Not when they knew they were looking for a rogue Reaper now, and not when Cole had taken the Vitality from that man’s body just as much as I had. He wasn’t a Reaper, but he’d still drunk it down straight from the source.
Unnatural.
Impossible.
Here, and standing warm and living beside me, and I still couldn’t find it in me to regret it for even a moment.
We wereon the edge of a graveyard, standing behind gates, though it wasn’t the iron keeping us out—it was the strongest barrier I’d ever felt in my life. I was fairly certain I couldn’t have pushed through it, even if I’d used all my strength.
It was perfect.
I didn’t know if it would keep us safe forever, but it was better than anything I could possibly have come up with, stronger than anything I’d ever felt.
Wren had gotten on the phone after I’d finally talked him into asking his friend for help, and after a short conversation where he’d confirmed that I was the Reaper who’d helped Theo, the call ended and Wren had given us the address to the cemetery where we stood now.
At first, I was worried we were going to be left waiting, as the sky above us started to darken and the sound of thunder in the distance warned of rain. And then I saw a blond head appear. A man started toward us, and my eyes widened slightly.
I’dseenhim before, fleeing as I’d come to reap souls.
Souls.
The man was a killer, and from what Wren had told me… he wasn’t human.
He came into view, and I was caught up in his eyes—a burst of lilac surrounded by blue so light it was almost white.
Ex-cupid.
On some level, it was almost fitting that we were here. After all, he’d gone against the laws of his master as well, hadn’t he?
That was why he was here.
That was why he was desperate for a favor.
“Are you Gethin?” Cole sounded braver than he should have, and the only thing that showed he was feeling nervous was the way his hand spilled out, his fingers brushing against the back of mine again.
He was still fighting his feelings during the day, but there was only so much he could do… only so long he could pretend.
I’d take the little gestures.
“You’re… the Reaper and the… what, half ghost? Psychic vampire? Freak of nature?” Gethin’s smile wasn’t friendly when he looked us over, and Cole’s scowl was full of irritation when he stepped closer. I caught his hand before he had a chance to try to cross the barrier. I wasn’t sure if it would hurt him… if it would try to rip his soul from his body so the human parts of him could still cross.
Whatever it would do, I wasn’t going to take the chance. I threaded my fingers through his and pulled so he bumped back against my chest… and the shock that poured through me when I felt the way he settled was enough to make us both go quiet.
Gethin looked between us, and then his eyes dropped down to Cole’s chest and he let out a bitter laugh.
“Gods, what does Wren think this is, Gethin’s home for wayward soulmates?” He shook his head and stepped forward, standing on the edge of the barrier and running his fingers along it like he could see it.
“What?” I had no idea what he was talking about, and he rolled his oddly colored eyes heavenward as the thunder drew closer and it started to rain.
“It’s a television… you know what? Never mind. I’ll help you, but I want a favor in return.”
A favor.
That was exactly what Wren had said he would want. I was putting a lot of faith in the cupid, trusting that the man in front of us wouldn’t do anything to betray us… trusting that his barrier would hold.
I was putting my life and Cole’s in the hands of a man who Iknewwas a killer… but when he murmured something beneath his breath and I could almost see the door in the barrier open, I didn’t hesitate.
“Whatever I can give.”
