I glanced at Greyson and raised my eyebrows, silently asking him, What next?
We wait, he mouthed back.
I sighed and leaned against the armrest, which was too high to comfortably put my arm on.
The temperature in the room dropped, which is a strange thing for me to notice. Winter elves don’t have an issue with cold, as you can imagine. I looked at Greyson. “Did you feel that?”
But he was looking past me at the door.
I turned and saw a dark figure outlined in the frame. I shuddered without meaning to, and instantly understood the chill.
Death had just joined us.
Luna hadn’t made me feel this way, but then I’d met Luna in a room with several hundred other people. And she wasn’t a working reaper anymore. But Greyson had said Lucien was retired.
Maybe it was his inability to control his reaping power. Maybe it was that flux in his system spilling off him. Whatever the reason, the whole vibe was creepy.
I wanted to retreat. To run. To hide behind Greyson.
I did none of those things, but I wanted to so badly that my nervous energy was more than I could contain.
Snow started falling in the room.
Lucien looked up. “I must say, I did not expect that.”
“Jayne,” Greyson said softly.
“Sorry,” I muttered, deciding quickly to go with brutal honesty. “I’m a little nervous about meeting you. It’ll stop in a second.”
I closed my eyes, took a few deep breaths and wrestled hold of my self-control. Now was not the time or place to break out the shimmer. When I opened my eyes again, the snow was gone.
And Lucien was in front of me. Not within touching distance, but closer than he’d been before. “I don’t mean to frighten you, Miss Frost, but I’m not a fool. I understand why my presence makes you feel that way. And I don’t blame you.”
He moved past me to sit in a wingback chair on the other side of the room. A much safer distance, in my opinion, but it made me sad for him.
He must have been a handsome man at one time. I could see traces of it in his face, but there was a gloom about him that made him look tired and worn. It came from his life, no doubt. And his trouble with his power.
Something living with Hattie must remind him of every day.
Greyson and I took our seats again now that Lucien was sitting too.
He leaned back and crossed one leg over the other. “Greyson tells me Luna Nyx is in town.”
I nodded, happy to talk about the reason we’d come. “She is. I don’t know when she arrived but she showed up at the party at Elenora Ellingham’s last night. Luna claims she’ll be stopping by my store today to see Tempus Sanders, the Sandman—”
“I know him,” Lucien said.
“Well, he’s doing a book signing there today. It’s a kid’s book, but Luna said she was going to come by and get a copy. To show her support.”
“And you don’t believe her.”
“I don’t know if I do or not. She didn’t seem like she meant Sanders any ill-will, but there was a small incident this morning and he was instantly ready to blame her for it. It had nothing to do with her, as it turned out, but the fact that he so readily felt like she’d be behind something that would cause him trouble was a little unsettling. Oh, and his assistant seems to think Luna is trouble, too.”
Lucien nodded. “She could be.”
“Can you elaborate on that? Greyson said you know her.”
“I knew of her. We were in different divisions.” He shifted in his seat. “The reaper ranks are tightly closed, Miss Frost. Nothing about what we do or how we do it is ever to be shared.”
“I understand. My family has its secrets too.”
He smiled, which did wonders for his face. “Kris Kringle is your uncle.”
It was a statement, not a question, but I answered anyway. “Yes.”
Lucien spread his fingers over the arm of the chair. “Your family ties to the elemental are the only reason I agreed to see you.” He hesitated. “And the only reason I am going to tell you what I think you need to know.”
“What I need to know is Luna’s weakness. How to prevent her from harming Sanders or disrupting the day. Can you tell me that?”
“I can tell you her weaknesses.” He hesitated. “And how to defeat her, if necessary.”
That was what I needed. “Thank you.”
He held up a finger. “Don’t thank me yet. You don’t know my terms.”
No, I didn’t. And my nerves returned just wondering what they might be. “Can I hear them first before I agree?”
“Of course.” He glanced at Greyson before continuing. “The information I am willing to give you, I am willing to give only to you. Greyson cannot be a part of this conversation. As much as I like Mr. Garrett, he is not an elemental nor does he have any elemental bloodlines.”
Greyson lifted his hands. “I’m okay with leaving the room if that’s what it takes.”
But was I okay with being alone with Lucien? I guessed so. Sort of. I mean, if this is what it took, what choice did I have? I nodded my consent. “What else?”
“You will owe me a favor. To be called in at whatever time I see fit.”
What sort of a favor could he want? “I don’t know. I can’t agree to anything that might be against the law, against my family, or cause harm to another person, or an animal. Be illegal in any way—”
Lucien laughed. “Miss Frost, I can only imagine what you think of me to guess my favor would result in any of those outcomes. I promise, it would be none of those things.” He looked toward the door and sighed. “I might ask you to accompany Hattie somewhere.”
“I’d be happy to spend time with her.” That was easy.
“Or perhaps…” He glanced down at his lap. “I am isolated by choice, but there are times when I desire company. Those times are rare, but they exist. And Greyson has graciously accepted many of my invitations. But I am a man, and the presence of a beautiful woman is something distinctly lacking in my home.”
“You want me to find a woman to visit you?”
“I may want you to visit me.” He raised his head, and smiled gently. “Perhaps that is not something you could agree to, knowing what you know about me. I understand. That was too much to ask. I assure you, I am not looking for anything beyond a meal or a conversation. I know you and Greyson are seeing each other.”
A soft snarl spilled out of Greyson. I looked over. His eyes were lit from within, and his mouth bent in a grimace that exposed his fangs.
“Oh.” Lucien jerked back, his expression growing horrified. “I see I did not make myself clear. I would like you and Greyson to visit or possibly join me for dinner.”
I didn’t think that’s what Lucien had meant at all, but it got Greyson to relax. So much for him not being jealous. Or was he trying to protect me from Lucien? I turned to the reaper. “We could do that, definitely. But maybe you could wear gloves or something? You know, in case you have to pass me the salt or something.”
His smile returned. “That would not be a problem. Thank you. Do you agree to my terms, then?”
Again, what choice did I have? “Yes, I agree.”
Lucien looked at Greyson. “If you will give us a few minutes. I won’t keep her long. Please shut the door on your way out.”
Grudgingly, Greyson got up. He put his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll be right outside, Jayne.”
I patted his knuckles. “Thank you.”
Once Greyson had left and the door was closed, Lucien began. “Reapers are assigned into divisions, and different reapers collect different kinds of souls. Luna was given a very difficult area. The criminally insane.”
“And that affected her somehow?”
“It did. When we take a soul, that person’s entire life passes through us.”
I cringed. “Luna really had a tough go of it then.”
He nodded. “She did. When she met Sanders, it changed everything for her. He made it poss
ible for her to not only sleep peacefully, but to have pleasant dreams. For the first time since her assignment as a reaper of the criminally insane, she was able to put her job behind her.”
“Wow. That must have been amazing for her.”
“It was. And you can see how easy it was for her to fall in love with him.”
“Absolutely.”
“I tell you that just so you can understand her a little better.”
I nodded. “Thank you. It definitely does that.”
“If she is truly looking to hurt Sanders or ruin his day, there isn’t much you can do to stop her. She’s a very powerful elemental. But if it comes down to it, her weakness is the same as any reaper’s.”
I waited.
“Her scythe. Every reaper has one, active or not.”
I inched toward the edge of my seat. “You mean the curved blade thing? She had one, a small one. It was hanging on her belt next to the black hourglass.”
“That’s her scythe. If you can take control of it, you will control her in a way.” A muscle in his jaw twitched. “A reaper’s scythe is the only way to kill a reaper.”
I jerked back. “I don’t want to kill her.”
“But you may have to if your goal is to protect Sanders.”
I bit my lip. This was way over my pay grade. And I was pretty sure my dad would agree with me. “Can’t you tell this all to Greyson? Maybe he could be the one to—”
“No.” Lucien’s answer was a sharp, forceful bark. His face changed and I swear I saw a flash of a skull where his face had been. It was just for a second, but it had been there. “This information is never to be shared with anyone else. You agreed to that.”
I sat back. “Yes, I did. Sorry.”
That calmed him a little. “If it comes to this, there is one more thing you need to know.”
What else could there be? But I might as well find out. “Okay.”
“Whoever defeats a reaper must take their place.”
“You mean…I would become the reaper?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“As in I would become the Mistress of Nightmares?”
“Exactly.”
Oh, snowballs, no.
I wrapped up the conversation with Lucien and went through the motions of saying goodbye to Hattie, but the truth was, a numbness had come over me. This was way more than I had bargained for. More information, more serious, and more sobering.
I didn’t want to hurt anyone. And I certainly didn’t want to become a reaper myself. But what was I going to do if Luna attacked Sanders? I was supposed to protect him.
Maybe she wouldn’t do anything. Maybe she wouldn’t even show up. But Olive had seemed so sure the woman was trouble. And Sanders had blamed her for the missing hourglass like it was a foregone conclusion.
My head hurt. And my spirits were low.
I got in the car and sat there, staring at the knob on the glove box while Greyson got behind the wheel. Today I did not want to be the Winter Princess.
I didn’t want to be anything but home, in bed, with my cat curled up next to me.
Duty and responsibility could get melted.
Greyson put the key in the ignition, then let it dangle, turning to look at me instead. “You’re not okay. What happened in there?”
I shook my head slowly. “I can’t tell you. I promised not to. My word as winter royalty is my bond. But man, do I want to.” Sharing this burden with someone would make carrying it a little easier.
If only I knew another elemental here in town that I could talk to.
He put a hand on my knee. “Jayne, there has to be a way I can help you with this. You look like you just found out someone died. And it’s killing me to see you like this.”
All this talk of death and murder was getting to be too much. I lifted my head. “There’s nothing you can do to help. I wish there was, but there’s not. Just take me home, okay? I need some time to think.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought you here.”
“No, you were trying to help. And you have. I just didn’t expect the end result to be this…dire.”
He frowned and shook his head. I could see he was struggling, wishing he could do something. But I’d given my word to Lucien. And the last thing I needed was to upset him. Luna was just passing through, but Lucien lived here.
And so did I.
I tipped my head back as Greyson drove and closed my eyes. Was Luna really as big a problem as Olive and Sanders were making her out to be? Why would Sanders spend the evening dancing and chatting with her if he was so certain she’d want to cause him trouble?
I opened my eyes and stared at the car’s ceiling. There was only one thing I could think of. It was crazy. But so was my life. And what was one more crazy thing in the midst of all this current nonsense?
Especially when that crazy thing might not be so crazy after all.
I straightened up. We were already back in town. I put my hand on Greyson’s arm. “There is something you can do for me. I’m not sure you’re going to like it, but you’re not talking me out of it either.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Mostly because I know better. What can I do?”
“Do you know where Luna is staying?”
“No, but it can’t be that hard to find out. I’m sure Birdie knows.”
“Good idea. I’ll call her.” I got my phone out, pulled up her number and tapped the call button.
She answered right away. “Hello again, Princess. First breakfast, now a call. What a nice surprise! How are you?”
I didn’t even care that she’d called me Princess and not Jayne. “I’ve been better, but you might be able to help with that. Do you know where Luna Nyx is staying in town?”
“Oh sure, I heard from Edna Turnbuckle yesterday. It’s not every day a reaper books a room at your establishment. Which is the Black Rose, by the way. It’s a lovely place, even if it is a D&B. But Edna’s made a go of it. Very popular place, too. I’m sure it’s down to her hospitability.”
Birdie finally took a breath. Before she started talking again, I got my question in. “What’s a D&B?”
“Dead and Breakfast. It’s one of the places vampires stay when they come to town.”
“So is Edna a vampire?”
Greyson shook his head, but said nothing.
“No,” Birdie said. “She’s a hobbit. They’re known for their warmth and friendliness. You want to meet her? I play bridge with her twice a month. We’re good friends.”
“That’s okay, I’ll introduce myself when I get there. Thanks for the info. I owe you a stack of pancakes.”
She laughed. “You don’t owe me anything. I’m happy to help whenever I can.”
“Thanks, Birdie.” I was feeling better already. “I really appreciate it.”
“You got it, Princess.”
We hung up, and I looked at Greyson.
“Let me guess,” he said. “You want me to take you to the Black Rose. Because I can’t imagine Luna’s staying anywhere else.”
“I do.”
“Going to see Luna is not a good idea. Not alone.”
“I’m not alone.” I smiled at him. “I have you.”
His mouth curved. “True. Let’s do this.”
He turned the wheel, took us down a side street, and a couple of minutes later, we were pulling into the parking lot of a large, charming house. It wasn’t as ornate as the Victorians in the neighborhood where Pandora and her boyfriend lived, but it had a real Southern appeal to it. Very welcoming.
And very popular, judging by the other cars in the lot. We parked next to a sleek black SUV.
Greyson turned off the engine and faced me. “Do you know what you’re going to say?”
“I’m just going to talk to her. Get a read on her. I have to trust my gut on this.”
He nodded. “That’s as good a plan as any.”
“I’m glad you think so, because it’s all I’ve got.” I held up a finger. “One question.
Do I need to be worried about her touching me? Like with Lucien?”
“No. That’s only true with him because of the glitch in his power.”
“That makes me feel better.”
We got out and walked to the front door. Greyson opened it and we went in. The place was quiet, but considering that it catered to vampires, and those staying here were probably asleep, that wasn’t surprising.
A door at the end of the hall opened and an older woman stepped out. Mrs. Turnbuckle, I assumed. “Can I help you folks? If you’re looking for a room, I’m sorry to tell you we have no vacancies. I can suggest another lovely spot just on the other side of town, however.”
I smiled as pleasantly as I could considering I was about to talk to a very scary person. “Hi. My name is Jayne Frost, and this is my friend, Greyson Garrett. We don’t need a room. We’re here to visit a guest of yours, Luna Nyx.”
The woman walked farther down the hall toward us. She had piercing brown eyes, wire-rimmed glasses, and ears with points rounder than mine. “Is she expecting you?”
“No, but she’s coming by my store later today, Santa’s Workshop, and I just thought I’d stop by and see her first.”
Greyson stepped up so that he was at my side. “Mrs. Turnbuckle, could you ask her if she’d just give us a few minutes of her time? We won’t be long.”
“Why do you want to speak to me?”
We looked up. Luna stood on the second-floor landing, staring down at us. She was dressed in black, as she had been the night before, but there was something much more subdued about her today. Her dress was simpler, her hair wound into a single long braid that fell over one shoulder, and as far as I could tell, there were no spiders in it. Thankfully.
I held onto my smile. At least I think what my face was doing could be described as a smile. “I wanted to talk to you about the signing. Just for a few minutes.”
“You were at the party last night.”
“Yes.” I leaned into Greyson a little. “We both were.”
She stared at me for a long moment, her eyes narrowed. Not once did she look at Greyson, which was odd, but ‘odd’ was kind of losing its meaning at this point. At last, she started down the stairs.
Miss Frost Saves The Sandman: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 3) Page 9
