Death Times Two

by C. J. Ellisson

  “Yes, dear.”

  Vivian snorts and returns her attention to me. “Okay, so she says we have souls. Good to know. Now what made the ‘reaping’ different than with a human?”

  “Apparently we’re stronger and don’t want to let go.”

  “Figures. Greedy in life and greedy in death, too.”

  “Oh, that’s not the half of it,” I say.

  “How so?”

  “There’s this porter to the afterlife who shuttles the souls to their destination.”

  “Like Charron and the River of Styx?”

  I have no idea who she’s talking about. “What’s that?”

  “The minion from the underworld who used to ferry the dead between the worlds.”

  “Uh, yeah. That sounds about right. Well, he requires payment for supernatural souls. Says we’re more work.”

  “And did you pay him?”

  “I used a battalion coin that I’ve carried since the war. He said it would do, for now. But next time he wants something ‘of value.’ He specifically asked for gold.”

  “I can’t decide which is more amazing—that vampires have souls or that the ferryman is squeezing us for cash. Nope, I got it. Definitely more amazing that we have souls. I’ve always wondered…”

  I hear Rafe laughing in the background. He’s much more used to dealing with my boss’s quirky sense of humor and violent mood swings than I am.

  “This guy won’t take cash, of that I’m certain. Do we have any valuable coins on site, Vivian? I haven’t said anything to Lisa yet, but we’ve had a lot of people die here recently.”

  “Oh yes, good point. There’s a hollowed-out book in the bookshelves on the second floor landing with a few gold coins in it.”

  Who the hell keeps gold at their home? Oh yeah, my crazy vampire boss, that’s who. “There’s got to be several thousand books on the second floor. Can you narrow it down a little?”

  “Hmmm… Let me see… In the reading loft, not on the landings exactly. Black spine in the second bookcase, at the top, on the right wall. Think the book is ‘The Art of War’ and it’s written in French.”

  “Okay, I’ll get it before she does any more reaping.”

  “Good. And Asa?”

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “You stick to that woman like glue. If she learns anything she shouldn’t, you need to carefully remove the knowledge from her mind before she leaves. Can you do that?”

  The image of staring into those big beautiful blue eyes comes to me, causing a lump in my throat. I will not fail in my job. “Yes, ma’am.”

  A blood curdling scream rips from the room behind me.

  Chapter Five

  Lisa

  My body slams against the far wall in an effort to get away from the approaching spirit. Creepy doesn’t begin to describe this guy. He’s the one I saw in the lobby, but he looks much more menacing now. White hair and goatee, lanky, and slinking toward me in a way that says he’s got one thing on his mind—taking a sip of Lisa.

  With no knowledge of what vampire ghosts can and can’t do, I try to escape, but he has me pinned in my room and I can’t get to the door. I could run through him, but only as a last resort. A violent criminal passed through me once and I swear I still feel his taint on my soul. No telling what residual effect a vampire would leave.

  He closes the distance and I lunge to the side. Before I can get around him, the spirit grabs me around the neck and slams me against the wall again. I don’t get paid enough to put up with this crap. Instantly his hand tightens.

  “No.” I squeak out. My breath stutters with each painful bit of pressure. “What do you want?”

  A feral smile spreads across his thin lips. “You.”

  My body lifts from the floor. I kick my feet but they go right through the ghost. Now I’m eye level with him. His eyes hold a kind of crazy I’ve never seen. Unlike Joanna, my touch doesn’t seem to have a calming effect on him. Another minute like this and I’ll pass out and crazy vamp will have his way with me. Being a reaper was bad enough. Being a vampire reaper—well that would totally suck.

  I scream as loud as I can. Before I form a coherent plea his mouth covers mine. It’s worse than when creepy Tony kissed me in seventh grade. All tongue and spit. The spirit’s kiss feels like he’s climbing inside me, trying so possess my body. I’m completely helpless. Unable to get free. Unable to breathe.

  Relief washes through me when the door slams open and Asa charges to my rescue. The ghost releases my mouth and cranes his head to look at Asa. He bares his fangs at the intruder, but I’m fairly certain Asa can’t see him.

  I gasp, drawing in a full breath. “He’s trying to possess me.”

  With speed like I’ve never seen, Asa races across the room and yanks me to him. “Who? Where is he?”

  I’m panting, not in a I’m being held by a sexy vamp way, but in a sustaining consciousness way. “White hair, goatee.”

  “Shit.” Asa’s gaze scans the room but obviously he doesn’t see the spirit. “It’s Ivan.”

  The ghost growls and starts toward me again. “He’s coming. Kiss me?”

  Asa’s eyes round. “What?”

  “He’s trying to gain possession of me through my mouth. Kiss me.”

  Without hesitating he drags me to him and lowers his mouth to mine. Sweet vamps that’s nice. For a few seconds I forget about the encroaching danger. Asa’s lips are soft and extremely skilled. I open my mouth slightly to try and speak but his tongue delves inside. Whatever I was going to say can wait.

  My eyes drift closed and his hand slides down to rest against the curve of my butt. I can feel his arousal and for the first time in well over a year I want nothing more than to explore what other tricks this vampire has up his sleeve—or in his pants.

  A cold burn slashes through my arm and I gasp again. The creepy old vampire has a hold of me. Remembering why I’m at the inn, I pull back slightly and speak against Asa’s mouth. “I need to get him to Hal.” I circle my arm and grip the ghost’s wrist. “But we need gold.”

  “Vivian told me where we can find some,” he replies, not letting our lips part. “But we need to get to the correct bookcase to find it.”

  I give a little nod and wrap my free arm around his neck. “We can’t stop kissing or he’ll try to possess me.”

  Beside me the spirit chuckles. “What are you?” he asks.

  I shift my eyes to look at Ivan. “I’m a grim reaper.”

  “Is he talking to you?” Asa asks.

  “Yes.” My lips are still pressed against Asa’s delicious mouth. “He wants to know what I am.”

  “Crazy fuck.” Asa turns us and takes a step toward the door. “Keep a hold of him.”

  I nod and let him guide me out of the room, pulling Ivan with me.

  “You can stop kissing him. I promise I won’t try to possess you.” The ghost’s grip loosens on my arm but I still keep hold of him. “Tell me more about being a grim reaper.”

  I don’t trust the spirit for a second. No way do I want Ivan wearing a Lisa suit, running around the inn killing people. Plus I didn’t want to stop kissing Asa, so I ignore him. We maneuver our way along the hall and toward a reading area.

  “She said it’s a black book. ‘The Art of War.’” Asa stops in front of a towering bookcase. “French version.”

  “I don’t read French.” I angle my body and scan the hundreds of books. “Do you?”

  “A little.” His gaze skates along the collection and then he points. “Up there, but I can’t reach it.”

  “Really, child, this is ridiculous,” Ivan says. “You have my word as a gentleman. I won’t possess you.”

  I don’t trust the ghost but we need the coins. “Okay.” I look into Asa’s eyes. “Grab them—quickly.”

  “I promise I won’t let anything happen to you,” he says.

  “This one is so noble.” Ivan gives a disgusted laugh. “Too much so, I think.”

  Unwinding my arm, I take a d
eep breath and step away from Asa, praying Ivan keeps his word.

  Asa springs into action and grabs a nearby library ladder to reach the book. “Call the porter.”

  “Hal!”

  Ivan cocks his head. “And what will you do with me now, reaper?”

  “Hal!” Where is that damn porter when I need him? I level a stare at Ivan. My heart beats a thousand beats a minute. Partially from the contact with Asa, but mainly because this spirit is like nothing I’ve encountered. I pray Hal won’t give me a bunch of crap about taking him. “I’m delivering you to the porter. He knows where you go.”

  Ivan’s white eyebrows life in surprise. “You mean Hell?”

  “Not necessarily, but in your case that’s probably a good bet.”

  He throws back his head and laughs. The sound sends shivers through me. It’s maniacal, bordering on down right crazy. After a few seconds he looks at me again. “Well, you know what they say, you go to Heaven for the climate—”

  “Yes, ‘and Hell for the company.’ I’ve heard that.” Unlike Joanna this spirit doesn’t seem to fear the great beyond. “I’m sure you have a lot of friends there.”

  “No doubt.” He strokes his translucent goatee. “No doubt.”

  The tell-tale pink band of light elongates far too close for my comfort. I pull Ivan back a few feet. The light dims and the elevator door slides open. At the same time I hear a jangle of coins above me.

  “Hurry!” I yell, worry clouding my tone.

  Asa jumps from the ladder and grabs me again, pressing his lips to mine. I could really get used to this.

  “Jesus, Lisa, what is going on here?” Hal sounds like an indignant father. “Why is that vampire pawing you?”

  “Coin,” I say against Asa’s mouth, ignoring Hal. “I need the coin.”

  He presses it into my hand. “Is the porter here?”

  I’m tempted to say no because he’s facing away from the door and I don’t want the kissing to end. But I also don’t like a crowd. This might be my last chance to grind against this smokin’ hot vampire. I’m turning into such a slut. “Yes.” I toss the coin to Hal and he catches it in his bejeweled hand. “Gold.”

  Hal examines the coin and then lifts it to his mouth and bites. A white smile curves the corners of his lips. “It will do.”

  It damn well had better, because I didn’t have anything else. I break our kiss but don’t let go of Asa. “Will you go?”

  Ivan looks at me and then at Hal. “You look like a man who would be amenable to a little harmless torment and torture.”

  Tipping his head to the side, Hal points his silver tipped walking stick at Ivan. “What other kind is there, my friend?” He steps aside, indicating that Ivan should enter the elevator. “Shall we take a turn around the circles of Hell and see what mischief we can stir up?”

  “A grand idea.” Ivan looks at me. “My apologies for the possession. I fear my mind is not always sound and you people are irresistible to control.” He gives me a super creepy smile. “But I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that anymore.”

  He slips from my grasp and voluntarily enters the elevator. They both nod their heads in my direction as the door eases closed. Normally I try to prevent Hal from dragging my clients to Hell. In this case I couldn’t care less.

  “Are they still here?” Asa asks.

  I’m evil. I openly admit that, but I don’t want our moment to end. I gasp and turn back to him, winding both arms around his neck. His mouth instantly captures mine and his arms wrap about my waist. I open to him again, letting his tongue take the lead.

  It slides against mine, caressing and teasing. My body presses against his and I feel him respond. Wow, does he respond. A quiet moan of pleasure escapes me, vibrating into his mouth. The sound seems to amp up his desire. He cups my ass and pulls me against him. If it was just Asa and me in the inn I’d have him stripped and straddled on the ground like a calf at a roping competition. But we’re not alone, so after a few more glorious seconds of kissing, I sigh and break the kiss.

  “They’re gone.” I let my arms drift across his shoulders and lower them to my side. “Thanks.” I step back. “You saved my life.”

  He clears his throat and shoves his hands in his front pockets. “Anytime.”

  “Really?”

  Asa’s gaze drops to the floor but he doesn’t answer me. Obviously I’m being way too forward. Poor guy, he’s probably never been mauled by a randy mom with three kids before. I search for a topic change. “So, I reaped a human guy hanging out in my bathroom. Jean-Pierre, I think he said his name was.”

  “He was one of Ivan’s kills.” He looks at me. “No problems with Hal on transporting him? You didn’t need gold?”

  “No, he was human. No gold required.”

  I move to the bookcase. Suddenly things between Asa and me feel awkward. Shame. I wouldn’t mind experiencing some of his mad kissing skill again—or more. I’ve been a widow for nearly two years. When I say it’s been a dry spell, I mean even my vibrator needs dusting off. Until Asa, my libido has been running on a trickle charge. Sure I’ve had naughty thoughts about Constantine, and there was even a zing of sexual tension between Nate and me once, but nothing like I’m feeling for Asa. One thing I’ve learned is life is too short. At least in my life it is. Who knows about the vampires? They’re probably immortal unless somebody takes them out.

  Deciding I’ve spent too long waiting to get what I want, I take a deep breath and face him. “So, wanna make out?”

  Chapter Six

  Asa

  I give a strangled laugh, knowing she’s trying to smooth over an awkward situation. My body shakes, struggling to process the past few minutes. Those kisses were fucking incredible. Whether I’m able to ever bite her or not, there’s no denying I want her with every fiber of my being.

  I close my eyes and take a deep breath I don’t need, silently willing my erection to pass. Visually blocking out Lisa while she recovers from the experience doesn’t help—all I picture is the blatant desire I saw in her bright blue eyes.

  It’ll never work, you fool. A vampire lover you can’t bite? What’s the point?

  Maybe it’s not about feeding from everyone, okay? Maybe it’s about the closeness and sense of peace associated from simply being with someone. Someone who cares.

  Do you hear yourself? You’ll slip one day and bite her, bringing her the most agonizing pain she’ll ever experience in her life. Did you learn nothing in New York?

  Shut up! There’s always bagged blood. I could do this, I could resist biting her.

  And if you’re wrong? She’ll look at you with fear and revulsion. Just like Katie did. And Leslie. And even the bartender, Ray—that one night when you were hurt in a bar fight against three werewolves. Should I go on? Or would you prefer to kill her like those accidents in Afghanistan?

  I grind my teeth in frustration, wishing I could snap off my fangs in the process.

  Lisa’s hesitant voice draws me out of my self-flagellation. “Asa, are you okay?”

  My eyes snap open, zeroing in on the blond temptress with the unsure smile on her face. I made her doubt herself by pulling back after she reaped Ivan. I’ve hurt her and all we’ve done is shared a kiss.

  Okay, well, maybe dozens of steamy, toe-curling kisses I’d like nothing better than to repeat, but still. Above all, I don’t want to bring more pain to someone who’s lost her husband.

  “Yeah, I’m okay.” I scan the reading parlor and move down the hall toward her room, not wanting to meet her sharp gaze. “Or, I will be. That was way more intense than I bargained for. Will all supernaturals be that difficult to reap?”

  “Difficult to reap?” She follows me, a confused note in her voice. Probably hoped I’d talk about our kissing. Yeah, I’m going to avoid that topic like the plague. “Uh…honestly? I have no idea. Have I mentioned I’m not very experienced at reaping yet?”

  I resist smiling and nod. Maybe reminding her of what I am will douse her int
erest in me. “I need to eat. We should go to the dining room and plan the rest of your reaping.”

  “Eat?” she squeaks as we cross the threshold into her suite.

  Good job, bastard. There’s the fear again.

  “Yeah. Don’t worry, it won’t be you. I drink bagged blood.” A sardonic grimace forms on my mouth. “We’re very civilized here in the north.”

  Her shoulders slump and she looks exhausted. “Okay, look. I’m not sure what just happened here, but I’m bushed. Can you wait a few more minutes and we talk up here? I’m really not inclined to go wandering around this place unsure of whom I’ll run into, if you know what I mean.”

  There were only three gold coins in that carved-out book. She’s got a point. We’ll need to get more. I nod, still not trusting myself to speak when I want to rush over and kiss her again.

  “And holy cow, are you guys that hard to kill in real life? Both vamp spirits were stronger than anything I’ve felt.” She flops down in her chair and I move to settle into mine. “Not that I have much to compare it too, but still. I need to call my partner.”

  “Partner? You mentioned one before. Why were you sent up here alone if you have a partner?”

  A calculating look enters her eyes. “That’s exactly what I intend to find out later.” She glances at her watch. “It’s after ten. I’ll call him tomorrow morning. When do you want to get started with the rest, and how many are there?”

  “At least six more I know of. And two are werewolves.”

  She bolts upright in her comfy chair. “Holy crap, I forgot about them. I wonder if they’ll be as resistant as the vampires.”

  I school my features, feeling a smile coming at her reaction. Need to focus on the job, not how cute she is. “I don’t know but we’ll find out.”

  She shudders, the ripple traveling up and down her body, a grossed-out sound spilling from her lips. “Ugh.” Her face sets in a determined mask. “Stupid people are so much easier. Wow, I still can’t believe this.”

  “You’re doing great. But I understand where you’re coming from, it’s a lot to take in. Hell, I’ve been turned now almost three years and I’m still freaked out by it.” I scoot to the end of my chair, pulling a hotel notepad and pen across the table. “Okay, let’s talk about who needs reaping.”