Page 19 of Reaper's Quest

Until that moment, the notion hadn’t even occurred to me that sleep or finding time to rest mightpose a challenge. Never before had I taken on a reaping that lasted longer than a day.

Swallowing the lump forming in my throat, I forced my shoulders to relax.

Worry is a waste of thought and energy, I told myself. Another little wisdom I’d picked up from my father. And a wisdom I usually found impossible to practice successfully.

The thought of my father reminded me…

He’d mentioned putting a couple of items in my bag. The crow caller and something else. I pulled my pack into my lap and, shoving my ponytail out of the way while nibbling on my lower lip, tugged on the zipper.

Please be outrageously powerful and easy to use.

Don’t be soul-shattering like the last piece.

I dove my hand into the depths of my bag, searching. Then froze to the sound of whispered footsteps coming up behind me.

6

“So…”

The husky word vibrated through me, and I startled, a tiny squawk escaping my lips. Not only had I not expected Chace’s approach, but he stood closer than anticipated. His expression morphed as he dropped onto the bench across from me, positioning himself on the seat’s edge, his body facing me, and legs sprawled in the aisle. His usual arrogance gave way to…what? Confusion? Surprise?

I could relate. Although, I suspected for a different reason.

Yanking my hand free from my bag, and sensing my eyes had blown a tad too wide, I schooled my features. Damn him for catching me unaware. With casual yet swift movements, I shoved my bag against the window, out of his line of sight.My body became a barrier between him and my things. My secret contraband.

His gaze followed my actions, a barely there smile tugging at the edge of his lips.

And… his usual arrogant self reemerged.

I pinned him with a hard stare, my brow pinching. I could only imagine his current thoughts, given the direction of his attention. But whatever they were, they would not come to fruition if they involved rifling through my belongings.

His gaze dipped to my finger, then jumped back to my face, an unusual glimmer brightening his eyes for a split second. My trust in his thoughts plummeted even farther.

Scratching the back of his neck, he released a long breath. “Did your folks happen to tell you anything that Aldine may have failed to mention in his weak task overview?”

My gut thrummed. Should I trust and share or remain silent?

Raising one leg, I rested my foot on the seat and wrapped my arms around my bent knee. I weaved my fingers, clenching the hold, one thumb tapping-tapping-tapping against the other. “Not really. No. How about you? Your family tell you anything?”

“Nah.” He shrugged, and I could have sworn he struggled to hold back a grin. “Wish they’d had something, but I guess we’ll just have to figure it out on the job.”

“Hopefully that works out.” My voice sounded soft, likely distant, as my thoughts shifted over all the possibilities that might await us.

Knowing what little I did, I couldn’t help but fear we’d hopped onto a fast tumble ride into Hades. No soulscollected in a hundred years, reapers sent and not returning, the chance of my electronic communicator not functioning…thus no calling anyone for help, and me and Chace being singled out, forced toworktogether.

But, sure, we’d figure everything out on the job.

I nodded, rather absentmindedly, and glanced at Mr. Aldine’s sleeping form at the front of the car.

I could do the same, nap during the ride, and delay dealing with my new, dark reality for a little while longer. That idea held particular appeal.

With a sigh on my lips, I turned back to Chace’s awaiting gaze. “I’m going to try and catch a fewZs. Just in case we don’t get another opportunity anytime soon.”

His gaze coasted over my face, appearing to linger a tad too long on my cheeks, my lips. “That’s probably a good idea.”

Humming my agreement, I twisted away from him and molded my bag into a makeshift pillow as Chace stood and turned to leave. Only, he didn’t walk away.

Instead, he swiveled back to me. “I realize we don’t really know each other all that well, and we haven’t been the most tolerant toward one another—family feud and all. But I hope we can get along, work together, and come through this task in one”—he flipped his hand toward me, then motioned to Aldine—“two…maybe three solid pieces.”