Energy hummed through our connection; my whole body tingled and thrummed like I’d just grabbed a live wire. I pulled back, breathless from the contact. “What was that?”
He smiled at me, and looked pleased. “That is one of the ways you can feed. Only from me, however. You are much stronger than I thought; you could kill a human if you did that to one.”
I felt incredible, like I’d just had multiple cups of coffee, only minus the jitters that go along with it. “Wow.” I laughed and rubbed at the palm of my hand. I could still feel energy humming along the skin where I’d touched him.
“You were changed by the blood of a Reaper. You will have certain characteristics that mimic mine. When a soul is harvested we touch above the heart; here.” His hand hovered above my heart, so close, but not touching.
“Once the heartbeat is stopped, the soul is drawn forth.” I nearly giggled.
Inappropriate, I know, but I felt so damned good. I just wanted to run and not look back, or twirl slowly down the hallway, like the girls in those tampon commercials Gwen and I always made fun of. Instead, I got a lecture on Reaper Etiquette. And he almost touched my boob. I sniggered. Couldn’t help it. Asher raised an eyebrow. “Focus, girl. I think you have been made drunk by your first taste of power.”
Drunk? Not me. “I’ve never been drunk in my entire life.” I grabbed his hands and yanked him to his feet. There was way more of him than there was of me. Damn, I was strong. Yay, me! “Come on, do that blinky thing for me; I think I kind of like it…ooh, can I see your wings? They’re so pretty.” I bit my lip to shut my big mouth. Distantly, I realized I was making a huge ass of myself. Maybe I was a tad tipsy. If I remembered any of this the next day, I would probably die of mortification.
Asher’s smile was indulgent. “I really should have prepared you for this better. The fault…” I heard the kitchen door open as my dad came in. I shouldn’t have been able to hear anything from that far away, but I could. Creepy new ability, yes, but it might come in handy, someday.
The refrigerator door opened and closed. A can of soda popped open and fizzed merrily. Dad’s keys jingled as they hit the little basket next to the bill box, where he always kept them. There was a soft snick as the deadbolt was engaged on the backdoor.
My eyes bugged out of my head when I heard soft tread walking slowly up the stairs. “Oh, my god, what do I do with you? Quick, get under the bed,” I hissed at him. Asher didn’t budge, in spite of my best efforts to stuff him under my bed. I was much stronger than I should have been, but apparently if he didn’t want to move, he wasn’t going to be moved. Failing that, I tried backing him into my closet, but he wasn’t having it. “Damn it, he’s gonna catch you in here and then I’m gonna be on house arrest till I’m eighty. We have to hide you!” I tried to be quiet, and sort of whispered, but it came out about as shrill as a tea kettle’s whistle.
“Calm yourself, girl. He cannot see me.” He stood calmly, watching me have a royal freak-out moment. A tiny smile played about his mouth. God, but he had such a pretty mouth. Stop, breathe, and focus. That didn’t help, and it was painfully clear that he was enjoying this. “I have been in here before, remember? Many times, in fact. People see what they want to see when they look at me.” Briefly, I wondered if he’d been pulling a peeping tom act on me. I decided I’d better worry about that later. I really didn’t want to know. I was in danger at this moment; my dad would kill me dead if he caught Asher with me.
Panic washed through me, taking all my feel-goods with it. Nothing sobers a teenaged girl up faster than being caught with a guy in her room. Nothing. All those good, fuzzy feelings were being washed away in the ice water of fear. I was so dead if my dad caught a guy in my room. Any guy, but this one looked like every daddy’s worst nightmare. I didn’t think my dad would give me a chance to explain that Asher wasn’t some evil, pervert, cradle robber. I didn’t think so, at least. Although the alternative explanation was too unbelievable. Asher was Death. Yep. Death. The Big Bad; everybody’s worst nightmare. Oh, Hell.
Chapter 12…Asher
Isabel’s eyes grew wide and panicked as her father trudged slowly up the stairs. He had been exhausted for days; a direct side effect of her awakening abilities. He needed more rest, and less worry.
There was no real danger that I would be caught in her room, but he might check to see why she paced back and forth like a caged animal. If he believed her asleep, however, he would continue down the hallway to his own room, and turn in for the night. All I had to do was make it appear that all was secure for the night, and that Isabel was safe in her bed like a good girl.
Calmly, I crossed the room and turned off the light in the bathroom. I had no need of light. My vision is such that it adapts to any environment. Even in complete darkness I can see everything as plain as day. It is a useful ability to have in my line of work.
I wondered if the girl might hyperventilate, or worse, have a full-blown anxiety attack. I pressed a finger to her lips, reminding her to be still, then I took her hand and led her to sit down on the edge of her bed. She flinched a little as I leaned across her to turn the lamp off; her breath came quicker, and her heartbeat sped up, but she did not move away.
The damned cat hissed as I sat down next to her. The cat and I needed to come to terms. I was not going anywhere, and apparently, neither was she. She did not have to be so smug, however. I was willing to share her mistress with her, but I would put up with only so much disrespect.
I pressed my lips against the shell of Isabel’s ear and whispered. “Be calm. He thinks you are asleep.” A chill ran through her at my touch. Did she feel our connection? Or was it revulsion from being touched by Death? Monster that I am, I wasn’t sure that I cared. I wanted to touch her, and so, I would. Not for the first time, I wished that I could read her mind. It would make this so much easier.
There really was no need for me to whisper. No one could hear me but Isabel, but I found that I liked the intimacy of being so near her, in the dark. I liked the feel of her silky skin against my cheek, and that light vanilla scent that clung to her was mouthwatering. I liked whispering to her in the dark.
I wanted to slide my hands through her dark hair, and twirl it around my fingers. I had done it in the haunted house; barely skimmed the length of her hair as she passed, and I had thrilled at the way the curls seemed to cling to my hand. Grim would be in the floor laughing at the way I behaved with this girl. I was well aware that I was just shy of making a fool of myself, but I could not seem to help it. I had tried, really tried in the beginning, to abandon her. She was a liability to me, and possibly a weakness. Still, I found myself drawn back to her, time and time, again. She held a fascination for me that even I did not understand.
Isabel found me beautiful, if the looks she tried to hide were to tell me anything, but strange and frightening also. I could not blame her for that; I was strange and frightening. I was something foreign to her, and the humanity left to her would instinctively fight me. No mortal in their right mind intentionally embraces death.
My patience was wearing thin, yet I savored my time with her. It had been an eternity since I had wanted anything. And I wanted this girl for myself. I had to tread carefully. I could do this: be her friend and protector. I did not have to take, for if I did I would break the fragile soul that called so sweetly to me. She had to trust me, or she would never love me.
In the dark, her hand found mine and squeezed. The monster inside me smiled. We were in this together. Something cold and hard loosened in my chest. I had never known fear, but I found myself wondering if this was it. I wrapped an arm around her, reassuring her silently as I held her close to my side.
Her father’s steps hesitated outside of her door, but continued on after a breathless pause. I felt the breath she had been holding release in a rush. She sagged against me in relief and I felt her body shake with reaction. It took but a moment to realize she was giggling, instead of sobbing as I had feared.
Curiosity
bit at me. “What is so funny?” Strange, mercurial girl; one moment she was terrified, the next giggling happily. I really could not follow all of her mood swings. Were all humans like this one? I had spent eternity harvesting souls, but I had never taken the time to get to know one.
Isabel moved away from me, now that the perceived danger had passed. I did not care for the distance she placed between us, but I could not force her to stay in close contact, if she did not wish it. “Nothing’s funny, really.” Her voice came out in a strained whisper. “It’s just nerves, I guess. My dad will kill both of us if he catches you in here.” She snorted at her unintentional joke. “Well, maybe he can’t kill you, but I’d be in danger for sure.”
No, she would never be in danger of Death. I could assure her of that, but I thought she had taken enough revelations for one evening. Best to save the subject of her mortality for another time. There was, of course, the whole question of Fate and what she would be up to. I had little doubt she would spare her wrath, for my sake. Clotho and I had a history of bad blood.
“I will protect you from your father and anyone else who would harm you.” I kept my voice low, to match hers. It felt very intimate, speaking in whispers in the dark. I enjoyed it very much.
“You know, I do believe you’d try.” She sounded bemused, as if she were thinking hard. “But I really think I should protect myself, if I can.”
Ah, the modern woman. Of course she would want to do everything for herself. I would humor her, for as long as I could.
Arguing her ability to take care of herself would be pointless. I decided that discretion really is the better part of valor, and changed the subject. “You have questions for me? Ask, and if I can answer them, I will.”
Isabel’s eyes shined in the dim moonlight filtering through her bedroom window. She tucked her legs up under her as she leaned against the headboard. Nervously, she played with that long, dark hair of hers; winding and unwinding the same curl around her index finger. Thoughtfully, she finally asked the question most bothering her. “Can you tell me why everybody suddenly wants to kill me, Asher?”
I considered how much to tell her before I spoke. “The short answer is that you are unique, and people fear what they do not understand. That also means supernatural beings, who should know better.”
“Like the Reaper?” Her lovely face scrunched up into a frown. “Scary guy, by the way. Way too many fangs.” I wanted to smooth that frown into a smile again. She was beautiful when her eyes lit up with her smile.
“Samael, in his own foolish way, means well.”
“Excuse, me?”
“Grim feels that my involvement with you weakens me.” I touched her hand in the dark, and delighted in the vitality I felt there. She grew stronger by the day. Soon, she would be a match for anything. “He thinks that my position is weakened with the others of our kind, and that the time I spend with you will throw the world into chaos and upset the balance of souls.”
“Um, no wonder he wants to get rid of me.” She rubbed her hands down her crossed arms as if she were cold. I reached for the throw blanket at the foot of her bed and covered her with it. “Thanks. So, now that you mention it, who is taking care of, um, uh, business while you’re here with me?”
I smiled to myself. The girl was taking an interest; not terrified of me as I’d feared. “Time and I are old friends. He lets me manipulate the time stream at will. I can be many places in a very short amount of time. Also, you must remember, there are many Reaper angels. Death is everywhere, in one form or another.”
“This may be the weirdest conversation anyone has ever had,” she mused.
She surprised a laugh out of me. “If you think this is strange you should talk to Cronus, sometime. In his reality, past, present, and future are all happening at once. Grim once said of him that he is ‘bat shit crazy,’ and I can think of no better way to put it. His conversation is enough to give one a headache, immortal or not.” Come to think of it, I wondered why Cronus had never thought to prepare me for Isabel. Surely, he had seen something of our meeting?
“It gives me a headache just thinking about it. Although, he sounds like a cool guy to know. At least he wouldn’t be boring.” She yawned discreetly. The poor thing was worn out. It had been a long night for her.
“Do you need to sleep, Isabel?”
“No, I’m fine. You can call me Izzy, you know. Everybody does. Isabel sounds very formal, and old. They named me for my great-grandmother on my dad’s side. I don’t really know much about her, but I’ve never been in love with the name. I prefer Izzy.”
“Izzy.” Her nickname sounded strange on my lips. “I will try to call you that, but you seem more of an Isabel to me. It is a beautiful name. I like the way it feels on my lips.”
She made an odd little noise; half giggle, half snort. “Fine. Call me anything you want.” The girl cleared her throat. Had I somehow made her uncomfortable? “So what about the other one wanting to kill me? You mentioned Fate, earlier. What’s her deal?”
Ah, Fate. Her ‘deal’ was that she was a cold hearted bitch who hated to be crossed. I had never shown the proper interest, or deference, to her august position. Eternity is a very long time, and there is a reason for the saying about Hell having no fury like a woman scorned.
“Greek mythology has Fate split into three aspects; the Moirai. Clotho: the spinner of the thread of life. Lachesis: who measures a mortal lifespan. And Atropos: she who cuts the thread of life.”
She sat up a little, wrapped her arms around her knees as she listened to me. “Go on, I’m following. There are three of them, though?”
I shook my head, then realized that she probably could not see the gesture in the dark. “No. There is only one Fate. People got it confused through the ages. Like they did with Samael, and I. We are supposed to be one and the same, yet we are vastly different.” She nodded, catching on quickly, as I knew she would.
“Fate has a hand in everyone’s life, but she is not omnipotent, nor is she Divine. She likes to think that she is, but she is not. Human beings were given free will. Fate can only influence so much.”
“She sounds like a charmer.” She cocked her head, listening for her father to settle in for the night. “I think my dad’s taking a shower.”
“I should go so you can rest. We can finish this conversation later.”
“Ok.” She sounded uncertain, and very young suddenly. I wondered if the enormity of everything I had shown her had caught up with her yet. She was young, and she was still mostly human; I had done her a grave disservice. I could not stop what was coming for her. However, I could prepare her for it.
She nodded. “Um, Asher… thanks for helping me.”
“It was my pleasure. I will stay close to you. Sleep well, Isabel.” I cupped her cheek and ran my thumb across her lips, then disappeared between one sharply indrawn breath and the next.
Chapter 13…Izzy
Pale sunlight streamed into my bedroom from the gap in the curtains. Jazzy liked to sit in the windowsill, but she never put the curtains back the way she’d found them. I cracked a bleary eye; sure enough she was bird watching again. Her fluffy white tail swished back and forth, back and forth, ever vigilant. She could keep herself entertained for hours like that, if she thought I wasn’t awake. The minute she sensed life in me, however, she would be on top of me, meowing loudly and demanding food. Claws were usually involved.
Pins and needles shot up my arm as I stretched. Must have slept on it in an awkward position. I rolled over and massaged it with my free hand. I started to tell Jazzy good morning, right about the same time my eyes fell on the enormous, almost-black feather lying on my nightstand. It was charcoal in color and about a foot long. Holy. Shit. The whole evening came rushing back to me. He was real. He was Asher. He was Death. And I was seriously in over my head. He had to have sneaked back in, and put it there for me to find. That was an unsettling thought. I hoped I hadn’t been snoring in my sleep, or God forbid, drooling.
I sat up too quickly, and the room spun. No wonder, after the night I’d had. I grabbed the feather and tucked in into my nightstand drawer quickly, before my dad saw it, and asked questions. The chance of him going through my room was slim, but the way my luck was running it wasn’t a total impossibility. I really didn’t have an explanation for it that wouldn’t make me sound like a crazy person. I had a headache starting, and knew better than to let it run its course; I’d have a full-blown migraine by lunch if I weren’t careful. I disentangled myself from my covers and took off for my bathroom. I found a bottle of Excedrin in the medicine cabinet. Perfect. The cure for all that ailed me; except maybe for the Angel of Death who was sort of stalking me.
Jazzy met me at the foot of the bed and nudged her head against the back of my leg, demanding her breakfast. I popped the top on the bottle I held and swallowed two pills dry, then I picked up my kitty. She put her paws on my shoulder and commenced to love on me all the way down the stairs. There is nothing more loving than a hungry cat. Nothing. Once she got what she wanted, however, she would be done with me for the rest of the morning. There is also nothing so fickle as the love of a kitty with a full stomach.
After I got Jazzy squared away and happily fed, I decided to start breakfast for the rest of us. I liked to cook; it gave me time to think, and I had a lot to mull over. A big breakfast was definitely in order. I made scrambled eggs, pancakes, and bacon with a side of biscuits and gravy. My dad liked coffee in the morning, and the smell would probably get him out of bed faster than anything. He’d been dragging the past few days. Thanks to Asher, I now knew that was probably because of me and my freaky new talents. I felt like some kind of vampire, or worse, a leech. I had to learn how to control it, before I hurt someone. Well, more than I already had.
Wings of Darkness: Book 1 of The Immortal Sorrows Series Page 10
