ESTELLE

The pulsing of the elevator’s steel walls inclining upward rattled my thoughts. I gripped the handrail and quelled the remaining—terrifying stories of Grim aside.

This wasn't my first time seeing Grim but it was my first time meeting him. A few glimpses of him here and there in the office but he appeared clean-cut and put together. So, how bad could he be? I mean, if it was only baseless rumors from scorned employees and nothing more—why was I so nervous?

The elevator slammed into place, and I stumbled forward as the automatic doors slid open.

A sweaty, wide-eyed man I realized too late as Henry, the new intern, stormed past me and my anxiety spiked again.

Why was Henry running? He’s only been a reaper for a couple years. Wow. I couldn't believe they gave him the hardest job here. Keeping Grim happy.

My wild heartbeat throbbed against my chest and muffled the smooth jazz resounding up the hall.

Oh, fuck. Only psychopaths listen to jazz.

No. No. It’s fine. Get a grip. 

It's not that big of a deal. Maybe Grim would only give me a slap on the wrist, and that's it. Another write-up? Doable. I'm the fucking queen of write-ups and getting them expunged from my record? Easy-peasy.

I staggered through the dim light; my legs revealed my nerves as the soles of my heels clicked against the gold-speckled obsidian tiles. It was like entering Lucifer’s domain all over again. And his creepy throne room.

My heart pounded harder. The looming bone-white door tunneled my vision.

One deep breath, I exhaled and shook out the lingering tension in my hands and pushed the door open.

Moonlight pooled in from the tempered glass windows, illuminating the two gun-metal gray chairs next to the desk. The office chair faced away from me, overlooking the city doused in a kaleidoscopic glow.

My breathing muted the world around me, and I began to question whether I should sit or wait for Grim to acknowledge my presence.

But I had never been the patient type in all my years of living or reaping, and it was undeniable I entered the room.

Could he be more rude?

I shifted my feet. “Sir?” I waited for a response but only the vibration of keys from a piano echoing off the speakers consumed us.

Was he really going to make me keep gabbing?

I took one treacherous step forward, provoking him to acknowledge me.

All the blood ran cold in my body as Grim’s deep, velvety voice rang in my ears. “Do you know why I called for you?”

My mouth dried up, and the slow ticking of a clock cut through the melody of the song as his voice froze me in place.

Grim clicked his tongue and swung the chair around, meeting my wide, honey-colored eyes.

He stood up and prowled toward me.

Grim’s smooth raven black hair shimmered purple hues from the cascading city lights; his threatening aura fit his physique well as the black suit hugged his muscular shoulders—extra tight around the waist and legs.

His viciously sharp eyes and predatorial walk made me want to flee the fucking city like he just witnessed me stomp all over evidence at a crime scene, and he was here to apprehend me. Not that escaping him was a feasible option. He’d definitely catch my ass and throw me into the worst level of Hell.

I almost forgot how to function as he stood above me; his piercing grey eyes boring a hole into my skull. His face carried no hint of emotion. If anything—he looked pissed off he had to meet me.

“Well?” Grim tilted his head and crossed his arms. His pecs flexed with the slightest movement of his suit jacket.

“I . . . well . . . yes?” Holy shit. How could I respond to that? Was he talking about recent mistakes, or ones when I first started reaping? Or the ones I recently covered up?

All I desired was to go home and snuggle with my cat and eat takeout after a hard work week. But the way Grim glared down at me—told me—I wouldn't be doing any of that, at all.

“Good. At least you're not completely incompetent.” Grim turned, and I eased my breathing. He pointed his index finger down at the chair as he hovered beside it. “Have a seat.”

He sure as heck didn't have to tell me twice. I scurried my weak legs to one of the gray chairs and plopped down, grabbing the side arms of it.

If I behaved myself, he’d lessen my punishment. Right?

Grim traced his hand along the back of the chair and it sent gooseflesh down my neck.

I didn't flinch, too afraid of the repercussions. The last rumor I heard about him—he dragged a few interns back down to Hell himself because they got his coffee order wrong. But that's absolutely ridiculous. What psycho would do that because of a wrong order?

But if the rumors were true, I swore I would never go back down there no matter what. I'd get down on my knees and beg if I had too. Did I have any pride? Nope. Never heard of it.

“I can't tell if your supervisor likes you or pities you. The fact your existence hasn't been brought to my attention until now is astounding.” Grim snatched a file off his desk and flicked through pages of it. “Estelle Viro. Twenty misplaced souls, fifteen sent to hell, ten turned into revenants, three vengeful spirits. Shall I go on?” He threw the file across the desk and it landed right in front of me.

I gulped, picked the file up, and peered at the contents of it.

All my mistakes were neatly highlighted in neon yellow and there were a lot. But how could there be this many? I always made sure Casius helped me fix them so no one would notice.

Damn it.

It was looking like I needed to kiss his ass hard and get through this alive or well . . . not the alternative. “No need. I understand why I'm here.” I closed the folder and placed it back on his desk. I stole a peek in Grim’s direction, who held a pinched scowl as he furrowed his brows. “I will take your punishment as you see tit.” My breathing hitched and my eyes widened in horror. “Fit. As you see fit.”

Grim’s dark expression remained, and I wished I could keel over and die again and be reborn as something simple. A flower. A ladybug. Or a cat. Just not a reaper. Not here. Not now. Definitely not with him.

Grim grumbled under his breath, rubbed the nape of his neck, pulled out his chair, and sat back down. “I will accompany you during your fieldwork where I can evaluate your skills and then you will follow me wherever I go without question.” Grim flicked his wrist. “Now leave. Your presence is nauseating.”

“Excuse me but did you just say you would accompany me?” 

Yeah. I glossed over the fact he called me revolting. But he didn't seem like the type to find anyone's existence enjoyable. So screw him. I knew I was a ray of fucking sunshine and he was missing out—not that I wished to stay in his presence any longer than necessary.

“Would you rather I strip you of your powers and send you back to whence you came?” Grim narrowed his eyes as if daring me to go against him like I had the power to disobey him.

God, did you hear that? Your head reaper was a dick and bullied his employees.

I bit my tongue and gritted through my teeth.  “Nope. All good. I’d love you.” I waved my hand. “I mean, it's a pleasure to have you accompany me, obviously.” I grinned.

“Go before I change my mind.”

My head nodded automatically, and I sprinted out of the room.

I hit the elevator button like my life depended on it, and it couldn't open fast enough as I launched myself inside.

My back pressed to the wall, I lifted my head up, and laughed uncontrollably.

Why couldn't I talk properly? Why did my nerves always make me say the most idiotic things?

This was a new level of torture. Anyone with eyes could see Grim hated my guts. He was going to make damn sure I paid for taking up his precious time. I just knew it.