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I wave him off. “You talked. I pretended to listen.” That’s truly how most of our conversations go. He is all about the rules, while I believe they are just suggestions. Which is almost comical considering I’m a lawyer who is representing him because he may or may have not broken some rules.

In my defense, I was in dire need of a drink. I would’ve needed Aiden to take me to the living world to pick up a bottle, and he was busy at that moment. I made a decision that was best for me and I have no regrets.

I turn back to the reaper who I am assuming is leading the cavalry. “What’s your name?”

“Valerie Pierre,” she replies. I stand to shake her hand, then turn to the other five reapers and shake their hands, too.

“Please come over to my desk. I don’t have enough seats for everyone, so some will have to stand,” I explain. Aiden continues to eat, just watching the whole thing go down. I’m sad I can’t finish my food. He picked us up some pasta from Italy. There’s a lot of privileges that come with being a reaper, teleportation being a huge one.

They follow me to my desk. Valerie takes a seat along with one of the other reapers. The rest gather behind them.

I take out my notepad and pen. “What can I help you with?”

“You’re the only defense attorney at Eden. They haven’t recruited any others. I heard it’s because no one wants to do it. Therefore, reapers have just been going into court representing themselves. But we need your help. Our case is serious.”

“Are you all being charged with violating the same rule?” I ask. I guess that was the wrong question to ask, because she slaps her hands on the desk making me jump a little bit. I peek over at Aiden to see his eyes are narrowed in our direction. He looks ready to pounce at any second. He reminds me of a cute grumpy cat.

Valerie says, “We didn’t break any rules! This is all those other reapers’ fault.” She seems to honestly believe they did nothing wrong, which would be good because it’s easier to defend innocent people most times.

“Let’s start from the beginning again, shall we? Why are you here?”

She takes a deep breath. “We all recently died, and our souls were collected. We all went through the same process of going to the Soul Directory. That is where we were all told we were going to be reapers, because our karma was neutral.”

I nod. “Okay, what is the issue?”

“Well, now they are saying that there was a glitch in the system before we came, and we were all meant to go to Hell. They said we are being stripped of our reaper positions by tomorrow.”

My eyebrows jump up. “No way is that okay.”

“Exactly what I said!” she exclaims.

“You want me to get them to not remove you as a reaper?”

“Yes. That, or send us to Heaven for our service.”

I shake my head. “It is doubtful that you will go to Heaven, but I may be able to help you remain as reapers.”

Valerie leans forward. “Wait. So, you’ll help us?” All the reapers are staring at me, hope in their eyes.

I think for a moment. I need a break from Aiden’s case, and this may be the perfect excuse. But I need to know something first.

“Have any of you committed fraud, murder, assault, rape, child molestation, grand theft auto, or enjoy raisins?” I ask, my face passive as I wait for their answers. I hear Aiden chuckle in the background. Probably because of my mentioning of raisins. It’s a valid question.

All the reapers look at each other in confusion and Valerie replies for the group. “No. I don’t think so.” But one of the reapers raises his hand nervously.

I point to him. “Yes? What’s your name and your sin?”

He stammers, “I-I am Gabriel, and I enjoy raisins.” I see a bead of sweat roll down his forehead. Only sinners like raisins.

I shake my head in disappointment. “There’s no hope for you.”

His face twists in horror. “I’m going to Hell because I enjoy raisins?”

I smirk. “No. But you should.” Because any person who enjoys dried grapes must be evil. Why don’t they just eat a normal juicy grape? Why would they dry it? Also, whose bright idea was it to put raisins in bread, or cookies? I know that person is in Hell for sure.

I hear Gabriel let out a breath of relief as Aiden says, “There’s nothing wrong with someone who loves raisins, Joyce.”

I gasp and grab my chest. I peer around the reapers to make eye contact with him. “Don’t tell me you love raisins.” I think my voice is shaking a little bit. This would be my breaking point. I can’t sleep with someone who loves raisins. I just can’t.