As I watched Axton line up the Groupings that would go first, my eye snagged on one particular Reaper.
Oh, fuck no. I leaned over, hissing in Grace's ear, “What the fuck is he doing here?”
“What's the name?” she whispered back.
“Neil Elliot.” That name left a rancid taste in my mouth.
She looked down at the ferrule, running her finger across the surface as she searched for him. When she spotted him, she paused for a moment. “Shows he volunteered.”
I knew that fucking loophole would bite me. How Neil found out about it, though, baffled me. We hadn't broadcasted that yet, hoping to use the gossip the Reapers brought home from Earth as fuel.
I marched over to where he stood. His half-smile didn't match the feelings he gave off. That made me stumble, but only for a step. I didn't want to show my hand at anything, but my mind whirled with questions of why I could feel him. I shouldn't be able to. Not anymore. We weren't connected in any way, and I hadn't touched him. Something had changed.
An echoing laugh reverberated through my head, but it wasn't my own.
I need more tabs. Now. No, I couldn't take them yet. Not while we were still in front of everyone. They would just be wasted anyway when I switched forms. I had to finish with Neil, then I could excuse myself.
While I'd been arguing with myself, I'd crossed the last few feet. Standing before Neil, I glared up at him and balled up my fists. I jerked my chin towards the side of the lobby and strode off before he tried to trap me in a conversation in front of the others. Of course, he followed.
“Apprentice Elliot, to what do we owe the pleasure of your presence?” I felt a tiny pinch of pride that I'd kept myself professional when all I wished to do was curse him out the door.
“Master Healani,” he said in a tone I didn't like. It sounded too intimate, too knowing. “I wanted to help. From what I understand, you have a rather enormous job ahead.”
“That we do. You are aware that if chosen, your entire Grim Grouping will be called? I'll expect at least six trips per session, and you'll be required to reap at least two souls per trip. That's twelve souls, minimum. This does not excuse you from your regular duties, either. There will be no glory for this.” My shoulders began to ache from the tension running through me. Why wouldn't he just go away like a good ex?
“Of course. But if it brings me a few moments with you, I'm prepared to do whatever I need to.” His smile grew, and he tilted his head like he always did when he thought he was being charming. Once I'd thought it was, too.
“It will get you nothing but the knowledge that you've helped a planet we are responsible for. Perhaps an interesting story or two.”
I can't wait for Trace and Neil to work together. Oh, this might be fun, after all.
“Aw, come on, Zella. Be nice. Smile.” Flames danced in my vision as he tapped beneath my chin with a finger. “When you're done here, I thought we could discuss it over a bite to eat.”
Is he serious? I gave him a vicious smile, one full of teeth and promises. All color leached from my sight as I struggled to wrestle with my urge to yank his soul free from his body. My eyes closed, and I sucked in a deep breath. Inside, I found the monster clinging to the side of my well, its mouth gaping, and its eyes bright.
When I opened my eyes, Neil's grin seemed slightly dimmer, but he tried to appear unworried as if he were confident I would just fall in line with what he wished. What does he want? Why won't he leave me alone?
“You will call me Master Healani at all times. And that's not going to happen.” My tone sounded so cold that I wouldn't be surprised if frost hadn't settled around us.
He shifted and looked away for a brief second before trying again. “Well, if you don't want to smile, that's okay. You look prettier when you do, though.”
“Apprentice Elliot, let me make this as clear as I can. I don't even want a work relationship with you, but since you are qualified and you volunteered, I have no choice. That pisses me off. No, shut your mouth until I'm