Four took the branch, twirling it between his fingers. “I have some expertise in this area. Perhaps I could examine it back in our realm?”
There was a beat of hesitation before One said, “Do take good care of it, and if you should discover anything, inform me. I expect its return to my kingdom in a few days.”
Four slipped the branch carefully into his coat pocket.
Then he touched the face of his watch and closed his eyes.
Silently, Nikai counted the series of chimes that followed.
Five long ones followed by short chirps. Once, twice, thrice. Four times.
Five, four.
Wu, si. A peculiar chime, Nikai thought. The numbers were almost homophonous tono death... ormy death.
Something in the taximoved.
Four opened his eyes. “It is done.”
“Good.” One touched their necklace briefly. “Thank you, dear brother. I shall not forget your kindness tonight.” They brushed Four’s cheek with a gentle hand.
The air shivered, and they were gone.
The crease between Four’s brows returned. Deeper this time.
“Is everything okay?” Nikai asked. “Will you be in trouble for helping—”
“Nikai.”
The Reaper stilled. Something about the way Four had said his name troubled him. It seemed so final.
“Yes, My King?”
There was deep affection in Four’s gaze when he squeezed Nikai’s shoulder.
“Four?” Nikai said, confused.
“I am going to see the stars, my friend.”
The Fourth King turned on his heel and vanished into the dark.
Nikai let out a long breath. The entire situation was out of the ordinary and left a funny feeling in his stomach.
“What was that about?”
He jumped in fright. The new Reaper had snuck up behind him.
“Sorry, sir,” she said, sheepish. “I was just curious. Two Kings appearing—”
“Nothing to be curious about,” Nikai snapped, with more sharpness than he’d intended. “If anything, this is way above your pay grade. I suggest you keep everything you saw and heard tonight to yourself. Have you finished reading out the death notes?”
The new Reaper looked contrite. “Yes, sir. I’ve an update, sir. It seems two of the humans survived after all.”
“That happens sometimes. Must’ve been a glitch in the system,” Nikai said smoothly, hoping none of the Reapers would guess what had really happened.
The new Reaper’s face brightened. “It was the woman in the taxi and her baby—they’re alive. I have deleted their death notes according to our protocol.” Nikai kept his expression impassive as she continued, “The other souls we collected are ready for transportation.”
“Good. Come on then, let’s wrap this up.”
