Read Online Grave Intentions by Lori Sjoberg - Free Book Online Page B

progressing? Will he be ready in the required time frame?”
    “The kid’s coming along just fine.” Samuel had imposed a two-month deadline for Adam’s training. Which was a little short—most reapers were given around six months to acclimate to the job. Samuel offered no reason for the rush and David knew not to press for details.
    “Where is he?”
    Like he didn’t already know. “Out walking the dog.” Samuel raised a brow and David added, “Long story. He’s getting rid of it soon.”
    A thin smile gave Samuel a predatory air, which meant only one thing: he wanted something. “How convenient. That gives us time to chat.”
    “Oh goody. I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”
    The smile evaporated. “I don’t understand why you feel compelled to act like an insolent chit,” Samuel said, his British accent growing more pronounced with his annoyance. “I’m only here to help you.”
    “Yeah, right.” David let out a derisive huff. He’d heard that line more times than he cared to count. Samuel ruled over his charges with an iron fist and absolute power, and took obvious pride in his work. “You get off watching us all suffer.”
    Samuel scowled. “Believe what you want. But there is an important matter we must discuss.”
    “Then talk.” David tossed the packet on the bar separating the kitchen from the living room. “It’s not like I’m going anywhere.” Stalking back to the kitchen, he refilled his cup and then held the pot up. He might loathe Samuel, but he still had some semblance of manners. “Want some?”
    “Yes, please.” He stood and took the cup David offered. “I had the most interesting discussion with Fate the other day,” Samuel began. His tone sounded conversational but his eyes were sharp and attentive, taking note of David’s every move.
    The mention of Fate grabbed David’s attention by the short and curlies. Fate ruled over Death, and it was Fate who ultimately decided when a reaper’s terms of service were satisfied. “And?”
    “Have your attention now, do I?” A smirk curled the corners of Samuel’s mouth. Just to be a dick and drag things out, he paused to add sugar to his coffee. “Didn’t think you placed much value in anything I had to say.”
    David clenched his jaw and counted to ten. He didn’t like playing games, and he really hated it when Samuel asserted his superiority. “Quit jerking my chain and tell me what Fate said.”
    “Touchy.” Samuel made a tsk, tsk sound and shook his head. “And impatient. Always been a weakness of yours, hasn’t it?” Before David could respond, he said, “Well, since we haven’t much time before your protégé returns, I’ll make this brief. Fate’s had her eye on you as of late. It seems you’re approaching a crossroads. She said the fork in the road will expose the true nature of your character, but the light will chart the course for the remainder of your journey.”
    Remainder of his journey? Hope bloomed in David’s guarded psyche. Did Samuel mean what he thought he meant? Could it all be over soon? It sounded too good to be true. “You mean I’m getting out of here soon?”
    “That’s not what I said,” Samuel said, sounding a little annoyed. He sipped his coffee and then stirred in another teaspoon of sugar. “I’m only relaying Fate’s exact words. Keep them in mind when choosing your path, boy.”
    What kind of bullshit was Samuel shoveling this time around? The son of a bitch was incapable of giving a straight answer. David rolled the words around in his head, searching for the hidden message. “What do you mean, a crossroads?” he asked, trying to decipher words with a meaning as clear as fog. “I thought Fate pulled all the strings.”
    “Fate doesn’t control everything. There is the element of free will.”
    David didn’t bother masking his cynicism. “Free will my ass. Fate plays us like puppets.”
    “Not quite. Fate merely controls the essentials; she knows when