Dinner with Death

Story contains scenes of violence and strong language.

I looked at my watch. Late. As per usual. I pretended to read over the menu again, my fingers tapping impatiently on the leather that bound the heavy pages together. I glanced at my watch again and sighed pulling at the uncomfortable collar of my best suit, my hair pulled back in a tight bun.

The door to the restaurant swung open and he hurried in. Finally. He was breathing hard and scanned the room quickly before spotting me and rushing over. Taking a seat opposite and placing his bag on the ground. 

“You're late,” I muttered.

“Sorry. I’m sorry. I got…waylaid,” he spluttered quickly, glancing around at the other diners. 

I looked at him closely, his hair was tousled and his suit squint and slightly torn and the beginning of a black eye, the unmistakable purple bruise developing on his dark skin. 

“Who?” I growled.

“No one,” he shook his head. “I mean, no one to worry about.”

I frowned at him and sat back in my chair folding my arms. 

“Honest, just drop it, ok?” he pleaded slightly. 

“Fine.” 

“God I’m starving,” he said, trying to avoid the subject. 

The waiter came over, he was cute, deep brown eyes set above high cheekbones. Classically handsome if you will. He looked straight to my brother. 

“Can I get you anything?” he asked. Nice voice too. 

“Yeah I’ll have the burger and chips, thanks.” I saw him notice how handsome the waiter was, he was just his type. 

I kicked his shin under the table and he stifled a yelp.

“Extra side of chips too, thanks,” he added. 

The waiter nodded and took the menu from my brother before turning and picking mine up from the table. He paused and looked at me closely, almost as if he could see me before he walked away. I watched the waiter go, nice butt as well. I turned my attention back to my brother who looked at me with that expression of pity, his green eyes shining in the warm light of the restaurant. 

“Shut up.” I snapped.

“Freya, you know you don’t have to hide all the time,” he started. 

“Just drop it,” I warned. 

He may not actually be a blood relative but he had always felt like a brother to me, as annoying as one, that was for sure. 

“What do they want then?” I asked changing the topic quickly.

He looked at me a second longer before sighing. “Don’t know yet.” 

“Do you have any idea what they might want?” 

“Not sure.” He shook his head. “Probably to hire us, can’t think why else.” 

I sat for a second, I’d heard some chatter about them gathering a bunch of people with a special skill set, as we were known, but nobody seemed to know why. 

“What’d you think?” he asked. 

“Sorry?” I asked back, having been lost in thought. 

Destin shook his head and smiled down at the table. “What’ve you heard then?” 

“Just talk,” I shrugged. 

“What kinda talk?” He pushed.

“Nothing in particular, just chatter.” 

He looked at me a second longer before he dropped it just as the waiter came back over with the food. He set the burger down in front of Destin who looked at the full plate hungrily before he turned to me and placed the plate of chips in front of me and gave me a wink, then walked away. 

I stared at the plate in disbelief, Destin sitting staring at me. Did he just? No. Not possible. But he winked right at me.

“Did he just…” Destin started looking round for the mystery waiter. 

“Did he see me?” I whispered, my heart suddenly racing a million miles per hour. 

“Shit,” Destin cursed.

I sprung to my feet looking around but everyone else carried on eating. Destin grabbed his bag and rushed out his seat chucking some cash on the table for the uneaten meal. 

“We gotta get out of here.” I snapped. 

Destin nodded and we hurried out of the restaurant and took off down the dark street turning the corner and running right into a bunch of big guys.

“Oh look here! It’s Briefcase.” One of them joked shoving Destin hard in the shoulder. 

His buddies laughed. Assholes. Destin clenched his jaw and his hands balled into fists. The guys all had matching tattoos on their hands. 

“What you gonna do Briefcase?” The big guy asked stepping up to Destin.

“These the guys?” I asked.

Destin nodded, only just holding it together. 

“What are you gonna do Destin?” I said suggestively.

“I shouldn’t. I’m trying not to.” Destin grumbled.

“Who you talking to Briefcase?” The guy teased.

“Don’t.” Destin warned. 

The guy faked being scared before smirking. “What’re you gonna do about it, huh?” he said and planted a heavy hand on Destin's shoulder to shove him. 

Suddenly the guy stiffened as Destin's nails grew long and sharp, black talons digging into the guy's arm. Destin's skin cracked and leaked black blood.

“I said don’t,” he growled.

“What the hell!” The guy shouted, trying desperately to pull away from Destin's iron grip.

He turned to me, seeing me now Destin had his claws in him and his eyes widened.

“You wish,” I spat, my eyes flashed black as my true form appeared, my skin paled and my hair went pitch black.

“Holy shit!” the man cursed, fear flooding his face. 

“Trust me there's nothing holy going on here,” I growled. 

The rest of the guys looked around confused before coming to backup their friend. That was a mistake. 

Destin twisted the guy's arm, easily snapping it in two. The guy screamed out and crumpled to the ground clutching his arm. I took out my gun and pulled the trigger as Destin sunk his talons into another guys chest. 

I let off three quick shots into the other three guys' knees and they collapsed to the ground screaming and rolling around. I holstered my gun and turned to Destin who dug his talons deeper into the guys chest making him gag. 

“Destin. Destin stop. It’s not their time yet,” I said.

“Then make it their time,” he growled. 

“Destin,” I warned. 

He hesitated but dropped the guy who slumped to the ground before he turned to the first guy who sat clutching his arm, tears streaming down his face. 

“Haven’t you heard the saying,” Destin said sarcastically. “Don’t tempt Fate.” 

The guy whimpered and nodded. 

We turned and left, walking away down the street. We reached my car and I took the keys out as Destin went round to the passenger seat but suddenly someone grabbed my wrist. 

I was spun round quickly and pinned with my back against the cold wall. I looked up and was met with the waiter's deep brown eyes. 

“Get off,” I growled, lifting a hand to keep him back. 

“Freya!” Destin yelled and rushed round the car. 

“Calm down Fate,” the waiter spat over his shoulder.

He had one hand on the wall behind me, the other still grasping my wrist. 

“What? Don’t you recognise me Death?” He said with a smirk. 

I faltered and looked closely at his eyes, seeing a burning blue fire within the dark depths. 

“No. It can’t be. Hades?” I whispered.