Chapter 9: Games
**Nerina**
I rip off the dress and let out a roar of anger. I have no idea what Zachiel's game is with me, but I hope it ends soon so I can get out of here. I place my hand on my bare stomach. I can feel the evil still covering my skin with its sperm. I shudder as I reflect on everything that happened tonight and decide that if that dress appears tomorrow, I won’t wear it. With that decision made, I crumple it into a tight ball and shove it to the back of the closet. Then I head straight to the shower to wash away the darkness that’s starting to scare me. I’m feeling very confused here, and not knowing what to expect around the next corner is unnerving. I don’t like feeling so vulnerable and exposed. As I bow my head under the lamentable flow of water, I wonder why he would want me to feel this way. Unfortunately, the possibilities are endless, and each one makes my skin want to crawl off my body so my essence can escape, never to be seen again.
The next day, I overcame my stupid feeling of being used and afraid and discovered my anger. Zachiel can't treat me like this without telling me why he’s doing it. If that damn red dress shows up tonight, I will find out what the hell is going on, and if he doesn’t tell me, then I’ll tell him to go fuck himself and find some other demon prostitute to play with. My bad mood travels with me to work, like a black cloud over my head. The only thing that puts a smile on my face is the fear that emanates from the souls when they come face to face with my anger. I checked the ‘terrified’ box over and over again, leaning further into the bad side of the Reapers, who want to stay away from the scared ones. A fun soul collects way more brownie points down here, and the feeling that I'm destroying quotas left and right makes me feel empowered.
This feels more like it. I missed the stench of fear, and it’s not a stench I’d like to feel again. “One word,” Roberta suddenly says, right next to my ear, the moment I slam the little door with such force that it shakes the wall it’s fixed to. I turn my head and see Roberta inches away. “What?” I reply. “What do you think you’re doing scaring the souls?” Roberta shouts. “My ass is at risk now after today.” “That’s nineteen words,” I comment. “And it’s not my fault your Reapers are bringing in the scaredy cats.” Roberta stares at me in a way that’s not flattering, her big lips parted in shock. “You little whore!” She screams. “How dare you argue with me?” “Whatever,” I say cheerfully, really not afraid of this woman, and turn to face my door. “I... I...” Roberta stutters and then closes her rubbery lips with a narrow look. She leans in to hiss in my ear. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking my Lord cares for you just because he let you go and gave you a body. Your ass is mine, bitch.”
I’m about to quickly turn back when Roberta stands up and looks a nasty, pasty color. Stepping away from me, she disappears as quickly as she came, leaving me bewildered. What was that?
**Zachiel**
“Stay away from her, do you understand me?” I roar at Roberta as she trembles in front of me.
“Yes, sir,” she says, her eyes lowered. “But she isn’t doing her job right; she ruined a whole day’s tasks.”
“Bite your tongue,” I hiss at her.
She takes me literally, as I expected, and bites her tongue in half. The tip falls to the floor, and I stare at her for a moment before bending down and tossing it into the fire.
Roberta’s muffled scream of pain makes me relax a bit. I’m so tense that I need a little fun, but unfortunately, Roberta is invaluable to me, so I can’t destroy her. It would take centuries for someone to be as skilled as she is, and I don’t have the patience to hire an intern without a trainer to guide them.
“You have permission,” I say formally, snapping my fingers and giving her a new tongue.
“Thank you, sir,” she whispers.
“I’ll deal with Nerina, but you won’t approach her in a threatening manner again,” I say with a dismissive wave of my hand.
“Of course,” Roberta says, and with a slight bow, she disappears from my sight.
I sigh. I knew Nerina would be difficult; it's one of the reasons I chose her, but I can't allow her to meddle with my plans. She's clearly irritated with how I've treated her, and that makes me smile. I'm getting to her, and now I'll see how far she’ll go to remain loyal to me.
I send the twins to clean up the mess with the Tasks; Nerina’s actions will take hours to correct, and then I head to my room. I sit in a deep armchair in the corner of the room to wait for my time with Nerina. I’m going to push her to a limit that will make her uncomfortable tonight, and I can hardly wait for her reaction.
The magic book, placed on a pedestal in the corner of my dark room, suddenly slams shut as if in protest. I frown and then check myself. No feelings either way is the book’s order.
This is going to be harder than I thought.