The Secrets We Keep, Ch. 1

Chapter One: Compromised

Nobody else was inside the gas station when Kira and Seraphina started searching for snacks to take on their road trip. People floated in afterward, buying cigarettes and drinks, their voices bouncing around the tiny shop. So much so that Sera didn't notice him enter. It wasn't until they were fourth in line, going over their selections, that it hit. The person ahead of them wore a long trench coat; not atypical for the rainy season, but strange enough considering the cloudless sky.

Sera casually maneuvered herself between Kira and the stranger as the line moved. The man turned to leave the counter, his somber eyes glancing down before throwing a hook. Kira fell to the floor, covering her head as Sera blocked the blow. Sera ushered her down the aisle after knocking the assailant back a few feet with a kick to the hip. He returned with fury in his eyes and a blade in his left hand.

Sera waited for him to make a move so she could rip the weapon away and put it somewhere for safe keeping. The unknown Reaper stepped forward with more speed than the average person, but the movements of the Death God's allies were now predictable. She sidestepped and wrapped her hands around his wrist, keeping it in place while her feet worked on getting him to the ground. Sera placed a boot on the back of his neck and twisted his left arm. The knife clanking on the floor rang louder than the police sirens approaching. With one swipe of a foot, it slid across the convenient store and lodged into a box.

"Yield or get a Mark!"

He coughed out a laugh and spit blood. "Failure is not an option, unfortunately."

The Reaper contorted his body with enough strength to push her off, sending her closer to the back exit of the shop. They stood across from each other, waiting for the next part of their dance.

"Yield or get a Mark." Sera repeated through deep breaths.

The Reaper's interest didn't extend to the fearful group cowering behind the shelves, instead he remained focused on Sera. Sirens wailed closer, promising to end the conflict if neither made a decision.

"You have to come back. You made a Deal."

Sera risked a glance at Kira, peering over the shelves near the coolers. There was no other way. If she planned on escape, it had to happen now. But she also couldn’t let the Reaper stay and cause havoc. Sera took a deep breath before stepping forward and appearing in a mist behind the Reaper. She tiptoed to his ear and whispered the spell.

"When the Reapers come - don't scream."

A purple spiral illuminated like a burn on his neck. He ran his fingers over the mark, as if it could be rubbed off.

"What have you done?"

Sera stepped back and looked him up and down before disappearing out the back door of the store. "The Death God should have warned you."