Reapers - Master of Souls (Reapers Chronicles Book III)

35 - Kiss or Kill (2 of 2)

May I love you?

May I be your shield?

When no one can be found

May I lay you down?

35 - Kiss or Kill

I stared at the mark on my hand for what seemed like minutes before deciding to turn in. As I passed by the mess hall, I couldn't help but take a peek and eavesdrop on the conversations.

"You're getting old, brother," Vladimir said as he plucked a strand of hair from Hector's head. "You're hair is turning gray."

Hector's eyes widened. He put down his goblet and scrambled to his feet. "Fair suck of the sav!" He made a face while examining the strand Vladimir had given him. Sagging onto the chair, he let the side of his head thud on the wooden table. "We're not just growing old. We're growing mortal."

Vladimir's boyish laugh resounded throughout the hall. "I knew I was growing taller! And I thought I was imagining it."

All of a sudden, Hector began banging his head on the table. "Weren't you listening to a bloody word I've said, mate? We're growing mortal. If Father doesn't regain enough power to sustain our immortality, we'd all be fireflies in a few decades!"

"Who cares?!" Vlad answered skipping up and down as if that would speed up his growth spurt. "I'm growing!"

"I don't want to die!" Hector blubbered.

Vincent caught Vladimir's shoulder and forced him back onto his seat. "You won't die, Hector. Once we start collecting souls again, Fa--I mean Pilgrim's going to be full power in no time."

Vladimir's lips puckered. "Shame."

Shaking his head, Vincent looked at Hector pointedly.

"Shame," he agreed.

"I know, I know!" Vlad's head kept bobbing up and down. "Let's not start collecting souls until I'm able to grow a mustache, okay?"

Vincent forced back a laugh. "Sure thing. Just, grow up fast. I don't think Hector's going to wait long."

Joaquim dropped an arm over Vincent's shoulder. His face was red and he could barely open his eyes.

"You've been sitting there for hours, Meu and you still haven't touched your wine! We've won! Celebrate!" he said, laughing.

"You planning on drinking yourself to death?" Vincent retorted.

"Yes!" Joaquim raised his glass. "In the words of Bukowski, find what you love and let it kill you!"

Vincent was about to say something back when he saw me looking by the door. I wanted to watch them longer. With the brothers bickering like this, it felt like I could forget all my fears for even just a moment.

I averted my gaze and went on my way. It wasn't until I reached our room and slid the door behind me was I able to breathe.

The weight of Belial's words still resonated in my head.

"It's going to be okay," I murmured to myself while pacing back and forth, my breaths scraping in and out of my airways. "Vincent's not going to turn into a monster. Even if he does--no! What was I thinking?! He's never going to let that happen. He--"

The sound of the sliding door being opened interrupted my panicky monologue. I twisted on my heels and saw Vincent enter. He had a goblet in one hand and a small plate of roasted vegetables on another.