Everything in me deflated. Everything besides the monster, that is. The petty beast began jabbing me with the tip of its claws, punishing me for not giving it the fear and violence it craved. My hand dipped into my pocket, just like it had with the note, except this time, I hauled out my container of tabs. Grace stared at me while I dug a few out and tossed them into my mouth.
“What?” I asked as I dropped the rattling container back into my pocket. “These help that medical thing you saw. Anyway, the older lady. What exactly did she look like? I've seen a lot of older Reapers in my life.”
She cleared her throat before answering, “Black hair, of course. Definitely Reaper, but she didn't wear clothing that I've seen here. It didn't really feel very clear, though.”
“Hmm, I'm not sure. Maybe my mother? And since Angels aren't used to viewing others' memories, it probably wouldn't be distinct. I didn't even realize your kind could receive them.” Or could they and they'd hid the capability from Reapers?
Angels, in general, could see where new life should go. Of course, some had the ability to read lives, or rather, the sins of those lives. They didn't go through the Reading like we did, though. Those Angels worked in the soul soup room, judging where the soul would go next and what form it would take.
“Hey, maybe you're a Judge,” I exclaimed, twirling to face her as I floated backwards.
She shook her head. “No, they tested me for that as well. Actually, they tested me for every single ability that has ever been mentioned as connected to Angels. Nothing.”
“Then maybe you need to be tested again. Grims gain abilities as we convert the energy from Death, but even non-Grim Reapers have been known to suddenly develop something new. Or maybe you have something that Angels haven't ever achieved before. Both of your parents were Angels, right? Like fully Angels?”
“Oh, yes. My father often boasts about that fact. Honestly, I think that's why I'm broken. Their limited choices for partners have finally caught up with them. Well, with me. Too much interbreeding.” Her arms folded over her chest, her fingers digging into each arm as though she needed to hold herself together. “It's fine. I have other very useful talents that I've worked hard to develop.”
“Absolutely. I would have just snatched random Grims from the lobby if we didn't have you to help.” I mimed pulling someone to me and threw my arm over their imaginary shoulders as I put on a stern face. “Well, Pax, I have a job for you. What's that? Of course, you won't gain power, and no, you don't get to skip your regular grind, but hey, it's for the good of people you've never heard of.” I deepened my voice and continued. “Well, that sounds super. I've always wanted more work for fewer benefits. Thanks, Zella.”
“I don't think that would have gone over very successfully.”
Her dry tone made me chuckle, and when she glanced at me, she joined in. Before we reached the DNB, both of us were gasping for air between ragged laughs. Shadow ran back and forth between us, her sounds of excitement bleeding into my head when she touched me.
Was my impersonation that funny? Of course not. But we were running on fumes, doomed for failure, and filled to the brim with pressure. On my end, a dash of guilt was thrown on top because of the whole 'should I kill her' moment. Besides, she'd defied the orders to deny the other half of herself. We deserved a bit of joy, even if the trio did look at us like we'd dropped our minds somewhere on our walk.
Chapter Thirty-Six
We sat in a corner of the lobby, hurrying through our meal. The food smelled delicious; its spicy fumes so strong that I knew my tongue should be on fire. As it was, though, I didn't really taste much, since I barely chewed before I swallowed. We were due in Dalrin shortly, but before we left, I wanted to take a peek into their minds.
When I finished gulping down my last bite, I scanned the lobby and found it mostly empty—the desk guy, a couple of female Reapers headed into the back, and one lone Reaper exited the right-side door. Still, I didn't want to take any chances, so I threw up the sound distortion around our small square seating