Page 34 of Reapers Don’t Ride

Chapter

Ten

The group around the table looked at our small group with a great deal of rage.

“Did I not make it clear what the deal was?” Shane asked in a level voice that boded ill.

I shrugged and glanced at my ferret. “Things don’t always go to plan.”

“Wait, you know my brother?” the pix said, looking betrayed.

I gave him a flat look. “Is there somewhere else you could wait with your little sister while the adults talk business?”

He gave Shane a look, then took the girl to the stairs that led up. Was he going to be in our room? There were other rooms on that level and a few levels higher.

“We should kill her,” the fish guy spat, literally, all over the table. Happily, we were far enough that it didn’t reach us. Shane, however, was liberally sprayed.

Shane’s eyes tightened as he subtly brushed off the side of his face. “The deal was very clear.”

“True. I guess I’ll just go kill Romi so we’re square, and then I’ll keep the little pix according to my signed contract.”

His eyes darkened. “You have a contract from Romi transferring ownership? But slavery is illegal. What good would a contract do?”

“It’ll be respected by any group he turns to for help, such as the Dogs. You hang up that contract and no one’s going to accept the job to get her back. Also, it has my signature. You aren’t related to the little thing, but your brother is. Half-brother. Are you the type who will give her some options? After being a goblin’s slave, she should have options.”

Laughter came from the doorway, and there was Cupid looking particularly golden and glowing. He also smelled strongly of alcohol. “He’s right about your soul. It’s positively glowing.”

Was he close enough to grab? No. I ignored him, refocusing on Shane. “Are we square, or do you want me to end a life and take the kid with me?”

He sighed heavily while the fish guy glared.

Shane said, “I shouldn’t have trusted someone who took up with an angel.”

Gavriel smiled coolly at him. “Are you insulting my friend?”

Shane threw himself back in the chair and shook his head. “No. Your friend took care of things even better than I anticipated. Does your friend want to join a crew?”

“You can’t invite her to stay after she screwed everything up!” the fish guy exclaimed.

Shane winced and then scowled at him. “Rafe, chill or I’m putting you on ice. Why does she make you so hysterical? She’s a professional. Maybe you can be a professional too, hm?” He shook his head and gave me an apologetic glance. With a little effort, he could be guided to do good. Pity I wasn’t a demon who manipulated people. He had a good heart.

“I’ll keep your offer in mind,” I said, then looked at Gavriel. “I need to look at the bullet wound.” I tugged on his hand, heading towards the stairs.

The cupid said, “Can’t wait to get him alone, hm? Too bad he’s so noble and incorruptible. I can smell his purity from all the way over here.”

Gavriel scowled at him. He was still out of reach, but he tensed, like he wanted to try to catch the cupid.

I tugged him towards the door. “Doesn’t seem possible to smell Gavriel’s nobility over your own corruption, but what do I know?”

“You can smell corruption?” the Cupid asked, taking a step closer, away from the door. Was he close enough? Now was not the time to capture the angel. I needed to bandage Gavriel and pour some healing elixir down his throat.

“Gavriel, I need to take off your shirt and check your wound.” I frowned at him, tugging him closer to the door.

“You can. You must have had angelic or demonic blood before you turned.” The cupid’s eyes glowed golden. “It’s not Gavriel that you’re attracted to; it’s just his blood. You don’t want to fall for someone like him. He’ll just lead you on and then eventually drop you when he gets what he wants out of you.”

I turned to hiss at him. “I’m a murderer. You should be warning him about me.”

“Yeah? He was Mirabel’s favorite, but then after she counted on him, he broke her heart, refused her after he’d used their connection to move up the ranks of the Hosts.”