Two weeks later
“Watsup, Gabe?” Rhyn’s familiar voice interrupted Gabe’s concentration.
“You’re forbidden from entering, Rhyn.”
“Sure, Gabe.”
Gabriel looked up from his stance peering into the murky Lake of Souls. The half-demon appeared unconcerned about sliding through the barrier Gabe had been working hard to patch up. Rhyn looked happy and healthy, the opposite of how Gabe felt.
“You clean up good,” he said. “You know I can claim your – “
“But you won’t. I came to see how my only friend is doing,” Rhyn said. “You need help killing demons?”
“I recalled all the assassins and put a hold on all soul collections for a week or so,” Gabe answered. “The queue to get in here is longer than you’d guess.”
“We’re almost done exterminating the castle. I can send some help your way.”
“I imagine you have your hands full dealing with the Immortals.”
“Nothing I can’t handle. I have Kiki, Tamer, and Erik on lockdown. A week without food, and they’re happy to help. Kiki is running most things, until I figure them out.”
“Sounds like it’s going well,” Gabe said, truly pleased to see his friend, despite the poor timing. “How’s Katie?”
A small smile crossed Rhyn’s face, answering Gabe’s question without words.
“Then everything is going well. Good for you, Rhyn.” He couldn’t help but feel envious of his friend, who wasn’t trapped in a world where he didn’t belong, fighting demons.
“Katie sent these back with me,” Rhyn said and held out a familiar necklace. “We’re still working with Hannah. She’s in denial about everything. I almost pity the girl.”
Gabe took the necklace, looking at the two emeralds on the black leather-like cord. He’d missed his necklace after eons wearing it. He’d missed his mother and baby brother. He squeezed them in his hand in the only hug he could give his dead family.
“We’re twins, now, though I think you liked your family,” Rhyn said and pulled free an emerald on a chain around his neck.
“You’re all the family I got now. I got a long way to go to figure out how to be a proper Death,” Gabe said, looking again at the lake.