Deadly Kisses (8 page)

“We have to convince him. I won’t let him take you!”

Bee reached over and turned on the radio. She turned up the volume.

I was inches from her ear and only the seat held her away from me. “It will be okay, Bee, I promise. I’m expert at making it quick and painless. I just have to figure out a way to get our souls in their right places first. I have a suspicion it’s because of what you do.”

She stiffened. “And what do I do?”

“What did he say?” The crease on Jaleb’s forehead rivaled the Grand Canyon.

“Jaleb, watch the road.” The car swerved back, and she lurched forward. I prevented her from hitting the dashboard and left my arm wrapped around her.

“Sorry.” Jaleb turned down the radio. “What did he say? What do you do?”

“Ad said he is good at making death painless.”

“Oh, that’s reassuring. How about we try it on him again?” Jaleb scowled.

“Boys! This is my night! I’ll do what I want and when I want. Neither of you will interfere. Got it?”

After some mumbling and grumbling we both agreed, but her brother had to get in the final word.

“I just need to know. Why you, Bee?”

I let out a breath. “Even Grim Reapers have a boss. I don’t know how they decide. All I know is that I get a text with a name and information. Then the timer on my phone is remotely set off. I have seven days to track down a person, create their death, collect their soul, and deliver it.”

She repeated it word for word to Jaleb.

“How does one become a Grim Reaper?” Jaleb asked, gripping the steering wheel so hard I could see the white of his knuckles in the dark.

I stayed quiet.

“Don’t you owe me my question? It’s not like we’re killing you for information. Sheesh.” Bee huffed.

I snarled. “You have to be heading to Heaven and then you have to refuse to die and keep your regret.”

She repeated it word for word. “So what were you talking about before? What can I do that is different from everyone else?”

Her brother looked at the confusion on her face. He was quick to watch the road.

“You give off sparks of life and heal things. You brought the lizard back from being almost dead, the bird, and me. I look like I did when I was human. I couldn’t scare anyone if I wanted to now, but I’m not complaining. I like having skin again.”

“That’s insane! I didn’t bring anything back to life. I save the animals by helping them.”

“Insane all right,” I said.

“What’s insane?” Jaleb asked.

“Ad thinks I can bring things back to life. That’s crazy!”

“Come on. No one can bring things back from death,” Jaleb sneered.

“You can, Bee, and you know it. It’s not as strong with Jaleb but his aura is an intense white energy I’ve never seen before. I assume he’s like you.”

“Ad thinks I can, and so can you to a point.”

“Bet that’s why he is following you around. He’s probably already told all his death friends. They’re going to come and draw life from you or some freaky deaky thing like that.”

I froze and my hand slipped from her. My stomach twisted and I breathed deep smelling pine from the green tree that hung from the rear view mirror.

“Ad?”

“Ad, is it true?”

Jaleb’s truck pulled into the busy parking lot. Motorcycles lined up next to the door where a large bald man in leather stood. Bee stared at the shiny line of bikes, smiling. Jaleb parked in the dirt under a tree.

I wished Bee could have done something else tonight, but I knew there was no stopping her. Just like Sabrina and me, she couldn’t resist good music.

The truck door creaked when she opened it for me. “I can’t wait.” She clapped and jumped. “This is going to be so much fun. I’m forgetting about everything that has happened the past two days and we are going to P-A-R-T-Y!”

Jaleb slammed his door and walked around the truck. This place would be crawling with Reapers just waiting on the sidelines for a fight to break out.

My anger flared when a guy older than Bee walked by and whistled. Jaleb barked at him, and the guy walked the other way.

“This is what Reina would call a hole in the wall,” I said.

“Who’s Reina?” Bee blurted out, concern in her voice and unexplained jealousy in her soul. I don’t know why, but Bee seemed to like me a little too much for her own good.

“She’s another Grim Reaper. She seems to be around every corner stalking me.”

“Well, you’re my Reaper for now, so she better back off. I don’t need two of you following me around.”

“Would you stop talking to him like he’s visible? People are staring at you. And stop calling him yours when he wants to kill you.” Jaleb fisted his hands.

“Sorry. I’m trying, but the more he’s around the more I feel him in me and the more I’m drawn to him. He was going to kiss me. I sat there and urged him on.”

“He what? I’m going to kill his bony little . . .”

“Now you’re the one who is making a scene. Chill, would you. Your shirt looks really good on me by the way. I think you should consider just giving it to me.”

He laughed. “I got that at the Linkin Park concert . . . don’t do that look . . . oh fine. Have it!”

The crowds increased as we got closer to the door. My muscles became rigor mortis stiff when someone touched me. The feel of them sent my pulse racing to marathon speed. I hated crowds. My mouth twitched at the sounds of the manic shouts coming from inside.

I could just wait outside until the show was over. That is what I would have done before Bee. Now my judgment was clouded. It was the warm little soul nestled deep inside me that brought light to my dark immortality and a Sweet Tart and vanilla taste to my mouth.

“I can’t believe we’re going to see the Mad Dogs. How in the world did you score tickets last minute?” Bee was standing on her tippy toes, trying to look inside.

“I have a knack for obtaining the impossible.” Jaleb relaxed the closer we got to the door.

“It’s a good thing, because I would haunt you for the rest of your life if we couldn’t do something fun.” She laughed and I laughed too, because I was sure she wasn’t joking—at all.

“That’s a scary thought. You would probably call the animals in the woods. I would be surrounded by critters, but I guess Mom and Dad wouldn’t go hungry.” She smacked him in the arm and he yelped like a girl. So much for the tough guy in the ripped jeans and Pink Floyd t-shirt.

I started to hyperventilate when we finally got into the dingy club. We had to push through bodies to move. My chest felt like it was in a vice because the next thing worse than ascending was hordes of people.

“Have fun, sis. I’ll meet you by the edge of the bar when the show starts.” It still looked like the Mad Dogs let anybody do anything at their shows.

The cover band was on stage playing. Bee watched, dancing in place. It wasn’t long before some punkie kid with an electric blue Mohawk joined her. I tried to stay close to her but the crowd made me crazy. Bee danced in every direction.

I panicked when people blocked my view and I could no longer see her. “Bee. Bee!” She didn’t hear me. I could feel her letting loose with the music. She went fuzzy and my heart squeezed tight. “Bee!”

A hand tapped my shoulder. I turned around with my scythe ready to defend.

“Calm down. It’s me. You know, Reina, the one you blew off. What’s got you looking like a basket case, Mr. Tough Guy?”

“Not now, Reina. I lost my assignment, and I’m trying to find her.” At the bar, a kid threw popcorn at a girl with curly brown hair. Further down, a guy had a girl in an arm lock with their lips fused together. Damn it to hell! Bee was nowhere in sight.

I backed up until I was in the corner of the room and away from the crowd. The warm had faded and I needed it back. Thick air threatened to suffocate me. I jumped when Reina touched me and made an attempt to force air into my lungs.

“Do you know how much easier it would be if you learned to materialize? Stay here. I’ll go find her while you snap out of your panic attack. I can see why you avoid the crowds.”

Reina walked a step and I grabbed her arm. “She’s mine, Reina, don’t touch her.”

“What’s with you, Ad? You’re even more pleasant than usual.” She looked down at the hand with pink fresh skin and gasped. Her eyes were wide and she lifted my hood to stare into my eyes. “What have you done and where can I get a skin job like that?”

“You can’t, and I’m in a bit of trouble.” I let go and quickly slid my hand in my cloak so she would stop staring. “Abe can’t help me either.” Reina tried to get another glimpse. A devious smile played at the corner of her mouth.

“You should be figuring out the problem, instead of letting your assignment run amuck. Don’t worry. Abe sent me her profile just in case you needed help.”

“Don’t touch her, Reina. She’s mine. Whatever you do, don’t tell anyone else about this,” I waved my hand then quickly tucked it into my cloak again.

Reina turned and stared. “You’re not acting like a Grim Reaper but a love sick puppy dog. Just reap her already so you can stay to walk this plane. The flashbacks of your death will fade after the test.”

“I can’t complete the reap. When I went to collect her soul she scared me to death and part of my soul is trapped within her.” I had to tell someone. If Abe couldn’t help maybe Reina could.

“What are you talking about? She scared you? The tall, scary Reaper who torments their assignments with silence?” A high pitched sound came out of her and shattered a glass that sat on an empty table.

“Like you really comfort and explain every detail with all your assignments?” Somehow I couldn’t picture that happening while the poor person sat in her pink gondola.

“Yes, I do. I do everything Abe taught me. I’m only scary when it’s time to collect and not because I try to be, but because I’m a freakin’ Grim Reaper. I’ve had people wake up and scare me, but I’ve never lost my soul inside someone else before. That’s unheard of.”

I hoped Reina knew something that could help me. “You’re way older than me. What should I do?”

“Let me get the girl. I’ll bring her to you and then I’ll go to the Grim City archives to investigate.” The band started to play and the crowd roared and made their way to the stage.

“I hope I can trust you Reina, because my existence is in jeopardy.”

“I don’t throw myself at just any guy for a date. I like you. Think about it.” Reina tugged at the collar of my cloak and moved her body close to mine. It wasn’t soft like Bee’s and her ribs hurt against mine. She kissed the corner of my mouth before I could react.

A frigid gust came through the door and swept through the club. Reina pulled away from me and looked in that direction. She spit out profanities like the drummer in my band broke drumsticks. Three Grim Reapers walked in, pushing people aside. I looked away frantic to find Bee. Reina materialized.

The drummer of Mad Dogs started a solo. I coughed on the smell of sweat, leather, and sour beer. I had to find Bee and couldn’t risk waiting for Reina. I hated crowds unless I was the one front and center. That’s it. I moved toward the stage. I would have a better view from up there.

I walked the edge of the bar trying to keep track of where the ancient looking Reapers were when I heard Reina’s cackle laugh. Bee’s soul was angry and in a raging fire.

I finally saw Reina holding Bee near the door to the bathroom. She had Bee’s arm twisted around to her back.

Bee’s eyes were wide. I ran toward them.

“Let her go, Reina! What part of don’t touch didn’t you understand!” Bee ran behind me and buried her face in my cloak. Her soul knitted into mine, rolling through me like a Hawaiian wave.

“You have her back, don’t you?” She peeked around trying to see Bee. “Hey babe, thanks for the skin. I’m so getting a manicure!”

“Keep her away from me. She’s psycho!” Bee clutched the cloak, threatening to rip it off. “I thought she was going to break my arm. All I did was touch her and skin grew back.”

I growled at Reina like a dog after meat. “You’ve helped enough for one night. Why don’t you go report to Abe or something?” I had been afraid this would happen. I couldn’t get mad at Reina because I might have done the same thing to feel alive again.

Reina’s eyes illuminated anger and she stiffened her back. “I wasn’t really going to hurt her. I don’t think you’re in a position to argue my tactics. I’ve been a Reaper for twenty years and am still under a mentor. It takes centuries to know exactly what you’re doing, and even then comes a situation where rules don’t apply.”

Reina cocked an eyebrow and nodded her head to where the old Reapers sat. “Tell me why three of the Ancients would come together to see a rock band perform?”

I was listening now. It was only the third time I had seen a glimpse of an Ancient Grim Reaper. “What’s going on, Reina? Do you know something?”

I was royally pissed off that Bee’s night was ruined. I didn’t even care anymore that she’d danced with Mohawk guy.

“Keep her away. She tried to claw me,” Bee whimpered.

Reina put her hand on her hip. “Well, you were all over that guy. He would have felt you up if you kept at it. I mean look at the outfit. It says come and get me! I can give you a lesson on how to kiss. Just ask Ad.” Reina pointed to me.

Bee’s shaking turned to pure anger. Cripes, she was going to try to hurt Reina. Over me? I twisted my arm to my back and held Bee to me.

“It doesn’t say come and get me. I’m just having fun,” Bee said, her face coming just below my shoulder. “If I’m going to die, I want to die happy. Yeah, I’m having fun dancing with a guy before I let this one drag me to my death. Then you can watch while I have my mouth and hands all over Ad, without fear it will kill me! Take that!”

“Bee, calm down. She’s messing with you. Reina, take you and your red boots and back up before she hits you.”

The music stopped, and the lead singer took the microphone. His hair hung in his eyes, wet with sweat. He spoke low into the microphone. The crowd became quiet. He kicked the wire and stepped closer to the mic. “This one goes to a dear friend.” He bunched his hand except two fingers and kissed it before raising it into the air. “This is a song he wrote. May he rest in peace.”