Page 30

Chapter thirty

B ob entered the loft, head down. His movements were sluggish, and his eyes bloodshot from crying. It had been years since he lost a member of his team. While he worked for Death and had experience dealing with the recently departed, he didn’t have experience with grief.

Isis and Constantine sat at the kitchen table, each with large mugs of coffee in front of them. Bob joined them, taking a seat across from Isis.

“How is the team?” Constantine asked Bob.

“Hurting.”

“Katrina has grief counselors on staff that she can loan us,” Isis told him.

“We are going to need them,” Bob confessed. “We have canceled court for the next week, and only a skeleton crew will be on duty. Everyone loved Abby, and this was a blow.”

They sat in silence for a few more minutes.

Bob rubbed his face and exhaled deeply. “I didn’t suspect a thing.”

“Nobody did,” answered Constantine. “It has been decades since I’ve seen a case that serious with multiple personalities. Two souls were living in that body.”

“Is Abby’s soul in hell?” Bob poked at the table, holding back more tears.

“Death pulled some strings,” Isis informed him.

“Really?” Bartholomew asked, walking into the kitchen area from the back.

Isis nodded. “Abby refused to let Nikita suffer alone. Death couldn’t tolerate having an innocent soul condemned to damnation.”

“But Nikita?” Bartholomew asked. “She was a serial killer.”

“A serial killer, an assassin, a broken child,” Isis replied. “She was many things. But also, a part of a really good person. I don’t know how Abby separated her soul in two, but they are two distinct beings.”

“What did Death do?” Bob asked, leaning forward.

“She got permission to deliver them to purgatory,” Isis replied.

“But Abby wasn’t Catholic,” said Bartholomew.

“No. But Death makes deliveries there,” Constantine jumped in. “It’s a suitable compromise for both. Nikita will have centuries to heal from the trauma and atone for her sins. Abby can keep her company. They will both be safe now.”

“TJ would like to know this,” Bartholomew told them.

“We can also thank Abby for giving us Will’s location,” Constantine added softly. “At least that stopped the escalation of that stupid war.”

“That’s at least one blessing,” said Bob.

Isis rose from her chair and walked over to her brother. His silver eyes were also puffy. Bartholomew’s usual smile was gone. Isis embraced her brother, who held her tight.

“I’m sorry,” Bartholomew whispered. “I’m going to miss your birthday tomorrow.”

Pulling aways, Isis looked into Bartholomew’s face. “Where are you going?”

“TJ and I are heading to Europe,” he told her.

“Bart, you are extremely weak,” Isis protested. “Death gave you enough energy to heal your body. After your last jump, you won’t have any power for at least a month.”

“Relax.” He rubbed her chin with his thumb. “We are going backpacking the old-fashioned way. No powers. We even got plane tickets to travel coach.”

“I like the initiative, but maybe you two are taking it too far,” Constantine explained. “How about we drop you off in the jet and pick you up when you are done?”

“But we are trying to embrace life, like Abby wanted us to,” Bartholomew protested.

“Honey, I love it.” Isis gripped him. “But Constantine is right. You are still a Reaper. We still have enemies. Roaming around human airports packed with people and supernatural beings without your powers is not the best plan.”

“Are you saying we can’t go?”

“You can absolutely go,” said Constantine. “Just not alone on a commercial plane. Bob, pack your bags. You are going with the boys.”

“What? Me?”

“You need a vacation,” Constantine explained. “Hiking through Europe will do you wonders.”

“Are you coming?” Bob glanced at Constantine.

“Hell no,” said Constantine. “I’ll be right here watching over Haven.”

“Isis?” Bartholomew asked.

“No, sweetie.” She smiled warmly. “You all need this. I’ll be here keeping an eye on that one, so he doesn’t burn down the town. But I will escort you to Europe. We can have my birthday lunch in Italy, and then I’ll be back. How does that sound?”

Bartholomew kissed her cheek again and held her tight. After a long embrace, Isis pulled away. She ruffled Bartholomew’s hair.

“Bob, go pack,” Isis repeated. “See if Shorty wants to join you. I’ll get the pilot ready.”

“Of course, he will come,” Bob informed them. “A trip to Europe. Who wouldn’t? Let me get ready.”

Bob marched towards the door of the loft and stopped at the threshold. His heart was broken over the passing of Abby. But as he watched his family, a very unconventional family, he knew he would see her again. He was Death’s intern, after all. For them, death was only another destination. Bob rushed out the door to get ready for a very needed break from the madness of Haven.

Hope you enjoyed Cursed by Fur and the fabulous Reapers Universe. This group has stolen my heart and it’s always such a blast to dive back into their lives. If you are curious of how the lovely Isis and the cheerful Bartholomew became Reapers, you can start the journey with Death’s Intern . This is book 1 in the Intern Diaries series and the first book in the Reapers Universe. Go back in time and see how this strange group of misfits became a family and change Texarkana forever.

If you are still reading this, I have a little surprise for you. This is the first time I have ever done this, but I’m so excited it. I have included a bonus chapter. This is from the perspective of Isis. You get an inside look at what happened on that mission between Isis and Eugene searching for Mickey. Happy Reading!