“Right, sorry,” Ladybird says. “Have you seen Gloom, and where exactly does Mortem work?”
Harmony tries to tug from Ladybird’s grasp, but she doesn’t let her. Mors looks at the situation before a wide smile takes over her face.
“I knew it would take a nutty one to finally lock Gloom down. Our apartment building is two blocks to the right. Gloom is apartment 5C. Mortem’s office is that massive black building with the reflective glass. You know what, I’m not too busy to watch this all go down,” Mors says, following us down the street.
“Let go of me. Cupio, I swear if you don’t take me back to Cupidale right now, everyone is going to know about this. You’ll be overthrown immediately.”
Harmony pops out her wings, hoping that will slow Ladybird down, but it doesn’t.
“Let me go. I’ll make a retraction. Please.”
“Nope, that ship has sailed,” Ladybird says firmly.
Harmony tugs against Ladybird’s hold, but she’s too strong.
“Gloom should be outside in three, two, one,” Mors counts down. As soon as she hits one, Gloom, Love, Death, and Juliet all stand outside of the doorway looking dumbfounded.
“You’re here? In Purgatory?” Gloom says, looking at the woman our girlfriend is holding hostage. “With another cupid.”
“That’s Harmony Lindt. Gods, this is terrifyingly romantic,” Love says to Gloom, and I just shrug my shoulders.
“You kidnapped the woman who wrote the article?” Gloom asks.
“See. Did everyone hear that? I’ve been kidnapped,” Harmony says, and Ladybird just tugs on her arm.
“It’s a romantic gesture. To show that the article didn’t mean anything,” Ladybird says.
“We want you, Gloom. We don’t care what anyone thinks,” I add in, and Ladybird gives me a satisfied smile.
“Okay, you proved to your little boyfriend you’re all in. Can you take me home now?” Harmony complains.
“No,” Ladybird says, and Love and Gloom grin wildly.
“Uh, Birdie, babe, as hot as this all is, you’re going to have to let her go at some point,” Gloom says.
“She printed libel about reapers, that they aren’t capable of love, which is a complete lie. I don’t see anyone more fit to dish out her punishment than your very own Head Reaper.”
“I love my life,” Love says, and Gloom laughs.
“All right then, let’s take her to Mortem.”
“Fuck,” Death hisses under his breath.
It’s a ridiculous sight. The way Ladybird is dragging this woman down the streets of Purgatory with purpose. As we finally get to the building, I realize I love this insane woman with all of my heart.
“Please, no. They’ll sacrifice me,” Harmony complains.
“What do you think this place is?” Mors asks, and she and Ladybird share a moment of comradery. Gloom seems pleased his best friend and Ladybird have found some common ground.
Instrumental music plays in the elevator on our way up to Mortem’s office.
When we reach the floor we’re greeted with a surly secretary that no one speaks to besides Ladybird.
“I understand we don’t have an appointment. But I need your Head Reaper to dish out a punishment for this cunty cupid who is spreading lies, saying reapers aren’t capable of love and other unseemly things.”
The secretary taps her dark nails against the wood and looks Ladybird up and down.
“We’ll also send you an edible arrangement,” Ladybird says, sweetening the deal, making the secretary smirk and open the door to her boss’s office.
