Styx & Stoned (The Grim Reality Series Book 2)

by Brux, Boone

  “Yes, you played that well.” I shrugged. “Despite all his faults, he is the perfect man for the job.”

  Stopping behind one of the giant pillars, she turned to me. “You look a lot like Katrina. I knew you were from her line the second I saw you.”

  “Really?” Knowing I resembled one of my ancestors gave me a sense of connection to my line. “I’ve never taken the time to research my family, but I will when I get home.”

  “I think you’ll find some extraordinary people in your ancestral history. Some reapers and some not.” She hesitated and I could see there was something she wanted to say. “I know Thanatos is angry with me, but I want you to know I didn’t keep the child from him out of spite.”

  “Why did you keep her from him?”

  “When Katrina died he was devastated. I reaped her because he asked me to—because he couldn’t. When I realized she was pregnant, I took care of her until the child was born. But there was no hope for Katrina. She’d spent too much time with the dead.” She folded her hands in front of her. “It was the second hardest thing I’d ever done. Keeping the child from my son the first.”

  “Why didn’t you ever tell him about his daughter? Surely, at some point he was well enough to know.”

  “Time moves differently for us. Many think I punished Thanatos for keeping Katrina with him, but that’s not the case. We kept him in Purgatory for centuries, making sure he was ready to join the living again without fear of hurting anybody. By the time he had healed, she’d already passed.”

  “That’s so sad.”

  “That is life and Thanatos is death. With a single touch, he can take a life, even today. Nyx nodded. “Luckily, he has more common sense and respect for life than all of my other children combined. That’s why he couldn’t reap Katrina.”

  “It’s ironic that death respects life,” I said.

  “That’s how it should be. In order to wield so much power, you must first understand and respect it.” She placed her hand on mine. “You have some of that power too. Where Charon has little regard for where he spreads his seed, Thanatos’s line is pure, a single branch in our family tree.”

  “Wow, that’s amazing.” I smiled at her. “Can I call you Grandma?”

  Her hand slipped from mine, and a single black eyebrow arched. “You can try.”

  I cringed. “I’ll take that as a no.”

  “Wise.” Her eyes searched my face for a second and then she said, “When you see Thanatos, can you try to explain to him what I’ve told you?” She licked her lips and then slowly swallowed. “And tell him I’m sorry—for everything.”

  “Yes, I can do that.” I wanted to hug her, but even though she was kin, the fact that she was a powerful deity kept my feet riveted. “It might take some time, but I will put in a good word whenever I can.”

  She sighed and gave me a genuine smile. “Thank you.” Turning, she started to walk away but stopped. “Maybe I’ll come and visit you some time.”

  “Oh, great.” Again my head bobbed up and down as if I had no control. “That would be wonderful.”

  With that she pivoted and evaporated in a cloud of smoke and ash. I stared at the spot for a few seconds. Seriously, my great-whatever grandmother may or may not pop in—to my house—the same house my kids lived in.

  I could see it now. “Oh, hey, this is your great grandmother, thirty-six-thousand times removed, who also happens to be the primordial deity of darkness, and oh by the way, did I mention I’m a grim reaper? Mac and cheese, anyone?”

  I shuffled back to Nate, Mara, and Cam, honestly the only three I considered normal at this point.

  “Everything okay?” Mara asked.

  “Couldn’t be better.” Glancing around, I noticed most everybody but Tabris had gone. “What now?”

  “Before you make plans,” he said, walking toward us, “I want to let you know that your next three days are on GRS. Food, shows, the spa, whatever you like.”

  “That’s very generous,” Mara said.

  “It’s the least we can do to show our appreciation.” He gave me a sheepish grin. “And to apologize for everything.”

  I held up my hand. “I’m just glad it all worked out for the best.”

  “Well then,” Cam said, “It seems dinner and drinks are on GRS tonight. Lobster anyone?”

  “Would you like to join us?” Nate asked Tabris.

  “I’d love to, but as you can imagine, I’ve got a lot of follow-up work to do and a contract to write up.” He sighed. “But thanks.”

  We said our goodbyes and headed for dinner.

  “The first thing I plan on having is the biggest gin and tonic they make.” I locked arms with Mara. “And another with my meal, and probably another for dessert.”

  “Me, too. If we drink at that rate we’ll be Jimmied by six o’clock,” she said.

  “Well,” Nate interrupted. “Before you get too…jimmied, I want to hear about your adventure ferrying.”

  “Yeah,” Cam added. “You know, the demon attack. The water zombies. What else?”

  “Sea monsters,” Nate said. “All of it. We want to know everything.”

  “Okay, but it’s pretty horrifying stuff.” I shook my head. “I hope you can handle it.”

  “I had a demon inside me this morning.” Nate shuddered. “I can handle anything.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The three days I’d spent in Vegas after the big throw-down with Charon were heaven. I’d taken full advantage of the spa, pool, and money I’d earned as a ferryman. Even after transferring Mara’s share, the amount left over would give us a real boost. I even contemplated buying a new washer and dryer.

  Sitting on top of my suitcase, I zipped the sides and pulled it upright onto its wheels. I had to buy more luggage at one of the souvenir shops in order to pack all the gifts I’d bought everybody, but the extra baggage fee would be worth seeing the kids’ expressions.

  “Well, that’s it.” I turned to Tandy and smiled. “All ready to go.”

  “When does your flight leave?” She looked like a teenager, hovering a couple of inches off the bed, knees bent, and ankles locked.

  I glanced at the clock. “Three hours, but I like to get there early. You never know how long it takes to get to the airport or how long the security line will be.”

  A pout curled her lips. “I’m going to miss you.” She floated to a stand. “It’s going to be lonely here now that everybody is gone.”

  “It doesn’t have to be.” I held out my arms. “I am a grim reaper. You could pass on to the next big party.”

  “Cross over?” She grimaced. “That’s a little scary.”

  “The unknown always is.” I smiled. “You’ll get to ride with Hal.”

  Instantly she perked up. “Really?”

  “Yep. And I’m certain he knows where the best parties are.” If he answers me. I hadn’t seen him since he’d ducked out of the powwow in Tabris’s office—since he’d found out he’d had a daughter.

  She chewed on her bottom lip and then smiled. “Okay, I’ll go.” Clapping her hands, she did her signature perky bounce. “This is so exciting.”

  “I know, right?” As I dragged my suitcase toward the door I called, “Hal.”

  From the way he’d blown out of Tabris’s office I wasn’t sure he’d show up. This would be my first attempt. Before I’d made it to the door, Hal appeared, surprising me.

  “Hello, Lisa.” He tipped his head toward Tandy. “Pretty lady.”

  She tittered and stepped toward him. “So, Lisa said you know where the best parties are.”

  “Indeed, I do.” His white smile glinted at her and I had to admit, he seemed in good spirits. Stepping aside, he ushered her in. “After you.”

  Once Tandy was inside the elevator, she faced me. “Will I ever see you again?”

  “I hope not for a very long time.” I wiggled my fingers in a wave. “Have a good time.”

  She clapped and bounced again. No doubt, wherever she was go
ing she’d be an endless supply of fun and energy.

  “Don’t leave yet,” Hal said.

  His statement caught me by surprise. “I’ve got to catch my plane.”

  “You have plenty of time.” He backed into the elevator. “I’ll be right back. I have a gift for you.”

  “Okay, but hurry.” When the elevator started to close I remembered Estelle. She was probably still waiting in the bathroom. “Hey, can you swing by the fifth floor bathroom and pick up Estelle and the girls? They love a good party.”

  He gave me a wave of acknowledgment and disappeared.

  A second later, someone knocked on my door. When I opened it, I found Mara leaning against my doorframe. “I thought you’d left.”

  “Well, I actually live in Las Vegas so leaving is sort of a relative term.”

  “You live in Vegas?” I shook my head. “Why didn’t I know that?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because we were busy fighting demons and shuttling dead people?”

  “True.” I nodded. “Come in.”

  “I can’t.” She rolled her eyes. “Cam already has us on another case and I need to meet him in a little bit.” Lifting her hand, she held up a business card. “My private number.”

  I squinted at her. “But I already have your phone number.”

  “This is my private-private phone number.” She shoved the card in my hand. “Cam doesn’t even know it. The number is for my close friends.” She shrugged. “People I want to keep in touch with.”

  “Wow, I’m honored.” The white rectangle of paper had a ten-digit phone number and nothing else. “Thank you. I will definitely call.”

  “You’d better, and I have your number too, so it goes both ways.” She exhaled. “Okay, one more hug and then I have to go.”

  I stepped into her outstretched arms and wrapped mine around her. We stood like that for several seconds—longer than a simple good-bye, but short enough that it didn’t get weird.

  When she released me, she stepped back. “Have a great trip home.”

  “I will.” I almost said “you too” but lucky her, she was already home. Instead I said, “Drive safely,” not even knowing if she drove.

  The urge to watch her walk away pushed at me, but again, that would probably be weird, so I stepped into the room and shut the door.

  “Lisa.”

  I started and pivoted to see that Hal was back already. “That was fast.”

  “I’m good at my job. The ladies invited me to meet them later.” He cocked an eyebrow at me, looking a lot like his mother, but I didn’t tell him that. “I trust you won’t be reaping anybody between here and Alaska?”

  “I have no plans to, so go have a good time.” I gave him a knowing smile. “And, even though you don’t want or need it, I give you and Tandy my blessing.”

  He let out a bark of laughter. “You are correct. I don’t need it. Tandy is beautiful and fun, but the girl has too much energy for me. I might be a supernatural being but even I have my limitations.”

  “You could show her around at least. Let down your hair for a while.”

  “Thank you, but I don’t need my granddaughter giving me advice on how to pick up women.” He cleared his throat and I think it was the first time I’d seem him look uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure if it was from the topic of conversation, or because he’d called me his granddaughter. I didn’t ask, not wanting to spoil the moment.

  “All right then, if you don’t want my pearls of wisdom on dating, what did you want?”

  “To give you this.” He unhooked a slender cylinder from his belt and held it out for me to see.

  It was black and had an intricate silver pattern embossed on it. I’d noticed it before and had seen him fiddle with it when he was irritated. “What is it?”

  “Something you deserve to have.” He wrapped his hand around the cylinder and whispered his name, “Thanatos.”

  At the same time, the ends extended and I instantly knew what it was. “A scythe?”

  Unlike the expanding scythe the vendor was selling, this one slid silently from its confines to form a long black handle. What looked like a cloud of gray vapor clung to the top and then formed into a gleaming blade. Power hummed from it, the smallest movement making the air vibrate.

  My hand shook when I extended my arm to take it from him. “It’s beautiful.” The weapon purred against my skin. “But this is yours. I can’t take it.”

  “Was mine,” he corrected. “Now it’s yours.”

  Words escaped me. This gift was beyond anything I could have wished for or imagined. “Hal, I don’t know what to say.”

  “When you want to use it you say Thanatos. It means death.” He took it from me again, held the scythe upright, and tapped the end on the ground twice. The ends compressed, the blade fading to vapor, disappearing into the cylinder again. “Then it is ready for next time.”

  “When would I use this?” I took the cylinder from him. “Usually I can grab onto the souls and they stick.”

  He nodded. “The scythe is used in dangerous situations or with paranormal beings you reap. It erases the need for gold or a porter. One swipe and they are instantly sent to their destination.”

  “I sure could have used it this week.” I envisioned myself hacking my way down the riverbank, sending souls on without having to ferry them.

  “Nyx forbad me to give it to you.” He pursed his lips. “Said she needed you to ferry until the last possible moment so Charon would come crawling back for his job.”

  “So you knew?” I pursed my lips. “I don’t know if I should be pissed that Nyx totally manipulated me or touched that you asked your mom if you could give me your scythe.”

  He leveled his yellow stare at me and growled, holding out his hand. “Maybe I made a mistake.”

  “No you didn’t.” I clutched the cylinder to my chest. “I’ll keep my pie hole shut and not tease you.” Grinning, I chanced another peek. “This is so cool. Thank you.” I looked at him. “Hey, can I call you Grandpa?”

  “Not if you want me to transport you home.”

  My brow pinched together. “What do you mean?”

  “You’d be home in a few minutes.” He indicated the elevator. “Unless you have an unhealthy preference for crowded airports, tiny packets of food, and uncomfortable seats.”

  “No.” I shook my head vigorously. “I don’t. Oh my God, that would be so amazing.” I grabbed the closest suitcase and shoved it at him. “Here, I’ve got one more, just a second.” Getting home to see my family was better than all the massages and facials I’d gotten in the last three days, plus the pasta dinner and wine I’d had last night. But not the scythe. I’d suffer through a twenty-four-hour layover to keep that scythe. I wrestled my ancient suitcase into the elevator, gave one last look around, and got in. “Ready, Freddy.”

  He looked at the ceiling and took a long-suffering breath, which was so like me, and then closed the doors.

  This had been a hell of a week. Even after three days of resting I was still soul weary. But now that the events were over and the crisis passed, I was glad I’d gone through most of it. So much had happened. Not only had I discovered who Hal was and why he was my porter, I’d met Mara. She’d turned out to be a good friend and somebody I’d keep in my life. Nate, well, that was still a mystery to unravel. For now I’d be happy with him being a supportive partner and team player. Secretly, I hoped there was another kiss in our future. One that had nothing to do with demon possession.

  The verdict was still out on whether ferrying had been worth it. Yes, we’d delivered a lot of souls and made a fair amount of money in the process. We’d stopped the shit from hitting the ethereal fan, blah, blah, blah, but I’d also seen a lot of things that I wouldn’t be able to unsee—ever. Stuff nightmares were made of.

  When the elevator opened onto my empty, semi-clean living room, a wave of happiness washed through me. “That was so much better than taking a plane.” I pushed the suitcases out of the elevator
and turned back to Hal. “Thanks for the ride. I’d invite you in but you and the whole grim reaper thing would be a little tough to explain to my kids.”

  Hal smirked. “Not as difficult as you might think.” He touched his fingers to his forehead. “No matter, I have somewhere else to be.”

  “Say hi to Tandy for me.”

  Though he didn’t reply, he did nod. Then the elevator compressed and winked out of sight. Silence filled the room. I closed my eyes, drinking it in.

  Boy, it was so good to be home.

  If you haven’t read how it all started, keep reading chapter one of To Catch Her Death.

  To Catch Her Death Excerpt

  Being a widow wasn’t as glamorous as it sounded. Unless a person had the money to grieve properly—say in a tropical country, drowning in endless Mai Tais—it really kind of sucked.

  I should know. I’ve been a widow for a year now. Twelve long months of clawing my way through each day. My name is Lisa Carron. I’m a thirty-five year old, single mother of three, and today is the one year anniversary of my husband Jeff’s death.

  It was also a year ago today I started letting my appearance slide. Grief will do that to you. Lay you low and drag you into dark places you never thought you’d go. In my case it was carbs and elastic waistbands.

  For the last year my kids had come first, my depression last. Tasks like dressing and combing my hair took a back seat to more important activities, such as lying on the couch and staring at the ceiling, or scouring the cabinets for spilled chocolate chips. None of my pre-widow clothes fit anymore. Still, I hadn’t been motivated to clear off my treadmill and fire that baby up.

  One aspect of widowhood I had enjoyed was wearing black. I know that wasn’t a thing anymore, unless you’re an elderly lady from the old country, but I embraced it none the less—maybe a little too enthusiastically. Everything I owned was black.

  I’d fallen into a rut and until a few days ago, when my daughter casually suggested I run a comb through my hair as to not scare the neighbor kids, I hadn’t realized how far I’d sunk. That was my Aha moment. It was then I’d realized my kids had weathered the crisis of their father’s death and emerged on the other side in far better shape than me.