by Liz Long
I nodded. “I still find it hard to believe that he’s an angel.”
“Tell me about it,” Tessa said, rolling her eyes. “He did help us defeat Alistair, though. Looks like I was right, Tully. We had to ask an angel for some help.”
Tully’s lips pursed, but he said nothing. He took a few steps over to the window, maybe for his last glimpse of this earth.
Tessa put an arm around me, keeping her voice low. “I’ll miss Tully, but I’m glad you’re sticking around.”
“You did mention that you were ready for something interesting to happen,” I said. We shared a grin.
“That was a bit dramatic even for me. Maybe next time there won’t be a near apocalypse. I’ve got things to do.”
“That reminds me,” I said, forefinger coming to my lips in thought, “don’t you have a hot date with an angel?”
Instead of the usual scowl, she merely shrugged. I couldn’t help but grin at her warming up to the idea.
“An angel,” she said, marveling at the fact. “I’d never met one and now one’s taking me out for dinner. And here I said life was getting boring.”
“I thought angels were supposed to be all proper,” I said, directing my question at Tully. “How’d we get the fun one of the bunch?”
Tully’s left shoulder came up an inch. “Rhys has always been a character.”
My jaw dropped. “Wait, you knew?”
“Not until very recently, but that does not change the fact that he is indeed a character,” Tully said. A hint of a smile played on his lips.
“But why didn’t you say anything?” I asked.
“It was not my place to reveal the truth. I—make that we—are a chosen few who know his true identity.”
Tessa’s brow wrinkled. “But that story about angels not helping out…”
“That is typically how it goes,” Tully said, holding his hands behind his back. “Rhys is a very unique individual. I did not know he would be interested in helping us until after he brought in the Oracle.
“I had my suspicions once we heard the prophecy, but I certainly was not going to ask him about his lineage. I had no idea he and Alistair had such a long history. Seems it all came full circle, as fate would have it.”
Tessa looked even more interested now. I waved a hand at him. “Before you go, are there any other secrets I should know about?”
He mulled over it for a moment, coming up with a shrug. “You’ll find them out eventually. You’ve got all the time in the world.”
“Literally,” Tessa said under her breath.
I remembered Alistair’s weapon from the doom room. “What about the scythe?”
Tully’s mouth turned up as he pointed to an item on Tessa’s coffee table. I bit back a giggle. Tessa had wrapped up the world’s worst weapon in a pink bed sheet.
“What do we do with it?” I asked.
Tully’s mouth twisted underneath the red beard. “I suppose we take it back to the elders. Even if they cannot destroy it, they will hold onto it for safekeeping, prevent any of our enemies from getting their claws on it.”
A knock on the door made us all glance up. Tessa went to open it; when she returned, Rhys swaggered in behind her. He looked human again, his wings back in their hidden position. I couldn’t even see the ripples of feather and muscle underneath the tight shirt. Before I could wonder how that worked, he held up a piece of paper held between two fingers.
“Wings burning?” I asked innocently. Rhys spared me an questioning glance. Tessa shot me ‘the look’ and I refrained from more teasing.
“Phineas told me I should stop by with this immediately,” he said, addressing Tessa.
“Does he know your real identity?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Can’t really fool an Oracle. He’s good at keeping secrets though.”
“Clearly. For the record, your secret’s safe with me.”
“I never doubted for a moment. That makes you and four others. Thank you for your discretion.”
“Thank you for saving our asses,” I replied. He smiled at that.
Tessa reached for the paper and he pulled his hand back, teasing her. Rather than snap at him as I’d expected, she only raised a single eyebrow at him.
“Do I get to hear your whole story?” she asked her date.
Rhys gave her a dazzling smile and while she maintained a lukewarm demeanor, I saw the sparkle in her eyes. Rhys definitely had the advantage of being a beautiful angel. “For you, pretty witch, I’m an open spell book.”
I didn’t miss the heat in their gaze as he offered the slip of paper to her again. She plucked it out of his grasp, rewarding him with a tiny smile.
“Whoa,” she said, checking out the instructions, “this is quite a spell.”
“It’s an old one for sure,” Rhys agreed. “Another one you won’t find in any of your books.”
I cleared my throat; Tessa snapped to attention. She quickly turned and gathered her magical materials. She grew serious as she worked. I appreciated it; we couldn’t afford a mistake on this one.
Her face pinched with concentration, she combined ingredients into her bowl. Rhys wandered over to peruse her bookshelves and I took my opportunity to say goodbye. I gave Tully one last smile.
“I’ll miss you, ya know,” I said.
“I am glad,” he said, “as I will miss you.”
The words warmed my very soul.
“Showtime,” Tessa said. She gathered us in a circle around Tully. The older Reaper didn’t look nervous, exactly, but the way he shifted his feet gave away his anxiety.
Tessa murmured words under her breath. It didn’t matter what they were; I didn’t hear them, too focused on watching Tully ascend. Tessa’s voice grew stronger, her hands beginning to spark. Little bits of electricity popped off her fingertips as the spell took hold from her power.
Like with other souls, the wind came into the room, surrounding us. Tully’s shaggy red hair ruffled in the air. His blue eyes didn’t leave mine as Tessa said the words. Beneath the beard, his lips curved into a gentle smile; my heart swelled as I knew he would soon feel peace. We shaded our eyes against the glow surrounding my maker.
Tully gasped. He stared somewhere behind me, his expression awed. “Alana?”
“You can see them?” I asked in excitement.
“My daughter,” Tully said, his voice far away. He smiled, the first truly happy smile I’d ever seen. “My wife - they are waiting for me.”
“Take care, Tully.”
Tully’s freckled arm came up so that his hand covered his heart. “Thank you, Grace, for what you’ve given me.”
My hand went up in goodbye. I allowed myself a broad grin, beyond happy for my maker. He didn’t even try to give me a dirty look. Before our eyes, Tessa said the last words of the spell and Tully faded out of existence.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
I stood still for several long minutes, my eyes glued to the spot where Tully had stood. I’d made the right decision to stay, there was no doubt in my mind. Tully would now be with his family, finally happy. If anyone deserved peace, it was him, especially after what I’d learned about his death.
It wasn’t until Rhys cleared his throat that I finally looked up. He and Tessa both stared at me, clearly waiting for me to make the next move. I shrugged.
“Don’t look at me, I’ve got no clue what I’m doing,” I said.
Tessa laughed; even the handsome angel cracked a smile.
“I guess I need to go back to my rounds, make sure my souls are doing okay.”
Rhys shifted his weight. “You obviously don’t have to listen to me or anything, but might I suggest you first go to the elders and explain the situation? They’re going to need your help filling in the blanks.”
I gulped. “Say what? I thought Tully took care of that.”
“When did he have time?” Tessa asked, her pretty face nonplussed. I guessed she was right; between saving the souls and ascending, he hadn’t had a chance to go i
nform the elders of what they’d missed.
“I’m not sure I’m the best person for the job,” I said, biting my lip. “I might’ve been there, but I’m a Made. Alistair was an Original, for crying out loud.”
“An Original who broke every rule in the book because he was a selfish bastard,” Rhys reminded me. “Always has been, even before human creation.”
I grimaced. He had a point, but I still wasn’t keen on the idea of walking back into that cold vault to explain myself. Rhys noticed my hesitation.
“What if…what if I went with you?” he asked.
“You can go in there?” Tessa asked in surprise. “I thought it was a Reapers-only club.”
“And Reapers started out as angels,” he reminded her. “I’m allowed in. They might not be pleased to see me, but they won’t kick me out or anything.”
“I definitely wouldn’t mind,” I said. “I’m a little worried they might reap me on the spot for ridding the world of an Original.”
“A power-hungry, jealous Original intent on destroying Fate itself,” Tessa said. She raised an eyebrow. “They ought to give you an award.”
“I think that was Tully’s ascension,” I said with a smile.
A few minutes later, I stood next to Rhys, waiting nervously for our departure. He gave me a wink. “No worries, Grace. They can’t behead you, you’re already dead.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Rhys grinned and called out to Tessa. “We’ll be back shortly. Why don’t you get ready for dinner and we’ll head out when we return?”
I couldn’t believe my eyes when Tessa blushed, waving us out of her apartment. Rhys placed a large hand on my shoulder. He transported us out of there, reappearing in the spot where elders hid in plain sight. I thought of Tully and felt a pang in my chest.
“You ready?” Rhys asked me.
“Let’s just get it over with,” I muttered, stepping forward.
We walked into the cold building. This time it was I who ignored the angel statues while Rhys gazed at them with awe and respect. I couldn’t help but notice the one that looked remarkably like him, with the same strong nose and broad shoulders. Before I could comment on it, a voice sounded behind us, echoing in the large, empty chamber.
“Grace Reynolds.”
I spun around to find the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. She wore the usual black cloak, though it did nothing to hide her womanly figure. Where Alistair had olive skin and white hair, this female’s porcelain complexion shone in the pale light that peeked through the mausoleum’s windows. Her long blonde curls trailed down to her trim waist and azure eyes stared me down, though they were gentler than Alistair’s golden ones.
My mouth fell open in surprise. She didn’t miss my reaction.
“You are a female Reaper, are you not? Why are you so surprised to see another one in front of you?” she asked.
“Been surrounded by too many men, I suppose,” I blurted out.
The corner of her mouth twitched. “Yes, it does seem like males are the dominating gender, aren’t they?”
“Only in the last few centuries,” Rhys said. I jumped, having nearly forgotten he was there.
“You are Tully’s progeny?” she asked.
I nodded, struggling to get my wits together. I had to stop staring at her. She paid my ogling no mind.
“Rhys,” she greeted the angel by my side. She nodded at him in a respectful way that he returned.
“Helena. So good to see you. You haven’t aged a day.”
“Nor have you,” she said.
I didn’t miss the appreciative glance she gave when he turned his head away. I already liked her. A memory flashed before me.
“Wait, Helena?” I asked, turning to Rhys. He grinned as though he knew what I was thinking. “As in your girl H? She was your source for Tully’s info?”
He shrugged, confirming the answer. “She didn’t have a lot of people she could trust. Luckily, I’m one of the good ones.”
I glanced at Helena, her calm face giving nothing away. Her silence, however, spoke volumes and I knew Rhys spoke the truth. “Did you give Tully his stipend to pay Rhys?”
She bobbed her head. “I had to make sure no one was the wiser. Reapers may be granted money under dire circumstances. I considered this one of them. Tully already suspected something wasn’t right. I trusted him to find the truth. I could do no such thing without bringing unwanted attention.”
“Are you…an Original?” I asked, unsure if it was rude.
Her curls moved with her nod. “Yes, I am one of the few that reside in this structure.”
I bit my lip, unsure of what I should say to that. She noticed my discomfort and lifted a hand to guide the way.
“Please, do not fear me. You are welcome in the House of Reapers. We have much to discuss.”
I hesitated, glancing at Rhys. He gave me an encouraging nod. “You’ll be fine. I’ll wait out here.”
I followed Helena into her chamber, a room far warmer than Alistair’s intimidating corporate-looking office. Her tasteful gold and green walls reminded me of a forest. Hundreds of books lined the walls, but comfortable chairs and couches littered the floor. Several books lay open on the tables. It was clear she spent a lot of time reading, whereas Alistair had simply made it look like he read. She had a desk like Alistair, but rather than lead us over there, she guided me to the plush seats near the crackling fireplace. She eased back against the soft cushion, crossing her ankles in a ladylike fashion. Her blue eyes stayed on me, watching me as I observed our surroundings.
“I am sure you have many questions,” Helena began, “but first I must ask you to recount the past few days. I, as well as the other elders, have only been aware of a few major details. It appears as though Alistair kept much of it to himself, including his own intentions. I hoped you could fill in the rest.”
“Of course,” I said.
I started from the beginning, back to when Tully took us to the bar to meet Rhys. I told her everything, from our first visit with Alistair and visiting my parents’ house, to the discovery of Alistair’s betrayal and how we’d defeated him. The only thing I left out was my little fling with Matt as it had no real value to the story. I had to give Helena credit; she had a great poker face, unblinking even when I mentioned Moloch and the scythe of doom. It wasn’t until I’d finished with my arrival here that she leaned forward in her chair.
“And where is the scythe now?” she asked.
I hesitated at first, but the honesty in her open expression made me certain I could trust her. I pulled out the pink-clothed item from behind me, where I’d tucked it into the waistband of my scrubs. Helena’s brow raised an inch at the sheet, but she grew solemn as she unwrapped the item. The scythe came into view, the orange glow of firelight flickering off the silver metal. I pretended not to notice Helena’s hand shake as she handled the weapon with great care.
“As far as I’m concerned, this doesn’t exist,” I said. “I understand its importance and why no one should ever know its location.”
Helena nodded, rewrapping the blade in pink cloth. She stood and crossed the room, placed it on her desk. She returned to her seat and leaned forward, capturing my hands in hers. I became hypnotized by her clear blue eyes and soft voice.
“You may have become involved due to the danger your family was put in, but you followed through because you understand what it means to tempt fate and endanger souls. You are very brave to have done what you did.”
“It helped that I had an amazing mentor,” I said. “He taught me everything I know.”
“And for that, Tully has been rewarded. You are quite bright to realize the prophecy’s meaning of your connection and allow him that passage. He may enter paradise with a clear conscience and be with his family for all eternity.”
I nodded, knowing she could see the happiness I had for him all the way down to my own soul.
“Please know that h
ad we been aware of the circumstances, we would’ve interfered with Alistair’s plans. It had nothing to do with the fact the kidnapped Reapers were Mades.”
Perplexed, I shook my head. “I never thought anything of the sort.”
Helena had the good grace to look both relieved and a bit ashamed. “We know there is talk, of the supposed hierarchies between Mades and Trues. We Originals, it was never our intention to create disharmony. Not all of us felt the way Alistair did about being chosen to reap.”
“Not all,” I repeated slowly, raising my brow, “then how many?”
She shook her head. “Alistair was the only one with the balls to try something.”
I could swear I saw mischief in her eyes and my lips twitched at her wording. I never would’ve expected an angel like her to say such a thing. I must’ve still looked concerned, because she pursed her lips as though debating to continue. After a minute, she seemed to trust me enough to confide in me.
“The elders, we will be conducting extensive trials for Mades and Trues alike. We will make sure this kind of event never happens again.”
“Not a bad idea,” I murmured.
“I have spoken with the elders about your heroism,” Helena said. “They believe you should also be rewarded.”
I looked up at her, wondering if that meant crossing over. She read the question on my face and gave me an apologetic look.
“I am sorry, but that is out of the question. You were right in that the prophecy applied to Tully, but the ascension was only for one Reaper.”
I deflated, withdrawing my hands and placing them back in my lap. “I understand. I hope you know that I don’t expect or need a reward. I’m proud of what we did and my only real request is that you don’t banish me as a spirit or reap my soul because of my actions.”
Helena laughed, a lovely tinkling sound that reminded me of wind chimes. “Child, we would do no such thing. You saved Fate itself. We are more than willing to overlook your keeping an eye on living family in order to protect them.”
“I’m glad. The more I thought about it, the less I wanted to cross over. I really do like helping souls move on.”