With All My Soul
Page 91
If memory serves, youre already in my debt in that regard. Hed restored Tods afterlife after Id died. And did I mention that you dont have an appointment?
Shes not even a reaper, one of the men at my back said.
Levi crossed tiny arms over his little-boy chest, half covering the Gap Kids logo. Im aware, David.
What is she? the other reaper asked.
Out of line. Thats what she is. Levi planted both palms on his desk and glared up at me. It was like being scolded by a kindergartner. A kindergartner with an old soul and a corpses eyes. Kaylee, see my assistant and make an appointment. I think I have an opening around noon tomorrow.
This cant wait. Please, Levi. I need help. I clutched the vial in my pocket and held his gaze, letting desperation show in mine, even though he probably couldnt see the motion in my irises. Five minutes, max. I swear. Thats more than I could afford to spend there anyway.
Finally he exhaled and looked past me to the other reapers. Wait in the hall.
When they filed out the door without arguing, I realized that Tod was probably the least compliant employee Levi hadmuch like me in Madelines service.
The door clicked closed at my back. Levi gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk, and I sat. Is this about Tod?
No. Not directly, anyway. My feet bounced on the floor, and I couldnt make them stop.
Good, because hes used all the favors hes going to getmost of them on your behalfand hes been dead less than three years.
I swallowed a lump of guilt over that. But if this went well, he wouldnt have to worry about me getting Tod in trouble anymore.
So, what can I do for you, Kaylee?
I took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. I need you to tell a lie.
Levi frowned with pouty childs lips, and his freckled forehead wrinkled below a mop of bright red hair. Maybe you better start from the beginning.
It took almost five minutes for me to explain what I needed and why, and another two minutes to persuade him that my lie was necessary, and that he had to be the one to tell it. I then spent one more precious minute convincing him that I hadnt lost my mind and that I would actually go through with my part of the plan.
By the time I shook Levis hand, unsettled more by the grim respect in his gaze than I was by the reality of what I was planning, I was seven minutes late to meet Tod, and hed texted twice.
And I still had to pick up the drinks.
While I waited for our cherry limeades, I texted Tod to tell him I was on my way. Then I practiced controlling my pulse and slowing my heartbeat. Letting my true fear show in my eyes while hiding my guilt overwhat I was about to do.
This is about the war, not the battle, Kaylee. Sacrifices had to be made.
When I blinked into his room, Tod was squatting in front of the minifridge that served as his nightstand. When he saw me, he stood with the small carton of ice cream wed opened the day before.
No, thanks. I set the limeades on top of the fridge and held his gaze. Im not here for the ice cream.
His eyes widened. I may not be the sharpest scythe in the shed, but even I can read those signals. He kissed me, and I nearly forgot my own name.
Mmm... I said, when his mouth trailed over my chin and down my neck.
Why do you taste so good? he mumbled against my skin.
Cherry limeade. I reached back to hand him his. Id gotten us each a small, because I needed him to drink as much of his as possible.
Tod took a long drink, then set his cup down. I love those.
I know. I slid my hands beneath his shirt, running my fingers over his stomach, then higher.
I love you more.
More than processed sugar and fresh-squeezed citrus? You flatter me....
I leaned into him until he had to take a step back, and then I leaned a little more. He lost his balance and had to sit on the edge of the bed, staring up at me in surprise. I climbed into his lap, then I kissed Tod like I might never see him again. Like the promise of eternity was a cruel joke and the truth was that we might not live to see dawn.
When that kiss finally ended, Tod leaned back a little so he could focus on my face. Not that Im complainingand let me emphasize that Im truly not complainingbut is something wrong, Kaylee? I mean, other than the missing parents/demonic evil thing? He reached for his cup again, and relief and guilt churned within me, one fading into the other until they were indistinguishable.
Does something have to be wrong for me to want to spend time alone with my boyfriend?
His eyes narrowed as he sipped from his straw. A smarter reaper than I might notice that youre playing the same implication game Avari plays when he doesnt want to admit something.
I dont want a smarter reaper. I want you.
Ha ha. He took another drink, then set the cup down again. Kay...? He knew me too well to fall for my avoidance game, and he loved me too much not to push for the truth when something was obviously wrong.
Im just...scared. Im scared, Tod. I slumped beneath the weight of that admission, and his hands slid up my back, over my shirt. Im more scared now than Ive ever been in my life. Or my afterlife. That was true. In fact, that was the truest thing I could possibly have told him.
Shes not even a reaper, one of the men at my back said.
Levi crossed tiny arms over his little-boy chest, half covering the Gap Kids logo. Im aware, David.
What is she? the other reaper asked.
Out of line. Thats what she is. Levi planted both palms on his desk and glared up at me. It was like being scolded by a kindergartner. A kindergartner with an old soul and a corpses eyes. Kaylee, see my assistant and make an appointment. I think I have an opening around noon tomorrow.
This cant wait. Please, Levi. I need help. I clutched the vial in my pocket and held his gaze, letting desperation show in mine, even though he probably couldnt see the motion in my irises. Five minutes, max. I swear. Thats more than I could afford to spend there anyway.
Finally he exhaled and looked past me to the other reapers. Wait in the hall.
When they filed out the door without arguing, I realized that Tod was probably the least compliant employee Levi hadmuch like me in Madelines service.
The door clicked closed at my back. Levi gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk, and I sat. Is this about Tod?
No. Not directly, anyway. My feet bounced on the floor, and I couldnt make them stop.
Good, because hes used all the favors hes going to getmost of them on your behalfand hes been dead less than three years.
I swallowed a lump of guilt over that. But if this went well, he wouldnt have to worry about me getting Tod in trouble anymore.
So, what can I do for you, Kaylee?
I took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. I need you to tell a lie.
Levi frowned with pouty childs lips, and his freckled forehead wrinkled below a mop of bright red hair. Maybe you better start from the beginning.
It took almost five minutes for me to explain what I needed and why, and another two minutes to persuade him that my lie was necessary, and that he had to be the one to tell it. I then spent one more precious minute convincing him that I hadnt lost my mind and that I would actually go through with my part of the plan.
By the time I shook Levis hand, unsettled more by the grim respect in his gaze than I was by the reality of what I was planning, I was seven minutes late to meet Tod, and hed texted twice.
And I still had to pick up the drinks.
While I waited for our cherry limeades, I texted Tod to tell him I was on my way. Then I practiced controlling my pulse and slowing my heartbeat. Letting my true fear show in my eyes while hiding my guilt overwhat I was about to do.
This is about the war, not the battle, Kaylee. Sacrifices had to be made.
When I blinked into his room, Tod was squatting in front of the minifridge that served as his nightstand. When he saw me, he stood with the small carton of ice cream wed opened the day before.
No, thanks. I set the limeades on top of the fridge and held his gaze. Im not here for the ice cream.
His eyes widened. I may not be the sharpest scythe in the shed, but even I can read those signals. He kissed me, and I nearly forgot my own name.
Mmm... I said, when his mouth trailed over my chin and down my neck.
Why do you taste so good? he mumbled against my skin.
Cherry limeade. I reached back to hand him his. Id gotten us each a small, because I needed him to drink as much of his as possible.
Tod took a long drink, then set his cup down. I love those.
I know. I slid my hands beneath his shirt, running my fingers over his stomach, then higher.
I love you more.
More than processed sugar and fresh-squeezed citrus? You flatter me....
I leaned into him until he had to take a step back, and then I leaned a little more. He lost his balance and had to sit on the edge of the bed, staring up at me in surprise. I climbed into his lap, then I kissed Tod like I might never see him again. Like the promise of eternity was a cruel joke and the truth was that we might not live to see dawn.
When that kiss finally ended, Tod leaned back a little so he could focus on my face. Not that Im complainingand let me emphasize that Im truly not complainingbut is something wrong, Kaylee? I mean, other than the missing parents/demonic evil thing? He reached for his cup again, and relief and guilt churned within me, one fading into the other until they were indistinguishable.
Does something have to be wrong for me to want to spend time alone with my boyfriend?
His eyes narrowed as he sipped from his straw. A smarter reaper than I might notice that youre playing the same implication game Avari plays when he doesnt want to admit something.
I dont want a smarter reaper. I want you.
Ha ha. He took another drink, then set the cup down again. Kay...? He knew me too well to fall for my avoidance game, and he loved me too much not to push for the truth when something was obviously wrong.
Im just...scared. Im scared, Tod. I slumped beneath the weight of that admission, and his hands slid up my back, over my shirt. Im more scared now than Ive ever been in my life. Or my afterlife. That was true. In fact, that was the truest thing I could possibly have told him.
