“I’m sorry Sam. I’ll get them all back. We need to go talk to the council first,” I coax him back into the portal and we hurry to the council hall.
“Assemble everyone. Now,” Sam barks out. I wince, expecting them to retaliate at the demanding, rude behavior. Instead everyone jumps into action and ten minutes later the room is filled.
“Our second soul was taken, right in front of us. One of those demons Luz found took them,” Sam explains out as he paces back and forth across the room.
“I have an idea, but I promise you won’t like it,” I speak up and all eyes turn on me. Sam makes a growling noise in his throat that I pointedly ignore. “I say you let me be the bait. We reap as many souls as we can until we happen upon the demons again. When I’m taken, you guys jump into action and follow. We fight our way to the stolen souls and take the demons down. There has to be a way to kill these things.” My guys start protesting before I even manage to finish.
“What if we can’t reach you in time? You guys couldn’t reach that soul today,” Mason points out.
“That was because he wasalreadytaking it. It will know you’re following and act fast, so you’ll have to start running as soon as you spot it. This can work, I know it can. It has to. What other option do we have?” I counter and he slams his fist on the table in frustration. I know it’s not aimed at me, so I say nothing.
“She’s right, that realm holds the answers and she’s the only one who can get in and out,” Thea says though it seems to pain her to get the words out.
“How do we kill them?” I ask, turning to Councilmen Brent in hopes he’ll have something.
“I’m sorry, I’ve tried to find something after the last encounter but there’s little knowledge on them,” he admits.
“Cut off the head. They can’t heal if they’re not in one piece,” Sam offers with a sadistic grin. Having him by my side will make it a lot less terrifying.
“Chains don't work on them, just the souls. We need real weapons,” Mason says. The defeat in his voice means he’s also given into the idea.
“Fine, but we all go,” Liam says, giving me a look that doesn’t leave any room for an argument. Like I would argue having all three of them there for backup.
“Find someone to watch your gates, Master Reapers, and then start on your plan,” The Head Councilor says reluctantly. “Be as safe as possible. If we lose you all our realm will be lost as well.”
“We will,” Sam says in reassurance he can’t truly offer.
“We have to find souls to return. Normal portals don’t seem to work there. I’m not sure if any of the other runes do, either. It won’t be quick, so don’t panic right away. Thea and I were lucky. I’m sure they’ll have increased numbers now that someone crossed into their realm,” I explain to the council, wanting to warn them to not freak out too early. This will take us a while and the two realms don’t have the same passing of time, judging by our accidental visit.
We finally end the meeting and agree to meet in twenty minutes, so Thea and I decide to go to the diner while we wait. Our lives have been so hectic lately we haven’t had many chances to enjoy a peaceful meal. I’ve been stocking up on supplies and eating quick meals in my room if the guys were busy.
“Hey girls!” Zoey’s chipper voice rings out as we walk into the diner.
“Hi, Zoey,” we both respond in unison, fake smiles plastered to our faces.
We try to snag a free table but as soon as we sit down she joins us without asking. The look on Thea’s face when Zoey climbs into the booth next to her is priceless.
“I hear you’re dating allthreeof the Master Reapers, Luz,” Zoey says in a teasing tone. She may be aiming for playful but there’s a jealous gleam in her eyes.
“What I’m doing is my business. Plus, I think these disappearances are more important than my dating life,” I point out. Her cheerful expression falters for a second, but she fixes it so quickly I’m not sure I even really saw it.
“Oh, you know how the gossips are,” she tries to play it off like she isn’t the one digging for juicy details.
“Funny, you’re actually the only one here asking about her relationship,” Thea points out with a saccharinesweet smile. This time when her expression falters, I know I’m not seeing things. Why is she pretending to be so damn cheery? I feel justified for my dislike of her from the beginning. This is all an act, I just don't understand why. And I don’t have the energy to find out.
“I have somewhere to be, bye guys!” she says quickly and walks out of the diner.
“I don’t trust her at all,” Thea mumbles as she watches her walk away, waving to anyone she sees. “Nobody is that upbeat.”
“I agree,” I say as our food is brought to the table. Sam, Mason, and Liam walk in at that moment, each stealing a fry from my plate and earning a glare. I don’t share my food well.
“Sorry! Can we get three burgers and fries over here?” Liam calls to the staff.
“Do we have a more set plan than ‘hope for the best’?” Mason asks, looking from me to Sam. Pride flushes through me that they’re seeing me as a leader this time, an equal, and not just someone to protect.
“Is there a way for us to narrow down the reaping locations to abandoned areas, alleyways, or warehouses? Places like that seem more likely for the demons to choose,” I point out. “They don’t seem to want an audience.”
“I can go see the tech reaper that sends the lists out. Traveling through the veil slows time, that’s how we’re able to send out names to the reapers in time. There should be enough time for us to get to most of the souls before the demons do if we can stay on top of it,” Liam explains. That could definitely work.