Chapter 17 The Grim Reaper… and his Siren
Dean
I storm out of my office, stomping like a toddler. I know it’s not fair that my head reaper, Vesta, had to handle a lot of the workload in my absence, but does she really have to dump all of it on me as payback?
Anxo handled most of my responsibilities, but he’s not hellbent on punishing me. Unlike a certain someone.
Even before I went to purgatory, Vesta took care of anything I refused to do—which was a lot—so yes, maybe I deserve her wrath. But making me go to the human realm on my day off? That’s just cruel.
It’s basically harassment.
I hate, hate, hate humans. Except Grace, of course. They are whiny, helpless creatures who constantly complain about their world but refuse to get off their ass and do something about it.
I’m grumbling to myself, pouting about having to do my job, when I see Hazel walking down the stairs.
My day just got way better.
Her hair is still dripping from the shower, and the faint lavender scent pulls me toward her on instinct.
She just got back from training her kids, which means she’s mostly free for the rest of the day, and an idea takes root in my head.
It could be fun. We could spend some time together, get to know each other better. If nothing else, it might take her mind off the jellyfish king.
Before I can overthink, I call her name.
Hazel pauses at the last step, folding her arms over her chest. She looks like she’s already hit her quota for annoyance today, so I go straight to the point.
“How do you feel about the human real?”
She tilts her head in confusion. “It’s fine.”
Wrong answer because… ew.
“Come with me.” I offer my hand, but instead of taking it, she just stares at it like she doesn’t know what to do. “I have to go there for work, and I’d rather not suffer alone.”
Please say yes.
Hazel takes a minute to think, still staring at my hand like it might bite her.
Should I be worried she’s acting like we’ve never held hands before?
Did I hallucinate about all the progress we’ve made?
That’s when I see it. She’s not wearing gloves.
Fuck. That makes sense. Every time we’ve touched each other, there’s always been a barrier between us.
Except the time I kissed her neck…
Yeah… that probably didn’t help. Maybe that’s why she’s acting weird. She thinks I’m going to pull something like that again.
Before I can assure her I’ll keep a respectful distance the whole time, Hazel slides her bare hand into mine.
Holy shit.
She touched me. without gloves. Willingly.
Don’t faint. Don’t you dare faint.
With one move, Hazel turned the tables on me, and now I’m the one staring at her like it’s my first time holding a woman’s hand.
Get it together, man.
“Dean?”
“Yeah?”
“Breathe.”
“You breathe!”
Idiot. Absolute idiot.
Hazel rolls her eyes with a huff that sounds suspiciously like a laugh, and suddenly, my heartbeat isn’t the only thing filling my ears.
Before I can embarrass myself any further, I pull Hazel closer, guiding her hands to my chest. I hold her there as my shadows rise around us, curling and climbing around us until we’re blanketed in complete darkness.
The dizziness from teleporting only lasts for a few seconds, but it’s not for everyone. I’m relieved when Hazel doesn’t even flinch.
I knew my mate was resilient.
Knowing she doesn’t hate teleporting makes it a little easier to ask her to hop between realms with me. There are so many places I want to show her.
Hazel hasn’t been anywhere the Horsemen didn’t take her, which means she hasn’t explored as much as someone her age would’ve by now.
I’ll fix that. As soon as she can stand being around me for more than a few hours without wanting to bash her head in, I’ll take her anywhere she wants.
When the fog clears, we’re standing in a hospital room. My Divine ripples outward, cloaking us from human sight. They can’t see me unless they’re dying, but I extend that protection to mask Hazel’s presence too.
Hazel takes a step back, taking in our surroundings.
The constant beeping of machines grates on my nerves. When I spot the little girl sitting up in a hospital bed, I tip my head back with a groan, cursing Vesta to no end.
I don’t deal with kids. Vesta knows that and still pulled this just to torture me. I swear that woman is a fucking sadist.
I grab Hazel’s hand again, ready to leave the smell of death behind, but a small voice stops me in my tracks.
Oh no.
“Hey, aren’t you supposed to take me with you?”
Hazel looks confused when I don’t turn. She probably thinks I hate my job, but I don’t even know how to explain this side of being a Reaper.
I’ve been doing this for two decades, but witnessing the end of a child’s life… it never stops hurting. Never gets easier.
Fates, this is going to suck. And I brought Hazel here without thinking about what she’d have to see.
I turn to the girl with a sigh. “I am. But I’ll send a friend instead. Just hang here until she comes.”
“No need. I’m ready now. Let’s go.”
When she sees me hesitate, her innocent face shifts into a mocking expression I know all too well. I have two daughters—precious, yes—but also my biggest bullies.
“Oh God, don’t tell me you’re getting sentimental about me dying.” She shakes her head with so much disappointment, I want to crawl under her bed. “Men. Always making everything about themselves.”
Ouch.
Hazel snorts, quickly covering it up with a cough. Of course, she’s enjoying this.
The girl points at her. “See? She gets it.”
Good thing humans can’t see me, or else my reputation would be in shambles.
Sometimes I think the Sisters of Fate only send me women who enjoy beating my ego to a pulp. It’s their way of getting back at me for stealing their Divine.
I used that fucking Divine to create my daughter, but no one seems to remember that miraculous detail.
I drag my hands down my face, trying to come up with an escape plan that leaves some of my dignity intact.
“I’m assuming you’re the Grim Reaper. But why do you look so… normal? I thought you were some wrinkly old dude in a black cape.”
Hazel laughs at me. Again.
She’s never letting me live this down.
“Do you really think humans would follow some creepy old guy into the light? They’re stupid, but not that stupid. We go as we are, it’s more relatable that way. Some of my Reapers even flutter their lashes to calm people down.”
“Are you a Reaper too?” She asks Hazel.
“She’s my soulmate,” I say proudly.
I don’t miss the way Hazel’s cheeks flush. I store that way to overthink later.
The girl’s mouth falls open. “Who did you bribe? There’s no way God chose you for her. She’s so pretty, and you’re… a man.”
Hazel doubles over laughing, and I’m deeply offended.
“Okay, first of all, God has nothing to do with fated mates. And second, she’s the lucky one. Do you not see all of this?” I gesture to myself. “You might need glasses. Humans have poor eyesight. Maybe that’s why you can’t appreciate the fine specimen standing before you.”
“If you’re the best your kind has to offer, I’m afraid you’re all doomed.”
I can’t fucking win with this girl.
Hazel is laughing so hard she has to grip the edge of the hospital bed to stay upright.
I clap my hands together. “Alright, that’s all the bullying I can take for today. Time to go, little one.”
In a flash, her bravado crumbles, her shoulders sagging as she twists her hands in her lap, suddenly avoiding my gaze.
“Will it hurt?”
“Not even a little bit, kiddo.”
I don’t give her time to think, or her fear to take root. I round the bed and tap her forehead three times. Before I can blink, a bright light swallows her soul, carrying her where she belongs.
My chest tightens as the incessant beeping of machines speeds up, doctors and nurses flooding into the room, trying to save the host body left behind.
I grab Hazel’s hand and pull her out of the room. She’s seen enough.
“Do you think she’ll be okay?” Hazel tugs on my hand, stopping us in the middle of the empty ICU hallway.
“With that sass? She’ll be more than okay.”
Hazel still looks worried, and it tugs at something deep in my chest.
I step closer, letting go of her hand to cup her face, my thumbs brushing over her soft cheeks. Her eyes widen when I squish them, forcing her lips into a pout.
“Look at you, worrying over a stranger. You’re adorable.”
Hazel narrows her eyes at me and smacks my hands away. “I’m mean and scary.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” Before she can pull away, I lean in and press a loud kiss to her forehead, grinning at the way she turns red. “Mhm. Adorable.”
“One of these days, I’m going to stab you.”
“Hazel Seagrave, I did not realize you were into knife play. I should’ve guessed, though.”
“You—”
Her threat dies as a commotion nearby pulls our attention.
A guy leans against the reception desk, trying to take pressure off his broken leg while asking the nurse on a date. She’s pretending to look busy, but it’s obvious she’s uncomfortable and irritated.
“Can we take him next?”
“Hazel…” I click my tongue. “There are rules.”
My hellfire pouts, and that’s it. I’m done. She can have whatever she wants.
I have no rules, no morals when it comes to her. Never did.
“But we can break them.”
Hazel squeals. I’ve ever seen her so giddy, and it sends a rush through me like I’ve won something I didn’t even know I was fighting for.
“Can I hold your scythe?”
“Now you’re pushing it.”
By the time I’ve dealt with five more patients, I realize this is the first full day Hazel and I have spent together without anyone else between us.
When she’s not being mean, she’s actually funny. Granted, I’m still the butt of most of her jokes, but now they’re light and teasing instead of cutting.
We just… fit. Knowing you’re soulmates is one thing, but seeing why makes all the difference.
Now that I know how good we could be, I hate the way she hides behind pranks to keep things from getting real.
I don’t know how to make her believe that shattering the distance between us will be the best thing for both of us.
I want that life. A mate I love, who loves me back. A home full of warmth. A life spent experiencing everything good Fates have created in this world.
But does Hazel want that too?