The Artifact Reaper Saga Box Set

by Jen L. Grey

  As soon as she’s out of view, Charlie growls out. “What the hell was that?”

  That’s the thing. I have no clue. That doesn’t even seem like the Becca I knew the last time I saw her. “I… I don’t know.”

  “If it wasn’t for that cleft chin and her awful attitude, she would be a dead ringer for Beth.” His tone is gruff, and he closes his eyes.

  “Yeah, that’s why I messed up.” At the time, she even sort of acted like Beth. “She even had her mannerisms when she was my target.”

  “God, Chris.” He clenches his jaw. “I’m so damn sorry. I could only imagine, and I just gave you hell.”

  “I deserved it.” I stare at Beth’s grave and remember those last moments of her life in that prison. “Just like I deserve Becca’s contempt.”

  “No, you don’t.” He grabs my shoulder and pulls me so I’m facing him. “You are the most caring, loyal person I’ve ever known. Beth always said it, but,” he glances away, “I refused to see it until now.”

  Is he just saying this out of guilt? He’s a nice guy and he doesn’t have to take on anymore of this burden. These past few weeks, I’ve learned Charlie blames himself as well for Beth’s death, even though he has no reason to. “Stop, okay? I know it’s my fault for all this. Don’t try to take it all on yourself.” I reach out to touch him but stop. I’m sure it would be unwelcomed. “I don’t know what’s wrong with Becca, but I’ll figure it out. I’ll get this all fixed.”

  “Chris…” Charlie’s tone is still gruff, and his concerned eyes find mine.

  A flash of lightning crashes down between us and an inky black swirl begins to form.

  He grabs my hand and pulls me behind him. “It’s a demon, I think.”

  The smell of fire and brimstone surround us and all too soon a pair of piercing blue eyes appear, followed by dark black hair. The black mass moves and changes until Damien materializes right in front of us.

  Why am I not surprised he’d show up here and now? Right now, he’s the last person I want to see. After the little note he left me and now how Becca is acting, his little act won’t work on me any longer.

  “Why the long faces?” He smirks and takes a step toward us, darkness following his every movement.

  “Oh, I don’t know. A black mass coming toward us in a graveyard might be the reason.” His arrogance once intimated me, but now it’s grating on my nerves.

  He raises an eyebrow and something dark flashes in his eyes. “Somebody here better not forget their place.”

  Charlie steps in front of me. “Is there something I can help you with?”

  “Oh, god no.” His nose twists in disgust. “You can’t help me with anything.” He points to me. “She is the only one that can help me.”

  I step around Charlie. He’s trying to protect me, but this is my battle not his. “What do you need?”

  “The end of our bargain.” His tone has an edge to it.

  He has the crystal for goodness sakes. What is he talking about? “What are you talking about?”

  “Do not forget who I am,” he sneers and steps closer to me. “I’m here for what you promised me. A small piece of the Earth Crystal.”

  Oh my god. “Do you not have it?”

  He takes a deep breath and licks his lips. “Do you think I’d be here asking for a small piece of the blasted thing if I did?”

  No, I do not. He wouldn’t be here otherwise. “Actually, no, I don’t think you would.”

  “So, just give me what you promised.” He tilts his head and then his eyes focus on Charlie. “Or I might have some fun of my own.”

  Charlie tenses and glares at him.

  Is he threatening me now? And why am I surprised by that? “I don’t have it.”

  Damien shoulders stiffen. “What do you mean you don’t have it?”

  “After I came back with it, I got locked up.” I’m not about to tell him Charlie hid it. “I had to put it in a safe location. When I finally got out, I went back to get it,” I point at him, “to bring to you, but it was gone. I’ve been searching for it since.”

  “I’m failing to see the problem here,” he chuckles. “Just use your ability and our whole problem will be resolved.”

  What an asshole. He doesn’t think I’ve already tried that? “Every time I try to focus on the stone, all I see is the vial of Angel’s Breath. It’s like whatever is guiding me wants me to find the next artifact before I focus back on the crystal.”

  His eyebrows raise, and he runs a finger along his lip. “Is that so? Interesting.” He paces for a moment and it looks as if he has multiple shadows following him.

  Charlie walks up beside me and nudges me. I turn to him and he raises one eyebrow.

  Yeah, Damien is up to something. We’re about to figure out what it is here in a minute. At least I’m not having to face him alone this time. There is some comfort in that.

  “So … where is this Angel’s Breath?” Damien turns around and his face is back to being smooth and a mask of indifference.

  He has to know it’s not here, otherwise I’d be off getting it. “It’s in another realm.”

  “Oh, these things are not very convenient, are they?” He shakes his head and walks a few graves over to lean on a large tree.

  “No, they are not.” I guess that’s part of the journey. Who knows. “So, I’m going to have to get that one first before I can focus back on the crystal.”

  “Well, you could always ask Becca to get you there.” He crosses one leg in front of the other.

  “She’s tried to,” Charlie clenches his jaw, “multiples time.”

  “Oh, really?” Damien pouts. “What a pity. I thought you two were getting so close.”

  Yeah, I’m sure. “She seems to have gotten really busy here lately. That’s okay. I’ll figure out something.”

  “Well, you have someone who sees her every day and could help influence her standing right in front of you.” He winks at me.

  I’ve made that mistake before multiple times and I’m not willing to anymore. I had thought he was an ally in some sort of demented way, but now, I’m thinking I was dead wrong. “I’m sure you could.”

  “I’m sure we could work out some kind of an arrangement.” He lifts his hand up and inspects his nails.

  Nope, not happening. “I’m tired of making deals.” It seems like every time I turn around someone wants something from me. “They normally don’t turn out well for me.”

  He drops his hand and raises an eyebrow. His tone drips with condescension. “Oh, come on now. It will be something small. We won’t upset your precious council.”

  The council has no bearing on this decision. “No, seriously. I’m done with making deals.”

  Charlie walks up beside me. “We will figure it out together.”

  “Oh, how sweet.” Damien snarls. “Well, I guess I better leave you two reapers to figure it out. I hope too many things don’t stand in your way.” A dark cloud begins to form at his feet and his eyes take on a red hue. “Just remember, I was playing nice.” Soon, the blackness engulfs him... and he vanishes from sight. The only thing left behind that even proves he was there is the smell of ash.

  “Shit,” Charlie turns to me. “He didn’t take that very well.”

  That’s an understatement. “I don’t think he hears no very often.” Well, that could have gone a little better. “At this point, we can rule out any help from Becca.”

  His face pales. “You think he has that much influence over her?”

  “Yeah, I regret her meeting him now. I think he has complete influence over her now. I can’t prove it, it’s just a feeling. But, at this point, we just need to count her out from helping us.”

  “I pretty much already had.” He kicks at the ground. “Dammit. It’s like nothing is working in our favor.”

  That is a feeling I know too well. “We’ll figure it out. We have to.”

  My phone rings from inside my pocket startling me. Who the hell is calling me right now? M
y parents are out with some old friends they hadn’t seen in years and Charlie is right here, with me. It’s late for my normal clients since I tell them I don’t work after six in the evenings. Before I put that stipulation, they had me doing some pretty shady jobs.

  After I pull out the phone, I check the caller ID. Oh Shit. Not now. This is one I can’t turn down. I accept the call and put it to my ear. “Hello?”

  “I need you right now. Don’t tell anyone.” The all too familiar voice is gruff and as soon as the words are spoken, she ends the call.

  All thoughts of having a relaxing evening are gone. It appears my night just might be beginning.

  “Hey, are you okay?” Charlie reaches out and touches my arm. His eyes are filled with concern.

  “I have a job I need to get to immediately.” My body stiffens, and I turn, heading to the car. “Can you drop me off at my car?”

  He rushes to catch up to me and stays silent for moment. “Yeah, I can do that. Let’s go.”

  Thank god he didn’t ask why, because I don’t want to lie to him. But what the hell am I getting myself into?

  Chapter Eleven

  It was hard leaving Charlie. He wanted to ask questions, but he didn’t. He dropped me off at my car and just hugged me tight telling me to be careful. For some reason, that made it even more difficult.

  I should be back at my apartment with him, but no. Margaret has to call and demand my presence. I should have never agreed to work for them, but they still have the upper hand. Will that ever freaking change? I’m tired of being everyone’s pawn.

  The all too familiar brownstone mansion comes into view. Is it possible to hate this place more than I used to? I pull up to the normal spot and get out. At this point, I’m not surprised the front door is open and the butler is waiting on me.

  He opens the door wider and takes a step back. “Your presence is requested in the sitting room.”

  Of course, it is. That seems to be Margaret’s favorite spot. I follow him down the hallway and when he opens the door, I walk in without hesitation. I’m ready to get this job over. As I sit on the couch, my tailbone throbs. Just a reminder of how I got my ass beat earlier and why I should be home resting.

  A door opens in the back and Margaret enters the room. Her brows are furrowed, and she has her hands clasped. “Thank heavens you’re finally here. What took you so long?”

  Is she being serious right now? “I got here in less than fifteen minutes. I was out and had to get dropped off at my car since I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone.”

  She rubs a hand down her white shirt and closes her eyes. “Oh, yes. Of course.” She blows out her mouth. “I’ve got a very important job for you.” She takes a step toward me. “I need you to find someone and retrieve them for me.”

  This sounds great. “What do you mean by ‘retrieve’ them?” What the hell am I getting into?

  “There was a situation, so I needed one of my most trusted people sent on a special job for me.” She glances at the clock. “She’s been gone way too long. Something might have happened. I need your help.”

  Whatever this assignment is, it must be a big deal, and right now I could stand to get in her good graces. Maybe she will show me how I can find the Earth Crystal. “Fine, I’ll help. Who am I looking for?”

  “Remember that you are being paid for this job.” Margaret raises an eyebrow.

  Why does that matter right now? “Speaking of which, I want to get paid when I get back. I haven’t been paid anything from you all yet.”

  “Fine, fine.” She waves her hand. “You are to go and bring back Selena.”

  Wait, no. She has to be kidding me. “The reaper that turned me in to you all for bringing Becca back to life?” The very one that reaped Becca which caused me to make the one decision that changed my life forever.

  “Christina, this is about our people.” She shakes her head. “You best remember that, especially since you have a job reporting directly to one of the elders.”

  For the life of me, I don’t want to hear any of this propaganda. I’d rather go save Selena. “All right, I understand. I better get going.”

  Something like approval glints in her eyes. “Yes, you better.” She reaches out and touches my arm.

  A dark, cold chill similar to when a soul is reaped and inside of me passes through me. I don’t know why her touch would cause that, but I have to force myself not to step back. Everything in my body wants to tense and recoil.

  “Okay.” She drops her hand. “You can transport there now and back.”

  “Wait, I thought we could only do that for reapings?” Did she just do something to me? I glance down at my arm, but nothing looks different.

  “All of our special staff can also transport for our personal assignments, as well as reapings,” she takes a step back and continues, “I made it possible, so you can. One of the elders did that when you were younger, but you probably don’t remember it. I just needed to add this extra layer in. Now, go. She might be in danger and she has something extremely important.”

  My stomach drops. If it’s of that significance, do I want to bring it back here and hand it over to them? Either way, I have to go and help. I don’t have much of a choice there. I take a step back and close my eyes, locking in on Selena. From what I can tell, she’s fighting off several different kinds of supernaturals.

  The gray swirling surrounds me and my breathing turns ragged. All hell is about to break loose, so I better damn well be prepared. I appear right beside Selena as she’s elbowing a black mass of a demon in the face. We are in a dark warehouse with no lights. There is a smell of dead fish in the air.

  When she twists back around her mouth drops when she sees me. “Oh, my god. Malone, is that you?”

  A vampire appears in front of me. His long fangs extend, and he grins so wide his eyes crinkle. “And then there was two delicious creatures standing before me.”

  Why am I not surprised the vamps are working with the demons? Those two have a lot in common so they do team up more often than not. “Yeah, you aren’t going to get a taste test.”

  Punches come from beside me as Selena attacks the demon in front of her again.

  The vampire’s black soulless eyes scan me over. “We’ll see about that.” He strikes out and grabs for my arm.

  I spin, dodging him and drill my elbow down at the base of his skull on the back of his neck.

  “What the hell?” He falls down, glaring up at me. “You will pay for that.” He uses his speed to rise from the floor and run at me.

  Shit, he’s got at least six inches on me and a hundred pounds. If he gets me, I may not get back up. When he is almost on me, I reach back and swing forward as hard as I can, hitting him square in the throat.

  Stumbling back, his eyes widen, and his mouth opens.

  If I don’t end this now, I might not have another chance. I take a few steps and raise my leg up high and kick him in the groin.

  He slumps to the ground in agony not able to breath or speak.

  But again, he’s a vampire. He’ll be back up before it’s over with. I bend my knee and lift my other leg and ax chop his throat as hard as I can and it’s followed by a sickening crunch. Good, maybe it’ll be at least a few minutes before he recovers. I don’t have anything to use to kill him with.

  I turn and find Selena still fighting with the demon. I race over there. “Why the hell haven’t you teleported back?”

  “I can’t.” Her red hair is falling out of the ponytail and her face is lined with dirt and blood. “They have something here keeping me from leaving. I bet you’re stuck here, too.”

  Shit, maybe I can find a way out of here. “Let me see if I can get it to work.”

  She spins and punches the demon in the gut. “Please do. I’m exhausted. I’ll hold them off as long as I can.”

  If they are trying to keep us here, how can I get us back home? I picture the mansion in my head and will us to go there. I stay like that for a few seconds, but noth
ing happens. Okay, that’s not going to work.

  Maybe if I picture the gray swirls surrounding us that will work. I close my eyes and visualize the gray swirls spinning around us like a funnel cloud. I imagine it going faster and faster and that I can feel the wind on my fingers and the air turns fresh. However, nothing happens. We are still stuck down in this smelly, dark warehouse. What the hell is going on?

  “Uh … Malone.” Selena growls. “Any day would be nice. The vamp is getting up.”

  Great. If I don’t get this figured out, we aren’t going to get out of here. I close my eyes one last time. Okay, if none of that is working maybe if I try it like my reaping magic maybe that will work. I search inside me and find my magic within. Oh god, it’s been a while since I’ve done this. I hope I remember what I’m doing. I push it hard and feel it strum to life. Since I’m not reaping a soul, it’s not the black uncomfortable magic, but sort of a gray. It spins fast, and I picture the mansion.

  The air around me begins to shift and change. I open my eyes and find the gray swirls surrounding me. Holy shit. I did it. I turn and reach out and grab Selena as she’s aiming her gun at the vampire and pulling the trigger. At the last second the room disappears, and the sitting room appears.

  Gunfire fills the room as the bullet leaves the barrel of her gun and hits a clear vase full of red roses sitting on the table next to the door. It shatters spilling water and flowers all over the ground.

  “Oh my god,” Selena turns to me. “You did it.”

  Hell yeah I did. No thanks to her. “Yeah, I sure did.”

  Margaret enters the room. “Was that gun fire?”

  “Yeah,” Selena turns to her. “We were under attack and I was in the process of shooting someone when Christina found us a way out.”

  So, I’m Christina now, huh? “Yeah, sorry about the vase.”

  “I’m not worried about the vase.” Margaret’s eyes stay on Selena. “Well?”

  “It wasn’t there.” Selena glances down on the ground. “I … I looked everywhere.”