Blurred by Tara Fuller Page B

attention away from the images. He nodded and I followed him into an office. It was glass in there as well, with stars glowing behind every surface. Balthazar sank down in an oversize iron chair and settled his palms on a clear, shimmering table.
    “How is the boy?” he asked.
    “Fine,” I said, standing ramrod straight, trying to calm my nerves. It wasn’t easy to turn away from Cash’s soul. Which is why I hated this place so much. It was much easier to pretend that it all didn’t exist. “I’ve done as you’ve asked. He hasn’t been touched. The shadow demons are contained, but I need to know something. Can they hurt him in the state he’s in? I need to know what the dangers are here. I need to know what I’m dealing with.”
    Balthazar’s gaze swept over me, scrutinizing, as if he were searching me for something. He finally leaned forward, clasping his hands together against the glass. “He’s rare, Anaya. The closer he gets to death, the more they are going to want him, for more reasons than one. If his soul gets close enough to the surface I suppose they could do some damage, but I doubt they will. He’s too valuable.”
    “Why?” I asked. “What is he?”
    Balthazar sighed, exasperated. “I don’t have time to answer questions that don’t concern you. Do you or do you not have this under control, Anaya?”
    A droplet of fear trickled down my spine. A warning. “Yes.”
    “I can always count on you to do as you’re told.” Balthazar smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s a great comfort to me.”
    I almost laughed. Almost. He said it like it was a choice. None of us were fooled. This was no democracy he was running.
    “Can you tell me how much longer?”
    “In a hurry?” He raised a brow.
    “No, I mean how much longer until I can bring the boy in,” I said. “I’m eager to see Tarik.”
    I was also eager to end this poor boy’s torture and give him the everlasting peace he deserved, but I didn’t say that. I was ready for this sick experiment of Balthazar’s to end.
    “I know it seems cruel to you, but it is a process that is necessary for him to become what he has always been meant to be. And we can’t rush that process now that it’s started. What I wanted to know has been proven. But I can’t end a life and neither can you. This is a waiting game now. A game you are going to have to win. His body is expired. He will perish. In the meantime, you need to gain his trust. I need this situation to stay free of complications. Can I count on you for that?”
    I nodded and twisted the hem of my dress in my hands. “Of course. But wouldn’t it be easier if you just told me what you wanted him for?”
    Balthazar looked off into the horizon outside the one enormous window that dominated one wall. The clouds parted at his command, and the frozen sunset set the fog on fire with an orange burst of color.
    “Do you know what I don’t need, Anaya?” He raised an expectant brow. “I don’t need one of my most valued reapers in possession of knowledge that could very well get her dragged to the underworld for interrogation, then tossed aside as a chew toy for the demons of Hell. As your keeper, your commander, I am telling you to trust me. All will be revealed when the dangers have passed, but as of now, you are better off being kept in the dark. Do you understand?”
    I simply nodded as I clutched my scythe. Fear washed through me, dousing my heat.
    “Good.” He looked up and rubbed his chin. “Also, I thought I should warn you.”
    “About what?” I stepped forward. The fog swam circles around my calves, leaving an icy imprint on my skin where my ankles were submerged. “There’s not a problem with my transition, is there? You promised when I was finished, that my debt would be paid. That I could cross.” I forced my lips to close around the rest of my words when he narrowed his gaze on me.
    “A complication has arisen,” he said calmly. “Nothing to do with