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A chain sits on the table, taunting me. My steps are slow as I approach, but I stop at the edge of the table unable to prevent my hand from reaching out. There’s a cold bite to the metal but the moment it’s in my hand it heats against my skin. With one purposeful thought a scythe forms in my hand and my fingers instinctively curl around the pole. The weapon is taller than I am and I let it rest on my shoulder, testing its weight before holding it out and admiring the shining, gunmetal gray blade. It glows with the same blue light as the city, a skull forming in the metal as if it were drifting to the surface of a pond.
“Oh, wow,” someone whispers and I whip around to see a smiling woman standing in the doorway. “I haven’t seen one show a skull before. You must be strong.”
“Uh, hello?” I say as I set my scythe back down on the table. It transforms back into a chain and I grab it, wrapping it around my wrist, tucking the end under the rest so it stays in place.
She doesn’t speak until I look back at her and that same thousand watt grin is on her face. “Hey, new girl. I’m Zoey. I’m ridiculously excited to have some fresh meat around here!” Her voice gets high pitched until she squeals and does a little happy dance. It’s so absurd that I find myself laughing at her energy.
“Well you’re a contrast to Arianna.” Something flashes across her face and she loses a bit of her bubbliness.
“Worlds apart,” she says with a shrug. “And you are?”
“Luz. Nice to meet you.” I say politely, holding out my hand to shake hers. She looks at it and giggles, before grabbing it and pulling me into a hug. I stiffen against her but she doesn’t relent until I awkwardly pat her back in an attempt to return it.
“We don’t need to shake hands and be formal, we’re sisters now! I hear they assigned you a room near mine.” She pulls back long enough to study me. Before she can spout out something more exciting, I remind her why she’s here.
“What’s the plan? Arianna said you’ll be showing me around and training me?” I ask. Her eyes flicker to mine and I realize I don’t quite trust her either. She’s bubbly and loud but something else flickers in her eyes. Then again I don’t trust anyone right now.
“Are you hungry?” she asks, completely ignoring my question. I start to say no and ask for more answers but my stomach growls angrily, answering for me. Her smile is back and she claps her hands.
“Good! Let’s go get some food and talk first. We’ll be attached at the hip for a bit, so we may as well make it fun.” The thought sounds like pure torture and I almost wish for the void again to avoid it.
“What will training entail?” I bring her back to my first question, refusing to let her keep brushing me off. How hard is it for people around here to answer my damn questions?
“I’ll train you to use your reaper powers and give you the rundown of the city. There’s a lot to see. Another trainer will teach you combat skills, that’s not my thing.” Her nose wrinkles but then she’s right back to fucking cheerful. “You’ll love it here.”
Clearly she’s already drinking the Kool-Aid.
She turns and leads me down the hallway and into the elevator again. Once we reach the lobby, I see that it’s an apartment building. The directory shows a pool, mailboxes, and a security desk. Zoey waves to the surly man behind the desk but he doesn’t even acknowledge her.I guess I’m not the only one who doesn’t believe her intense cheerfulness.
Zoey seems completely unfazed as she makes her way to the front door. As the cool outside air hits me, energy buzzes along my skin, the magic of the city teasing along my skin and welcoming me to my new home.
There’s no turning back now.
ChapterThree
Luz
The neon signs of the retro diner Zoey dragged me too are bright and cheery, but the staff is creeping me out. Everyone working here has an odd translucent, yet somehow solid, appearance. I can make out their clothes and features but it’s hard when I can still see the diner through them. Zoey notices me giving the staff the side-eye and giggles.
“They’re souls. Freaky at first, I know. The spirits are only solid in this city, if they leave they will fade away. The afterlife can be boring though, so some volunteer to work shifts in places like this,” she explains.
I need coffee to keep up with this girl.
One of the souls comes up to the table and stares at us expectantly. I take the moment to get an even better look. She must have been in her fifties when she died because I can even make out the slight wrinkles on her weary face. Despite her lack of expression I can feel a kindness emanating from her.
“I’ll have pancakes and chocolate milk,” Zoey orders and sticks her menu back in its spot behind the napkin dispenser. The soul turns to me with emotionless eyes, blinking expectantly. That same energy from the city buzzes along my arms, making the hairs stand up. That will take some getting used to.
“Uh, I’ll take pancakes, bacon, and coffee?” I order quickly, trying to avoid looking at her for too long and being rude. By the time I finish tucking my menu away she’s already gone and I let out a sigh of relief.
“You get used to them,” Zoey says, studying me. Her gaze is piercing, despite her cheerful smile. It’s a bit disconcerting.
“So, what exactly will you be training me in?” I ask for a quick subject change. Plus I’m dying to get some real, solid answers. Everything so far has been quick and vague.
“I’ll train you on how to use your reaper powers. I’m not your combat trainer and I’m not sure who that is, but someone will tell you soon.” She stops talking and then something lights up her face. Her mouth opens and closes as she seems to fight with herself before apparently something won out and she rushes on. “Is it true that the Master Reapers brought you in? Man you’re lucky! They are insanely hot!” Her eyes take on a wistful look. Apparently she has a crush, but I don't even know what a Master Reaper is. Some sort of leader here?
“I remember hearing some men around me when I tried to wake up the first time but I never saw them. After I fought to get out of the void it was Arianna who was there.” That deflates her a bit but she recovers far too quickly.
“Just wait until you meet them,” she gushes, but is mercifully interrupted when our food arrives. I can only take so much gossip and her cheerfulness is starting to grate on my nerves to the point I’m grinding my fucking teeth. There is no way she’s this way all day every day. It has to be a show, right?
