In a blink, it’s gone, and I have to make the choice between trying to follow its siphon or to render aid to Levi.
I choose to check on my friend.
My back muscles burn as I pick up speed, crossing the distance between us. It takes only a few seconds, and I land at his side in a crouch. His face comes into view, and pure horror rips through my system.
There’s nothing that can be done.
His soul is gone, his body desiccated beyond any hope of repair. An animalistic bellow leaves my lips, and I fall to my knees next to his corpse.
Simon and Josiah arrive a short while later, but my head swims with confusion.
Why did he leave the bar at all?
There’s safety in numbers.
What could have drawn him away from our group?
Oathkeeper forms in my left hand, and I prepare to hunt the creature.
“Shit, Zeph.” Hazel shoves her chair back, breaking contact with my hands as she pushes to her feet. “Your pain… I can feel it in my chest.”
“I’m sorry I forced you to endure that. I know those memories are disturbing,” I say, following her up. “Were you able to sense anything?”
Her head shakes then nods. “I’m almost positive that was a reaper, which means it was your friend’s time to go.”
“It wasn’t,” I keep my tone firm but not rude. Or I try to. Who knows if I pull it off. “I’ve dealt with reapers before. They don’t look like that, and they don’t leave desiccated corpses when they reap.”
“They do if a sin eater siphons off the sins before the reaper reaps,” Hazel says, quirking a perfectly manicured eyebrow.
I take a step back.
I’m not sure why I’m shocked to learn she has knowledge of sin eaters and reapers, but it’s the last thing I would expect from someone like Hazel.
My head shakes. “Sin eaters don’t exist. Not outside of history books. They went extinct a millennium ago.”
“And if I told you they didn’t? Would I just be wasting my breath or would you believe me?” she asks, barely above a whisper.
“It’s not that I don’t believe you, but that’s what I was taught,” I tell her, brushing my fingers over her cheek. I jolt as the connection sizzles. I’ll need to do some research about what might be causing that. “I’m surprised you even know the term.”
“My family was thorough with my teachings.” Her lips tip up in a sad smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Listen, I don’t want to sound insensitive, but you’re a harvester. You do the same thing a reaper does. You judge souls. Can you really blame that demon for doing the exact same job you do?”
My teeth grind together, and I fight against the urge to snap at her. “It wasn’t his time. He was murdered.”
Her frown deepens, and she almost looks pained. “Let me ask you this. How well did you truly know that friend?”
My brow furrows.
I don’t like what she’s insinuating.
Levi was already fallen when the two of us met, but I couldn’t fault his reasoning. I’ve had moments when I’ve balked at my superiors’ orders too. I just didn’t have the wherewithal to go against their commands.
Levi did.
It got him banished to the human realm. If he were to have returned to Heaven, he would have immediately been incarcerated. Those were the terms. Stay away from the only realm you’ve ever known, or beheavilypunished for failing to comply with orders issued by a superior.
“Fairly well,” I say, glancing away from her prying eyes. “I was away frequently during the last year of his life, but I don’t believe he could have changed that much in such a short span of time.”
Hazel steps forward, resting her hand on my forearm. The material of my shirt separates her from making contact with my skin, but the weight of her touch sits heavy in my chest. “Would you have trusted Levi alone in a room with your mother? How about a little sister?”
