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the time. But at least a plaque with your name on it will be put up in the new building.”
    “How do you know that?” asked the soul, a pained expression on his face.
    “Grim reapers have to be a little psychic to do our job. Now, it’s time for you to cross over.” I pointed toward the vortex with my scythe. “I’m not taking the chance of another soul running away from me. I don’t have the time.”
    “In…there?” The soul pointed at the portal.
    “Yes. This leads to Purgatory.” I clenched my fingers tight around the handle of my weapon, resisting the urge to throw the spirit through the portal myself.
    “Are you sure there isn’t anything that can be done…?” The man gestured to his body. “You know, can’t the paramedics…do something?”
    “When you’re dead, you’re dead. If you had a chance, you wouldn’t be seeing me. Now, in .” I lifted my scythe threateningly.
    The man’s spirit reluctantly walked into the vortex, his face filled with trepidation. Light flashed, and the portal closed.
    I sighed in relief, got rid of my scythe, and then glanced over the other construction workers huddled around. I leaned over one’s wrist and stared at his watch. 5:03. I wouldn’t be too late to meet Shilah.
    I was just about to teleport to Chad’s Cliff, when a curt voice behind me said, “Not so fast, Xia.”
    I started, whipping around. Aquil stood behind me draped in an official black robe, and she did not look pleased.
    Oh no . I put on a fake smile. “Aquil! Uh, nice to see you!”
    “Don’t try to flatter me, Xia,” Aquil growled, crossing her arms.
    “So…why are you here?” I was afraid I already knew the answer to this question.
    “Your monthly evaluation, remember? I watched how you treated that soul.”
    I grimaced. Monthly evaluation. Why today of all days? And why Aquil of all my superiors?
    “Oh, I…he…” There was no good explanation I could give her without letting her know about Shilah. And that was still not a good reason for how I’d treated that soul.
    “I’m not pleased with your work today,” Aquil said, glaring down at me. “You need to come back to base with me right this instant.”
    “But I can’t!” I cried before I could stop myself.
    Aquil quirked an eyebrow. “Oh? Do you have another engagement I don’t know of? I’m pretty sure your death schedule is clear for the next hour or so.”
    “Well, yes, but…”
    “Then there’s no reason why you can’t come with me to base, right?”
    “Can’t I go later? Or if you’re just going to consult with the other superiors, you really don’t need me at all…”
    The look on Aquil’s face told me there was no point in arguing anymore.
    Sorry, Shilah , I thought, closing my eyes with a sigh. I teleported to The In-Between, and Aquil followed me closely.

 
     
     
     
    Chapter 6
     
    By the time I was done explaining myself to all three of my superiors and had heard them chastise me endlessly, I had more souls to reap. So I didn’t reach Chad’s Cliff until it was twilight. And Shilah was nowhere in sight.
    I collapsed onto my knees near the precipice of the cliff, staring out at the stars just appearing in the sky. I felt horrible. I’d told Shilah to meet me here two hours ago, and I never even got to come tell him why I couldn’t show up. He must hate me now. I should’ve never tried to meet him at a certain time. I was a grim reaper, for goodness sake.
    It was all Aquil’s fault, the witch. I had finished my reap fast, and then she had to get in the way.
    “And who do you want to kill?” I heard someone say.
    I looked up to see Jayza standing beside me, and replied, “Can’t kill her, but I wouldn’t mind sending her to Hell.” I hadn’t realized I’d been clenching my fists. I relaxed my hands. “I’m talking about the spawn of the devil .”
    “Oh, you mean Aquil?”
    I nodded.
    Jayza sat beside me. “I thought I’d find you here. And I heard about what happened. The other