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No one pays me any
attention now I'm in town either. With the academy not so far away, and humans aware of the supernaturals among them, no one is particularly surprised to see a reaper wandering around. I'd probably draw more attention if I was wearing clown makeup. Not that I'm in any rush to try that one out.
I follow the directions to the letter, surprised to find they're taking me to another built-up area. We already know where Erica's ghost lives, why am I going to a second place? Maybe Mathias found out where her baby is and that's who we're going to meet.
An uneasy feeling settles in my gut and increases the closer I get to my destination. Something about this doesn't feel right. I've been putting it down to the fact I'm normally with Mathias already when I do this part, and it just feels different because I'm alone, but the longer I walk, the more uncertain I become about that.
Should I call him?
No. That's not necessary. He's probably in the middle of something or he'd have come to meet me.
Despite that, I pause and pull up the email again. I don't know what makes me check it, but I want to make sure he's the one who actually sent it to me. Sure enough, his academy email address is the one in the from field.
I'm being paranoid. This is the same feeling I get when I think there's someone watching me. It's just the part of me that's been overly sheltered for my entire life grabbing hold and refusing to let go. No one is out to hurt me. No one is watching me. The Shadow Association have no need to. They've made their summons but it's for next week, so I technically haven't ignored it yet. They aren't after me.
After fourteen minutes of walking, I turn the corner and find myself down the street from my destination. It looks a bit worse for wear, but I've seen more rundown places during my ghost hunts, so not a red flag.
Even so, I hesitate, not wanting to get any closer. There's something off about the building. Or the situation, I can't tell which.
"Stop it, Syxe," I chide myself. This is my job, and I'm going to do it. Being paranoid is not a good enough excuse and I refuse to be scared of a collection of bricks.
This is where Mathias asked me to come, so this is where I'm going. It's all going to be fine.
10
The inside of the building reminds me a little of the one where I first encountered the reapers who told me what I was. I didn't believe them at the time, but I'm grateful for it now.
Creaks and groans come from the rotting floorboards.
What am I doing here?
"Mathias?" I call out. Maybe that's a bad idea, but he wanted me to come here, there must be a reason for that.
No one answers.
"Mathias, please, this isn't funny. I'm sorry I've been avoiding you." There's a slight shake in my voice. It's not a nice way of getting payback, but I suppose I understand why he may want it. "Mathias..." My voice cracks.
Okay, this is getting to be beyond a joke. If he can hear me, he knows how scared I am. He's not cruel, he'll step in and reassure me.
The door slams behind me and I spin around to find a tall woman with a pinched face staring at me.
Oh no.
"Hello, Syxe," she says, a slight smile lifting her lips. It's not a friendly one.
"Ms Margery," I respond with a tightness in my voice that can't be misconstrued. "I'd say it's a pleasure to see you again, but I know how you feel about lying."
"Hmm. Maybe I taught you better than I thought I did," she responds.
I suppose she's not wrong. She taught me how I didn't want to be. I haven't seen Ms Margery since I moved into the teenager's dorm in the Shadow Association house, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten her. No matter how much I want to.
"I need to get going," I say. "I have places I need to be."
"Yes. You do. You received a summons."
"That's not until next week," I point out. "I'm not late for it." Yet.
"The Leader wants to make sure you'll show up for your summons."
