The Hunted: The Complete Series: The Hunted Series

By Ali Winters

This omnibus includes all four books in the THE HUNTED series by USA Today bestselling author, Ali Winters. With over 1800 pages and 40+ hours in this epic urban fantasy. Get lost in the slow burn romance, lies, betrayal, and unforgettable characters.

The balance of life and death must be protected at all costs.

Nivian had never failed to Reap a marked soul. That is, until she meets Kain Evers, a Hunter and the only being on earth with the power to destroy her.

When Reapers start to go missing, the Balance is thrown into turmoil, forcing Nivian and Kain to trust each other as they search for answers. Which is no easy task as they fight the feelings growing between them.

As mortal enemies, they were never meant to work together, now they're forced to protect each other if they want any hope of righting the Balance before all is lost.

Unfortunately, to succeed, one of them must die.

Intense, gripping and romantic, see why readers are calling it "A gripping tale!"

One click now and dive into this urban fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Maggie Stiefvater and Bella Forrest will love The Hunted series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rising Flame Press
• Release date: May 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393934936

Ali Winters

Ali Winters is the USA Today bestselling and award winning author of The Hunted series, as well as an amazon and international bestselling author. She was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest where she developed her love of nature, animals, and all things green. For as long as she can remember, she’s been mesmerized by the extraordinary world of books and fantasy. There has never been a time when stories were not begging to be told, either by drawing, photography, or writing. With encouragement from one of her favorite authors, she jumped in head first, to pursue the career that had been calling to her since the day she opened her first book. She has a deep love for coffee, tea, warm blankets, dogs, creating art in any medium she can get her hands on, and family. You can find her on these social platforms. Facebook: www.facebook.com/authoraliwinters Twiter: www.twitter.com/aliwinters_ Instagram: www.instagram.com/authoraliwinters Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/aliwinters Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/authoraliwinters Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/ali-winters

Book preview

The Hunted

CONTENTS

Also by Ali Winters

The Reapers

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-THREE

TWENTY-FOUR

TWENTY-FIVE

TWENTY-SIX

TWENTY-SEVEN

TWENTY-EIGHT

TWENTY-NINE

THIRTY

THIRTY-ONE

THIRTY-TWO

THIRTY-THREE

THIRTY-FOUR

The Exodus

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-THREE

TWENTY-FOUR

TWENTY-FIVE

TWENTY-SIX

TWENTY-SEVEN

TWENTY-EIGHT

TWENTY-NINE

THIRTY

The Moirai

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-THREE

TWENTY-FOUR

TWENTY-FIVE

TWENTY-SIX

TWENTY-SEVEN

TWENTY-EIGHT

TWENTY-NINE

THIRTY

THIRTY-ONE

THIRTY-TWO

THIRTY-THREE

THIRTY-FOUR

THIRTY-FIVE

The Fallen

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-THREE

TWENTY-FOUR

TWENTY-FIVE

TWENTY-SIX

TWENTY-SEVEN

TWENTY-EIGHT

TWENTY-NINE

THIRTY

THIRTY-ONE

THIRTY-TWO

THIRTY-THREE

THIRTY-FOUR

THIRTY-FIVE

THIRTY-SIX

EPILOGUE

Author’s Note

Cast of Characters

Significant locations & Items

Acknowledgments

About the Author

ALSO BY ALI WINTERS

The Hunted Series

The Reapers

The Exodus

The Moirai

The Fallen

Flirting with Death (A short story)

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Shadow World

The Vampire Debt

The Vampire Curse

The Vampire Court

Th Vampire Oath

The Vampire Crown

The Vampire Betrayal

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In The End duology

Sound of Silence

Light in Darkness

---

Stand Alone Titles

Army of the Winter Court

A Sky of Shattered Stars

Cast In Moonlight

Copyright © 2015-2019, Ali Winters

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All rights reserved. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews or articles.

---

Published by Rising Flame Press

Cover design by Burning Phoenix Covers

Formatting by Red Umbrella Graphic Designs

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

---

www.aliwinters.com

THE REAPERS

To Konstanz, who encouraged and cheered me on through every part of this story, from the beginning seed of an idea to the last word.

NIVIAN

Nivian’s hair whipped around her face as she stood on a bridge along a dark stretch of highway. The melodic splashing of the river’s current below was the only sound in the still night. Moonlight gleamed upon the frosty earth, illuminating the dancing strands of her platinum blonde hair. A car swerved half a mile up the road as it raced toward the bridge.

Drunk and right on cue, Nivian muttered to herself, rolling her eyes at how cliché her mark was.

She glanced over her shoulder and waved her hand, willing a thick sheet of ice to form on the deck of the bridge. Within seconds, the railing rusted, groaning under the weight of the structure as it became weak and brittle. The vehicle sped faster toward her.

It’s time, Nivian thought, pulling the hood of her cloak over her head to shield her from sight.

The tires screeched as they hit the slick surface of the road, skidding. Slamming on the brakes, the driver lost control.

CRASH!

Plowing into the guardrail, the mark’s car smashed through the rusted metal and fell into the freezing river below with a splash. The car hit the water, and the driver’s head struck the side window with a violent crack, knocking him unconscious. Water quickly invaded the vehicle, forcing out the last of the air.

Pushing her hood back to examine her work, Nivian’s long tresses swirled across her face in the light breeze.

Nivi, you are such a show-off, a familiar voice teased behind her.

Oh, I don’t know, Cami. I think I was off just a smidge. Nivian turned to her friend, grinning as she leaned her hip against the guardrail. Too much splash.

Nivian continued to look down at the river below and knew, without looking, that Camira wore a smirk on her face.

Camira walked up to her and looked over the railing of the bridge to the slowly sinking car. Pockets of air bubbled up to the surface as a grin formed on Nivian’s lips and she pretended to examine her nails, buffing them on her cloak in mock pride.

For as long as she could remember, she had been friends with the Timeless Reaper beside her. Nivian glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. Curly, mid-length hair flowed down her back in soft golden-brown waves, but the warm, umber eyes that usually shone were dark tonight, her smile not reaching them.

Rolling her eyes, Camira shook her head and pulled herself up on the railing to sit, swinging her legs over the edge.

You have a big head. You know that, right? Nivian nodded as the other Reaper’s face turned serious. Anyway, Caspian sent me to let you know he has another job for you. He wants you to go pick it up tonight.

Another one?

Camira averted her eyes. Yeah, Caspian has been piling them on lately.

It seems to be that season. Nivian shrugged dismissively. I’d better get to work.

Nivian leaped over the edge of the bridge, her feet landing with a soft tap on the surface of the water. She reached down, pulled the soul of the driver up by the collar of his shirt, and stood him up next to her on top of the water. Taking the driver’s hand, palm up in hers, she waved her other hand over his. As she pinched the air, she pulled and lifted upward, exposing his life thread. The mark’s wide eyes stared, unblinking and hypnotized by the glowing string of light. Nivian reached behind her and grabbed the scythe strapped to her back, and with a slow, deliberate swing of the blade, Nivian sliced the human’s life thread. The light formed into a ball and hovered between them. She pulled out a small pocket watch and guided the life energy down to its face, where it sunk into the device and disappeared. Snapping the watch closed, she returned it to her pocket.

You should know better than to drink and drive. You could’ve seriously hurt someone.

Her mark gaped at her, his mouth opening and closing like a fish.

Yes, you really are dead, she confirmed, knowing his unspoken question. She gave him an apathetic look and turned away.

Are you … the devil? he managed to sputter.

No, of course not. I am just the natural order of things, she said, looking back over her shoulder to catch his fearful gaze. Wait here. Your spirit counselor will be here soon to guide you to your afterlife. I have other jobs tonight. She spun on her heel, pulling her hood back up over her head, and vanished into the night.

Nivian transported to just outside the gates of the Graceful Reaping Inc. Management Headquarters, also known as G.R.I.M. Headquarters. Its formidable, single tower shot up over twenty-six stories high and ended in a three-sided spire. The main door stood tall at well over fifteen feet, chiseled out of obsidian glass, its facets gleaming. Windows lined the center of the building’s front until they reached the top floor, where a single room with three larger, arched windows looked out over Mophar. Tall, golden, gypsum crystals lined the sides of the dark, gothic building, reflecting the early morning light.

G.R.I.M. Headquarters sat on the edge of the precipice of Edrathli, surrounding all of Mophar. The precipice had depths as infinite as time itself, but it was impossible to know by looking at it. A thick layer of silver fog glittered, as though made from millions of crushed diamonds. The mists filled the vast depths, overflowing and gently sliding over the edge like waves of the ocean, blurring the cliff’s end.

Behind her stood the thick Forest of Ari with its dark purple trees covered in red mosses that glowed with a soft, pale bioluminescence. The sky was a perpetual morning, with lavender clouds scattered across, colored with the burning reds and oranges of a sunrise just seconds before the first rays of day broke the horizon line.

Nivian walked through the entry into the center of operations. The black and silver gates were adorned with the symbol of the reapers; a raven in flight surrounded by an unbroken circle. The ancient arches were one of her favorite features, causing goosebumps to travel up her arms as she walked under them.

Columns seventeen feet high, with flying arches made of flawless volcanic stone, lined the path leading to the massive tower. Each column had intricate carvings, telling the history of the Reapers. Nivian walked down the long corridor to the Great Hall along floors of solid black marble, shining perfectly as they reflected the warm light. It took her breath away and she loved to take her time, each moment precious as she walked through the corridor. She admired the carvings, telling the history of how, at the dawn of time, the fates created the Tome of Fate, brought forth the Reapers, and gave them their scythes.

Nivian scaled the tall flight of stairs to Caspian’s office before knocking on the door.

Come in, a deep voice called from the other side.

Pushing open the heavy door, Nivian stepped inside. Caspian sat behind a massive desk, the Tome of Fate lying open before him. The words swirled, forming on the pages in front of him. Closing the book, he glanced up as she stepped into the room.

Long black hair pulled neatly back into a ponytail tied at the base of his neck, he smiled warmly upon seeing her face. Nivian. His black eyes sparkled, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

My Lord, she said, bowing deeply on one knee. I am ready for my next assignment.

Caspian stood from his chair and walked around the desk, smiling as he lifted her up. Tilting her chin with his knuckle, he forced her to meet his black as night gaze.

Nivi, I’ve told you a thousand times, there is no need to be so formal with me.

Yes, Caspian. Nivian lowered her eyes and stepped back, suddenly feeling nervous.

The corner of his mouth lifted as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

Here is my last mark, she said, retrieving the small watch out of her pocket and holding it up to Caspian as she kept her gaze locked firmly on the ground. After all this time, she had yet to conquer her timid nature when he teased.

Abruptly, he took a step back and rounded his desk.

Excellent work, Nivian, as always. Opening the Tome again, he scanned the words, tracing a finger down the page. After finding the passage he needed, he wrote a name down on a small slip of paper and held it out to her. Here is your next assignment. I think one week’s time should be sufficient.

She reached out to take the slip of paper, pausing when he held on.

Let me know when it has been completed, he added softly, leaning in close.

Nivian’s eyes grew wide as she finally lifted her gaze to meet his. They pulled at her with the gravity of a black hole. Mesmerized, she felt herself fall into them, slowly drawn into their dark depths.

Ooooh, Caspiaaaan! Camira sang as she bounded into the room, stopping short at the sight of them standing so close. The surprised expression on her face told Nivian that she thought more was going on than the reality of it.

Caspian let go of the paper and hastily drew his hand away. Nivian jerked back, his spell over her broken as she stepped from him and leaned against the bookcase embedded into the wall. Sucking in a few slow, deep breaths, she tried to shake the unnerving feeling of still being too close. It was oddly familiar in a way, which struck her as unusual since they were almost never so close.

Camira gaped openly at her, filling Nivian with a guilt she didn’t understand. She turned away, hiding her face from her friend’s questioning gaze.

Taking a step back, Caspian casually leaned against his desk with arms crossed.

What can I do for you tonight, Camira? His tone was flat, civil, and anything but warm. His question brought Camira’s eyes to his face, abandoning Nivian’s form.

While they talked, Nivian turned her back, pretending to study the titles on the bookcase, doing anything to become invisible and diminish the awkwardness that now filled the office.

My mark. She handed over the watch proudly, her fingers lingering over his. I was able to finish early.

Thank you, Camira. I will have your next assignment ready for you in a few days’ time. He dismissed her.

So intent on trying to ignore the tension in the room, Nivian missed the hurt look on Camira’s face as she whipped her head around and stormed out of the room.

Caspian stepped close to Nivian once more, lifting his hand in a familiar gesture as he absent-mindedly played with a lock of her hair.

Let me know when you finish with this mark, he reminded her, taking a step back and moving to sit behind his desk once more. Nivian nodded and turned to leave.

And, Nivian? he added.

Yes, Caspian? She bit her lip and looked back.

"This mark has a presence about her. Watch carefully, and please come to me if you need… anything." His mouth held a hint of a smile, but the tension around his eyes betrayed the outward lighthearted manner that he was attempting to portray.

I will, my Lor— He raised an eyebrow, stopping her. Caspian, she corrected and returned his smile timidly as she turned to leave.

Glancing back, she saw him watching her, amusement flickering in his eyes. He’d always had a relaxed and casual air in her presence.

Mixed emotions surged through her. She didn’t mind when he teased her in the friendly, almost affectionate way he did, though Nivian usually walked away feeling as though she’d missed something important.

Appearing in the alleyway next to her apartment building, Nivian threw back her hood and ran her hands through her hair. Her silver locks darkened to a rich auburn with golden caramel highlights as the length shortened from its natural waist-length to soft waves that fell to the middle of her back. Ice blue eyes shifted to a rich, chocolate brown.

Nivian grasped the scythe strapped to her back and watched it shrink from its six-foot length to the size of a pen in her hand. Removing her cloak, she draped it over one arm, revealing dark, fitted jeans and a black tank top—her usual reaping attire. Nivian shoved the scythe into her back pocket and fished for the key to her apartment.

What a long day, she muttered, stretching her arms over her head and yawning as she trudged up the steps to the main entrance. Nivian punched in the code to the lobby door and jogged up the stairs to her small apartment on the top floor.

Nothing sounded better to her than taking a nice, long shower and then crawling into bed. Her days had slowly grown longer, with the amount of reapings coming back to back, when in the past they had always been given at a steady pace. Before, there had been days between assignments, allowing her time to recoup and replenish her reserves. Cutting a life thread always took energy, temporarily lowering her power.

Recently, Caspian had assigned an increasing number of marks more frequently. It seemed now as though every time she turned around, she had another assignment. It was odd how they picked up in frequency. The extra workload put more strain on her powers, making her weary.

Thinking back, Caspian had acted differently when she’d dropped the watch off. It was difficult to pinpoint precisely what had changed in his demeanor, but when he smiled, there was a tension at the corners of his eyes. The routine they had, with his playful attitude and her shy response to him, was normal, but it was clear this time that something bothered him. She could always tell when something was stirring underneath the surface.

Nivian pursed her lips with doubt. No, if something had changed, others would have noticed—Silas would have noticed as well. Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought. Exhaustion had set in, and she was reading too much into a simple facial expression.

Taking her assignment out and unfolding it, she read the slip of paper, wrinkling her forehead with confusion. The mark didn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary, just a ‘plain Jane’ busybody lawyer. It should be easy enough, only requiring a few days rather than the standard week she normally took to create a setup. She didn’t understand why Caspian had warned her about it.

Crumpling the slip into a tight ball with both hands, Nivian concentrated. The energy built up within her, flowing through every vein like a wave of electricity. Her powers compressed, merging with her assignment’s energy signature and binding them together. The mark’s fate was sealed. When she opened her hands, a small pocket watch sat ticking quietly where the note with her mark’s name had once lain.

Nivian set it down on the small table in the corner next to her bed. She would worry about her mark in the morning. Her fingers brushed over the top of the watch. A strange energy, barely perceptible, but there none-the-less, slithered up her arm and down her spine. She frowned remembering Caspian’s earlier warning.

Her eyes narrowed. A strange presence about this mark, indeed.

NIVIAN

NIVIAN STOOD IN the middle of the busy intersection, her cloak whipping around her legs as cars zoomed past, unaware of her presence. Removing her hood, she pulled out the pocket watch and opened it. Time ticked down, counting the final moments until the mark would reach her destination. The hands of the timepiece hesitated in their movement, spinning full circle once in each direction before resuming their usual ticking.

That’s odd, Nivian mumbled, her brows drawing together. She shrugged it off, once again focusing on her assignment. With a wave of her hand, a thin layer of black ice formed in patches on the corner of the street in front of a small café. It climbed onto the curb, covering the corner and spreading in a perfectly orchestrated pattern that only the mark would be drawn to.

The mark: Cassandra Hatfield.

She turned the corner and walked into view, speaking loudly into her cell phone and rudely shouldering past groups of people. Ash blonde hair pulled back into a knot let her large dark eyes stand out, sparkling with determination and purpose. From the way the mark pushed people out of her way, it was clear to Nivian that the mortal had a high sense of self-importance—an utterly ridiculous notion for anyone to have, let alone a human. All life was equal. All life was fleeting. No one soul held more importance than any other.

Unknowingly, the woman hurried closer to the intersection where her Reaper stood.

KAIN

Kain Evers sat at a two-person table outside the same cozy café he stopped by every morning before work to watch the city pass by in the morning rush. A ritual of his that he kept every day. It was a reminder to stop and take the time to enjoy the little moments in life. Even in a city so large, it felt too easy to be alone.

Lifting his cup, he took a sip of coffee as the throngs of people raced forward with their heads down, trying to get to work a few seconds faster than the person next to them. Kain ran his hand through his hair and pushed the chestnut-colored strands out of his eyes, his gaze caught on a solitary figure standing in the middle of the busy intersection.

As if in a daze, he lowered his drink back onto the rounded table. The girl had long, silvery hair and wore a black cloak that whipped around her legs in the chilly morning wind. There was something out of the ordinary about her—besides just her outfit. He frowned, his features clouding over in confusion.

Why is she standing in the middle of an intersection, and why isn’t anyone stopping for her?

Slowly, he stood and began making his way through the crowd, his eyes firmly locked on her. Reaching the curb, Kain opened his mouth to call out to her, stopping short as she raised her hand and waved at the lights. Mesmerized by her actions and his own curiosity, his eyes followed her movements, watching as the signal changed from green, to yellow, and then to red in rapid succession.

His eyes darted back to her face, connecting with her icy blue ones, and for a brief moment, time slowed down. The girl’s expression went from calm and stoic to confusion. Something in her posture changed. He couldn’t be sure what it was, but he felt it when she narrowed her eyes as he continued to hold her gaze.

A large bus sped toward the intersection with no indication of slowing, but he still couldn’t look away. Kain was held hostage by her stare. A blonde woman yelling into her phone passed in front of him, breaking the strange girl’s hold and bringing his attention back to his surroundings.

The woman stepped into the street without looking, slipping on a frozen patch that covered the curb. Her ankle twisted, and she cried out in pain as her body lurched forward and she tried in vain to take her weight off the injured foot and regain balance in her sharp stilettos.

Without thinking Kain reached out, jerking the woman back onto the sidewalk. The awkwardness of the movement ripped her from his grasp, and she landed hard on the concrete just as the bus zoomed by, splashing up mud.

Are you kidding me? The blonde threw her hands up and looked down at her expensive suit, coffee dripping down her front. Picking up the grime-covered phone with her thumb and index finger, she huffed in disgust.

Are you all right? Kain knelt down and checked her over. Picking up her leg, he carefully examined her swollen ankle.

Ouch! She scrunched up her face in annoyance, finally acknowledging his presence.

It doesn’t appear to be broken, just sprained. Can you try to flex it? he asked, gingerly setting her foot down.

Can you freaking bite me? Now I’m going to be late for my meeting with a client, she snapped and then cringed at the harshness of her words.

Kain raised his eyebrows, taken aback by the sharp reply.

I’m sorry, it just hurts, she added. She pointed her toe, then grimaced in pain, letting out a hiss.

You would’ve been killed if that bus had hit you. Kain pointed up the street at the bus disappearing around the corner.

Oh my God! Her mouth dropped open as the realization that her life had almost ended dawned on her. You saved my life. You’re an angel! The light was green! It couldn’t have changed so fast.

Try to stand. Where do you work? I’ll help you walk there. Kain held out his hand to her. My name is Kain.

Cassandra. She slipped her hand into his.

Kain placed his other hand on her elbow and pulled her up, placing her arm around his shoulders for support. She hopped, keeping her injured leg bent and leaning on him for balance.

Turning back toward the intersection, Kain glanced back at the strange figure dressed in a black cloak. Pale eyes glared at him. Her arms were tight at her sides with clenched fists. She looked so angry, but he didn’t understand why. Pausing, Kain opened his mouth to call out, but a truck sped by, blocking his view. When it passed, she was gone. Confused, he looked up and down the street, but no trace of the girl remained.

How… Kain’s voice trailed off. He dismissed any insane notion that tried to cross his mind. Facing Cassandra, he continued walking with her.

Where do you work? he asked.

NIVIAN

Grinding her teeth, Nivian’s fists tightened, her nails biting into the skin of her palms.

She had failed.

She never failed.

Her mark lived. It should have been impossible. The shock kept her mind from fully understanding the possible consequences caused by the catastrophe of an assignment. Confusion, annoyance, disbelief, embarrassment, and injured pride swirled through her like a tornado.

That mortal had looked directly at her.

How could he possibly have seen me?

She replayed the scene over and over. It had been a standard reaping… except for his presence.

The living couldn’t see a Reaper who didn’t want to be seen. Even if it hadn’t been against protocol, it wasn’t the way she worked. Nothing and no one had ever been able to interfere with her work before—no one would even try. Humans were never aware of a Reaper’s presence, or the events happening, until it was too late to interfere. Even then, it was only the mark who perceived them.

Silently fuming, she shot daggers with her eyes at the mortal who had ruined her mark.

In recent times, humans had been able to postpone the slow deaths caused by the Timeless Reapers through medical advances, but nothing could stop a Silencer. They could never stop her.

Yet, this one insignificant human had. It shouldn’t have

happened. Nivian knew she needed to have a talk with Caspian. Saying this mark had a presence was an understatement.

Huffing in exasperation, she yanked her hood over her head and vanished, teleporting to the entrance of the G.R.I.M. Headquarters.

Appearing outside the massive gates, Nivian forced herself not to run. The last thing she wanted was to draw attention to herself and the failure written all over her face.

How humiliating!

Her cheeks burned as she hurried through the Great Hall, passing other Reapers who milled about, sparing her a curious glance now and then. Nivian kept her head down as she jogged up the stairs to the top floor, stopping just outside the large doors of Caspian’s office to take a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves and collect herself. It didn’t work.

Nivian pushed open the black glass doors and stepped through, eager to figure out what had happened. She wanted answers to the questions burning in her mind.

Caspian stood, leaning against the large desk. If she didn’t know any better, she could have sworn that he’d been expecting her. He casually studied the Tome of Fate for the next Reaper’s assignment. It was a large book, bound in dark brown leather with intricate designs stamped into the side of the binding, an eye set in the center of the cover. Pages made of a delicate and shining thin paper, almost translucent, filled the space between the binding.

Legend said it had been created by two of the three Fates: Clotho and Lachesis. Clotho weaved the book, and Lachesis placed the words into its pages, where they lived, forming the answers of the chosen reader’s questions. It was the third Fate, Atropos, who had created the scythe for the Reapers, giving them the power they possessed over death. Caspian could see everything within the pages of the book: who was to be marked and when.

Nivian, I am glad you are here, Caspian said, glancing up from the large book and pausing as he made eye contact. What’s wrong? You look worried, Nivi.

Caspian, he saw me! Nivian said, her voice strained, coming out in a higher pitch than normal and betraying the panic that threatened to consume her. She took another shaking breath to steady her emotions, but it didn’t work. The anxiety was still there, refusing to fade.

He tilted his head to the side, a curious movement. Closing the book, Caspian set it down and walked over to stand in front of her, studying her face for a long moment. Unsure what he could possibly be looking for, she parted her lips to ask. He placed an arm around her shoulders before she managed to utter a single word and led her to the chair in front of his desk, motioning for her to have a seat.

A mark will often see you as you reap them, Nivian. You know that, he said, leaning against the edge of the desk again with crossed arms.

Not my mark––an unmarked human, she clarified.

His eyebrows shot up. That had got his attention.

"A mortal interfered with my reaping. He looked at me. Twice. No unmarked human has ever seen me in this form before! Nivian threw her hands up in disbelief. I failed, Caspian. I failed."

No one can stop a Silencer. Caspian’s voice was flat, his expression holding no hint of humor.

She couldn’t blame him for his doubt. After all, it had happened to her and she was still wasn’t sure she believed it. He looked me in the eyes. There was no one else he could have possibly been looking at. How is that possible, my Lord?

Caspian, he said, absentmindedly correcting her. Resting his chin in his hand, he studied her face with an emotionless expression. I see. He nodded, causing a few strands of his coal black hair to fall unnoticed over his eye.

Is this what you meant when you told me she had a presence? Nivian asked when he didn’t say anything.

I knew she had a presence around her; however, I had been unable to find the source of it. Based on what you’ve told me, I have a suspicion of what the cause could be… yet it does not seem possible. Caspian trailed off, appearing to be talking more to himself than to her. His gaze rested, unfocused, on the floor as his eyes glossed over.

Caspian, please tell me what happened. I don’t understand any of this.

Nivian stood up from the chair, crossing the short space between them until they were only a few inches apart. She placed her hand on his arm, bringing his full attention back to her.

He blinked and lifted his chin to meet her gaze, giving her a half-hearted smile.

No need to worry, Nivian. It is all right for the time being. The occasional failure is understandable. You should go home and try again tomorrow. Caspian took her hand in his and gave it a soft pat as he led her to the door.

Her jaw dropped. A mortal seeing a Reaper didn’t "just happen." Nivian looked up at him, her eyebrows pulled together. Caspian’s mouth was drawn into a tight line as he looked forward, already deep in thought.

Caspian? Nivian whispered, as she clenched her hands at her sides. She hadn’t learned anything.

Nivian, I will see you soon. His eyes flashed, silencing any further discussion.

Her head spun from his quick dismissal as she allowed him to lead her out of the room. Without so much as a goodbye, he softly closed the doors. Nivian tossed a confused look over her shoulder at the barrier between them, then shrugged, resigned to the fact that he wasn’t ready to tell her anything for the time being.

Continuing down through the Headquarters, she was still confused about what had just happened. He had never dismissed her so abruptly before, but going back in there wouldn’t do her any good. It was clear he was hiding something.

As soon as she was outside the front gates of G.R.I.M. Headquarters, she drew her hood over her head and vanished, teleporting to the foyer of the studio apartment she called home.

The apartment was small, holding little more than her bed and a few odd pieces of furniture, but it was functional for what she wanted it to be.

Other than the hook near the door, the walls were bare. The kitchen was to the left of the entryway, with a square island a few feet wide surrounded by three mismatched bar stools in the center of the room. A coffee pot and three mugs sat on the counter.

A tall partition separated the kitchen from the living space that doubled as her bedroom. Against the wall was an antique chair sitting next to a love seat that sat off center, creating some semblance of a room. It was a simple setup by human standards, but it was enough for her. In fact, she didn’t need any of it, but the mystery of human existence, or what she assumed it was, enthralled her. She couldn’t help but want a minuscule piece of it for herself.

The bed was arranged between a simple, low dresser and the ceiling-high French doors that led to the balcony that had room for little more than two people. It felt almost out of place in this building. Caspian had helped her to obtain the apartment years ago. It was in the middle of a busy city, but she loved her isolated space in the midst of chaos.

Never having spent any time with a living mortal, at least not outside of reaping one, all her knowledge was limited to the brief time she observed them before their final moments. She’d never had the opportunity, or a justifiable reason, to study one up close. Assignments had taken her inside homes, businesses, and all of humanity’s various structures, but a dying mortal was different from who they’d been throughout life—that much was clear when she stared into their eyes as she reaped their souls. The desire to know more constantly nagged at her; it was how to go about it that she was uncertain of, and if she was honest with herself, it intimidated her. To observe a human was like watching a legend come to life, but she knew that knowledge based off of observing didn’t even scratch the surface of what they were truly like.

Over the centuries, she’d adopted several human habits. Sleeping was the first thing she’d picked up that set her apart from other Reapers. Most days, she didn’t need it, but there were the occasional assignments that would drain her powers more than others, and she found sleeping helped gain her strength back faster. In recent years, she’d started to drink coffee. It was the scent that had first attracted her to the dark brew, though it wasn’t long after that moment that she’d tasted it. Since then, she made sure there was always some on hand.

Nivian ran her fingers through her long, soft hair, quickly transforming into her human identity that allowed her to walk amongst humans without sticking out as the otherworldly being she was. It was a gift Silas had bestowed to her, unique to her alone, and no other Reaper wanted it. She was the only one who had the desire to ever be seen when not on assignment.

Frustrated by the night’s events, she walked out onto the balcony and sat down with her back against the rail, tilting her chin up to the graying sky as a light breeze brushed across her skin. A light drizzle fell, and she welcomed the chilled feeling of the air. Although it was small, she loved her charming sanctuary that looked out over the busy city.

Nivian? Caspian’s voice asked with uncertainty.

She lifted her head to see him standing at the threshold of the balcony door, his demeanor vastly different from earlier. Blinking a few times in his direction, she cast him a disinterested look before dropping her head back to watch the brewing storm above.

I could not talk to you earlier, he said, taking a step toward her. It had to be where no one else would overhear us.

Dusting an invisible piece of lint off her shoulder, Nivian sighed and pushed herself up to her feet, leaning back against the metal rail. With crossed arms, she refused to look at him, keeping her eyes locked on the twinkling city lights. Caspian towered more than a head over her, and though she would never be intimidating to him, being on her feet would bring her closer to equal ground.

What’s going on, Caspian? First, you blow me off, and now you have this big secret you couldn’t talk to me about over at Headquarters.

Tell me about the human, he said, not reacting to the sharp tone of her voice.

It was an odd request, but Nivian knew arguing would only increase her frustration. It would be better to just answer his questions and get this over with. She hadn’t reaped her assignment and yet still felt the drain of it. Scanning his stoic face, all the fight drained from her, leaving her worn down and resigned. Nivian shrugged, not sure where to start, or how.

He was just an ordinary human. Nothing about him stood out. She sighed and dropped her arms to her sides. I was in the middle of my mark when he stood and… I swear he looked me in the eye, and the next thing I knew, he’d stopped my reaping by pulling my mark to safety.

Caspian nodded, his lips pinched tightly together as he dropped his gaze, looking sheepish before he spoke. As I pulled her name from the tome, I felt a presence around her. At the time, I wasn’t sure what it was. I still cannot be certain yet, though I do have an idea. Guilt crossed his features for the briefest moment, strange and out of place on his face. I need you to be careful; something strange has been happening around various marks with a similar presence.

Nivian’s eyes grew wide. Thanks for that, she said flatly, turning her back to him and leaning forward on the metal rail. I’d already figured that part out. She didn’t understand why, but she felt herself prickle at his warning of the obvious.

Don’t be like that, Nivi. His face fell at her biting remark.

Caspian, I don’t need riddles, or to be told what I already know. I need answers.

You are sure he saw you?

His question instantly made her doubt what she’d seen. The human had made eye contact… hadn’t he?

I—I don’t know. I mean, I think he did… Is it even possible? Nivian drew her eyebrows together, frowning up at her mentor. He was pretty far away… Now, I’m not so sure.

Silence stretched out between them, until she thought there was nothing left for either of them to say. The sky opened up, dark drops of water darkening the cement at their feet.

Nivian opened her mouth to dismiss him, but before she could get a word out, Caspian stepped forward and spoke. I suspect there are Hunters out there, and if I am right, then the human who interfered with your reaping could be one of them.

A Hunter? I thought we were the hunters. Nivian threw him a skeptical glance.

Caspian’s frown deepened. I shouldn’t have said anything.

What are these Hunters?

They are mortal, but not human. They are the only force ever to exist with the ability to stop a Reaper.

What does that mean? She stood up straight and faced him again. Her mind refused to wrap around the words he was saying. Reapers were the final force all life dealt with. They were unstoppable and never ending.

It means that they are dangerous to Reapers. They have the power not only interfere with our reapings, but also the ability to destroy us.

Reapers can’t be destroyed! Nivian gaped at him. And if these Hunters were a threat to us, then why don’t we know about it? Why have I never heard of them?

Those that posed as a threat to us were thought to have been reaped long ago. Their existence was no longer important for you to know about. They are now just part of our ancient history—or that is what they should be. Silas made the decision to eliminate the memories of them from all Reapers.

He took our memories? Nivian’s stomach tightened into knots, making her feel sick.

We were meant to have forgotten them… Silas had his reasons.

You’re talking about them like you can remember… Why? Her head hurt. Hunters, erased memories… Nothing made sense.

My memories were never taken, Caspian said, lowering his eyes. It was a security measure.

Oh. Nivian frowned.

We have only recently heard whispers in the human realm, hinting at the possible continuance of their existence. We need to know for sure. Caspian leaned over the railing next to her and hung his head. Water drops rolled off the ends of his hair, dripping onto the back of his hand. Until now, there has been nothing to suggest that these rumors were more than just that.

Nivian slid over to stand next to him as all her earlier frustrations melted away. Standing next to him, she couldn’t remember a single moment where she’d seen Caspian looking so uncertain.

You think this human might be one of them?

I am not sure yet. Humans often appear to be looking directly at us if we happen to be in their line of sight, which is most likely the case here as well.

He looked down at her, concern written on his face. Even so, please be careful, Nivian, and keep your distance from him for now, until I am sure. His voice was low. The lights from the city illuminated his face, highlighting his handsome features. Nivian looked away when she realized she was staring.

I will, Caspian, Nivian said, bumping him with her shoulder.

Finish your mark, Caspian said, straightening as he took a few steps back. Nivian nodded, watching as he lifted his hood over his head and vanished.

While she was thankful that he’d come and talked with her, she was left with a gnawing feeling that he’d still been holding back. Sighing, Nivian walked back into her apartment and closed the balcony doors behind her.

NIVIAN

THE SUN’S RAYS filtered in through the thin material covering the balcony doors, rousing Nivian from deep sleep. She groaned and rolled over, burying her face in her pillows. Over the past several days, sleep had been evasive until exhaustion finally caught up with her. Between her frustration with the human and the gnawing feeling in her gut that Caspian hadn’t told her everything she needed to know, she had been too worked up to sleep, regardless of how drained she felt. Nivian wanted—no, she needed—answers about whatever was going on.

There was something different about this mortal… but there was no way he could be a Hunter. It was more likely that he’d been looking at something behind her.

Yet, if this human was one of the Hunters Caspian had mentioned, what would that mean for her and the other Reapers? Caspian had told her to be careful. He wouldn’t have said that unless there was a real threat. Nivian didn’t understand how a mere mortal could possess the power to hurt her, or any Reaper for that matter. Having the power to interfere with reapings was one thing, but they were still mortal and therefore could be reaped. How powerful could they be?

With a frustrated groan, she threw her pillow across the room. It hit the wall with a soft thud and slid to the floor. Nivian stared at the ceiling; she definitely needed to do something about this situation.

Kicking the covers off her, Nivian pushed herself off the bed. Before she tackled anything else, she’d have to take care of her mark. Afterward, she planned on doing a little investigating on this mortal who’d complicated her peaceful life, and then maybe she could find some answers.

First things first. She sighed and trudged into the kitchen. She’d need a large pot of coffee if she had to deal with this headache of an assignment.

Nivian threw on her cloak and transported to the downtown courtroom where the mark argued her case. Motioning toward the lawyer, she reached out, as if to grip an invisible object, and twisted her hand. Cassandra halted mid-sentence, clutched her left arm, and collapsed to the ground where she succumbed to the heart attack. Humans flocked around her but were unable to do anything of use.

Wasting no time, Nivian pulled the soul from the mark’s earthly form and lifted the life thread. The golden string didn’t hold its usual effect on Cassandra as her life thread was cut. Instead, the lawyer had snapped at Nivian, demanding her soul be put back inside her body so she could finish her closing statement and win.

It hadn’t gone exactly how Nivian had wanted it to, but at least this time there had been no interference from any annoying humans.

Shoving the pocket watch into her cloak, she set out to see who this mortal was who had ruined her reaping.

The interfering human’s energy was intense; it pulled at her the moment she zeroed in on it, allowing her to trace his trajectory. Concentrating on his life force, she reached out and moved closer to his location. His energy gripped at her spine as she felt the mortal heading toward the tree she perched in. The connection wasn’t the same as it would have been had he been her mark, but nevertheless, it stood out like a blazing fire against the night sky.

"Time to see who—or what—this guy is," she murmured and pulled her cloak over her head to wait for him. A moment later, he rounded the corner, wearing black sweatpants and a red hoodie with the hood pulled up, hiding his face as he approached the tree. She knew without a doubt that this was the mortal she sought.

KAIN

Red sneakers hit the pavement with a rhythmic thudding that matched the heavy pant of Kain’s breath. A chill enveloped him, and his fists tightened as tension filled his body. The weight of eyes on him—watching—made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end as the icy hand of being observed by a predator grabbed at his spine, freezing the blood in his veins.

Slowing to a stop after a few paces, he pulled his headphones from his ears and looked over his shoulder. Nothing stood out. A few pedestrians walked past, but nothing out of the ordinary. It was still early enough for the city to feel empty, as it did each morning at this time. He gave one last glance behind him, trying to shrug off the sensation, and continued on his run.

He slowed again when he spotted a small movement a half-block ahead. Narrowing his eyes, he realized that a petite girl with long, platinum blonde hair sat in a bare tree, casually perched on a high branch with a black cape whipping around her dangling legs.

How odd… he thought. It’s the same girl from the intersection. Kain narrowed his forest green eyes and kept walking.

She came across odd more than threatening. She seemed to enjoy hanging out at unsafe locations—busy intersections, tall trees, and who knew where else. He shook his head.

This girl has a death wish hanging out in places like that.

NIVIAN

Nivian jumped down from the tree, landing gracefully on the ground. She had waited for the mortal to run a short distance ahead, determined to follow him until the moment he’d stopped and turned his gaze upwards to her tree. She could have sworn he looked directly at her.

That was odd. Did he see me again? She banished the thought. It’s impossible. There was something different about this human; perhaps he was somehow linked to the Hunters as Caspian suspected. That is, if his theory was correct. She needed to sit and mull over what just happened.

Had it really happened?

Pulling her hood over her head, she vanished.

Sitting in the back corner of her favorite coffee shop, Nivian contemplated what to do next. Typically, she would confront a mystery like this head on, but Caspian had warned her to keep her distance and that posed a bit of a problem. Even though she didn’t understand why any Reaper would need to be careful of a mortal, to take his warning lightly would be a mistake on her part. She twirled a strand of her hair and pondered how to get the answers she needed.

The bell on the café door jingled, bringing her out of her reverie. Nivian glanced up as the human stepped through the entrance. She inhaled a sharp breath as she watched him walk to the counter, her heart pounding in her chest as she stared at the back of his head.

The energy of her powers swirled around as she gathered them into herself, shielding her corner from the entirety of the coffee shop to make the humans avoid the area, giving her a wide area of peace. She felt more at ease with her shield in place. Nivian leaned back in her chair with her back to the window, observing the entire room as she waited. It was a small café with only a few booths at the far end and five, smaller circular tables in the corner where she sat.

KAIN

Kain leaned forward, speaking softly to the barista as he ordered his drink, smiling at the barista one last time as she handed him his coffee and a folded up napkin with her number on it. He turned around, stopping in his tracks. Stiffening in shock, his eyes locked with the strange light blue ones that had haunted him for days. The pale haired girl sat alone in the corner, arms crossed against her chest as she glared at him.

Most of the customers had taken the available seating, though her nook remained empty, as though everyone were avoiding her. Her presence intrigued him, and mischief sparkled in Kain’s eyes as he moved across the room. He sat two tables away, casually sipping his coffee, his face a neutral mask as he occasionally lifted his eyes to meet hers.

With one final sip of his drink, he glanced at the girl whose eyes still bored into him. He stood, his mouth turned up on one side into a crooked grin. The girl was bold to follow him so openly.

Her mouth dropped open. He loved that he could shock this stranger, her reactions so strange but genuine. Not giving her time to react, he turned on his heel and walked to the door, tossing his cup and the napkin in the trash on his way out.

NIVIAN

Did he just smile at me? Who is this guy? Nivian sat in shock, her mouth agape and unsure of what to think about the look he had given her before he walked away.

He had seen her. This time, there was no denying it. Drawing on her ability to make humans unconscious of the space she occupied hadn’t worked on him. If Caspian’s theory about him being a Hunter was right, then she’d better heed his warning.

Panic stole her breath. He could see her when he shouldn’t have been able to. She needed to see Caspian and find out exactly what he wasn’t telling her.

She snapped her mouth shut and shot to her feet, jerking her hood over her head with a rough tug before transporting herself to the sanctuary of her apartment balcony. A sigh escaped her lips as she dropped her head and leaned against the rough brick wall. She tilted her head up to the sky and watched a flock of birds flying south.

Peace.

The light breeze ruffled the pale yellow chiffon curtains through the open doors.

You’re looking rather pensive today, Nivian.

Nivian spun around and relaxed when she saw the owner of the voice.

Hey, Camira, she greeted her friend, who was sitting with her legs stretched out on the couch, one arm bent propping up her head. The Cheshire grin she always wore spread across her face.

What’s going on? Camira swung her legs down and sat up, the smile fading from her lips.

It’s nothing. It’s just that… Nivian tugged on a lock of hair and sat down beside her, debating how much to say. Who else could she talk to about things like this if not her best friend? I think a human saw me, she blurted.

Humans can’t see us unless we want them to. You know that, Nivian. You didn’t breach protocol, did you? Camira asked, leaning forward.

No, I didn’t. I never do. Nivian looked down, her eyes glazing over at the memory. He seemed to look right at me. I could have sworn he smiled at me.

Maybe you let him see you because he was hot and you wanted him to see you? she teased.

Nivian looked at her with one eyebrow raised and pursed lips.

Okay, okay, probably not. Camira leaned back on the couch and held her hands up in surrender. He could have just been looking at something in your direction. Did you look behind you? What if he saw a human he liked and smiled at them?

I suppose you’re right. I didn’t look behind me. He was probably looking out the window. I’m just acting silly. Nivian gave her friend a placating smile. It was true; she hadn’t bothered to check behind her… again, and Camira didn’t seem to think it was anything to worry over. Doubt crept into the edges of Nivian’s mind once more. The stress of having to attempt a mark more than once had made her see things that weren’t there. She needed to recharge.

Weightlessness washed over her in calm waves. She could spend forever like this, floating on the wind like a feather.

A violent jolt seized her body. The world disappeared and surrounded her in a thick layer of darkness. Pressure weighed down on her, forcing the air from her lungs. The temperature dropped and sent a shock through her system. Nivian tried to open her eyes, tried to move. Tried. But nothing happened.

Burning.

My lungs are burning.

I can’t breathe.

Helpless. She was helpless, struggling to move, to breathe, to open her eyes, but her body refused to obey her commands. Nivian opened her mouth to call out for help.

Call out to whom?

She couldn’t remember.

Fear gripped her and pulled her deeper into an unmoving prison. The cold slowly seized every bit of feeling from her body.

Nivian shot up, panting heavily. She placed a hand over her heart to calm its racing beat. It was only a dream. She dreamed every night, always experiencing the calm feeling of weightlessness. But tonight, something had changed. Something had twisted her dream and turned it into a nightmare. The small clock glowed on her nightstand. Three twenty-six AM.

Nivian untangled herself from her blankets. She needed air.

Sticking her head out into the hallway, she looked around. The only greeting was the buzzing of the flickering lights in the empty hallway. All the humans who lived in the complex were sound asleep in their beds.

Quickly, she shut the door behind her and headed for the stairs, climbing the steps two at a time toward the roof access door. The chilly night air washed over her as she took a deep breath and pulled the crisp air into her lungs. It was in her mind, the relief she felt, but the open space dissolved the suffocating sense of claustrophobia caused by the nightmare.

The clouds passed, allowing the full moon to bathe the quiet earth in its light. Nivian tilted her head back and allowed the quiet beauty of the night to envelop her. Spreading her arms wide, she focused on the feeling of the chill night air, welcoming it. She turned in a slow circle as a light dusting of snow began to fall.

Her eyes shot open as a hand grabbed her wrist and tugged, spinning her up against a hard body.

Caspian, she said breathlessly, as she glanced up into his dark, midnight eyes. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach from the intense expression on his face. Was she dreaming again? She hoped so. This dream was much better than the last one. She’d much rather be near the comfort and safety of her friend than alone and trapped within her mind.

Good evening, Nivi, he said. His hand reached up to brush a tendril of hair behind her ear.

H—how did you know I was here? she stammered.

You spend half your time out here. I took a chance. He shrugged, a confident smirk playing on his lips.

Relaxing, she leaned back and let him wrap his arms around her. He always showed up when she needed his presence.

After a long moment, she spoke.

Caspian, I followed the human today. Nivian pulled away, the immediate loss of his warmth clearing her head, sharpening her senses. Caspian’s back stiffened visibly, and his mouth formed a tight line.

He saw me. I’m sure of it this time, she insisted, twisting her fingers nervously.

Caspian nodded, frowning as he led her to one of the old patio chairs that sat abandoned on the roof. He knelt down in front of her, framing her face in his hands. At his touch, she stopped fidgeting and dropped her arms.

Nivian, you are taking unnecessary chances. If he is indeed a Hunter, he could hurt you.

Caspian, he only looked at me. I kept my distance. She placed a hand on his arm to reassure him. She could see the debate that waged inside his head flitter across his face.

I think it’s time you knew what you are dealing with, he replied, resigned, letting his head drop, avoiding her eyes.

Nivian nodded and silently waited for him to continue.

"The history of how the Reapers were created and why, you know. However, there is a