The Reaper (The Assassin Series Book #2)

I had done everything I could to prepare. I even read that book again. I just had to pass the exams. There wasn't a choice. If I ever wanted to see Sebastian again, I had to. For us.

Grell was nice enough to walk with me to the testing room. It was a bit intimidating that I would be alone with the instructor in the room while taking the test, but he tried to calm my nerves. I was happy he had warmed up to me so quickly. I hoped perhaps the others in the Division would as well.

We stood outside the door and I shook my head, "No, I don't want to go in there by myself."

"Stop worrying! If I taught you, then you'll be fine! Now, go!" Grille opened the door and pushed me through it. I almost fell on my face, but caught myself in time. He quickly closed the door again before I could run back through. "Good luck!" he yelled through the door. I groomed at him.

"Willow Porter?" a man behind me asked. He was a bit older than most of the Reapers I had seen before. He would be my instructor for the Written Exam.

I cleared my throat and fixed my glasses, "Yes, I'm Willow."

He nodded at the desk, "Take a seat and we'll begin."

It was about four hours later when I had finally finished the exams. I had three different instructors, one for each exam. I figured it was so that the grading could go by faster. I was currently sitting outside someone's office in a chair. My hands were folded in my lap. I was trying to refrain from biting my thumbnail, even though I had a strong urge to.

I thought I had done well. Sure, there had been a few questions I was unsure about, but I knew a majority of them. What if I had failed one of them, though? I had tried to take my time, but I really had just wanted to get them over with. Perhaps I had rushed. What if that was my downfall?

Then, Grell came and sat down next to me. "Grell, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I'm not sure. I guess I got called here as well since you are going to get your scores. I'll find out if I can keep my death scythe," Grell shrugged.

"Thank you for all the help. I'm sorry you were made to do this," I apologized.

"It's fine. It wasn't horrible or anything. It could have been a lot worse," he dismissed.

The door opened and out walked an older gentleman who was bald and wore a suit. "Come in," he told us. We both stood.

Grell whispered in my ear as we walked in, "That is the Head of Education. He'll tell you your scores. His name is Marshall Hobbs." I nodded silently, saying that I had heard him.

There were no chairs, so we were forced to stand in front of the desk. Marshall sat in the chair behind the desk and folded his hands over it. I was incredibly nervous, doubts running through my head. My knees were shaking badly.

"Ms. Willow Porter, you applied and took the classes for the Dispatch Management Division. You received an A in Practical Skills, a B on the Written Exam, and a B in Ethics, giving you a B average," he told me. I gasped. I couldn't believe it! "Mr. Sutcliff, this means you will be allowed to keep your death scythe."

"Yes! I knew I would be a good teacher! No one is better than me," Grell said smugly.

"You will now begin the Final Exam," Marshall informed me.

"A Final Exam? Sir, no one told me of one," I protested.

He explained, "Probably because none of us thought you would actually pass." Thanks for the faith in me, I thought sarcastically. "This exam consists of you going out into the field with a partner and collecting a soul, judging if they should live or not."

Grell argued, "How can she have a partner if no one else has taken the exam."

Marshall said, "Mr. Grell Sutcliff, I believe you received an A in Practical Skills, a B on the Written Exam, and a C in Ethics, giving you a B average. You will be Ms. Porter's partner."

"What! This is outrageous!" Grell yelled, clamming his hands down on the next. "Why should I have to take the Final Exam again? I taught her everything! I've done my part!"

Marshall explained, "If you work so well together, then it should not be a problem. Also, you won't be given the usual month in advance. You will have a week to study the person about to die. Also, you are to help Ms. Porter, but she must be the one to judge the person's life and collect the soul if needed. Your scythe will still be confiscated if you neglect your duties as her partner." Grell growled at him angrily. I felt slightly bad for Grell considering all he had done for me already.

I demanded, "You're only giving me a week? Shouldn't I be allowed more time? I realize that I said I would take the other exams in day, but now you're asking me to judge someone's soul. I don't want to make a mistake."

"Grim Reapers should not make mistakes. If you do, then you are not be ready to be part of the Division. That is how it works. Now, either both of you can take this file and do your task," he set the file of the person supposed to die on the desk and slid it towards us, "or you can both not get what you want. It's your choice."

I immediately snatched the file and promised, "You can test me as much as you want, but I'll still come out on top, I promise you that. Let's go, Grell. We have work to do." I began to walk away.

Grell protested, "I never said I would do it."

My hand was on the doorknob when I turned back and smirked, "You didn't have to. I know how much you want to keep your scythe. You were going to say yes. Now, come on. We don't have time to waste." Then, I walked out, and heard Grell behind me.

It wasn't over, but I was close. That was what really mattered to me. I was almost there, a full-fledged Reaper. After, I could go into London and look for Sebastian while doing my job. It had to work out for me. If it didn't, I didn't know what I would do. Failing just wasn't an option.