Reaper By Night

Chapter Four

The building loomed before them, its sheer size leaving Geni in awe. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of wealth was required to inhabit such a place. And what sort of compromises or unsavory deals were necessary to afford such luxury? Likely something she'd never lower herself to ... Not that she could judge, given her association with Grym. Her eyes shifted to Grym, still and cloaked in darkness, even while standing beneath the streetlight. She could only imagine the assumptions people would make if they caught sight of them.

"We should probably find a place a little more sneaky to observe from," The suggestion was delivered dryly as she wafted her hand up – indicating the streetlight above them. Grym barely gave her the satisfaction of a nod, "Like ... now. I don't know about you – but I have no desire to have whatever security a man like Sam Robinson can afford, to call the cops on us. Sitting until morning in a cell is not my idea of restful."

Grym finally began to move, leading her towards some nearby foliage, wordlessly acknowledging her concern. Communication didn't seem to be his top priority during covert operations. Geni crouched down beside him, parting the brush to get a clear view of the house. "So, what exactly are we looking for?" she inquired, her gaze fixed on the dark, motionless structure. "Looks like it's deserted. Surprise, surprise, everyone's asleep."

Grym finally directed his gaze towards her, his expression slightly faltering with a faint frown in response to her sarcasm. "We are searching for anything unusual, rather unusual for a human. Since you're human, let me know if anything strikes you as peculiar." It came across more as a demand than a request, much to Geni's growing annoyance. She hugged her arms around herself, feeling the night air grow chillier as the day's heat faded. "Would it hurt to ask for my help politely?"

His attention shifted away from her once again, focused on observing the house. "You're my employee. I wasn't aware I needed to ask nicely for you to perform your duties." His retort mirrored the sarcasm she had employed. "And no, it wouldn't. Killing the Grim Reaper happens to be quite challenging. It comes with the job description."

She paused, her mind latching onto a thought that had crossed her path multiple times, often through Vicine's words. "By the way, there's something I've been curious about," she said, her tone shifting, capturing Grym's attention momentarily. Glancing at her, he awaited her question, "Why is everyone referring to you as the Reaper King?"

His gaze returned to the house, and a moment of silence ensued. "Do you honestly think it's a good idea to engage in conversation during a stakeout? Your concern should be about the possibility of the security force hearing you, rather than seeing you, Genevieve."

Which means he had no intention of discussing it at this time, she thought. It was his customary reply whenever she delved into the nature of the Underworld, attempting to uncover its true essence. Any inquiries that strayed from her survival in these peculiar assignments were strictly forbidden. Whether it was to maintain her distance from the heart of the Underworld or to ensure her safety as a mere human observer, she could never be sure.

Yet, it was becoming increasingly vexing. To fulfill her role effectively, she needed a more comprehensive understanding of what she was dealing with. Who held authority within the Underworld? Was there a governing council overseeing its inhabitants? Were there divisions among the various types of beings? And was it even politically correct to refer to them as "creatures"? What alternative term could she possibly use? What else would she even call them?

A hand on her shoulder interrupted her train of thought, pulling her back from the multitude of questions that often swirled in her mind since she started working for Grym a month ago. She looked up to find Grym standing there. "Come, this house is quiet. Let's move on to the next one."