4. Josephine

CHAPTER FOUR

JOSEPHINE

W e came to an abrupt stop. I stumbled, and Azrael released his hold. He stayed close, not moving a single inch away. The flames of his eyes bloomed from the sides of his face as he peered down at me.

I'd kissed him. Truly kissed him. Not the shock brush of lips while we fell through realities. Not as a dream. He'd taken my lips in another surprise that turned pleasant.

Azrael's throat bobbed with his swallow. "Duty calls, Josephine."

I pressed my fingertips to my swollen lips as he stepped back. I blinked around, and whatever spell he held over me vanished.

Sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees and dappled the ground with shifting patterns. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the distant sound of birdsong. It was so achingly normal that, for a moment, I forgot about demons and reapers and blood sacrifices.

"The Loop," I whispered, my voice catching in my throat.

Azrael canted his head. "You know this place?"

"I work here." My eyes burned as I took in the clearing. "Or... worked, I guess."

I'd spent countless hours assisting EcoSphere's latest urban restoration project. We'd cleared trails and reintroduced native plants, carved out space for pollinators, and updated human amenities. It was my sanctuary, a place where I felt most alive and connected to the world around me.

Now, standing here as a... ghost? Soul? Whatever I was, it felt like a cruel joke.

Then I spotted a shock of red hair near the pond. Minnie. My coworker from EcoSphere. My friend. She was crouched by the water's edge, likely cataloging the aquatic plant life we'd introduced last spring.

I took an involuntary step forward, desperate to connect with something—someone—familiar. Azrael's hand clamped down on my shoulder, halting my movement.

"We're here on business, little dove," he murmured. His expression was carefully neutral, but there was a flicker of something in those fiery eyes. Surprise? Curiosity?

"Business?" Dread slithered through my veins.

He nodded solemnly. "We're here to collect a soul."

"You're going to take her?" My voice cracked, horror spilling into my chest. I whipped back around to Minnie. She looked so... alive. So normal.

With a wave of his hand, the air around us shimmered in front of us like heat rising from asphalt. I raised a hand and felt a hard barrier beneath my fingertips.

"This will keep you hidden for the moment, little dove. You mustn't interfere." The flames in his eyes banked, and I swore the air chilled a fraction.

Azrael strode toward Minnie, and his demeanor shifted. Gone was the domineering reaper who'd stolen me away. In his place stood a charming stranger, all easy smiles and relaxed posture.

"Good afternoon." His voice was honey-smooth as he glided toward my friend. "Quite the serene spot you've found."

"Oh!" Minnie's head snapped up, her hand going to her chest as she let out a startled laugh. "I didn't hear you walk up. Yes, it is lovely, isn't it? A lot of work has gone into making this a welcoming park again."

No. This wasn't what I signed up for when agreeing to follow him around like some leashed pet. I'd wanted to find my way out of his barren room, maybe even make my way to sunlight and life again.

"Minnie!" I shouted, pounding my fists against the shimmering barrier. "Run!"

Flaming eyes flicked to me, but that was the reaper's only reaction.

Why, why did he bring me? Why couldn't he have left me in the damn cave? I didn't want to watch a friend die in front of me!

"Is that what you're doing? Conservation?" Azrael's voice had a cadence like a lullaby as he approached Minnie, who'd risen to her feet.

"I work for an environmental group called EcoSphere. We started with the pond last year, and I'm documenting what's thriving today and what might need some extra attention," Minnie beamed, gesturing to her notebook. "If you're interested in volunteering, we're breaking ground on the butterfly meadow in the coming weeks."

"With a sales pitch like that..." Azrael chuckled, only this didn't hold a note of mocking or dark tease.

He sounded... normal. No, not normal. Sweet.

Like a Venus fly trap luring prey to their deaths.

I pounded again on that impenetrable shimmer. Tingles sprang to life in my fingertips, a pins-and-needles feeling that raced up my arms and across my chest. I didn't care. I slammed my fists over and over, trying to break through or yank her attention to me.

"Minnie!" I screamed, my voice raw. "He's not what he seems! He's not human!"

"You've done wonders with this park." Azrael swept a flaming look across the tranquil scene. He cocked an eyebrow at Minnie. "Future generations will certainly appreciate your efforts."

"Thank you," Minnie smiled, pride clear in her voice. "It's been a labor of love for our whole team."

"It's a pity you won't be able to see it yourself," he added, his tone tinged with regret.

Minnie's brow furrowed. "I won't?"

Azrael shook his head slowly. "I'm afraid not. You'll need to come with me."

"No!" My skin felt too tight, like it was trying to contain something much larger than myself. I slammed my shoulder against the barrier. I wanted it to shatter. I didn't care if it was possible; I couldn't just stand by while someone innocent lost their life. "Don't listen to him!"

Minnie glanced over her shoulder, confusion written all over her face. Her lips pursed, but she turned her attention back to the reaper. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?"

Azrael shot me a warning look before returning that disarming smile to the redhead. He glided to her front, hand cupping her cheek. "I'm the quiet, Minnie. The dreamless sleep. Your mark has been left on the world, and it's time for you to rest."

Anger melted the helplessness in my veins. Anger at being made a fool by Alain. Anger that my life had been stolen from me. My anger billowed and burned, fueled by half-explanations by the creature that stole me away for my safety and now forced me to watch another death.

"No!" I bellowed, giving in to the buzzing beneath my skin. It was like my insides were coated in lightning and fire. Heat burned in my chest, the energy roiling, twisting, building.

Time slowed, or maybe it just felt that way. Cracks spiderwebbed from my palms, radiating across the entire barrier. The wall gave one unified shimmer, then the illusion vanished into nothing.

Minnie's eyes widened as they locked on me. "Jo? Jo, what's?—"

Azrael's charm evaporated instantly. The green flames leapt higher, licking at his brows. He was behind Minnie in an instant, one hand gripping her shoulder.

Minnie whirled, hand going to her mouth when she caught sight of Azrael again. Whatever illusion he'd cast over himself must have also failed, as fear washed over her expression. She scrambled away from the reaper, then bolted for the path.

Before I could blink, Azrael raised his fist in the air, then ripped it down.

Minnie crumpled to the ground.

Horror froze my muscles, locking me in place. She'd been so full of life only moments before. Now she lay as lifeless and cold as I felt.

"What have you done?" Azrael turned to me, his flames roaring with fury. The grass beneath our feet hissed and browned at his approach, the stench of burnt vegetation wafting through the air.

I ran.

My feet pounded against the earth, and I couldn't tell if the thunder in my ears was my racing heartbeat or the monster at my heels.

The lush greenery of the park blurred past, but something was wrong. Colors seemed to bleed away, leaving behind muted shades of gray and black. The air grew thick and heavy and hard to breathe. A chill crept through my veins as my heart and lungs pushed my body to its limits.

I skidded to a stop as the ground beneath my feet changed. Soft grass gave way to the rough, craggy stone of a jagged cliff. Far below, a dark, desolate desert stretched on as far as my eyes could see.

The underworld. Somehow, I'd crossed over.

"Foolish, foolish, little dove. You nearly damned that soul."

I flinched at the words, spoken low and close to my ear. The stone rumbled beneath my feet as heat bathed my back. His arm wrapped around my middle, hauling me back against his body.

The world blurred, and my stomach dropped as the cliff plummeted. Air rushed around us so hard and fast that my hair whipped and stung my cheeks. My hands gripped his forearm, but he held me steady even as we plunged.

Until we didn't.

He stopped our descent suddenly, feet settling on solid ground. I tried to step away, but his arm kept me pinned against him.

"Look," Azrael commanded, forcing my chin up with his other hand. "This is the fate of souls not properly reaped."

Shadowy figures shuffled listlessly in the gloom. Their gazes never met, their steps aimless and mechanical. No hint of light shone in their dull, unfocused eyes. They walked over and around each other, paying no mind to the beings they passed.

"What are they?" I whispered.

"Ghosts. Ghouls. Lost souls," Azrael spat the words like a curse. "There is no moving on from this. No peace. Not for them. Not ever."

I shuddered in his grip, pressing closer. Something about this place awakened the dormant voice in my chest that urged me to run and hide. I couldn't tear my gaze away from the lost souls wandering the dark landscape.

"And it is all because a reaper allowed them to linger in life too long, losing themselves in feral madness," Azrael continued, voice tight. "Reaping may seem a trivial task to your fragile little heart, but we are the guardians of your existence. When life comes to its inevitable end, a soul deserves a merciful release."

The force of his conviction reverberated through his body into mine. A warm hand rested on my hip, bringing me back to the moment. The feel of his breath stirring my hair and the comforting scent of his smoky skin calmed my nerves.

"Minnie," I croaked, "was she..."

He released me, stepping back and adjusting his tie. "No. I completed the reaping. Despite your interference."

Relief coursed through me.

Fresh anger followed swiftly on its heels. I spun to face my captor. "Why her? Why Minnie?"

"It was her time." The flames of his eyes banked. He avoided my gaze, looking out over the wasteland of lost souls instead. "I did not expect you to know the soul I'd been assigned."

Despite the absolutely bonkers... everything, I felt the corners of my mouth twitch at the halting tone. I could practically hear him hauling each word, kicking and screaming, out of his throat. What sort of existence did he live, that a simple explanation would be such a Herculean task?

But there was still a glaring question to be answered.

"Does it have something to do with the claim on me?" I wanted to laugh. Those words, strung together and making sense? I wanted it to be a nightmare. A fever dream. Anything other than my reality.

The question swung his blazing attention back to me. His features grew grim, and he inclined his head. "It's possible your presence influenced my assignment, yes."

"Oh." It was my turn to avert my eyes. I stared at the shambling figures of the ghosts, unsure what else to say.

Or do.

Lethargy clung suddenly to my limbs.

I liked plans. Solutions. Building toward a goal. EcoSphere gave me that in our park projects. My few relationships were always with a long-term future in mind. And now I lived a life where I didn't know the basic rules.

"Is this what will happen to me?" Lost soul that I was.

"No," he snapped. His fingers grasped my chin, dragging my face up. Those emerald flames danced wildly as he peered down at me. "That will never be your fate. I will not allow it."

I swallowed hard at the steel in his voice. "Why?"

"Because you are mine."