Chapter 13
Aslow, broad smile spreads across Crew’s face as he nods at me, passing by without a second thought. His suit is perfectly tailored to hug his body, and there isn’t a hair out of place. Crew looks flawless for an asshole, and I look like I lost a fight with a lawnmower.
He takes the chair next to me, while Lowell returns to his seat at the head of the desk.
“Thank you for having me, Elder. My father is running late.” His deep voice claps like a low rumble.
Crew relaxes in the large chair, barely fitting with his broad shoulders and wings taking up space.
I glare at him, and a memory from last night swirls in my head—the female and his hands digging into her sides as they moved together to the beats of the music.
My cheeks flush from a combination of the memory, anger, and my hangover.
Lowell looks between the two of us and hums. “This is a rare sight to see. It’s been centuries since the joining of an angel and a demon was needed. Especially ones of your statuses.”
I feel Crew’s gaze shift to me as I keep mine forward, crossing my legs and praying I appear casual instead of miserably hungover.
“It’s nice to see you, Mara.” Crew clears his throat. “I didn’t get a chance to ask last night; how was prison?”
I don’t respond and instead focus on blocking out the memories of last night while trying not to throw up.
Fucking jerk.
Lowell assures him, “Mara is a little under the weather this morning.”
“Is that right?” Crew angles his head at me. “Sick from the fun you had last night?”
“Hush.” I sit forward. “I’m fine as far as both of you are concerned, and I’d like to return to my day if we can get this going.”
“Someone’s snappy,” Crew mumbles.
“Because it was rude to keep us waiting, Bannermin.”
For the first time, I cut my eyes toward his, and Crew grins ear to ear. He knows what’s wrong with me, and amusement shows all over his chiseled face. Anger burns in my chest, and I fight the urge to grab the pistol strapped to my belt.
Crew raises his brows. “I apologize for my tardiness, Mara. I was still enjoying my decisions from last night this morning.”
Rage courses through me.
He leans closer. “Are you enjoying your decisions from last night?”
I hate this man.
Lowell chuckles. “You were only minutes late, Crew. Don’t let her bad mood get to you.”
“I won’t.” Crew smiles. “She always seems to be grumpy.”
“Mara is just ‘serious.’” Lowell quotes the air with a chuckle.
“Can we continue?” I gesture to Lowell. “This is getting ridiculous.”
He nods and removes a few papers from his desk before speaking. “I was filling Mara in just before you arrived, Crew. However, I hadn’t yet gotten to the part where you will fit into this.”
“Both of us?” I snap.
“Correct,” Lowell says. “You, Mara, are the top assassin for the Lyre Order. Crew is the top assassin for the Jade Order. To ensure we restore balance for the Elders on earth and the High Elders, you two are being assigned to remove the Grim Reaper from his duties while putting an end to the Voids.”
Neither Crew nor I shows an ounce of surprise. Although this is quite out of the ordinary, an assignment is an assignment, and I know precisely what comes next.
“Remove?” I ask.
Lowell nods. “Yes, Mara. An eye for an eye in this situation. Eliminate the Grim Reaper, and the High Elders will replace him with someone more fit for the position, and in the meantime, find out what the Voids are up to.”
I tighten my brow. “And how do you suggest we do—”
I’m cut off by Lowell, who continues speaking. “Enough questions. Failing to do so will result in banishment from the Order you serve… or death. The second option probably outweighs the first.”
I laugh. “And if I say no?”
Crew cuts his gaze my way, shock dancing on his face from my backtalk.
Lowell props himself on his desk again and crosses his arms. “I don’t need to remind you that you are bound to this Order just as Crew is bound to his. This is an assignment, and you will move forward with this.”
I remain silent as the words soak into my system like an ice bath. My throbbing head rattles around my skull like a trapped animal, and I steady myself in my chair. I open my mouth to speak again, but Lowell shushes me.
“Over the next few weeks, you will receive orders to eliminate people we believe are conspiring against the Elders, and where there is death, there will be the Grim. You two will work together on this. There is no room for error or failure.” Lowell looks directly at me.
“And there is no room for disobedience.”
I can feel Crew’s gaze on me, and I choose to ignore the stare. Which entertains him.
“We need to find more information about what is going on in this city and the outskirts. The Voids are rising, and something is throwing off the balance of the city,” Lowell says.
The Elder pauses for a moment, reading a few papers on his desk.
“This is spooky.” Crew leans over and whispers, “Are you afraid of the dark?”
I shift my eyes to his. “No.”
“Why?” He smiles, his face beaming with amusement.
I fully turn to him and glare. “Because I know I’m the scariest fucking thing in it.”
Crew opens his mouth to speak, but pauses. The room around us pulses, and the outside clouds turn a shade of gray. My senses scream, and I hear footsteps approaching Lowell’s office.
The double doors open with a swift push, and Carver Bannermin steps into the room, casting an even larger shadow than Crew did upon arrival.
His dark eyes are soulless, and unlike his son’s, his wings are folded into his large body, making him no less intimidating.
His long, black hair is tied back, revealing his sharp face.
He’s handsome and resembles Crew in his older years.
“Sorry, I’m late, Lowell.” His deep voice soothes the air around us. “A few things kept me busier than intended this morning.”
He glances at his son, suggesting it relates to him entirely.
“Not a problem, Elder. I was just wrapping up with the hybrids.”
Carver’s eyes bore into mine, and I refuse to back down. His gaze consumes my soul, drawing me in and depleting the room of any lingering happiness hidden in the recesses of my mind.
“It’s nice to see you, Miss Castten.” Carver extends his hand. “I was thrilled to hear of your release.”
So much for news not traveling.
I look at his calloused hand and notice a tattoo peeking out from the sleeve of his suit, but I can’t make out what it is.
I give him my hand, and he gently raises it to place a kiss on the back of it.
Without realizing it, I jerk back, no longer wanting him anywhere near me.
Crew is one thing, but this man screams darkness.
“Hello, Elder.” I place my hands in my lap. “It’s delightful to see you.”
Carver stands behind Crew for a moment before his son rises to offer his father a chair. I remain seated, desperate for this to end so I can return to bed.
“Your first assignment is tonight, Mara,” Lowell says. “Crew will be joining you to see how you work together, and I’d like you to play nice.”
He extends a folder containing all the necessary information for a successful assignment. A familiar dread washes over me, and I watch Crew lean toward the folder. I quickly snatch the papers from Lowell and tuck them under my arm. Crew chuckles while Lowell looks anything but amused.
“After a successful assignment, we will all meet tomorrow evening at the Jade Order for a celebration Carver is graciously hosting for the Elders of the Orders. I’d like you to join, Mara.” Lowell glances at Carver.
Shock pulses through me, nearly making me vomit, and I look at Lowell. He’s lost his fucking mind. He widens his eyes at me once more, and I know my actions are putting me on thin ice.
Crew breathes in all the information without an ounce of hesitation in his silver eyes. He’s calm, collected, and overly cocky, which only makes my stomach churn more. He bows before the two Elders and turns to exit, knowing his presence is no longer needed.
“Thank you, Elder Lyre. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow after a successful assignment this evening,” Crew calls as he reaches the door.
He exits the room, leaving darkness in his wake. I rise to take my leave, nodding respectfully to both Elders with the papers secured tightly under my arm. I reach the door, my hand inches away from granting me freedom, when Carver’s voice echoes around me.
“I very much look forward to seeing you again, Mara.” A wide grin spreads across Carver’s face. “Lowell will make sure you are dressed for the occasion. It’s going to be a spectacular evening, and I know you’ll look even more stunning.”
I only stare.
Is he hitting on me?
Lowell responds for me. “Oh, she will be well decorated for tomorrow. I have a few plans in mind.”
I grimace at him and quickly slip out the door, closing it behind me. The hallway is quiet, and I take a moment to slow my breathing. My heart thunders in my chest, and everything about it puts me completely on edge. Leave it to Lowell to throw me to the wolves and pray I get bitten.
I need a bed.
And a smashburger.
I step around the corner and pause. In a large pocket of shadows, I see the outline of a man with wings, leaning against the wall.
Crew is waiting for me.
“Someone fucking kill me now,” I mutter under my breath.
I walk toward him, hoping that any intimidation I possess will affect him, even if only slightly. He smiles as I approach, and I glare at him.
“This should be fun, taking out the Reaper with the Hollow Huntress.” He chuckles. “Are you nervous?”
“Do not call me that,” I snap.
“Why not?” He furrows his brow. “You worked hard for that name.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Okay then,” he responds, looking me up and down. “Noted.”
“I’m not working with you, Crew.”
He uncrosses his arms. “God, you are grouchier than normal this morning.”