"He was once Raziq. He will know of this plot, even if he is not involved."
I frowned. "Mom mentioned that word. What is it?"
"The Raziq were a minority group of priests dedicated to preventing demons from being summoned, and they believed the only way to do this was to permanently close the portals between this world and the next. They also believed this world would be better for it."
"Meaning they didn't care about the whole human-race-becoming-vegetables scenario?"
"No." He briefly looked surprised. "Why would they? The Aedh are not human—they aren't even nonhuman as you define the word. Nor are they reborn. They welcome the eternity of their death when it finally comes."
"But they interact with us. Hell, they beget children on us when they can't find an Aedh female. Surely there'd be a little self-interest in preserving us?"
"There are enough new souls born in this world to satisfy their need. They would not care about everyone else."
I stared at him for a moment, wishing I could read him, but in some ways glad I couldn't. "Would you care?"
One eyebrow rose fractionally. "Of course. It is our duty to guide souls. Without humans—or nonhumans—we have no purpose."
"And yet you said you have an existence outside of duty."
"I do. But that doesn't alter our purpose in life."
I shook my head. I didn't understand him at all, but I guess that wasn't really surprising. He was a reaper. "You said your Dušan saved you—from what? I would have thought the gray fields would be safe for reapers."
"For those of us who hunt, less so."
"Meaning the attack happened during a hunt?"
"No. Afterward. Someone tried to destroy me."