Jack - A Grim Reaper Romance

by Calista Taylor

  “How long ago did you die, Mason?” One did not easily attain the position of chancellor without decades of hard work and dedication, but Lilly was unsure of any of the details.

  He leaned in and nuzzled her, distracting her from her melancholy. “Long enough to know that it does one no good to dwell on those left behind.” When she looked at him in question, he gathered her in his arms and laid her back upon the pillows, brushing the hair from her eyes. “Nearly two hundred years, love.”

  No wonder he was so skilled. She nearly blushed at the thought, though she could only blame Mason for her wayward mind, as he trailed kisses across her collarbone, his hand just a whisper over the thin silk of her dressing gown. She knew she should push him away, but as he continued to nip and tease, the tingle that coursed through her left her unable to break his spell. Just as she lost herself in his touch, he pulled away.

  “What was Jack like when you were together? Did he ever harm you? Lose his temper?” Mason’s eyes were sharp and alert now—a far cry from their seductive glance just moments earlier.

  “Of course not. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. He’s not capable of harming a woman, and certainly not capable of murder.” She shook her head clear. It was shocking how quickly he could annoy her.

  When he ran a gentle finger down the center of her chest, she shrugged him off, dumbfounded that he could switch between lover and chancellor without a moment’s pause. “Have you no sense?”

  “Lilly, you know I must ask these questions, and I’m afraid they will only get more difficult.” He then kissed her shoulder, before going on the offensive once again. “Did he ever frequent prostitutes? Either in life or while a reaper?”

  “I cannot believe you, Mason.” She pushed him away and hopped out of bed, needing some distance between them, unable to think straight when he was near.

  “Lilly… Come back here, love.” He reached out his hand but she ignored it.

  “Even if he did frequent prostitutes, do you really think he’d tell me? Have you gone daft?”

  He slipped out of bed and came to her side, but she turned away to keep him from working his charms. His effect on her was most trying and she swore it must be some enchantment or trick, for she could not remember anyone else ever having such an effect.

  “A woman always knows, does she not? And you, my dear, are more perceptive than most.” He twined his fingers with hers and bent his head to nuzzle her.

  “If that were true, then I’d know to stay clear of the likes of you.” Lilly shifted away from him. She knew his games full well, and she’d not be fooled by his distractions. “This is absurd, Mason. I cannot do this. If the Elders want to speak to me about Jack, then fine. Let them summon me. It will change nothing. I don’t know where he is, and I stand by my opinion that he’s not capable of brutally murdering anyone. I’m not answering any more of your questions.”

  It was one thing to help them find Jack, and another to help them build a case against him. She’d not be able to live with herself if she was a contributing factor in his demise.

  “Lilly, this is the perfect opportunity to regain their trust. If you don’t cooperate, they’ll have little patience with you, especially after your previous… incident.”

  She threw her arms up in frustration. “It’s not as if I’ll ever be allowed to forget it. It’s been nearly ten years, and it was at a time when I was still adjusting to my life as a reaper.”

  “Ten years is nothing when faced with an eternity, my dear. I do hope that moment was well worth the trouble it caused you.” Mason’s jaw tightened as he spoke the words, his gaze hardening.

  If she didn’t know any better, she’d think him jealous.

  “Well worth the trouble and more.” Still annoyed with him, Lilly added, “There’s never been anyone who’s come close to what I had with Corwin—not even Jack.” Her heart fluttered just to think of her betrothed.

  She had been devastated to leave him and her daughter behind when she became a reaper—devastated to have their future together ripped from her grasp and crushed to not be there to raise their daughter. When she found out Corwin had business in London several years after her death, she searched him out even though relations with the living were strictly forbidden. With her changed appearance, he did not recognize her when she met him at a party he was attending. However, in the eyes of the Elders, her intentions were clear.

  Though it had been reckless of her, she did not regret seeing him one last time, for she could not imagine she’d ever love like that again. It was not a night she would soon forget, even if it had been little more than conversation, a few dances, and in the end, a stolen kiss. Mason had put an end to her evening, just as she got ready to confess her true identity and tell Corwin of their child. The Elders had been furious and she’d paid the price.

  Mason’s eyes narrowed to thin slits as he stared into her face. “I cannot believe it. You still love him—after all this time. I hope by now you at least have the sense to stay clear of him.”

  She shrugged. “Sense is not for lovers, Mason.”

  Chapter Three

  With Mason gone come morning, Lilly dressed in a modest gown and breakfasted, while her mind strayed back to Jack, time and again—a much safer bet than thinking of Mason and their coupling.

  She had been with Jack for close to two years, the longest either of them had been with another since their deaths. Together that long and for a time inseparable, she had to find him; had to warn him.

  It was the least she could do given their relationship, especially when he’d been the only one to come to her defense after she’d gotten in trouble. Mason had been too busy with his own affairs to bother showing any interest, the matter further complicated by her being a reaper under his authority and her former mentor. Favoritism would have been seen as a weakness, and one did not become chancellor by being weak.

  The Elders had been hard on her, but they’d be even harder on Jack. They had little tolerance for trouble and it would be no inconvenience to send a reaper to their eternal death—a fate Jack would surely face if they found him guilty of murdering that woman, whether it was true or not. Jack would be made an example of, sending out a clear message to all. There would be no trial, just a decision made by the Elders, their justice swift and unquestioned.

  It would be difficult to find out who killed that poor woman, but if she managed it, she could prove Jack innocent—if indeed he was innocent. She hated to think Jack capable of such brutality, but his essence was on that woman. What she needed was the truth, and the most logical place to start her investigation would be with Jack. All she had to do was find him.

  She worried Mason might try to follow her or have her watched. He was no fool, and he wouldn’t count on her informing him if she knew where Jack might be hiding.

  Well, he’d have a wait on his hands. She could feel her reaps tugging at the corners of her mind, calling her to come find them. It still amazed her how accurate she could be, when it was no more than a simple feeling of where to go—like a hunch that was always right. However, once the pull started, it could not be ignored, nagging at her until it pushed out all other thoughts.

  She took her carriage into the city, but would not know the exact location of her reap until she got closer. By now her driver knew her routine and would wait for further instruction.

  Clearing her head of all thoughts, she took one long breath after another, and concentrated on where the pull would take her. She gave it a moment more to be sure and then slid the small door to the side so she could speak to her driver. “Alex, if you could please turn towards Bethnal Green—St. Andrews would be fine.”

  “Yes, Mum.”

  Once there she left her carriage and walked in the direction she felt drawn to. The streets teemed with life, people going about their business, and vendors selling their wares. It was another fine day, and Lilly took comfort in the warmth of the sun against her skin.

  Before long, she found he
rself outside a bakery, the smell of yeast and freshly baked bread spilling into the street like a siren call to all those who passed by. She walked into the shop, the little bell on the door ringing as it bounced on the string it was tethered to. A quick look around and she spotted the elderly woman hunched over behind the counter, a golden light surrounding her.

  Lilly approached the woman and handed her a coin. “A loaf, please.”

  “Just the one then?” Lilly nodded and the woman deftly wrapped a loaf in yesterday’s news, the murder of the poor woman laid out in graphic detail for all to see.

  When the loaf was handed to Lilly, she made sure to brush the woman’s hand. A tingling warmth radiated from Lilly’s palm, and the golden glow shifted to grey, her mission complete. She thanked the woman and left, trying not to give her death much thought as she returned to her carriage.

  It ended up being a long day, with a total of seven reaps. Though she wanted to look for Jack, she didn’t want to risk being followed. It was close enough to evening that theater-goers would be gathering, and she might manage to slip into the crowd and hail a hansom. Though any reaper following her could track her essence, with luck, she’d make her escape before they caught up to her.

  She asked her driver to wait outside the theater. If someone was watching, there was a good chance they’d stay with the carriage, expecting her to return. She’d then take a hansom to Jack’s home, the trail of her essence broken during the ride—she hoped.

  Heading towards the most crowded area, she moved amongst them, using the people to shield her from view. When a group took the steps up to the theater, she went with them, and then once inside, hurried towards the rear of the building and escaped out one of the back doors.

  She immediately spotted a hansom that had just dropped off its passengers and ran towards it, hailing the driver and giving him Jack’s address. Relieved, she sat back, safely on her way. She could only hope Jack had resurfaced by now, and would have a logical explanation for the Elders; something she too was curious to hear.

  She’d run through many a scenario in her head. If the murder had been committed by a mortal, it would be the woman’s time to die and she would have been reaped. Yet that had not been the case. She had not been reaped prior to her death, and yet she was dead. That could only mean there was a reaper involved—and it was impossible to deny Jack’s essence left behind at the scene. Short of it being an Elder or a chancellor—the only ones to leave no trace—there was no logical explanation other than Jack being guilty of murder.

  Jack’s neighborhood was a far cry from that of Whitechapel. The homes were stately and beautiful, the roads tree-lined with wide walkways. As a reaper, monetary issues were no longer a concern, and all their needs were seen to. Indeed, it could be a pleasant life if not for setting people’s deaths in motion.

  She took the stone steps to Jack’s door and let the heavy knocker thud against the brass plate. It wasn’t long before the footman answered, a kind man Lilly remembered from her time with Jack. “Randall, is Jack in? I need to speak with him.”

  Randall shook his head. Worry filled his eyes, though he tried to mask it with a smile. “I’m sorry, Mum, but he’s not here. I’ll let him know you stopped by though. He’d be happy to hear it, I’m sure.”

  It was clear Randall might be able to supply her with some information, though as one that had passed on from the living, Lilly could not glamour him. “When are you expecting him to return? It’s important, Randall. He’s in trouble, and I want to help.”

  His upright stature slumped a little, concern lining his face. “I wish I knew, Mum. He left two days ago, just after his tea.”

  “Did he say where he was going?” She pushed him for the information, drawing upon the urgency of the situation. “Please… I need to get to him before the Elders find him.”

  He shook his head. “He said not a word, Mum. He left like he does most days, but has not come home since.”

  “Thank you, Randall.” Reaching into her reticule, she pulled out her calling card. “If you could please tell him to contact me as soon as he returns, I would greatly appreciate it.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  Lilly spotted her waiting hansom, and was walking towards it when her heart skipped a beat and a peculiar feeling washed over her. She was being watched—of that she had no doubt. She turned, hoping to find Jack standing there, but there were only a few passersby. With another glance around, she wondered if Mason had indeed followed her. Seeing no one, she climbed into the hansom, happy for the shelter it afforded away from prying eyes.

  Tired as she was after so many reaps, Lilly wanted nothing more than to settle before the fire with a drink, however, she’d not be able to rest until she found Jack and got some answers.

  The consequences of that woman’s death could be drastic, even if they were not felt for many a decade to come. The future could be irreparably altered, and if they found Jack responsible, he’d be in a world of trouble. The fact that they’d sent Mason looking for him was a clear indication of how significant an event this was.

  Not sure where to go next, Lilly ran down the possibilities. Jack wouldn’t risk crossing into Ilymnia, a parallel realm inhabited by the Elders and the Fates. He’d be found too easily. If he was in London, he could be in any one of the countless inns, gentlemen’s clubs or boarding houses. Would he go to another reaper’s home? Unlikely, with the Elders looking for him.

  Lilly decided to try the pub Jack normally frequented. She knew it was doubtful, but wasn’t sure where else she should look. Perhaps they’d seen him over the last day or two and may know where he’d gone, even if it only got her one step closer to finding him.

  Located in an area bustling with workers and sea hands, The Sword and Crown was thronged with people, the air laden with the yeasted scent of beer and pipe smoke. Several of the men there abandoned their drink and conversation to look over at Lilly, the presence of an unaccompanied lady unusual in a place like this. She paid them no mind and didn’t bother with a glamour. She’d not be there long enough for it to matter.

  “Miss Hancock.” To those in Aelyri, the world of the living, she was no longer Lilly Gordon, but Ellie Hancock, just as Jack went by the name of James Connelly. Mr. Johnston, the barkeep, gave her a genuine smile and she returned it. “It’s a right pleasure to see you again. You’ve been missed.”

  “You were always too kind, Mr. Johnston. A whiskey, if you would.” She slid a coin across the bar.

  “Of course.” He grabbed a bottle of the good whiskey and poured her out double the amount he’d give most customers. “There you are, m’ dear.”

  “Thank you.” She took a sip. The smell of spirits and sweet toasted grain filled her head, as a molten heat glided down her throat and into her belly. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen James in the last few days?”

  “Aye. He was in the night before last, though he didn’t stay long.”

  His words lit a spark of hope and Lilly’s mood lightened. “Did he happen to mention where he might be going or if he was leaving London on business?”

  “I’m afraid he didn’t say. Looked like he had a lot on his mind, but you know James. He’s not one for much conversation.”

  Lilly saw him glance over her shoulder, and then again, his hands busy pouring a pint of ale while his eyes focused on a spot behind her. “You’ll need to come more often, my dear. You’ve charmed my customers. That one there has barely taken his eyes off you.”

  Lilly resisted the urge to turn around and see who it may be. Mason, perhaps? Or another reaper? “He must be an acquaintance, is all. There’s nothing terribly interesting about me, I assure you.”

  With curiosity getting the better of her, she casually glanced over her shoulder. There was no one she recognized, and yet there was indeed a man staring at her. Cold traveled down her spine and sent her pulse thudding, though she knew not why.

  There was something… it felt as if she’d seen him before. In his late twentie
s, the man was handsome enough, with an exotic element to his looks. A foreigner perhaps? His skin hinted to an olive undertone, his hair and eyes dark brown, with a strong nose and jaw. But the way he stared at her, it was as if he looked into her very soul.

  Unnerved, she said, “I should go. If you see James, please tell him to contact me immediately. It’s important I speak to him.”

  “Yes, of course. Come back again soon, aye?”

  “I will. My thanks.” She bid him farewell and headed for the door. The man was still there watching her, a smile upon his lips, but she chose to ignore him. Her hansom was waiting only a block away, and as a reaper with the ability to take over one’s mind, she had little to fear.

  Just like at Jack’s, she once more felt as if she was being watched, though this time she heard a quiet footfall come up behind her. Though it could be someone just strolling down the busy street, she thought not. Not one to be intimidated, she spun around to face the matter head on, and found herself staring into those dark eyes.