Page 18 of Trust the Fall

“There’s a hierarchy. We’re run similarly to a monarchy. Each reaper manages their own territory.”

“So you’re a duke?” I ask to clarify.

“No.”

“Ever the conversationalist,” I huff. “Is this top-secret information or are you just trying to be obtuse?”

“You’re prying into my life. If you haven’t noticed, I like my privacy and so do the other reapers. If you want to know the ways of the reapers, read a fucking history book.”

I guffaw at his sudden hostility. What did I say that has him so up in arms? And what book? There aren’t books written about reapers. When he sees my look of confusion mixed with irritation, his severe frown softens.

“Shit. I’m … I’m sorry. I forget that you were largely sheltered. There are … books written about our kind. I’m sure Lucifer has them here in the library. It’s a long history, Victoria. Too much to cover in one conversation.”

My shoulders sag a little. “I only asked about the hierarchy. You’re the one who brought it up.”

He sighs. “That topic is a bit of a sore subject at the moment.”

My eyes narrow in on him and I want to press. But something in his expression stops me.

“Let’s just say I’m at the top of the chain. Second only to the queen.”

I raise a brow, wondering what exactly this man is to the queen.

“She’s guarded well. Most have never even seen her. Many believe she’s the last of her line.”

“You don’t sound like you believe that.”

He shrugs. “Not my current concern.”

“Did she send you here to gather information?”

“Princess,” he croons, “I’m nobody’s errand boy.”

Good grief. If he calls me princess one more time I might combust.

“Stop calling me that.”

His nose scrunches. “Call you what?”

“Princess. I’m not anything to you,” I snap, sounding unhinged by a simple pet name. “Now, help me find my way out of here,” I say, moving toward the door.

He laughs. The son of a bitch actually laughs at me as though I’m ridiculous.

“I’ll keep that in mind, and for the record, you’re not getting out of here.” He shakes his head, moving in between me and the door. “I’m sorry about this.”

He lunges toward me, lifting me in one swoop. I don’t even have a chance to realize what’s happening and fight before I’m back in that cage, locked away again.

“Wait,” I bark out, grabbing the cage bars with both hands. “Don’t you dare leave me. Get me out.”

His head turns over his shoulders, eyes gleaming as they run over the parts of me he can see. “You’re not anything to me, princess, and I don’t owe you a damn thing.”

WRECKED

I’ve sat curled up in the middle of the cage floor since River did a disappearing act.

The whole exchange has left me feeling … off.

Partly because of the talk about the reapers possibly joining this cause. I knew things were getting serious. Wars between Heaven and Hell have happened many times throughout the history of the universe. The differences? No demon has ever attempted to dethrone Lucifer, and the reapers have never seen fit to join the fight.