Reaper's Novice (Soul Collector #1) by Cecilia Robert

think so low of me?”
    His right hand crawls up around his neck again and rubs it. Veins on his arms and neck stick out and look as though they can’t contain themselves under his skin. He lifts his face, his eyes on me, and my stupid, stupid heart trots wildly inside my chest. The grey in his eyes has softened, full of remorse. And something else: fear.
    I sigh inwardly. If only it were possible to have interchangeable hearts, one for situations like this where I need to stand firm without melting into him.
    “I’m really, really sorry, Ana. When he touched your shoulder, his face… It was as though…” He lets the words trail. A red flush fills his face.
    My heart picks up a beat. Could he have overheard my chat with Grim? What did he see? “As though what, Ro?”
    “As though you’re something precious. I don’t know. You’ve got to see the image of you two from an outsider’s view.” He motions with his palms face up in a pleading gesture.
    Hmm. When he puts it that way, with Grim looking all fatherly and proud in Schulz’s body, but still…
    I head for the changing rooms, my hands clenched at my sides. I slam the door behind me and slump on it, breathing in and out. Once I’ve changed into my blue jeans and white T-shirt, I head for my locker and grab my violin. Turning around, I come face to face with Lea, her artist portfolio slung across her shoulder ready for her portrait class, and Reiner, his camera hanging around his neck. Seconds later, Rolf appears. Lea and Reiner’s eyes shift to me, then Rolf.
    “Everything okay in Ana-Rolf paradise?” Reiner asks, his eyes holding mine much longer than necessary.
    That’s Reiner, always protective of Lea and me. Lately he’s become more so, as if to prove he isn’t like his bad-tempered father who comes home drunk and takes out his frustrations on his family.
    I nod and allow my lips to stretch slightly. This is between Rolf and me. Reiner’s eyes shift to Rolf and narrow imperceptibly. My body stiffens as Rolf slings a hand over my shoulder, pulling me closer. The fact that they’re in the same class and have been friends for the last year doesn’t override Reiner’s protectiveness.
    “Yeah,” Rolf says, a smile wavering on his lips.
    Outside the auditorium, we part ways with Lea and Reiner. As we enter the room, the music teacher pauses and glares at us for our tardiness. Head bowed, I shuffle and take my usual seat with the other violinists, while Rolf scoots over to the pianists. The tiny scars that mar my hands itch so much I want to scream. I grab my violin and run my fingers along its smooth surface, breathing in and out to lessen the pain devouring me. The anger burning in my throat begins to fade.

 

    L IKE EVERY GIRL, I have dreams and goals. Mine are carved in my brain, among them finishing high school, joining the Vienna Conservatory, and later joining the Vienna Philharmonic. My dream is to have a wonderful boyfriend—which I do—lose my virginity, get married, have four kids, and live happily ever after.
    After the accident, my dreams and goals shifted. Completing my thirteen months of Novicehood so Grim can release my family’s souls from the contract has taken the top spot.
    That night I twist and turn on my bed, my thoughts hovering between my conversation with Grim and my argument with Rolf. Eventually I peer at the silver alarm clock on my nightstand. The white numbers ‘4:21’ blink at me, taunting from their black background. One hour before my usual waking time.
    I kick the crochet bedcover aside, swing my legs out then lean to my right to switch on the bedside lamp and freeze. Did something move near the wardrobe? I squint, straining to make out any shifting shadows. Nothing.
    I roll my eyes.
    Dramatics, Ana. Lack of sleep is definitely messing with your head.
    Tiptoeing to the window, I part the curtains and stare at the rise and fall of the Danube River. I smile, thinking of my family and friends swimming and boating