A Reaper Made by Liz Long

pen and paper. I did so, the tiny triangle and its symbols unfamiliar. She shook her head, not recognizing it.  
    “I thought witches could see Reapers,” I said with a frown. “Why didn’t Brady call me out right there?”  
    “He couldn’t exactly do that in front of all those traumatized kids, especially Allison,” Tessa reminded me. “Or maybe he’s only part-witch.”  
    “That would explain why he’s reached out to dark creatures,” Tully said. “Perhaps he is learning how to become something more demonic.”
    At that statement, the three of us went silent, unsure of how to proceed. Too many thoughts ran rampant in my head; I had no idea what to do or how to even begin saving my sister.  
    Tessa broke the silence. “So…what do we do?”  
    “We must stop them, this boy and his partner, if he has one,” Tully said.  
    “But how?”
    “We need to get close to her,” Tessa suggested. “Allison, I mean. We have to figure out Brady’s plan and who he’s working with, what they’re going to do to the other Reapers and souls.”  
    The voice came from somewhere far away. “I’ll do it.” I hadn’t even realized I’d spoken until they faced me, contemplating my offer.
    “I do not think—” Tully began, but Tessa cut him off after seeing my face.
    “Grace is right. It makes the most sense. She can gain Allison’s trust faster than I ever could since she knows her. I can join in and handle the witch while Grace protects her sister.”
    “This is against everything—” Tully tried again but then I did it.
    “Say you couldn’t stop us.” I stared him down, imploring him to see reason. “You don’t need to get in trouble for what I do, but I need to save my sister. My family deserves that much. Don’t let her die just because of some rules - rules that shouldn’t apply here, by the way, since we’re all being kidnapped by the underground demon gang.”
    “How do you plan to help your family? You know we only appear as ourselves.”
    “Yeah, thanks for reminding me,” I muttered. He knew the power differences between Mades and Trues irked me.  
    “Uh, hello?” Tessa waved her hands at us. “Whaddya think I’m here for?”
    “Tully, c’mon,” I urged. “What happens when we’re all gone and the souls begin to back up and get stuck here? Or get taken by demons when they’re unable to move on?”  
    That reminder got to him. His mouth twitched and I knew I’d won. His face only flickered when I’d struck a point with him. Or been remotely irritating, but this was different. He turned to me, his expression serious again.
    “You need to have the utmost calm anywhere near your sister. And you cannot act as yourself.”
    “I can do it.” I pointed at Tessa. “ We can do it. This is more than just my sister and a demon. Think of how many fates are being destroyed with half the Reapers taken hostage, the other half worried about being taken, and souls being ripped from their destiny. We might be the only ones who can stop it.”
    Tully, for a split second, appeared proud that I’d acknowledged the absolute existence of Reapers. We had to keep the natural order of things. It was all that mattered to us, our only reason for being. We shared a look and I nodded at him.  
    “I’ll have to teach you,” Tully said, his soft voice tinged with sadness.
    “Teach me what?”
    “How to be alive again.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

    Turns out, after you’ve lived as a Reaper for three years, you get used to things like walking through walls and passing by everyone unnoticed. Sure, we could all appear in front of people if we wanted, but why bother? It took up energy and it was easier to avoid explaining who you were to nosey nurses. (Some were wicked harsh about their visitation hours.)  
    The three of us sat in Tessa’s living room. Tessa gathered materials for the spell out of her herbs cabinet while Tully lectured me.  
    “You must keep the glamour on her at all times,” Tully