Grim Offerings (Aisling Grimlock Book 2)

by Amanda M. Lee

  “YOU can’t stay in here with me.”

  “I know,” Jerry said, shifting on my bed to get more comfortable. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

  “I’m great.”

  “You don’t look great.”

  “Well, I feel great.”

  “You don’t look it.”

  “Jerry, I’m going to beat you if you don’t leave me alone,” I threatened.

  Jerry sighed dramatically. “It’s going to be all right, Bug.” He kissed my cheek. “Your skin really is soft. If I wasn’t gay, I’d be all over you.”

  “Well, that makes everything better.”

  “Griffin didn’t leave,” Jerry pointed out.

  “He didn’t speak to me.”

  “No, but he didn’t leave.”

  “I think that’s just because Maya is staying the night again,” I said. “He doesn’t want her to be here alone.”

  “Oh, I can see there’s no talking to you tonight,” Jerry said. “We’ll talk in the morning.” He climbed off the bed.

  “You’re sleeping in Aidan’s room, right? I don’t want to find you crawling back in here in the middle of the night.” I really just wanted to be left alone. Pouting is a lot more fun when you don’t have an audience.

  “I am,” Jerry said. “I’ll wake you for breakfast.”

  “I can’t wait.” I focused on the television when he left, the mindless sitcom playing out on the screen annoying me the longer I stared at it. I glanced up when I sensed a presence in the open door. Griffin was dressed in flannel sleep pants and a T-shirt, and his face was unreadable as he stared down at me. “I don’t feel like fighting.”

  Griffin watched me for another moment, and then he walked into the room and shut the door behind him. That couldn’t be good. He was going to start screaming, and there was no one here to protect me if he decided it was easier to strangle me than deal with me.

  Instead of speaking, he stopped in front of the television and shut it off and then moved to the side of the bed. “Scoot over.”

  “What?”

  “You’re in the middle of the bed,” he said. “I need room. Scoot over.”

  I did as I was told, watching curiously as he slipped under the covers and settled next to me.

  “What … are you staying in here with me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Aren’t you angry with me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you going to yell at me?”

  “Would it do any good?”

  “I have no idea,” I said.

  “I think you’ve been yelled at enough for one day,” Griffin said. “I am still really angry with you, though.”

  “I know.”

  “Turn off the light.”

  I hit the switch on my side of the bed, plunging the room into darkness. I could feel his presence next to me, even though he wasn’t moving. His breathing was even, and for a second, I wondered if he’d already dropped off.

  “Turn your mind off, Aisling,” he said. “You need your rest.”

  I pressed my eyes shut. After a few more minutes, I heard him sigh and then felt his body shift closer to mine. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me so I was flush against him. “You make me really tired.”

  “I’ve heard.”

  He rubbed his cheek against my face. “We’re probably going to have a big fight tomorrow. I’m going to try really hard not to say something I’ll regret. You need to try to think before you act, though. You’re driving me crazy.”

  “I … .”

  “Don’t speak,” Griffin admonished. “You’ll ruin the moment.”

  “What moment?”

  “Go to sleep, Aisling,” he said.

  “Fine. Good night.”

  “Good night.” He rested his head against mine. “Your skin really is soft.”

  “You should feel my butt.”

  “Maybe tomorrow,” he said. “I’m too tired now.”

  That’s not what a girl wants to hear. I squealed when I felt his hand.

  “That’s nice, too,” he said. “Go to sleep.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “See, you’re ruining the moment.”

  Thirty-Four

  “You’re going to be careful today, right?”

  Griffin’s face was serious, and even though he’d reneged on his promise to pick a really big fight after a much-needed night of sleep I knew better than to push him too far.

  “It’s only one job,” I said, tentatively reaching out to touch his arm. He’d been affectionate this morning, but still slightly distant. I wasn’t sure what was going through his head, but my imagination was running wild.

  Griffin wrapped his hand around my fingers, his eyes contemplative. “Who are you going with?”

  “Aidan.”

  “Where?”

  “Detective, is this an interrogation?”

  “Where?” Griffin pressed.

  “It’s one of the big Catholic churches down in the city,” I said.

  “Someone is dying in the church?”

  “Someone is dying in the rectory behind the church,” I said.

  “A priest?” Griffin looked relieved. “That should be easy, right? A priest should be looking forward to the hereafter.”

  “Actually, it’s a nun,” I said. “It’s the same principle, though.”

  Griffin sighed heavily. “Good. That’s good.”

  “The worst that will happen is that she’ll veto my outfit,” I said. “Dad made sure that there was no possible way we could be in danger.”

  Griffin let go of my hand and wrapped both of his around the back of my head so he could tilt my chin up. “You’re going to be careful, though. You’re going to go in and get your soul, keep your mouth shut and then have a big lunch with your brother. That’s going to be your day, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay,” Griffin said, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. “I have to go to work this afternoon. It should be for only a few hours, but I’ll be back here in plenty of time to protect you from your family at dinner.”

  “You’re staying here again?”

  “Where else would I stay?”

  “Some place where my Dad isn’t going to be giving you the evil eye and where I’m not always fighting with my brothers sounds like just the kind of break you need,” I pointed out.

  “Maybe I don’t want a break,” Griffin said.

  “Does mental illness run in your family?”

  Griffin grinned. “It’s going to be fine. While part of me finds your family crazy, the other part … likes the way you interact. You guys can say anything to each other – I mean really mean things – and yet it doesn’t even phase you. It’s kind of fun. Not everyone’s family is like that. Some families hold grudges forever.”

  I made a mental note to question him about his family when all of this was settled. This was the second time he’d made an offhand remark about his family. “Okay.”

  “Now, give me a proper kiss.”

  He was too cute to ignore.

  “And people say I never compromise,” Dad said, strolling past us. We stood in the front foyer of Grimlock Manor, where I thought we were alone. Even though the house was huge, there were times it still felt small.

  I separated from Griffin. “What’s your problem now?”

  “I swore you wouldn’t date until you were thirty and now you’re making out with your overnight guest right in front of me,” Dad said. “Yes, I’m certain you thought I didn’t know you two slept in the same room last night, didn’t you?”

  “I didn’t care if you knew,” I said. “Griffin is the one who fears your wrath.”

  “Obviously he doesn’t fear my wrath sufficiently,” Dad grumbled.

  “Don’t worry, there was no funny business,” I said.

  “I know. He was too angry.”

  “You’re loving this, aren’t you?”

  “I’m loving parts of it,” Dad said. “Now, you
and Aidan have exactly one job. One. If you can’t collect a nun, then we have bigger problems than your attitude and … .”

  “Stupidity?”

  “I promised not to use that word again,” Dad said.

  I smiled.

  “But yes,” he said.

  “Now, kiss your … friend … goodbye and get to work. I’m not paying you to play kissy-face in the foyer.”

  Griffin covered my open mouth with a quick kiss – one that Dad couldn’t possibly mistake for something sultry – and then patted my head. “Be good.”

  “I told you. It’s a nun. What could possibly go wrong?”

  “I AM not letting you suck me up in that.” Sister Mary Angelica was like a tiny drill sergeant. She didn’t take guff from the kids in her classrooms, and she wasn’t about to put up with it from two reapers who invaded her spare bedroom to give her bad news.

  “You’re not going to live here,” Aidan said. “We’re going to transport you to your final resting place. And, good news for you, you’re going to Heaven.”

  He said it like Oprah Winfrey did when she was giving away cars. You’re going to Heaven, and you’re going to Heaven and you’re going to Heaven.

  “Well, I’m happy I’m going to Heaven, but I’m not ready to go yet,” Sister Mary Angelica said. “I’m still in the prime of my life.”

  “You’re ninety-two,” I pointed out.

  “And I have plenty of life left to live.”

  “Well, God obviously didn’t think so,” I said. “He decided to call you home … early.”

  “Well, I’m not ready to go. Tell him I’ll take a rain check and he can collect me in twenty years.”

  Twenty years? I glanced at Aidan. “I thought we weren’t going to talk to her? I thought we were going to suck and run? Isn’t that what we promised Dad?”

  “I thought she would be excited to go,” Aidan said, chagrined. “If anyone should be excited, it’s this woman. It’s like hitting the lottery for her.”

  “How is dying like hitting the lottery?” Sister Mary Angelica asked, hands on hips. “Am I going to get a mansion and a flat-screen television?”

  That was a very good question. “I thought you took a vow of poverty?”

  “That doesn’t mean I don’t like Dancing With the Stars,” Sister Mary Angelica shot back.

  I was starting to like this nun, her taste in television shows notwithstanding. “I’m sure you can watch it from Heaven.” I had no idea whether that was true. I just wanted this job to be over with.

  “What about cable? I can’t miss The Walking Dead.”

  Holy crap! “Isn’t The Walking Dead blasphemous where you’re concerned?” I was genuinely curious.

  “Why?”

  “Because they die and they come back from the dead – and not in the same way Jesus did. They try to eat people. Doesn’t that cast … I don’t know … doubt on the Catholic faith?” Religion often confuses me. There are just so many of them to keep up with when you’re a reaper.

  “It’s a television show,” Sister Mary Angelica said. “It’s not real life. You understand the difference, right?”

  I was really starting to like her. “I get that. I didn’t know you were allowed to get that.”

  “Oh, grow up.”

  Aidan smirked. “Sister, I know this has come as a shock to you. Obviously. It’s just … we’re on a bit of a timetable.”

  “Oh, so now I have to schedule my death around your life? What are you late for? Do you have a date with some hot trollop tonight? Some pretty little thing with narrow hips and a busy mouth?”

  Aidan’s mouth dropped open.

  “His significant other does have narrow hips and a busy mouth, but he’s not a girl,” I said. What? I was trying to help.

  “Oh, you’re a homosexual. Well, good for you.”

  Aidan was flabbergasted. “Isn’t that against your faith?”

  “Why? Are you a bad man otherwise? Do you kick puppies and smack children?”

  “No.”

  “Then I don’t care who you love,” Sister Mary Angelica said. “You need to grow up, too. Your sister obviously isn’t the only one with insecurity issues.”

  “How did you know she was my sister?” Aidan asked.

  The look on Sister Mary Angelica’s face was almost comical. “You look like twins.”

  “We are twins.”

  “Well, you look it.”

  Aidan looked to me for help.

  “What? We do look exactly alike. You should see our three other brothers. We look like a genetic experiment gone awry,” I said.

  “Okay, we need to get back on point here,” Aidan said. “Sister Mary Angelica, I’m very sorry you’re not ready to travel to your eternal resting place, but we can’t stay here.”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “I have time.”

  “No, you don’t,” Aidan said. “You have to move on, and we have to get out of here. Some very bad people are trying to hurt my sister and she’s not safe here. She’s technically not supposed to be working, but she pitched a fit and my father gave in. He always gives in where she’s concerned.”

  “That’s because fathers dote on daughters. Why didn’t you just say that from the beginning?” Sister Mary Angelica asked. “Is the Devil after her? She’s got a face built for sin.”

  I think I’d just been insulted. “No. They’re called wraiths.”

  “Minions of the Devil?”

  I shrugged. That was as good of an explanation as any. “Kind of.”

  “And why do they want you?”

  “We have no idea,” I said. “We just know they want me. It’s been a busy two weeks.”

  “Well, then I guess I should get going,” Sister Mary Angelica said, resigned. “I’d hate for my death to cause yours.”

  “That would be a bummer,” I said.

  Aidan raised his scepter. “I have a feeling you’re going to be really happy where you’re going.”

  “Wait. I have two questions.”

  Aidan sighed. “Go ahead.”

  I left Aidan to answer Sister Mary Angelica’s questions and wandered over to the lone window in the room. Since we’d entered the building through the front, it hadn’t dawned on me what was in the rear. “Is that Eternal Sunshine Cemetery?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is that where you’re going to be interred?” I asked, gesturing to the prone body on the bed.

  “Yes.”

  “I guess I didn’t realize the church backed up to the cemetery,” I said. “That’s kind of … creepy.”

  “How do you figure that?” Sister Mary Angelica was nonplussed. “They’re dead. They’re very quiet neighbors.”

  “But … never mind. Have you ever seen any odd activity in the cemetery?”

  “Define odd.”

  “Yeah, what are you getting at?” Aidan asked.

  “I don’t know,” I said. “I just … I still think something is going on at the cemetery.”

  “Have you been back there since … ?”

  “Since when?” Sister Mary Angelica prodded.

  “Since she almost died there five weeks ago.”

  “Oh. You’re having a run of bad luck, girl.”

  “I am,” I said.

  “It’s about to get worse.”

  Three heads swiveled to the partially opened door in unison. One of them was dead, but equally interested.

  “Fontaine,” Aidan said, stepping forward. “This is our soul.”

  “Then you should have collected it,” Fontaine said.

  “That’s what we’re doing.”

  “Really? Because I’ve heard a lot of talk about Dancing With the Stars and The Walking Dead,” Fontaine said.

  “Were you eavesdropping?” That was so juvenile.

  “I was mildly curious as to how you guys went about your daily business,” Fontaine said. “I thought you might have some interesting moves. It turns out, you’re both
idiots.”

  “Hey!”

  “Calm down, boogers. I’m not here for your soul.”

  “Why are you here?” I asked.

  “I have a name on my list,” Fontaine said. “It just happens to be here.”

  Aidan stepped between us instinctively. “You’re not laying a hand on my sister.”

  “Oh, I don’t want your sister, Aidan,” Fontaine said, his grin evil. “I’m here for you.”

  “What?”

  Fontaine grabbed Aidan roughly, whipping his body around so Aidan’s back was pressed against Fontaine’s expansive chest. He wrapped his beefy forearm around Aidan’s throat and applied pressure. My brother is strong and fit, but he’s no match for a mountain like Fontaine.

  “Let him go,” I raged.

  “You had your chance, Aisling,” Fontaine said. “We’ve moved on to Aidan now.”

  “You can’t have him.” I had no idea how to fight Fontaine. It’s not as though there are weapons in a church. Sister Mary Angelica’s room was so spare there wasn’t even a nightstand to throw.

  “It’s too late,” Fontaine said, dragging Aidan out of the room by his neck.

  Aidan’s eyes bulged as he gasped for breath. He fought Fontaine’s bulk, but it was a losing proposition.

  “You’re crazy if you think I’m going to let you take him,” I challenged.

  “I don’t see where you have a lot of options,” Fontaine said.

  I opened my mouth to argue but Fontaine cut me off by slamming the bedroom door in my face. It clanged loudly, echoing through the small space. “I am sorry it had to come to this, Aisling.”

  “I can’t believe he thinks that will stop me,” I grumbled, stalking toward the door.

  I yanked on it, but it didn’t open. “What the … ?”

  I pulled again, figuring it was stuck. I raised my leg to use as leverage and tugged mercilessly, but the door wouldn’t open and the handle was frozen. “How is this door locked? There’s no mechanism to lock it.” I studied the handle.

  “It locks from the other side,” Sister Mary Angelica said, her face drawn.

  “What? Why?”

  “Back in the day, everyone was locked into their rooms after dark.”

  “Was it the Dark Ages?”

  “You’re not very funny,” Sister Mary Angelica said. “It was how this rectory ran. Don’t judge.”

  “I’m not … I have to get to Aidan.”