So Shall I Reap Read Free Page B

little soul. The Knell would not be performed tonight even though I did not have a solid reason for protecting the child. Mere curiosity sparked against my reason, igniting a flame of desire. Could there possibly be a higher meaning to this existence? Glancing at the bed, I realized my answer might not be with the Bridge Crosser, but with the child. Redirecting strategy, and without knowing why, I mentally prepared to fight for a soul…
    Razor’s massive wings thrashed, shaking glass and feathers that disintegrated into the air. He stepped over the two medical techs lying on the floor. The humans lay there motionless, still under the mist’s control. Razor jumped up on the bed next to the small Vessel. “If you can’t do your job, clean or not, her soul is coming with me.” Throwing his head back, he unleashed a deep, barbaric roar. At the same time, the thunder from the storm returned for an encore. The Fallen raised his arms and started calling forth her soul.
    The small one was too weak to keep fighting. Listening to her words had turned me solemn. I was trying to fulfill the job quota as I had done a hundred thousand times before, but I could not stop staring at her. Past experiences told me she was losing the will to live. The Vessel’s breathing went still and a white sheen rose from her body once again. Razor called it out with great speed, but the hatefulness he showed for this child would surely damage the soul.
    A plethora of questions clouded my mind, but only one came to the forefront. Why was she so important to the Unseen? Ashens were not allowed to ask questions, but with this one, I was determined to get the answer… by force, if necessary. I unsheathed the scythe, this time tilting the hilt to aim the blade low while rushing the winged entity.
    My approach toward Razor caused him to break his hold on her soul. Together, we watched the glistening white cloud of ribbons float back into her body, concentrating on the graceful beating of her heart. In six hundred years, I had never heard a rhythm such as hers. Enthralled by the melody, I forgot about the child’s enemy, but a feral roar from behind drew my attention back to the fight. A string of whispered curses filled the air for not ending him when I had had the chance. While I had been enthralled by the child, the Bridge Crosser had changed his form.
    Razor’s angelic features were replaced by ones with pure rage, and I saw the demand in his eyes. He was not leaving this room without his charge and was ready to challenge anyone who tried to stop him. Naturally, I was at the top of his list. Wings at the ready, he flew forward and slammed into me. Razor had decided to convince me to harvest this soul by force, using his fists. It takes two to tango, and I am ready to dance.
    A snarl clawed from my throat. No way was I backing down. I wanted him to know it. Razor pushed out both of his hands, latching onto the weapon. Only an Ashen could wield the weapons used for harvesting, and that included my scythe, so any entity from the Unseen who tried to touch a harvester’s weapon would burn from Creation’s purity. Razor knew that and yet, he wanted this small Vessel so badly, he was willing to burn for it. The stench of his flesh filled the room as we fought for possession of the blade. While we spun out of control throughout the room, face-to-face, our shoulders crashed into the far wall. Jaws clenched, we growled at each other, displaying dominance over the girl. I found footing again by using the corner and sheer leg strength to push back. It was enough leverage to cause the Bridge Crosser to stumble, only for a second. Instinct took over for me, and I looped my right arm under the blade handle to connect with Razor’s jaw. His head snapped back with a loud thwack as real thunder outside mimicked the same sound.
    Razor laughed. “Is that the best you can do?” Sounding gritty and spiteful, his voice could no longer hold any peaceful demeanor. His