Page 15 of Vexed
Vex
I just had to get out of there. If I had stayed a second longer, I would have done exactly what she wanted. Pinned her down and begged her to fucking slap me.
Fuck, I would let her do anything she wants to me. Being able to creep into her mind and see what goes on in there is both a blessing and a curse. I can stop myself, but why the hell would I want to do that? I love seeing what wicked thoughts flow through that pretty head of hers.
While I was fucking around with dear Lily’s head, I forgot about taking another person to the soul train. Oops. Now, I’m in big shit. I won’t be surprised if they fired me. Ha, fired. That’s funny.
The last reaper they fired was back in…oh, that’s right, the 31st of Nevuary. Shaking my head at my own dumb joke, I make my way to the Erebus Cathedral.
The Arc Reapers practically recoil when they see me approaching. You can practically hear the collective sigh as I stroll in yet again for what they consider another pointless lecture.
They roll their eyes, I see it, even if they try to hide it behind solemn glances and pseudo-professional concern. It’s always the same routine: another pep talk on howIshould get my act together, howI’mapparently the only one responsible for keeping the ‘balance of life and death’ in order.
As if I’m personally to blame for the overflowing souls and the chaotic energy swirling around the crossroads.
A few hundred years back, I was fully committed. No, devoted. I believed in the system, in the inherent order of things. My purpose was clear: to ensure the pure souls were gently guided towards the peaceful afterlife they deserved in the Ethereal Realm, and the damned souls, well, they would find their way to Purgatory to atone for their earthly sins.
I took pride in my work, a quiet satisfaction in knowing I played a crucial part in the grand cosmic mechanism. Now? Now, it all feels… different. And the Reapers—with their long-suffering non-existent souls, can’t stand it.
There were a few incidents where I ‘accidentally’ revealed myself and allowed a few people to see me. Okay, women. I allowed a few women to see me and maybe it wasn’t an ‘accident’.
One thing led to another, and I did end up having sex with them. The best, most stupid thing I’ve ever done, and the talk I got after that was insane. I thought the devil himself was going to skin me alive.
But ever sinceshecame into my life, being the emotionless angel of death has mademefeel like a damned soul. She made me look at humans in a different light. Not just souls to reap and humans to fuck now and then.
Their emotions became something I wanted to learn, to feel for myself. And that’s what she does. She makes me feel more alive emotionally than I will ever be physically.
Now, I’m one big fuck-up away from having my scythe ripped from my hands and my ass thrown into purgatory along with the other poor lost souls.
I halt in front of the large black iron doors and adjust the hood of my robe, blowing out a breath before pushing the doors open to reveal the reaper in charge: the highest Arc Reaper, Ophiel, standing tall at the Altar of Souls.
He looks pissed. His gaze shoots daggers at me as I make my way towards him. His silver eyes turn a shade of red as I step closer. Yup. He’s pissed.
“Sir,” I softly say as I kneel on one knee before him, bowing my head.
“Get up.”
Oh shit.
Grinding my teeth, I do as he says and stand up straight, looking straight at him and I swear he’s about to lunge at me.
“Explain yourself.” He says, folding his arms over his chest as he takes a few steps down to me until he stands before me.
“I—I have no explanation, sir.” He scoffs, shaking his head. What the hell was I supposed to say? I can’t exactly tell him I forgot someone was dying because I had too much fun playing mind games with Lily.
“So, that’s what this is about? The human girl.” He says, and my eyes widen slightly. “Not fun when someone invadesyourmind, is it?”
I inwardly groan as he steps around me. “We have had this conversation before, Vexlorn. I have told you to stay away from her, but you keep disobeying. Do you want to be shunned to purgatory?”
“No, sir,” I say, trying to keep my mind blank so the bastard doesn’t come creeping in again. Fuck. Is this how Lily feels when I do it? I almost feel bad now. Almost.
“Then stay away from her. We don’t mix with mortals. You are already a loose canon as it is and clearly, have no control when it comes to her. Stay. Away. Do you understand?” He says a bit harsher this time as he halts in front of me, holding my gaze.
“I understand.” He turns away, strolling back up the steps, and disappears through the doors at the back of the altar.
Yeah right, I understand. If he thinks I’m going to stay away from her, he has better luck at growing a fucking soul. I have spent the last decade looking out for her—protecting her. There’s no way I will ever stop doing that.
If that meant I would be thrown into purgatory, so be it. But only if I corrupt her body, mind, and soul first, to the point where she will be thrown in there with me. Oh, the things I would do to her damned soul.
