Page 82 of Finders Reapers

I had no idea what was going on, but from what I gathered, disappearing and reappearing were not typical for Reapers.

I knew that the universe had a way of making us invisible and unable to interact with the world at important moments, but I got the impression that Reapers were never invisible to each other.

“Can someone explain why this is such a big deal?” I laughed nervously as I ran my hand through my hair before catching my fingers in my ponytail.

Jamal stopped pacing and rubbed his hand over his lips. “You disappeared.”

I glanced to the side, but neither Maddox or Rome made eye contact with me. “Uh-huh.”

“Reapers don’t do that,” Fletcher said helpfully as he bit into his apple. “We're fastened to our bodies with the same magic that bonds us together.”

Jamal watched him and growled in frustration. “It’s complicated.”

I blinked slowly. “Okay.”

“There are two things at play here which mean what you just did shouldn’t have been possible,” Jamal explained, exasperated. “First, only demons can Lace like that.”

“Lace?” I repeated skeptically.

“Lace.” Jamal nodded staunchly. “If you think of time and space like fabric, demons can Lace two separate places together. It’s like teleporting, but much more dangerous.”

“Don’t doorways do that?” I frowned.

Jamal shook his head, but Fletcher answered.

“Doorways act as anchors. Reapers can access them, but the magic comes from the app. Reapers don’t generate magic. Lacing is serious business for demons; if a novice doesn’t know what they're doing, they can get lost or torn into a million pieces.” He finished his apple and allowed the core to roll off his hand into the waste paper basket next to the couch. Fletcher brushed his hands against his jeans and stood up. “You’re not a demon.” He declared.

“No shit,” I rolled my eyes. “Why are we all sitting around like this?”

“Have you ever seen anything like this?” Rome turned at the waist to speak to Maddox on my other side.

Maddox closed his eyes and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees before rubbing his hand against the grain of his shorn head. “I really hope this isn’t what I think this is.” Maddox breathed before cursing as he reclined and stared up at the ceiling. “I should call Charon. I have the feeling he left a few things out.”

My eyes flicked down to Maddox’s side, where the wound from the previous day had been hidden. I said nothing and waited for someone else to speak.

“Have you seen this before?” Jamal crossed his arms over his chest and rested back on the heels of his feet.

Fletcher glanced between them. He raised his hand tentatively. “For the cheap seats?”

Realization crossed Rome’s face slowly. “If Charon is doing what I think he’s doing, he’s very clever but also foolish, and we’ve been roped into something above our pay grade.”

“Unless you guys forgot, I’ve been a Reaper less than a week. I’m going to need some help here.” My brows arched as I turned from each of the guys, waiting for an explanation.

Rome and Maddox exchanged glances before Rome nodded and stood up. “We should call Charon.” He reached into his pocket and took out a packet of cigarettes and his phone.

“Is anyone going to explain how I can disconnect from my body and teleport?” My voice hitched. “All this cryptic bullshit is not the vibes.”

Without looking back, Maddox reached behind his head, grabbed the cigarette carton from Rome’s fingers, and threw it into the kitchen.

Rome cursed, and his eye twitched. “I wonder if your ability to Lace will affect the connection our Grim shares.”

“I can feel the connection.” Fletcher waved his hand in front of his chest. “I wouldn’t worry about it.”

“I need a cigarette for this tedious conversation.” Rome shrugged.

Maddox exhaled sharply. “Do not smoke in my house,comrade.”

“Russia was not Soviet Union since ’91.” Rome barked back. “I resent your tone.”