“Anyways, I caught up with Rylan, and he’s got an update for you all.” Reggie looks his way, elbowing him in the side when he can’t seem to stop staring.
“Oh, right.” He clears his throat. “There are whispers throughout the realm that the ‘plan is in motion.’”
“What fucking plan?” Cole demands, his power sneaking out as the rest of us wait with baited breath.
“I...I don’t know. It’s always just referred to as the plan. No one I’ve talked to knows any of the details, but whatever it is, it’s supposed to be big. I’m supposed to meet up with another group here shortly, and I’m hoping they’ve got more information for me.”
“Thanks, Rylan,” Fate says, cutting off Cole’s next statement. “Keep digging and see if you can get any other details.”
Cole opens his mouth to speak, and Fate’s eyes narrow. His lips smack shut, and I quickly disguise my chuckle behind a cough. He catches it though and aims an angry look my way.
“You’ve got it, Your Highness. I won’t let you down.” Rylan nods at the rest of us before he disappears.
“He’s supposed to report to me,” Cole mutters.
Fate’s brow raises, “Wait. You guys actually approve of my idea?”
“We quickly vetted him yesterday when we discovered you were missing. For now, we’re willing to give him a chance.”
Her smile spreads from ear to ear, and I swear my heart stutters.
“Hey. Guys! Focus.” Reggie claps twice, dragging our attention away from the woman whose smile draws us all in like moths to a flame. “Fate called me earlier and let me in on what’s happening with your powers. I think I know who can help us.”
Cole straightens off the counter, walking over to the table and taking a seat next to Levi. “Who?”
“Someone we can trust?” Fate asks. Hearing her sound so unsure makes my gut twist uncomfortably.
“Yes. I mean, I haven’t seen him in over a century, but he’s the one who originally helped you with each of your bonds, so he should be able to help you fix them.”
Fate shares a look with Cole, relying on his guidance despite the fact that they’re still in some sort of weird battle of wills. She may not realize it, but the trust we once had is already being rebuilt. Those connections we lost are slowly regaining their power. It’s a beautiful thing to witness, I mean, if I was the sentimental sort. Which I’m most definitely not. Okay, moving on…
“What’s his name?” Cole asks when he finally turns to Reggie.
“Death.”
The entire kitchen is silent, staring at the quirky ghost like we’re all waiting for the punchline, but one never comes.
“I’m sorry, did you just say Death?” Levi asks.
“Yes. Death. Like the Death. The Grim Reaper. You know, black robe. Big scythe? Not ringing any bells?”
“You’re telling us Death is a real person?” I ask.
“Well, yeah. I mean, he skirts the line between the spirit world and the human realm, but he’s as real as any of you. The disguise is just for dramatics. You all were pretty close, actually, with him and his brothers. ”
“And where do we find Death?” Fate asks, her head tilted like she’s trying to wrap her brain around the fact that we’re talking about Death like a living breathing being.
“He has a house in the ‘burbs. I can give you the address.”
“Wait a minute.” I pause, strands of the wig falling into my face, making my nose itch. I quickly push them back and tuck them behind my ear. “You’re telling me Death lives in suburbia?”
“Yup. White picket fence and everything.”
“That’s fucked up,” I mutter. “Wonder if his neighbors know who lives next door?”
Cole stands. “Everyone get ready. We’ll head out in thirty minutes.”
We all do the same, except for Knox. When I glance at him, he’s sitting at the far end, his elbows on the table and head bowed.
“What’s up, bro?” I ask, for once reining in my dickishness.
“Maybe you all should go. With my powers going crazy, I shouldn’t get too close to anyone.”
“Oh!” Reggie exclaims. “I totally forgot! Fate, I remembered that you and Death both worked together previously to create pendants that would draw the energy out of excessively strong spirits. They may work to tamp down on the guys’ powers as a sort of temporary solution. The Gateway said they can be located in drawer five.”
We all turn toward Fate who looks like a deer in headlights. Cole crosses his arms over his chest. Macklin looks like he might burst with all the questions that I’m sure he’s got rolling around in that big brain of his. Levi toddles up next to me, grabbing my shoulder to steady himself, and Knox looks hopeful.
“Drawer five? What’s she talking about, Fate?” Cole asks, accusation dripping from every word. “Keep in mind that I could just read it from your brain, but I'm trusting you to tell us.”
“Uh…” Her lips purse and her nose scrunches up as she goes silent. It should not look adorable, but it totally fucking does. “I mean, you could try, but aren’t you a little...off, right now, babe?” Then she shoots a quick glare at Reggie.
The ghostly assistant just shrugs before saying “Oops.” Then she’s gone.
Cole stands completely still, eyes glued on her.
Fate sighs. “So, I may have stumbled on a secret room inside the office.”
“A secret room that you didn’t think you should tell us about?” He arches his eyebrow. “And when did this happen?”
“Eh, that doesn’t really matter, does it? I can take you all there right now and show you.” She heads toward the doorway, damn near at a jog.
“Fate.”
One word from Cole and our woman stops in her tracks.
“Explain.”
She turns around with a glare aimed at the unlucky bastard. “In case you forgot, I’m immune to your commands.”
“In case you forgot, I’ll spank your ass if you don’t tell us what you’re hiding,” Knox growls, standing now and making his way around the table.
“That’s totally not a punishment.”
“It will be when I won’t let you come.”
I watch as she swallows, and I immediately imagine the warmth of her mouth as she swallows down my dick. Then I remember I’m in a goddamn mini dress and look down to see my cock tenting against the material. Fuck my life.
She takes a deep breath and lets her head fall back for a second before straightening her shoulders and looking at each of us.
“I’ll explain on the way to the office,” she says as she turns and heads out of the room.
We all stand there for a moment.
“Fucking woman is going to be the death of me,” Cole mutters.
Fate pops her head back through the doorway. “Well? Are you coming or what?”
“Oh, we’ll be coming alright, sweets,” Levi grumbles. “Now you owe us times two.”
Her eyes widen, and her cheeks flush.
“Bro, don’t put that look on her face. My dick is going to push this damn dress up farther than anyone needs to see if it gets any harder.”