The Reaper

Chapter One

I shuffled along with a crowd of people, my head kept down. The building was warm from all the moving bodies, and sweat trickled down my neck. Everyone who passed kept a good distance from me. Their eyes were weary as they did. I ignored them and only pulled my red hood further down.

I stepped through a doorway to find a man in a sharply cut suit waiting for me. He did not look into my face, but kept his eyes on his shoes.

"You're the Reaper?" He asked. His voice carried the haughtiness of royalty, though it was clear he was not such.

"I prefer the name Thana, but that works too," I said dryly. He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Come along."

"Do I seriously have to do this?" I asked, dropping my voice. He nodded firmly.

"The King insists."

I scoffed.

"Fine. Let's go."

The man led me through a winding hallway. I stared at the floor as we walked, silently dreading what was to happen.

The king had sent his men searching for a Reaper, a creature with a curse upon them. Those with the curse were dangerous, for a simple touch could kill a man. To distinguish them from others they were forced to wear blood red capes. They were feared among the people, though royalty found them incredibly useful as guards.

I was our king's lucky victim. His men had found me in an empty alley and tried to force me up. They were not the brightest and several died. The smarter ones stayed back as I shook off a dead arm that still clutched to my wrist.

"Can I help you?" I grimaced, shooting daggers at them. The bravest one stepped forward. He was pale, and sweat beaded on his forehead. I rolled my eyes.

"The King demands that you come to the palace immediately. He will have transportation for you by tomorrow. Please go to this address then and look for a man in a suit," He stuttered, holding out a slip of paper. I snatched it from him and he crumpled to the ground. The others shouted in surprise but I waved them off.

"He's not dead, he just passed out," I said dismissively, inspecting the paper.

One of the men leaned over to listen for the man's heartbeat and sighed when he heard it. I glanced up from the paper.

"Leave."

They scrambled to leave me be, one of them tossing the incapacitated soldier over their shoulder before bouncing away.

"Ma'am?"

I snapped back to attention. We had stopped at a large carriage. I gaped at it. It had been encrusted in gold. The walls were ivory and inside I could see indigo seats made of velvet. I glanced at the man before stepping in, sitting myself in the middle of the seat. My hands ran over the soft fabric and I sighed. My hands were calloused and dirty compared to the clean, soft velvet.

The door shut, leaving me alone in the carriage. Of course. Who would sit in an enclosed space with a Reaper? The carriage began to roll. I leaned forward, clasping my hands together. I wasn't sure what to do with myself. My hands wandered up to the clasp of my cape and I undid it. The dirty thing fell around my waist and I gingerly folded it before putting it down next to me.

I lounged the entire ride, occasionally dozing off. I watched as we traveled from the small village to a large meadow littered with farmhouses and then to a large town and soon we reached the castle gates.
When the carriage came to a halt I quickly pulled my cape on again before stepping out. As I did I felt that familiar shift in my demeanor.