Page 106 of Grim Tidings

He hums, satisfied. “Gonna stay here, too.”

I wish he would. I wish we could.

I drag my nails through his hair. “Go back to sleep. We’ll talk more when you wake up.”

“You’re being too nice.”

“I’m always nice.” I rub my thumb over the tip of his ear. To the space just behind it. “Go to sleep, Gabriel.”

“All right,” he slurs, his breathing already slow and even. His arm tightens against my middle and then relaxes.

I wait to leave until I’m sure he’s asleep.

It’s surprisingly easy to track down Brad.

If he’s been trying to be covert, then he’s doing a poor job of it. I find him sitting on a bench in front of the ice cream shop with a monstrosity of a cone in his left hand covered in rainbow sprinkles. He beams when he sees me, waving enthusiastically like a toddler greeting his favorite playmate.

“Darcy! Hey!”

I stop and frown, then lift my hand in a more subdued greeting. The last time I saw Brad, he was trying to con his way in front of the tree. I assume that if he’s here, he’s hoping to turn me in for some sort of favor with Gideon. Maybe even a promotion.

But right now, he’s not showing any urgency. There’s no obvious threat in his expression or body language. He’s just a man enjoying an ice cream cone on a street bench.

He gestures me over, and I look both ways before crossing the street, not eager to involve myself in another accident. I take the seat next to him and frown at the absurdity of it all.

“Hey, Darcy.”

“Hello, Brad.”

“You want some ice cream?” He holds the cone out in front of my face.

“No,” I answer slowly. “I would not like any ice cream.”

He shrugs. “Your loss, but okay.”

I wait for him to start issuing threats, but he just smiles dopily at me. Sprinkles cling to the curve of his chin.

“Brad,” I finally say, mustering my patience along with a healthy dose of skepticism. “Have you been looking for me?”

Brad takes another bite, a glob of smooth orange falling onto his perfectly pressed chino pants. “Oh, shit.” He laughs, trying to mop it up with a wrinkled napkin he pulls out of his pocket. “Yeah. I have been looking for you. What are the odds you found me first?”

He shakes his head with a chuckle.

“Yeah, it’s funny.” I shift on the bench. “How did you know I was here?”

He shrugs. “Gideon said he tracked your magic to a couple of different places.”

Aelia, I think to myself. She said she would buy me some time. I wonder where else she’s laid her traps, and how she’s faring because of it.

“He told me if I found you, I’d get rewarded and—are you sure you don’t want some of this ice cream? It’s pumpkin spice.”

I fold my hands in my lap and urge my magic to settle. I don’t need to zap Brad to kingdom come because I’m impatient. I’ve had enough incidents for several lifetimes. “I’m sure, Brad. What was the reward you were promised?”

“I don’t know. Gideon wasn’t very specific, but I’m hoping I’ll be promoted to Reaper.” He puffs out his chest. “You think we’ll get to work together?”

“I doubt it.” I can’t work if I’m chained in some basement office of the department for the rest of eternity. Brad gives me a wounded look. I sigh. “I’m not exactly a departmental favorite right now, Brad.”

“Yeah, fair.” He finishes his cone and brushes his hands on his pants, sending rainbow-colored crumbs in every direction. “Well, you won’t have to worry for too long. Gideon should be here any minute.”