The Reaper's Wicked Obsession

Isadora’s eyes were fixated on the lamp, at the center, watching the flame flicker from the wind coming from the window.

The wood made loud creaking noises until Logi shut it closed. "Fucking wind," he mumbled.

He walked back to sit in a corner, keeping his eyes on Isadora with her knees to her chest. She had been like this for days, not eating or talking, except to ask about the progress on their search for Kraven.

"Isadora," Logi began.

This was his usual attempt daily, and each time he would shift a wrap of bread for her, which Marek had snuck.

They had stayed hidden for days after Kraven was taken. The defenses around the Tower were tighter, restricting any movement.

One step out of this loft would mean definite capture.

It was thanks to Marek that they had this place to stay. It was a loft no one knew about, not even Aric.

Marek mentioned it was his safe place where he came each time he was burdened by training and wanted an escape.

That safe place became theirs.

"Please talk to me," Logi begged, but she didn’t utter a word.

The sound of the creaking wood grabbed their attention as Marek arose from the bottom, locking the trap door.

"Did you find him?" Isadora asked desperately.

Marek was the only one who could safely navigate the Tower, but it was a great risk. However, he was their only chance of ever finding Kraven.

Isadora had lost count of the days that had passed, it could’ve been a moon or more. And each day, a piece of her was cracked when the same news was brought.

"No," Marek replied.

Isadora’s shoulders dropped, her eyes blinking, once, twice, until her gaze slowly shifted back to the lamp.

"It gets harder to move around now, I almost got caught."

"They must have taken him somewhere," Logi said with a clenched fist. "We have been looking for a long time now. There has to be someplace."

Marek shook his head. "I don’t know where. I can’t move to the higher floors because of the Serpents." He spared a look at Isadora, who remained still. "But I’ll keep searching."

"We’re walking in circles. We need a plan."

Marek walked and sat a foot away from Logi, resting his back against the wall.

His eyes caught the untouched bread beside Isadora. "She’s still not eating?"

Logi shook his head. "Or talking. What she saw that day must have shaken her up." He narrowed his eyes. "She said she saw Kraven in pain."

"You say that like it has never happened before."

"Yes, never. He doesn’t feel pain. Whatever that weapon was, it’s capable of doing that."

Marek blinked. "A winter ago or more, Aric was doing research, but it was private. He told me a little about it when I asked."

"Well? What did he say?"

"Something about the god’s rune. I don’t know."

"Gods’ rune," Logi mumbled as his mind wandered. "I think I’ve read about something like that. But it doesn’t exist."

Marek snickered lightly. "Of course, you do," He lightly punched Logi’s chest. "You’re Visindi self proclaimed child."

Logi smiled. "You remembered."

"How could I ever forget? I had an earful of that title all the time."

"Indeed, you did," Logi mused as his eyes grew wistful with the memories of the past.

"I envy you, Lo. You not only made a man of yourself, but you’re loyal to a powerful Lord. I saw the way he fought despite the pain, he tried to protect us from being caught. He may be known as the terrifying Reaper, but I can see why he has you on his side."

"Logi scoffed. "You give him too much credit. He’s twisted and chaotic, but you’re right, it’s those things he does that go against his nature that never cease to amaze me. He may be a monster, but he has morals."

"A better monster than Aric ever was," Marek mumbled, looking away. "I spent my entire life preparing for my destiny. My whole life was the Serpents. And now all of it is gone, I don’t even know who I am anymore."

Logi opened his mouth, but he couldn’t find the words to say. His hand resting by his side shifted to offer comfort, but he gulped back the idea and kept his hand still.

"You’re Marek. The strongest-willed Fae I know, who stood by my side when no one did."

"That’s the thing, Lo. I don’t need to stand by your side anymore, you have far more important people for that now."

"You’re important."

Marek smiled and faced Logi, a glimmer in his sapphire eyes. "Don’t lie to yourself, Lo."

"Is this about me not searching for you after I was free? I—"

"It doesn’t matter anymore. That’s in the past, this is the present. The only thing I want to do now is make sure you get out of this alive." He faced Isadora. "And pay her back for saving my life."

He knew Kraven could have killed him if Isadora hadn’t intervened.

"Don’t do that." Logi shook his head.

"Do what?"

"Don’t think you don’t matter. You said you made something for yourself here and that you amounted to something. It may have been all lies and power, but you lived. That is what matters."

"I thought it did," He mumbled softly.

Logi swallowed hard as he looked at the flame. When he turned to say something, Marek was already up on his feet.

"I’ll continue my search, this time I’ll get to the top floors. Fighting my way through some Serpents will be the catch."

"It’s risky," Logi said.

"The longer we stay here, the more Aric will instill more hell on your Lord."

Isadora flinched at his words.

"He found a way to hurt him, and knowing who Aric is, he’s not taking that for granted. He will exhaust every bit of his strength if it means breaking his enemy. And trust me, Lo. Aric despises the Reaper with every fiber of his being."