I didnt really want to know, and I certainly didnt want to prolong Thanes visit or admit my own ignorance. But I had to ask. Whats he doing?
Hes been hanging around the local reaper office for two days, begging anyone wholl listen to let him trade his expiration date for yours. Its not going to matter, though. Your file has a big red special circumstances sticker on the front, and the notation inside states clearly that youve already had one date exchange and are thus ineligible for another.
Uh-oh.
I dont suppose you know how he found the local headquarters, do you? Thane asked, and I shook my head, though it had to be Tod. Who else could have told him? Who else would even know?
Thane looked like he didnt believe me, but didnt really care one way or another. As amusing as the whole thing would be, if it werent so pathetic, if he doesnt back off soon, he might find his expiration date exchanged for someone hes never even met.
Is that why youre here? I asked, fury burning bright behind my eyes, a headache in full bloom. To threaten my dad?
The reaper laughed again, softer this time, and I already hated the sound. Thats just a bonus. Im here to get to know you. By my count, we have several days to spend together before our business is concluded, and I say we make the most of it. How do you feel about Mexican takeout?
Was he serious? Why are you doing this?
He shrugged. Ive never reaped a soul from someone who knew what was coming, so I look forward to observing your last days, studying how you cope as you count down the hours. Like a fish in a glass bowl
Youre psychotic.
Another shrug. Nah. Just bored. But dont mistake my interest for sympathy. Nothing will stop me from ending your life when the time comes.
When is that? I asked, trying hard not to reveal how desperate I was for that nugget of information. When am I supposed to die?
For a moment, he only watched me, and I got the feeling he was trying to decide whether Id suffer more from knowing or from not knowing. I think this will be more fun as a surprise, he said finally, and I groaned on the inside. See you soon, Kaylee.
Then he was gone, and I was alone with my own fear and anger. And with Styx, who glanced around the room, sniffed the air once, then curled up and went back to sleep, secure in the knowledge that the big bad reaper was gone.
But I couldnt sleepnot after what had just happened. Not knowing it could happen again, at any time. Not knowing my father had spent the entire weekend painting a target on his own back, for me.
I lifted my cell from the charger on my nightstand andautodialed Tod. He answered on the first ring. Kaylee?
Did you tell my dad how to find the local reaper office? I demanded, without a greeting.
Tod sighed. You in your room?
Yeah.
Another pause. Then, Are you dressed?
For just a split second, I considered saying no, and I wondered if hed take that as deterrent or motivation. Then I came to my senses. Pjs.
He appeared at the foot of my bed an instant later, already sliding his phone into his pocket as he pushed Styx over and sank onto the mattress. She growled at him until I patted a spot next to my right hip, and she curled up there, content to watch him in threatening silence.
Im sorry, Tod said, one bent leg on my comforter. I was trying to help.
How is telling my dad where to go beg for my life possibly helping? You know theyre not going to make the trade.
Thats why I sent him there. Because they wont do what he wants, but they wont hurt him, and Thanes not going to make a move on him while hes in a building full of other reapers. He shrugged, and it got a little harder for me to stay mad at him. Besides, that way I know where he is, and I can check up on him without having to hunt him down.
Oh. When he put it like that, it sounded kind ofsmart. Well, thenthanks for keeping my dad out of trouble.
Suddenly nervous, for no reason I could pin down, I fidgeted with the handle of Nashs bat, and Tod noticed.
You know, most girls sleep with a teddy bear or an extra pillow. But I gotta say, thats kinda hot
My cheeks blazed on the lower edge of my vision. Nash gave it to me. But I wasnt sleeping with it. I I shook my head and started over. Thane was here, Tod. Thats how I knew Dad was at your office.
Thane was here? In your room? He sat up straight, eyes churning with cobalt streaks of anger like Id never seen from him before. Please tell me you bashed his skull in.
No, but I did slap him. Hes planning to watch me to see if I crack up, knowing Im going to die in a few days. Can he do that?
His dimple disappeared beneath a dark scowl. Yeah, but hes not supposed to tell you hes doing it. Youre never supposed to see your own reaper.
Would that be enough to get him fired, if I told Levi?
Tod shrugged. If he were a rookie and you were a clueless human, yeah. But since hes not, and youre not, itd probably just derail his promotion and get him knocked a peg or two down the ladder. Which would piss him off.
Hes been hanging around the local reaper office for two days, begging anyone wholl listen to let him trade his expiration date for yours. Its not going to matter, though. Your file has a big red special circumstances sticker on the front, and the notation inside states clearly that youve already had one date exchange and are thus ineligible for another.
Uh-oh.
I dont suppose you know how he found the local headquarters, do you? Thane asked, and I shook my head, though it had to be Tod. Who else could have told him? Who else would even know?
Thane looked like he didnt believe me, but didnt really care one way or another. As amusing as the whole thing would be, if it werent so pathetic, if he doesnt back off soon, he might find his expiration date exchanged for someone hes never even met.
Is that why youre here? I asked, fury burning bright behind my eyes, a headache in full bloom. To threaten my dad?
The reaper laughed again, softer this time, and I already hated the sound. Thats just a bonus. Im here to get to know you. By my count, we have several days to spend together before our business is concluded, and I say we make the most of it. How do you feel about Mexican takeout?
Was he serious? Why are you doing this?
He shrugged. Ive never reaped a soul from someone who knew what was coming, so I look forward to observing your last days, studying how you cope as you count down the hours. Like a fish in a glass bowl
Youre psychotic.
Another shrug. Nah. Just bored. But dont mistake my interest for sympathy. Nothing will stop me from ending your life when the time comes.
When is that? I asked, trying hard not to reveal how desperate I was for that nugget of information. When am I supposed to die?
For a moment, he only watched me, and I got the feeling he was trying to decide whether Id suffer more from knowing or from not knowing. I think this will be more fun as a surprise, he said finally, and I groaned on the inside. See you soon, Kaylee.
Then he was gone, and I was alone with my own fear and anger. And with Styx, who glanced around the room, sniffed the air once, then curled up and went back to sleep, secure in the knowledge that the big bad reaper was gone.
But I couldnt sleepnot after what had just happened. Not knowing it could happen again, at any time. Not knowing my father had spent the entire weekend painting a target on his own back, for me.
I lifted my cell from the charger on my nightstand andautodialed Tod. He answered on the first ring. Kaylee?
Did you tell my dad how to find the local reaper office? I demanded, without a greeting.
Tod sighed. You in your room?
Yeah.
Another pause. Then, Are you dressed?
For just a split second, I considered saying no, and I wondered if hed take that as deterrent or motivation. Then I came to my senses. Pjs.
He appeared at the foot of my bed an instant later, already sliding his phone into his pocket as he pushed Styx over and sank onto the mattress. She growled at him until I patted a spot next to my right hip, and she curled up there, content to watch him in threatening silence.
Im sorry, Tod said, one bent leg on my comforter. I was trying to help.
How is telling my dad where to go beg for my life possibly helping? You know theyre not going to make the trade.
Thats why I sent him there. Because they wont do what he wants, but they wont hurt him, and Thanes not going to make a move on him while hes in a building full of other reapers. He shrugged, and it got a little harder for me to stay mad at him. Besides, that way I know where he is, and I can check up on him without having to hunt him down.
Oh. When he put it like that, it sounded kind ofsmart. Well, thenthanks for keeping my dad out of trouble.
Suddenly nervous, for no reason I could pin down, I fidgeted with the handle of Nashs bat, and Tod noticed.
You know, most girls sleep with a teddy bear or an extra pillow. But I gotta say, thats kinda hot
My cheeks blazed on the lower edge of my vision. Nash gave it to me. But I wasnt sleeping with it. I I shook my head and started over. Thane was here, Tod. Thats how I knew Dad was at your office.
Thane was here? In your room? He sat up straight, eyes churning with cobalt streaks of anger like Id never seen from him before. Please tell me you bashed his skull in.
No, but I did slap him. Hes planning to watch me to see if I crack up, knowing Im going to die in a few days. Can he do that?
His dimple disappeared beneath a dark scowl. Yeah, but hes not supposed to tell you hes doing it. Youre never supposed to see your own reaper.
Would that be enough to get him fired, if I told Levi?
Tod shrugged. If he were a rookie and you were a clueless human, yeah. But since hes not, and youre not, itd probably just derail his promotion and get him knocked a peg or two down the ladder. Which would piss him off.
