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Something wasn’t right, and Noreen felt it keenly. The air in the room was heavy, pregnant with an unspoken tension that hung around her like a shroud. The demon should have found the witch by now, but after three days of waiting, they still hadn’t heard back from him. Sameer was acting strange, and his mood was spiraling out of control.
You might argue that he had always been moody, but it was much worse. Earlier that day, he got into an argument with the boss lady. She wasn’t happy with their decision to investigate human murders. And instead of explaining the situation, Sameer lost his temper, blaming her for everything because she allowed Nina to bend the rules.
That was how Noreen ended up in the office with the boss lady while Sameer was somewhere collecting his next soul. “I don’t understand why you want to ignore this?” she asked the Grim Reaper, who frankly scared her. The room seemed to shrink in the presence of this enigmatic woman as if the very walls cowered under her gaze. The air felt charged with an unspoken tension, every moment hanging on a precipice of uncertainty.
“We don’t interfere with humans or witches. You two have put me in a precarious position.” The woman, whose name they still didn’t know, glared at Noreen. “I would have expected this from Sameer, but you should’ve stopped him. That’s why I partnered you with him.”
“With due respect,” she said, making sure the woman knew no respect was involved, “I’m with Sameer on this one. I’m sure you’ve read his mind. The witch has threatened the Underworld. And he might be new to everything, but you understand what it means to steal the essence of a soul. We can’t ignore this matter.” Her voice was careful but tinged with an edge that conveyed her dissent, an unspoken declaration of her defiance.
“It’s you who doesn’t understand, Noreen.” The woman looked stressed, and for a minute, Noreen felt bad for her. “If you had come to me, I would’ve reported it through the proper channels without involving the shopkeeper or a demon. Of all things!”
She paused before continuing, “Witches don’t condone essence stealing. And they would’ve taken care of their own. You should’ve come to me.”
There was silence as Noreen tried to understand what the boss lady said. Her response carried a weight that bore down on Noreen's senses, a mixture of authority and an undercurrent of dread. It made sense, and Noreen realized their error in judgment. By involving a demon in the matter concerning humans, witches, and Grim Reapers, they had inadvertently put all the major players on the chessboard of the universe. If this escalated, it could end up in a war between their worlds.
“Anyway, what’s done is done,” the boss said, softening her tone. “What about the demon? Is he trustworthy, at least?”
“He is a nice enough guy. And he is friends with the witch, so I hope he wouldn’t want this to become a bigger problem.”
“That’s a relief. Let’s take care of this issue quietly. Inform me as soon as the demon contacts you.”
“Okay,” Noreen said and excused herself.
Something bothered her. The idea that the situation could escalate into a conflict of cosmic proportions settled heavily in her mind. Though she understood the boss lady’s concern, the woman might be overreacting. Humans didn’t know about the supernatural, and it was only one demon and one witch. Why would the boss insinuate this could implode?
For the first time since her death, she wanted to return to the Fairy Woods and ask Adna for help. Adna would know what to do and whom to trust. Because Noreen was stumped.
“Where are you, Zim?” she said to herself.
“Missing me already?” The voice startled her, and she whirled around to find the demon of her thoughts standing there, leaning against the wall, as if he owned the place.
“You shouldn’t be here,” she hissed, looking around to ensure no Grim Reapers were in sight. “How did you get past the wards?” She eyed him suspiciously. “Never mind that.” Grabbing his hand, she led him to a quiet corner and teleported to Aboveworld.
When she saw Zim in the Underworld, she panicked. Demons weren’t allowed there. On impulse, she brought them to a garden she once visited while on a mission once. It was a beautiful place. The flowers of Aboveworld were the only thing that reminded her of home. The sweet and potent scent in the air calmed her nerves. She didn’t let go of his wrist, though.
“Hey, don’t worry,” he said lightly but didn’t try to pull away. “Until our deal is done, I can go anywhere you or that Reaper is. I broke no laws and wasn’t in any danger.” He moved closer and smiled, letting her know she had nothing to fear.
Noreen sighed. Then realized how close they were and quickly stepped back, letting go of his hand. “Sorry, I didn’t think...” Her voice trailed off. She didn’t understand her reaction and couldn’t explain it to him.
“No problem.” He smiled and strolled down a garden path. Pausing, he looked over his shoulder and said, “This is an amazing place. Let’s take a walk.” He extended his arm with the hand facing upward.
Noree hesitated, only for a second, before walking up to him and taking his hand. The smile he gave her then could’ve melted anyone’s heart. She felt butterflies somersaulting in her stomach—not a pleasant feeling. Ignoring it, she said, “Have you found the witch?”
“Can’t we enjoy a beautiful day without discussing the witches?” He winked and led her to an alcove between hedges. A rustic wooden bench was placed there strategically to provide people with some privacy.
Seated, Noreen let the silence settle between them. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and a symphony of fragrances enveloped her senses. Bluebells swayed gently, inviting her to lose herself in their cerulean petals, and she wanted nothing more than to do just that. The sunlight filtered through the foliage, casting dappled shadows on the ground and creating a play of light that added an ethereal touch to the scene.
“What are you thinking?” Zim asked. While she had been busy taking in their surroundings, he had been staring at her.
“Nothing,” she shrugged, “I just love this place. It reminds me of Fairy Woods. Whenever we’re in the Aboveworld, I come here to relax. The outside world melts away, and time seems to slow down, grounding me. The therapeutic aroma and vibrant colors of the flowers uplift my spirit.” She closed her eyes and smiled serenely.
“I don’t think I have ever felt it before,” he whispered.
She opened her eyes to see him watching her closely. He leaned toward her as if drinking her in.
“You’re beautiful.” He kissed her softly on the cheek.
That broke the spell, and Noreen looked at him in confusion. “Why would you do that?”
“I like you, Noreen,” he said. “Go out with me.” It wasn’t a question, but it also wasn’t a command.
No one ever looked at Noreen as Zim did. Her heart skipped a beat, and she wondered what it would be like to be with him. But there was a voice of doubt in her head, reminding her of all the reasons why she shouldn’t fall for him. “It’s just the legend. This attraction isn’t real.”
“Where do you think the legends come from?” He cupped her cheek and pleaded with his eyes for her to give them a chance.
And she wanted to—she did, but... “Did you find Meena?”
He moved away then. “Yes, I have found her. That’s why I came to see you,” he explained. “I wanted to ask you for a favor.”
“What kind of favor?” She looked at him skeptically.
“Will you trust me?” He looked her directly in the eye as he said it.
This time, it was easier to answer. “Yes.”
