“Me?” Aisling’s eyebrows flew up her forehead. “How is this my fault?”
“You made me come here.”
“I needed help.”
“You’re supposed to be able to do your job without help.”
Aisling’s eyes narrowed. “And I’m supposed to be able to rely on my family when things go awry. Sorry I’m not perfect.”
I knew she was manipulating me, yet I couldn’t stop myself from apologizing. “I’m sorry.” I held up my hands. “I shouldn’t have said that. It’s not fair.”
“I didn’t do this on purpose.” Aisling lowered her voice as she flicked her gaze to Jerry. He remained caught up in his cleaning solution search. “I’m sorry if I ruined your day. I didn’t know who else to call.”
“No, you did the right thing.” This time the guilt I felt was real. “If something were to happen and those two rogues were to jump you … it wouldn’t exactly be a good thing. Believe it or not, I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Is that because Dad would never let you live it down?”
“Will you think less of me if I say yes?”
Aisling’s chuckle was low and throaty, warming my heart. “I understand. I’m grateful for your help. Believe it or not, I want you and Jerry to live happily ever after. I want to help there, too.”
“How did I get to a point where I have to take your advice on my relationship?” I grumbled.
Aisling held her hands palms out and shrugged. “Just lucky, I guess.”
“Yeah. That’s how I feel. Lucky. Speaking of that.” I dug in my pocket until I came up with her scepter and handed it back. “I felt a little bad about tricking the old guy the way we did. He looked surprised when I absorbed his soul.”
“I don’t see where we had much choice.” Aisling’s expression was sour as we turned the conversation back to business. “Sheridan and Davis were tracking him. You should’ve seen the looks on their faces when they realized you had him and he was lost to them.”
“Angry?”
“Furious.”
“They clearly know we’re reapers now,” I said, taking the opportunity to scan the area where I’d last seen Sheridan. She was gone, but I had my doubts she was far away. “Do you think they were here for the old guy alone or are they after your second charge, too?”
“I have no idea, but I’m going to guess that we’re not lucky enough for them to turn tail and run,” Aisling replied. “I lost sight of them right after. I’m sure they’re not far. In fact, they’re most likely licking their wounds and regrouping.”
“They could be making plans to try to steal your scepter, too,” I pointed out.
“I hadn’t thought of that.” Aisling pursed her lips before sliding the scepter under her shirt and lodging it in her bra. “There.”
“Just for the record, I don’t think that’s a safe place,” I said. “Davis looks to be the type to go fishing in there if he has to. Also, for all we know, Sheridan might roll that way, too.”
Aisling’s eyes flashed. “It’s all I’ve got for the present time. Do you have a better idea? Oh, I know. Perhaps we could hide it in the bag. David’s unit is so large no one would notice if he suddenly sprouted a second … you know.”
I scowled. “That thing is abnormally large. I don’t know what he’s thinking.”
“Maybe it’s wish fulfillment.”
I flicked my sister’s ear. “Don’t make me kick your ass in public. I don’t want to, but I will if it becomes necessary.”
“I’m so scared.” Aisling rolled her eyes. “As of now, the scepter is safe. We have our first soul. The second isn’t set to expire for a bit. That gives us time to find Sheridan and Davis and figure out what they’re up to.”
“And what if they’re up to no good?”
“Then we’ll have to … .” Aisling broke off and mimed some elaborate kickboxing move that she’d clearly seen in a terrible movie.
“You’re going to do some interpretive dance for them?” I asked dryly.
“No, but I’m going to do some interpretive dance for you if you’re not careful. Just be forewarned, that David statue has a mate. It’s a naked woman, and her breasts are as big as David’s … you know. Do you want Jerry to get a little friend for his … well, little friend?”
That was a frightening thought. “Don’t even think about it.” I extended a warning finger. “I’m only willing to put up with so much from you today. I will leave you high and dry.”
“That’s a terrifying thought.” Aisling cracked her neck as she surveyed the crowd. “I don’t suppose you know where Sheridan went, do you?”
That was a very good question. “No, but I doubt very much they left. They’re either hiding and regrouping or laying a trap.”
“Which do you think?”
“I don’t think either is good for us. In fact … .” I didn’t get a chance to finish my sentence because Sheridan picked that moment to swoop in at my side. She didn’t look happy.
“Now I know where I remember you from.” Sheridan kept her eyes locked on Aisling as I scanned behind her, looking for a sign of Davis. He was nowhere to be found.
“It took you long enough.” Aisling wasn’t one to panic, and she refused to show fear even though Sheridan’s appearance clearly surprised her. “How did you finally put it together?”
“Well, your brother absorbed a soul with your scepter, so it wasn’t that hard.”
“Hey,” I hissed, my voice low with warning. “Do you mind not saying things like that so loudly? People might hear us.”
“And what?” Sheridan refused to back down. “Do you think they’ll call the cops? Do you think they’ll want to join in on the discussion? At worst they’ll think we’re crazy. At best they’ll simply ignore us.”
“You still should try a little decorum,” I suggested. “There’s a reason we fly under the radar.”
“I don’t believe in flying under the radar.”
“Of course she doesn’t,” Aisling drawled. “Look at her pants. An old woman wearing leather pants is the exact opposite of flying under the radar.”
“I’m not old!” Sheridan snapped, her voice dripping with venom.
I’ve always said my sister can derange someone in five seconds flat. It’s a gift. There are times I think we helped create the monster she became because she was so spoiled, but it’s far too late now to take it back. Aisling is what she is, and she isn’t afraid to pick a public fight. Sheridan might be tougher and stronger, but Aisling would fight to the death to ensure she won.
“You look old,” Aisling shot back.
“Knock it off.” I kept my voice even as I slipped a hand in front of Aisling to keep her from launching herself at Sheridan. “This isn’t the time or place for this.”
“Yes, girl, listen to your brother.” Sheridan’s tone was so haughty I thought Aisling would start foaming at the mouth.
“You shouldn’t poke her,” I warned. “If you’re not careful I’ll let her off her leash. You won’t like what happens if I do.”
Sheridan didn’t look worried. “I’m not afraid of her.”
“You should be. She bites, pulls hair, kicks, punches people in the vagina and she has a boyfriend who is a cop, so she’ll call in a favor when you both get arrested. She probably will only have to post minimal bail while you rot away behind bars.”
Sheridan wasn’t physically afraid of Aisling, but apparently something I’d said caused her to snap to attention and wipe the sneer off her face. “I have no intention of getting in a physical fight.”
“That’s because you know I’ll kick your old ass,” Aisling taunted.
“Knock it off,” I hissed, scorching Aisling with a warning look. “Why do you always have to make things worse?”
Aisling shrugged. “Maybe that’s how I roll.”
“Well, it’s annoying.”
“It’s definitely annoying,” Sheridan agreed, her expression contemplative. “Because none of us want to cause a
scene or get down and dirty, how about we compromise?”
The suggestion caught me off guard. “What did you have in mind?”
“You already collected one soul,” Sheridan replied. “You’re hanging around because another one is scheduled to drop in about an hour or so. Why don’t you leave that one for us and we’ll call it a draw?”
My mouth dropped open. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m deathly serious … pun intended.”
“Well, we’re not going to do that,” Aisling said. “We’re here to collect two souls. We’re leaving with two souls.”
“This compromise is better for both of us,” Sheridan argued. “No one will get hurt if you compromise.”
“The soul will get hurt.”
“How do you figure?” Sheridan challenged. “The person will already be dead. We’re not going to kill her.”
“No, but you hope to deprive her of her afterlife,” I pointed out. “We’re not stupid. We know exactly what you rogues have been up to over the past few months. It used to be that you stole souls to sell to the highest bidder, and those souls were often witch doctors. Now the highest bidder is more often than not feeding wraiths.”
Sheridan’s eyes flashed with something I couldn’t identify. It could’ve been surprise. It could’ve been merely recognition. Whatever it was, she shuttered it quickly. “What does it matter who buys the soul?”
“Because the wraiths absorb the souls and rob them of their final resting place,” I replied. “It’s like a second death.”
“Why do you care?”
“It’s our job to care.”
“Then you’re going about this job entirely wrong,” Sheridan supplied. “Think about the money, not what happens to the soul.”
“Oh, you’ve got to let me punch her,” Aisling whined. “I’ll punch her in the boob instead of the vagina, but you’ve got to give me something here.”
“Not yet,” I said. “But I’m not ruling it out.” I kept my eyes leveled on Sheridan. “We’re not going to sit back and let you steal a soul. That’s not part of our job description.”
“I’ve heard you Grimlocks think a lot about yourselves,” Sheridan noted. “Everyone says you’re high and mighty, especially your father. Just because you’re here doesn’t mean we’re going to back down.”
“Well, we’re already one up on you,” Aisling said. “Getting the second soul shouldn’t be hard because we’re better than you.”
Sheridan scowled. “You tricked us the first go-around. We won’t fall for your shtick that easily a second time.”
“Well, I look forward to finding out.” Aisling’s smile was evil. “We’re not simply going to sit back and let you steal the second soul.”
“Definitely,” I agreed, letting my competitive spirit out to play. “We’ll take you down.”
“I look forward to watching you try,” Sheridan sneered. “I guess the best reapers will win in the end.”
“You’ve got that right.”
I kept my arms crossed over my chest as I watched her go, waiting until she disappeared into the crowd to turn to Aisling. “They’re going to kick our asses.”
“Way to be positive.” Aisling heaved out a sigh. “We’ll figure a way to win. We’ve got an hour, after all. How hard can it be?”
“I guess that depends,” Jerry answered from behind us, causing us both to jolt. “How hard do you want it to be?”
Aisling and I slapped our hands to our foreheads at the same time.
“Crap!”
7
Seven
“Did you find your cleaning solution?”
I decided that playing stupid was probably the smart way to go. There was no telling exactly how much Jerry had heard and there was still a chance we’d be able to talk our way out of this.
“I did,” Jerry confirmed, his expression unreadable. “I’m considering rubbing myself with it.”
“Ugh … why?”
“Because I feel filthy thanks to all the lies!” Jerry’s voice hopped an octave, and I knew things were about to get dramatic.
“You probably shouldn’t rub yourself in public,” Aisling offered. “You might get arrested or something. There are a lot of kids here even though it’s a school day. What’s up with that, by the way?”
I didn’t know whether to throttle her or applaud. The fact that she could try to sway the conversation despite the expression on Jerry’s face was nothing short of dumbfounding.
“What have you done?” Jerry barked.
Crap. Crap. Crap. “I don’t know what you mean,” I hedged lamely.
“You know what I mean.”
“I don’t.” Aisling’s voice was unnaturally bright. “I’m dying to find out, though. Aidan, what have you done to Jerry? You should know, whatever it is, I’m on his side, because he’s the best friend a girl could ever ask for.”
I shot her a withering look. “I will take you down with me.”
“That’s impossible.” Aisling refused to back down. “I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m simply here spending time with my best friend, who at times I think must surely be a saint for putting up with me.”
There was no way Jerry would fall for that.
“I am a saint,” Jerry sniffed, causing me to make a face at Aisling when he wasn’t looking. “Thank you for recognizing that.”
“Sometimes when I look at you I almost see a halo over your head.” Aisling was solemn until Jerry turned to me, and then she made a triumphant expression behind my boyfriend’s back, quickly returning to her hangdog countenance when Jerry glanced at her a second time. “It’s a really shiny halo, Jerry. It looks great with your complexion.”
Enough was enough. “You can’t possibly believe that malarkey,” I protested.
“It’s not malarkey, and way to use a Dad word,” Aisling shot back. “It’s the truth. Jerry is a saint.”
“And you’re the devil,” I hissed. “Jerry, this is all her fault. She’s the only reason I’m here.”
“I see.” Jerry’s eyes turned cold and I realized my mistake. “So you’re not here because of me.”
Oh, well, crud on a stick. “Of course I’m here for you. It’s just … .” I looked to Aisling for aid. “Are you going to help me here?”
“I’m still debating.” Aisling’s lips twitched. “I like watching Jerry melt down on someone other than me. It’s funny.”
“I don’t melt down,” Jerry snapped.
Aisling and I snorted in unison.
“I don’t,” Jerry pressed. “I am a very even and calm individual. Some people have even referred to me as ‘Zen.’”
I couldn’t believe he had the balls to say that with a straight face. “Who has referred to you as Zen?”
“No one you know.” Jerry averted his gaze. “It doesn’t matter now. You’ve both crushed my heart, my spirit, my very soul.”
“Yeah, you’re not dramatic at all,” Aisling deadpanned. “I don’t know why we thought that.”
Jerry rounded on her. “I don’t know how or why, but I’m starting to think this is your fault, Bug. Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”
Hmm. The conversational switch could definitely be to my benefit. “She called because she was here on a job,” I volunteered. The time for lying was over. Jerry was well aware of what we did for a living. “She lost a soul and she needed help.”
“I see.” Jerry’s tone was clipped. “So there was no part of you that thought better about what you said to me last night?”
I racked my brain. I knew why he was angry, but I didn’t say anything rude to set him off. “What did I say?”
“If you don’t know … .”
“Oh, Jerry, knock it off.” Aisling was done playing. “You’re being a pain in the butt and you know it. You say you’re Zen but you really get off on pretending we’re stuck in an episode of General Hospital.”
“That is a vicious lie.”
“Oh, whatever.” Aisling rolled h
er eyes. “I lost a charge and needed Aidan’s help to catch him. That’s why he’s here. He’s protecting me.”
“Because you can’t catch a soul on your own?”
“Well, no, that makes me sound incompetent.”
“So you needed your brother because … ?” Jerry prodded.
“Because … um … .” Aisling shifted from one foot to the other. “Do you want to help me out here, Aidan?”
“Oh, no,” I replied dryly. “I think you’ve got things well in hand.”
“I hate you sometimes.”
“Right back at you.”
“And I’m not happy with either of you,” Jerry said. “I want the full story and I want it now.”
“Ugh, you’re so strict.” Aisling rolled her neck until it cracked. “Okay, here’s the deal. I was in the men’s bathroom to collect my soul because he expired on the toilet.”
“The absolute worst way to go,” Jerry muttered.
“I think a shark attack would be worse,” Aisling said.
“I’m going with being burned alive,” I interjected.
“Anyway, I was using my ring, and he died right on schedule so I didn’t think it would be a big deal,” Aisling continued with her story. “He was quicker than I expected. He seemed to realize right away he was dead and he totally rabbited.”
“And you couldn’t catch an old ghost?” Jerry asked.
“I couldn’t call out to him because I was in the men’s bathroom – oh, and invisible thanks to the ring – and he ran straight through the door,” Aisling replied. “I had to wait for someone else to open the door and sneak out. I lost precious time.”
“That still doesn’t explain why you needed Aidan,” Jerry supplied. “I’m sure this has happened before. Why couldn’t you wander around the expo until you found him? It seems to me that would’ve been the easiest way to do things, especially because your brother has the day off and decided he wanted to spend it alone rather than with the man he supposedly loves.”
And here we go. “I do love you, Jerry.” I hated the whine in my tone. “That’s not why I didn’t want to come here.”
“Oh, we’ll get to that in a second,” Jerry said. “I’m talking to Aisling now.”
Grim & The City: A Grimlock Family Short Page 6
