by Ali Winters
“I’m not sure what to say. I didn’t even know reapers were real, let alone that I had the power to destroy them. To be honest, I’m not even sure I believe any of this. That night in the alley, I saw a cloaked man near the guy who tried to mug the girl. I just wanted to help her.”
She didn’t know how to respond, so she kept quiet. Nivian didn’t know the first thing about how a hunter’s powers worked. He had come into contact with the reaper and destroyed him, but he didn’t destroy her when they’d touched.
They sat in silence, looking at each other for a while, before Kain spoke again.
“Is there a possibility I could talk to this Silas guy and explain that to him? Would he remove the mark? I’d really enjoy living a lot longer.”
“I don’t think he would. Caspian said he assumed that all hunters were eradicated during The Dissension. He was wrong. Now that you’ve destroyed reapers, your existence is known, and it’s a threat to reapers everywhere. This is a topic where Silas would have no room for mercy.”
Kain looked down at his empty coffee cup. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he wasn’t going to let himself be killed.
“So when and how do we do this?” His voice was soft and lacking the energy he had a few moments ago.
“I don’t know. Honestly, I’d rather not. Your life force isn’t set to end for several more centuries. It feels wrong to end a life force early,” she said, looking thoughtfully into the distance.
“Centuries?” His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open. “People don’t live that long.”
“Yes,” Nivian said in a matter-of-fact tone, not understanding his surprise. “All hunters have extended lives. Didn’t your hunter parents tell you?”
“No. My father left Ma when she was pregnant with me. If she knew anything about this, she would have told me a long time ago.”
“Caspian recently discovered that a group of hunters had escaped. Perhaps your father was one of them?” She paused, deep in thought for a moment. “It doesn’t feel right going into this with you without you being fully aware of your part in all of this. It doesn’t seem right. Find out what you can, talk to your mother and see what she knows.”
“Are you offering me a truce?”
“A temporary truce. Don’t take too long—I can give you a day at most. But, I can promise that I won’t kill you without warning.”
He nodded once in understanding.
For a hunter who was supposed to be a horrible being who went around killing reapers, he wasn’t as bad as she had been led to believe. As far as she was concerned, her human was an innocent in all this and happened to be a victim of circumstance. She wasn’t about to end a life force that didn’t know up from down before its natural time without giving him a fighting chance.
“You’re not a bad guy, Kain. I respect that.”
“Thank you.” Kain looked down at his watch. “I didn’t realize how late it was getting. I need time to process everything. And I suppose I should make a call to Ma before it’s too late.” He was glad Nivian seemed to have a conscience about whatever was going on between them. If he had to die, then he wanted to know why. Kain still found the whole thing a little hard to swallow. But things were beginning to add up—at least in the way that two plus two equaled banana—making it all a little harder to deny with each new bit of information.
Kain sat his cup down in the sink, before following Nivian to the door.
Opening the door she looked back over her shoulder, “Today was fun. Thank you,” she said.
Kain stopped inches in front of her.
She swallowed the lump that suddenly formed in her throat. He was so close; her skin tingled with his proximity.
“You should go now,” she said, her voice just above a whisper. Nivian could feel the heat creeping into her face. She dropped her head, letting her hair fall around her face. It bothered her how easy he was able to unnerve her.
“I should,” he responded without moving.
Nivian chanced a glance up. His eyes focused on hers, searching.
“Okay.” It was a silly response, but it was the only one her flustered mind could come up with.
Kain reached for the door and leaned in, closing it with a soft click. She glanced behind her, confusion wrinkling her forehead. Nivian turned back. In a blink, his mouth was crushing down on hers before she could question him. Her eyes went wide, and her body refused to move. His kiss was soft, and against her better judgment, Nivian could feel herself melting into it. Her mind fogged, preventing her from formulating a coherent thought. All too soon, Kain pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. One hand played with a small strand of her hair, pushing it behind her ear. The other was around her waist, holding her tightly against him. She breathed in deeply, the feel of him still lingered. Her eyes remained shut, the warmth of his breath brushed against her cheek.
Wow… what… what was that?
She leaned back, shaking her head to snap herself out of this trance. She remembered who she was, and who he was. Truce or not, this wasn’t how things were between them. They couldn’t be.
“W—what in Gaia’s name was that?” she snapped, pushing him away.
He grabbed her arms and pulled her against his chest. “I’ve never felt like I could get close to anyone, but I feel like I’ve known you longer than I’ve been alive. For once in my life I need to feel more than being alone. I can tell you feel something between us too.”
His face only a hair’s breath away, and his eyes searched hers… for something. She didn’t know what he was looking for, but she knew he wasn’t going to find it there. Not in her eyes, not in her mouth, and not with her.
Nivian removed his hands from her arms and backed up against the door. “Look, I get it, you want to feel something, or whatever, but you’re not going to find what you’re looking for with me.” She angrily wiped her mouth with the back of her hand with a disgusted sneer.
“Ouch, was it that bad?” he asked, his face fell, she had hurt him—but a hint of amusement played in his eyes.
Nivian dropped her hand from her mouth and studied him for several moments as she took in the situation. She burst out laughing and doubled over. Tears squeezed out between her lids as she struggled to regain her breath. “I’m sorry, Kain.” She straightened up, and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye as she sobered up. “No. It wasn’t bad, but you can’t do that.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?” His deep voice was barely audible.
“What?” Nivian furrowed her brows. What had gotten into him?
“Is that why?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m a reaper, and you’re a hunter. It’s not allowed. Besides, it wouldn’t work.” Her voice was firm. He needed to know there were rules between them, and they both had to follow them. Even if it was the best kiss she’d ever had.
“I’m sorry, Nivi. It was inappropriate of me to do that.” Kain ran his hand through his cropped, light brown hair. He sheepishly looked down at his feet and let out a deep sigh.
“It’s all right, Kain. But, you can’t do that again.”
Kain lifted his face to look at her, smiling like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Got it.” He stuck his hand out for her to shake. “Friends?”
“Friends,” Nivian agreed, smiling. She took his hand and let him shake it.
Nivian opened the door again. He took a step through the door, before he turned back to face her. “Thank you, for the truce. I’ll find you when I have some answers.”
Nivian nodded and watched him walk away, then closing the door with a soft click. She pressed her back against the door, her fingers floating to her lips on their own accord.
“Such a strange hunter,” she murmured. Frankly, her human was nothing like she could have ever expected. That thought caught her off guard. When did she start thinking of this mark—this hunter—as ‘her human’?
Seventeen
Camira
Camira
narrowed her eyes, crouching low on the railing of Nivian’s balcony. Her friend was a traitor. And she would be a traitor in Silas’s eyes when he found out. Not only had Nivian been friendly, spending time with her mark—as if he was worthy of being in the presence of a reaper for more than his death—but she had also kissed him! Furious, she leaped backwards off the railing and disappeared in a violent gust of wind.
Camira appeared outside the Great Hall. She threw open the doors, and stormed in, her hair flying wildly around her.
“Silas,” she called, stomping toward the underground throne room. “Silas!”
“Yes, Camira? What has you so upset, my reapling?” Silas stepped out from behind her, stopping her dead in her tracks.
Camira spun to face him, her fists clenched in anger. “She is a traitor, she must be dealt with—immediately!”
Silas held up a hand. “Calm yourself, Camira, and tell me what happened, from the beginning.” His voice was hard. He would not put up with outbursts in the Great Hall.
Walking up to her, he took her by the elbow and escorted her to his throne room. This would give them extra privacy. Whatever had her upset did not need to be shared with all of the others. Once things were settled down, he would teach Camira how to conduct herself appropriately. Reaching the room, Silas roughly dropped her arm. He took a seat on the throne and waved his hand.
“Now, you may begin.”
“Nivian is spending time with her mark. She treats him as if he were deserving of a reaper’s presence.”
“This mark is different, Camira. A Silencer must figure out a worthy death if they are to be successful.”
“But she kissed him, Silas! She has betrayed us,” she bit out, her fury almost choking her.
Silas stayed silent for a long time. Impatience rolled off her in waves. Her temper neared its breaking point. The timeless reaper before him had a lot to learn, if she were ever to get promoted. She had begged him for centuries to become a Silencer. But it was the way she handled herself in times like this that had kept him from giving her the position she wanted.
After several painfully long minutes, Silas spoke. “Is that all?”
“Is—is that all?” she stuttered in shock. “Silas, she is hanging out with him instead of following orders to carry out her mark! What more could there be?” Her voice grew higher in pitch as her disbelief turned into pure rage.
“Thank you, Camira,” he responded calmly. “I will take care of this.”
“Silas—” Camira whispered softly.
He waved his hand, silencing her. “You are dismissed.”
She nodded and straightened herself. Turning sharply on her heels, she stormed out of the room.
Camira was so close to losing it. She wanted to run back and shake him until he responded with the anger he should be feeling. He should be calling Nivian in and demoting her, or even destroying her for these actions. By spending time with him, she was breaking protocol. Nivian knew better. How dare he treat her like that! Dismissing her as if she had been acting like… like Nivian. She had only done what he had asked of her. Camira watched over Nivian as he had instructed her to do and reported in to let him know if she found anything. She had given him vital information. He had asked her to watch Nivian, and now that she had fulfilled her duty he did nothing more than sit. Why didn’t he care?
Nivian
Nivian needed to relax. A long, hot bath would usually help, but tonight it wasn’t working. She let out a sigh of frustration, pushing herself up. She stepped out of the tub and wrapped a blue and white striped towel around herself. She padded barefoot into the kitchen, and poured water into a kettle and placed it on the stove to heat while she changed.
Nivian straightened her spine as the temperature in the room dropped significantly. She grabbed her cloak and threw it over her shoulders. Clothes appeared on her body instantly. Her eyes darted around the room as she rushed to the kitchen. A note sat on her counter. She approached it with a feeling of trepidation. Nivian picked up the slip of paper and read the intricate writing. Only one word was written.
“Silas.”
Nivian sighed. It looked like her relaxing night would have to wait. A meeting with Silas couldn’t be put off. Turning off the stove, she pulled her hood over her head. What could he want to talk about? The thought made her stomach tighten into knots. Silas almost never requested the presence of anyone other than Caspian, unless it was something big.
Nivian walked through the Great Hall. Rounding the corner, she saw Silas waiting for her. His hood covered his head as always. Shadows played over his face, preventing even a partial view. The light moved as if it lived, avoiding his features out of fear. It played, getting close and backing off without ever touching him.
“Silas, you summoned me?” Nivian approached him somewhat timidly.
“Yes. Come with me, Nivian.”
She followed, leaving a space between them as they walked through the hall, and down the spiral staircase leading to the throne room. There were no windows on this level, no lights, but the shadows were never too thick to see through. The path down was long, and just when Nivian felt she would get dizzy, they reached the bottom.
She stepped forward until she reached the middle of the room and stopped. Slowly, he faced her, a motionless statue. She waited quietly for him to do or say anything. Her mind raced, her stomach tightened more. Thoughts of everything she had said and done flew through her mind, until a cold, heavy hand landed on her shoulder, bringing her attention back to the situation.
“Do you know why I summoned you here?”
“No.” her voice strangled with uncertainty. She cleared her throat and repeated herself with confidence. “No.”
“I understand you are having a little trouble with this mark. I know it is a very unusual case for you.” His voice was patient, but somehow carried a threat behind it.
Nivian could only nod. Exactly how much did he know? What kind of trouble did he think she was having?
“As you no doubt have found out, he is a hunter. I believe he is of one of the few descendants who had escaped The Dissension, which makes him exceedingly dangerous. I have come to believe he is more powerful than any other.”
Nivian shifted on her feet. Silas paced, slowly circling her. She felt like a trapped mouse being stalked by a cat, unable to move. She held her breath.
“You alone are capable of defending yourself against him.” His voice boomed throughout the large room, echoing off the walls.
“Why me?” she asked. It didn’t make any sense why she, one of the youngest reapers, had powers the elder reapers did not.
“You were made with a particular purpose in mind, Nivian.”
“I don’t understand.” Her eyes darkened.
“Do not worry, you will understand in time. But first, tell me about your mark. What is it you are having a difficult time with?” His demeanor was calm, and his voice held a hint of concern for her, yet a nagging feeling told her that he was hiding something behind his relaxed exterior. She didn’t know if it was anger or a secret he kept from her, but he wasn’t telling her.
“He—I was scared he would destroy me as he had the others. He managed to sneak up on me today. I thought I was safe, but I was careless. He didn’t attack. I don’t think he knew anything about being a hunter, his powers, or about the war. He said he didn’t know he had destroyed any of the reapers. I believe he is innocent of what has happened. He isn’t bad,” she said, the words rushing out in one breath.
“Innocent?” Silas said, taken aback. “Dear Nivian, no hunter in the history of time has ever been innocent.” He chuckled.
Nivian bit her lip, feeling self-conscious. Kain was naive of the ways of the hunters, but Silas would never believe it. “I believe him, Silas,” she responded defensively and lowered her chin.
“Would you stake your life on his claims of innocence?” His voice mocked. Silas stopped in front of her and studied her face. His will imposed itself on her, tried to
force her submission. She refused to look away—she wouldn't submit.
Nivian narrowed eyes. “Yes.”
Silas may be beyond any power Nivian had ever known, but she knew Kain didn’t have the heart of a hunter bent on destruction. Silas was wrong about Kain, and there was no doubt in her mind that Kain had been honest.
Silas remained silent, seeming to contemplate her words. She would bet her life on this hunter’s honesty.
“It is absolutely absurd. The only hunter that can be trusted is a dead one.”
Nivian furrowed her brows. “What if the human who raised him didn’t know about hunters? He said his father had left before he was born.”
“All right. We shall say he and his guardian did not know,” Silas said calmly. Nivian’s head shot up at his words. She barely had time to process his words before he continued. “He is; however, still a threat. One that must be nullified. While he cannot destroy you as you are, you are still not powerful enough to carry out this mark alone. He is more powerful than I anticipated he would be.”
Nivian cocked her head to the side. “Then, why did you…?” Her voice trailed off.
“Why did I insist the mark be taken care of already?” he finished for her. Nivian nodded. “I was not aware of his full power at the time. It was an oversight on my part, and I apologize for my error. The strength of his powers is beyond what should ever have been possible.”
Nivian nodded. She tightened her fists at her sides, willing Silas to drop the mark against Kain. Her breath caught in anticipation, as she clung to the small hope that he would.
“Regardless, Nivian, he will be taken care of.”
Then again, maybe not. Her heart dropped into her stomach.
“Silas, I don’t feel right about this. He has no knowledge of his powers. It isn’t fair.”
“Life is not about fairness, Nivian, You know that. It is about the balance. By reaping him, you will make the veil between realms stronger. Do not think of it as taking advantage of his situation. You will do what you were created to do.” Silas walked over and put both hands on her shoulders. “Come, I must prepare you.”