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Looking out the window, Zim watched as the sun slowly drowned in the sea. The sky was a brilliant shade of red and orange. Nature unfolded in front of him, but he couldn’t feel anything. He let the closed book, held in his hand, fall to the ground with a resounding thud.
Today, more than any other day, he missed his friend. He hadn’t heard from Meena in years and often wondered what became of her. With a heart as vindictive as hers, she must be brewing a curse to kill someone or writing a spell to take over the world. The thought brought an unexpected smile to his face.
As powerful as demons were, they couldn’t teleport between the worlds on a whim. There were only two ways for him to leave the Otherworld. First, someone—mostly humans—wanted to make a deal with him and summoned him. Second, he had to wait for the rare occasions when the worlds aligned and a portal opened between them. Those were the times when magic was at its peak, and anything could happen. Zim had experienced such a moment once when he sought an old journal. He hadn’t found it, though. If he had, he might have gotten his friend back. He wondered if he would ever see her again or if he was doomed to spend eternity in this lonely world.
He turned, startled at the presence he sensed. Someone was at the front door of his beach house. That had never happened before. Demons didn’t seek the company of each other. By nature, they were solitary creatures.
Not waiting for the knock, he sauntered across the room and opened the door. No one was there, but an envelope floated before his eyes. He snatched it and opened it to read.
I have heard rumors that you’re searching for the witch’s journal. I know where it was seen last, and I’m willing to sell the information. If you want it and are ready to pay my asking price, write yes at the end of this page. I’ll summon you tonight.
The letter wasn’t signed, and Zim couldn’t guess what creature wrote it. It was written in Latin. The language was common among supernatural beings. It could be a trap, but he knew what his response would be. Without hesitation, he went to his writing desk and did as the letter instructed. It burst into flames and vanished.
He waited patiently for the night to fall. And his patience paid off when after a few hours, he felt the undeniable pull of a summoning. A smile crept onto his face, and anticipation had his heart hammering in his chest. At long last, something to look forward to.
The room he ended up in was spacious and well-lit. The curtains were drawn, and a woman reclined on a sofa.
“Well, that’s a surprise,” he said. A frown replaced his smile. He knew the woman and didn’t like her. She was a mercenary playing with people’s emotions. But then, what could you expect from a former Grim Reaper living a human life?
“You know me?” Nina asked, her eyes wide and mouth opened in an O.
“Everyone knows you,” he wrinkled his nose in disgust. “You’re the Reaper who tricked a human into taking your place. The Otherworld was abuzz with the news of the injustice. Your boss really knows when to ignore the wrongdoings of her subordinates.”
“I assure you no rules were broken.” She took a deep breath as if tired.
Not that Zim would feel even a little sympathetic toward her. “The human wasn’t willing,” he said, chewing out every word. “And what about now? It’s been a while since you started selling information. Do you still think you aren’t breaking the rules?”
“I’m not. If I have the knowledge and someone wants it, then where’s the harm in it?”
“You can tell yourself whatever lies you want, but you’re the worst kind of human.” He deliberately stressed the word human to make it sound like a curse. This woman wanted to be one bad enough that she played with someone else’s life, and to do what? Be a go-between supernatural and human world? The thought didn’t sit well with him. And he wondered if he should continue this meeting.
She sat up straight, and said in a soft tone, “Look, let’s not go into the rights or wrongs of things. The human world is a mess I didn’t expect, and I need the money. So, if you still want to know where the journal is, I can tell you for a reasonable fee. What do you say?”
He stared at the petite woman trying to appear vulnerable, but he wasn’t fooled. He knew her for the viper that she was. Among supernatural circles, Nina was known as the cutthroat who wouldn’t blink twice before slicing you in two. He wasn’t falling for her helpless human act. She must have some powerful friends to keep a connection to the supernatural worlds the way she had managed.
Yet, it was his first clue to find the journal. She summoned him to the Aboveworld, and he might not get another chance like this soon. He tucked his prejudice back into his heart and said, “Okay, I will pay your price. Tell me everything you know about it.”
“Great,” she smiled from ear to ear, “as it happens. The journal you seek once belonged to a Grim Reaper, who left it with his human wife.”
“What kind of an idiot would do that?” He crossed his arms across his chest and squinted at her. He hadn’t bothered taking a seat, preferring to stand. Nina’s presence didn’t warrant any friendliness, and he didn’t want to lower his guard around her.
“Let me finish.”
“Go on.”
“So, the journal is here, in the Aboveworld.”
“If this is all you know, I’m leaving,” he said.
“Well, I know the human who has it. Or should I say half-human?” She shrugged and continued, “His name is Rayan. He is the Grim Reaper’s son. The only problem is that no one knows where he is right now. But if you can find him, you’ll find the journal.”
Zim had to admit to himself the information was worth every penny. But he wouldn’t thank the woman. She didn’t deserve anyone’s gratitude. “How do you want me to pay you?” he asked, in a hurry to conclude their business.
“I heard you have a diamond as big as my fist—”
He didn’t let her finish. “Don’t even think about it.”
“You don’t need it. Jewels and cash are useless in the Otherworld.” She smiled and looked at him as if he were her favorite demon.
“Ask for something else,” he said firmly. The diamond she talked about wasn’t for exchange. He had been saving it for the day he would meet his soulmate. He planned to gift it to her.
“Oh well, why don’t you pay me in cash?”
“Done.” Even though Nina was correct and such a thing was useless in the Otherworld, he had enough wealth in every world for just these kinds of transactions. Besides, he had made enough deals with humans in his life time to know how their world worked. Demons, unlike other immortals, liked to be prepared for every situation.
Before teleporting to the Otherworld, he thought it best to look for Rayan. If he found the man, his problem would be solved, and he wouldn’t have to pray for another summoning.
