat that dripped down his cheek didn't help sell his farce, either.
“You know, Grace, I believe that someone in charge of a division of Investigators would have access to enough of the system to be able to muck around with Earth's status.”
His pupils expanded, and grey infused his face before he opened his mouth. It promptly shut before he spoke any words. After shifting in his chair and clearing his throat, he leaned back. “I'm not nearly old enough to have been around when that planet got lost. Your threat is ridiculous.”
He practically fell backwards when I thrust forward, sticking my face close enough to his I smelled the lau he'd eaten on his breath. “How do you know how long ago someone wiped it? The King never released that information, and very few of us have traveled there.”
Silence stretched out, and I almost worried that his poor brain would overheat from the work he put it through, something he didn't seem to do that often.
“Fine. I'll go get your stupid ferrule. It was only a welcome joke. We do the same for new Investigators. None of them are as touchy as you Grims are. You need to learn how to get along with others if you plan on sticking around here. Lots of things can happen to Reapers that don't have others watching their back.” He scoffed and pursed his lips but didn't stand until I backed away.
As I folded my arms across my chest, I cocked my head. “Is that supposed to be a threat of some sort? Because it needs work. Now go fetch my ferrule.”
His grey pallor only grew darker, but he didn't retort. Instead, he stood and floated around me before exiting.
I followed him, beckoning Grace with a slight movement of my hand. The Investigator halted, turned, and found me close enough to touch him.
“Are you following me?” His words thinned and sounded much higher than his usual.
“Yes.” My fingers flicked in the direction we'd been floating in, signaling for him to continue.
I didn't care if he didn't like it. I didn't care if he couldn't believe someone had the audacity to do so. And if I seemed haughty? Well, that didn't matter, either. His ploy to show me my place and make me look incompetent at the same time had failed. He deserved far worse than what I'd done, but, much to my monster's disappointment, I didn't have the time to worry with him. After all, I had no intention of using the tiny room and being hidden away like a shameful secret.
When he stopped and gestured at the trash, I simply stared. He'd put it in there, so he could retrieve it. After a heaving sigh, he turned and lifted the lid, revealing a few boxes from a local eatery.
After a bit of digging, he finally pulled it free, thrusting it at me. I leaned forward, noting the sticky-looking mystery substance on the surface. Having seen this office's recreational activities while in soul form, I didn't want to touch it.
Instead, I stared him directly in the eyes as I gathered a part