34 Chapter 32

Over the next couple of weeks, Thanatos did some house cleaning. Veles and Mot were listed as wanted for treason. Barry was put on administrative leave until we could be absolutely certain he could be trusted. We had no way of knowing that he didn't tell Mot that we were going to the hospital.

Though he denied telling Mot, Barry understood Thanatos' concern and agreed to pack his desk and leave. Part of me felt back for him, but part of me still didn't trust him. I agreed with Thanatos that it was best to put him on leave until we could be sure he wasn't double-crossing us.

Things seemed to calm down, and there wasn't much activity from the Memitim. I had just started to get back to my old self when I received a phone call that turned my blood to ice.

I was enjoying a day off with Thanatos, staying home, and watching movies when my mobile rang. I frowned slightly at the unknown number displayed on the screen but answered it anyway.

"Hello?"

"Hello, may I speak with Kifo?"

"Speaking." I frowned in confusion, and Thanatos gave me a questioning look. I moved the phone from my ear and put it on speaker. "May I ask who's calling?"

"My name is Mashhit. You, my dear, are a hard woman to get in touch with."

"I'm sorry?"

"You're probably wondering why I'm calling. You see, you killed my first in command. And I don't take kindly to such a thing."

I lost all color in my face as I listened to the man on the other line. Thanatos grew visibly concerned.

"I will have you beg me to end you. After I destroy everyone close to you. Starting with Barry."

"Wh-what?" Thanatos and I said in unison.

"K-Kifo?" Barry's voice came over the line, uncertain and scared.

"I'm here, Barry. Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry, Kifo. I let my guard down, and Mot and Veles grabbed me. I don't know where I am, though."

"Don't worry, Barry. We'll find you," Thanatos said, voice full of determination.

"No, you won't," Mashhit said. There was a bang—a gunshot. Barry cried out and whimpered in pain. Then the line went dead.

"Barry!" I tried redialing the number, but it was disconnected. Tears stung my eyes and ran down my face. Barry was in danger, and it was all my fault. If I'd just kept my wits about me and not gone off and killed Azrael.

I must've been talking aloud instead of thinking those things to myself because Thanatos gripped me tightly and told me to stop telling myself such lies. He told me that there was no guarantee that Mashhit or Azrael wouldn't have done this anyway.

"What do they even want with me? I'm not special. I'm just a Reaper. Hell, there was no way of knowing I was Kifo before I chose my scythe." I allowed myself to breakdown and cry in fear and frustration. Thanatos did his best to comfort me, but still, I cried. I cried for Barry. I cried for Merica. I cried for Charon and Mrs. Gordon. I cried for every mortal that the Memitim had killed, whose souls never got a chance. I even cried for Thanatos and me.