Page 33 of Vexed
“No. I just...” I faltered. How could I explain the pull I felt toward her? The way her laughter was a bright beacon that lowered me out of the dark? “She’s... different.”
The others exchanged glances, Thalia shifting uncomfortably. The remaining three reapers were silent, their faces impassive.
“Different?” Ophiel repeated, his voice dripping with skepticism. “Different how? She’s human. Flawed, mortal, ephemeral. We are beyond such fleeting attachments.”
“She is kind, pure. Untouched by the darkness in the world, despite everything she’s been through. It’s refreshing,” I said. It all sounded so pathetic, even to my own ears.
How could these idiots, immersed in the cold reality of death, understand the fragile spark of life I saw in her?
Ophiel took a step closer. “Your infatuation is clouding your judgment. It puts the entire system at risk. What if you intervene? What if you alter the natural course of her life? The repercussions could be catastrophic.”
“I wouldn’t,” I said, my voice firm. “I would never interfere. I just observe.”
“But youareinterfering, Vexlorn. You are diverting your attention, risking exposure. It is a breach of the Reaper’s Code.”
The mention of the Code, a document I had been forced to memorize since my induction into Reaper hood, felt like a punch to the gut. It was the ultimate authority, and I knew I was breaking it. I’ve known it since the first time I decided to interact with Lily.
Silence hung heavy in the air. I knew what was coming. Disciplinary action. Maybe even… reassignment to a remote, insignificant realm. Even Purgatory. Anything to keep me away from Lily.
Ophiel sighed, “Vexlorn, I am giving you a direct order. Cease all contact with the human girl. Sever all ties. Focus on your duties. Is that understood?”
I looked down at my scythe, its polished surface reflecting the flickering light of the altar. The souls of the departed whispered their mournful songs around me. And in the distance, I could almost hear Lily’s laughter.
With a heavy heart, I closed my eyes. “Understood,” I whispered, the words tasted like ashes in my mouth.
The feeling of being watched didn’t stop over the next few days, and just like that, my world went from having color to only being gray again.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Lily
“Do I have to go?” I whine as Hannah packs a few bottles of water and a couple of snacks into a cooler bag. She eyes me, “Yes, you have to go.” She says, closing the bag and slinging it over her shoulder.
Tonight is the football game everyone has been going on about for weeks. I don’t want to go. A few weeks ago, I did. But that was when Austin and I were still a thing and now, well, he can go fuck himself for all I care.
Plus, I’m still trying to process the events I experienced a few days ago. Ending up in the Underworld by accident isn’t exactly something you just shrug off.
But Hannah wants to go for Jason, and I know she’s just dragging me along so that I don’t sit home alone and mop about how boring my life is. If only she knew—.
“Ready?” She asked, giving me a soft smile. I sigh, before flashing her a fake smile, “Yep.”
The crisp air nipped at my cheeks as Hannah and I squeezed through the throngs of students heading toward the Meadow Hills University stadium. The roar of the crowd was already building, a tangible wave of anticipation that vibrated through the ground.
Today was the day. Meadow Hills versus Harrow Grove. The biggest rivalry of the year.
Hannah, decked head-to-toe in Meadow Hills blue and white, practically vibrated with excitement beside me. “I can’t believe it’s finally here!” she squealed, adjusting her foam finger. I tugged at the uncomfortable MHU sweatshirt I’d borrowed from her and well, she snatched it off Jason.
We finally found our seats, located close to the fifty-yard line. As we settled in, scanning the field, Hannah nudged me excitedly. “There they are!”
My eyes followed her pointed finger and, sure enough, there they were. Austin, grinning like an idiot in the number 13 jersey, and Jason, towering next to him in his number 43.
They caught sight of us and waved, Austin’s smile widening when his eyes locked with mine and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. What did he expect—that I’ll be blowing him a kiss, for him to pretend to catch and hold it to his heart like a fucking soppy rom-com?
The whistle blew, shrill and deafening. The players on the field snapped to attention, settling into their positions. A collective roar erupted from the stands, a surge of energy that made my ears ring.
The next few hours were a blur of blue and white, roaring crowds, and the thud of bodies colliding on the field. I’m not much of a football fan, so most of the game I had no fucking idea what was going on.
The roar of the crowd faded into a dull hum as I pushed my way through the jubilant students. Our team had won, but the victory felt hollow. All I wanted was to escape the noise, the back-slapping, and most of all, Austin.
