Shem shook his head. “Nope! I really think he might actually be dead.”
I slapped Shem on the shoulder before ducking back behind the bar. “Don’t say that. It’s not funny.”
“I’m not trying to be funny. The man just freaking disappeared. No one can get a hold of him. I think Raf is trying to see if he can reach out to his family or friends somehow to check on him.”
My gut soured, and I bit my lip. I didn’t want to admit it to myself, but I knew in my heart Sam was dead. I had forgotten for a split second who I was, had given him a hug, and my demon killed him for it. It was my fault.
The rush of adrenaline that had carried me through the night began to fade, and I felt myself begin to crash. The scars on my thighs burned, and I knew I would be adding another later that night.
“Death is the tyrant of the imagination.”
— BARRY CORNWALL
Reaver never came back from his smoke break, not that I minded. I was doing everything myself anyway. It was easier without him getting in the way.
Maybe I got lucky for once in my life, and he quit.
When it came time to close, I made sure every single duty was checked off and accounted for before bringing the till down into the basement of the restaurant to balance it with Raf. I paused just outside the door when I heard Raf and Reaver talking in the office.
I thought he left hours ago.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice that shit you pulled tonight,” Raf was saying, and I felt a rush of satisfaction. So hehadnoticed how useless Reaver had been.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Reaver’s cold voice retorted. He sounded pissed off.
Shocker.
“Listen, you have to go through training properly, or Eloah’s going to lose his shit when he comes for our quarterly review.”
Eloah was the regional manager for all the Voodoo stores in Gravestone. He was like a god. Everyone feared him. I had never met him in person,but whenever it came time for quarterlies, the managers always got really uptight about everything.
“I don’t give a fuck what Eloah wants. Not all of us are as desperate to lick his asshole as you are, Raf,” Reaver snapped, and I forced back a gasp.
No one talked to Rafael like that.
To my surprise, Rafael just laughed. He had mentioned that they were friends. I guess that gave Reaver more leeway than anyone else who worked here.
“Maybe if you did, you wouldn’t be in the position you’re in.”
“Fuck you.”
“You can be pissed off about it all you want, but if your training doesn’t work out with Lilith, both of your heads will be on the chopping block,” Rafael said matter-of-factly.
My blood ran cold. If I couldn’t train this asshole, I was at risk of losingmyjob? How was that even possible? This wasn’t fair at all. I hadjustfinally achieved all my goals, and now I was at risk of losing everything because of this randomasshole?
“Hey, Lil! What are you doing down here?” Shem asked loudly as he jogged down the stairs. I jumped nearly a foot in the air and lost a roll of quarters from the till I had been clutching to my chest. Raf and Reaver abruptly stopped their conversation.
“Um, cash out. What are you still doing here?”
“A bunch of us are going to Yabbos for some after-hours drinks. Do you want to come?”
I don’t know why he even still asked me. He knew the answer would be no.
Reaver walked out of the office.God,he was tall… he had to be pushing six foot three at least. He towered over me, pinning me with a steely glare, his mouth a flat, firm line. I answered Shem but held Reaver’s gaze. I wouldn’t let him intimidate me.
“No, I better get home. I’m sure Chaos is waiting for his dinner.” That was a lie. Chaos didn’t eat at my place unless I was serving scraps of bacon or potato chip crumbs. I tried to buy him kibble and wet food, but he always turned his tail up at it. I guess the rats he hunted in the city streets were more appealing than the mushy food I tried to get him to eat out of a can.
Shem shrugged. “What about you, buddy? What was your name?” Shem leaned over to read his name tag. “Reaver? You want to come catch a drink?”
