Deadly Kisses (20 page)

I caught Bee as she collapsed. Grim Reapers started to charge with their hands reaching out for her. I picked up Bee, looking for an exit.

Ivar raised his scythe and slammed it to the ground, sending stones vibrating. The Grim Reapers stopped, looking to him.

I looked to Jaleb, his mouth gaped open.

The crowd backed up, one step at a time. “Feel the young Reaper. He is bound to me. One hand.” Ivar turned and dragged a Reaper from the shadows. He held something to his throat. The crowd inhaled together and could have created a vacuum. “Now enjoy the party.”

Ivar came to us. “All you have to do is threaten their boss and they scatter like rats in the sewer running from water. Stick with us, kid, and you’ll achieve great things. When we summon you, bring the Flynt you choose to reap.” He walked away.

“Is she okay, Aiden? You’re connected to her, right? Feel her. She’s not gonna . . . oh God!” Jaleb bit at his bottom lip.

“She only passed out. Her aura is flickering, but it’s recovering and getting bright.”

“Damn, this is messed up. I can’t believe you didn’t ascend for this.” Jaleb furrowed his eyebrows with his lips in an angry line.

I gave him a dark look because he was choosing the same fate. I looked back to Bee.

“Don’t you put those lips on her, man. We had a deal.”

“I’m not. I had no idea about this part. I was happy being a Grim Reaper for the past two years. I did what I wanted, had a boss that texted me, a job I liked, and then they wanted to test me using Bee. It all went downhill from there. So give me a break.”

“Okay, sorry you’re right. You’re doing your best. Let’s just keep her alive. Once I become a Grim Reaper like you we’ll find a way to rid the Ancient scums. It seems like you destroy the boss, you destroy the Reaperlings. Look at the way they responded when bone head dragged that Reaper to the stage. We’ve become nonexistent and they’re leaving us alone.”

“I think you’re right.”

Bee moaned and her eyes fluttered. “Bee, open your eyes. I’m here and so is Jaleb. You’re okay. It took a lot of energy to heal an Ancient Grim Reaper. You’ll feel better once you have some sugar, and Jaleb brought your favorite jellybean flavor.”

Jaleb put his hand on my shoulder. “For what it’s worth I’m sorry you will lose her again. I’ll always regret keeping you two apart.”

“That’s good Jaleb, keep that regret flowing,” I whispered.

“What are you two whispering about?” Bee had her eyes open and her lips were in a pout.

Jaleb put a handful of jellybeans in her hand. “Nothing.”

“Run through our situation, Aiden.” She curled in my lap, putting all of the jellybeans into her mouth.

“Well, I bargained with Ivar to keep one of you alive. We need to destroy Ivar, and find Kessler Flynt. And I’m about to sentence one of you to the same fate that awaits me with bone head.” I sighed, “Who says you float on clouds in your afterlife?”

Bee stood up, hunched over because the cavern was small. “I’m not waiting around for Ivar to call Aiden’s name and for us to be reaped.”

Jaleb immediately went to her side. “Let’s go.” He ran his hands through his hair, looking into the woods for an escape route.

Jaleb stuck out like the color yellow in a sea of black, thanks to his clothes. He was one of the few who wasn’t wearing a cloak. I warned him not to wear the t-shirt just because there was a skull on it.

I followed, but stayed behind as they walked the outer edge of the stone wall. I hung my head down. I was an utter failure. They were expecting me to fix this and to make another bargain, saving them. But there were no more deals to make to save both of them because I had nothing left to bargain with.

“Your wardrobe is drab, Aiden, and this cloak is too long.” Bee stumbled on the cloak again. The heavy fabric hid her figure, and the hood draped down her back. “Aiden, you hear me?”

“Yes. I can’t help being a giant.” I smiled at her and she frowned.

“I’m going to miss you but not this awful cloak. Jaleb, you have a Swiss on you? I need to make an adjustment so I can run easier.”

He pulled the red pocket knife out of his pocket, handing it to her. Bee took the knife to the cloak, cutting around the bottom. She threw the strip of cut fabric over the stone wall and looked down to see her handy work. It was to her knees, exposing worn jeans underneath.

We continued to walk near the wall, stepping over tumbled stones and avoiding stares of the swarm of Grim Reapers. They gulped down firewater, dancing to the music. They were all, Ivar’s minions. We were surrounded.

I saw Reina make an entrance near the flat stone. A human followed her. Adrenaline rushed through me at the sight of her betrayal. She was going to reap a soul that was not from the List of Death. She was in on it with Ivar.

I stormed toward her, pushing other Grim Reapers to the side. They were all dazed now from the firewater, ignoring my shoves.

“Reina, what are you doing? What’s this?” I pointed to the muscled guy standing behind her.

“Don’t act so surprised Mr. Perfect. I help Abe, nothing more. But Ivar is who I take orders from.”

I grabbed her arm, putting my face in hers. “Why pretend to help me then? I don’t get it.” Reina’s eyes lingered on my lips.

Bee’s anger flared to life, and I was pissed. It was a dangerous combination.

“You make all guys seem dumb. I’m an insider for Ivar. A. Spy. I only helped you because Ivar guaranteed you would be working for us, and you’re really cute.” Reina circled me in a dance, stroking the front of my cloak. “I know who you’ll choose tonight and it won’t be her because she can’t give you what you need.”

“Reina, stop saying stuff like that. Remember what I said about asking for trouble?”

Reina put her hands on my face. She inched closer to me, her hips pushing against mine. Anger in Bee’s soul exploded when she kissed me straight on the mouth.

When Reina pulled away, I saw the panic in her eyes. She held my gaze until I acknowledged her plea.

I clutched her arm, putting my mouth to her ear. “Get through tonight and I’ll help you. Hang in there.
Don’t
let them see how scared you are. Does Ivar know we’re friends?”

She shook her head.

“Good, let’s keep it that way.” I let go of Reina’s arm.

I pretended to be angry at the fake show.

Her human was motionless watching the altercation. The crowd of Grim Reapers took notice, walking down the paths and jumping over stone walls. They began to surround us, cheering, like we were having a fight in the hall of school.

Before Reina could walk away, Bee pushed Jaleb, lunging on top of Reina. I tried pulling her off Reina with one hand. That’s when Bee took my scythe. Its power rolled through her. My hair rose from the electricity.

“I’m going to kill you,” Bee said in a straight, even voice.

Reina laughed. “You don’t know how to use a scythe. You’re an innocent little girl.”

The crowd of Grim Reapers became louder.

It was Reina’s biggest mistake, underestimating Bee. She took control of the scythe, aiming it at Reina. Reina jumped, giving a high-pitched squeal.

“Bee stop! Don’t do that! Give me back the scythe,” I commanded.

Ivar came to us. He wore a long fur cape. He had a broad chest that stretched his shirt. He was the only Grim Reaper that had taken his cloak off, but his choice of clothes was severely outdated to the Viking days. “Let’s save the cat fight for Abraham and his misfits.”

Ivar snapped his head to me. “Control your charges, or they will be locked up until reaping time.”

Ivar said to Bee, “Child, use your God-given sight and look what awaits you in the woods if you escape. It would be a waste of talent if the Demons killed you because you’re such a pretty little thing.” He took a strand of Bee’s hair in his hand. When he let go, Bee hid behind me and her body shook.

Ivar walked away irritated, flanked by Reina and her human.

When they were out of hearing range, Jaleb took Bee by the shoulders and shook her. “Are you crazy going after her like that? I don’t want you killed, Beatrice!”

“Why are you sticking up for Reina? You see what she’s doing, right?” she fired at me.

“It was a ploy. Feel out my emotions because I can’t say more with all Ivar’s Reaperling’s around us.”

Jaleb put his hand to his forehead, rubbing. “I need more of Marlin’s herbs.”

Bee squeezed Jaleb’s shoulder. “Sorry. I lost my temper. I don’t know what I was thinking. Now isn’t the time.”

“You scared the crap out of me. I need you in one piece. I need you to go back home. Mom and Dad are going to need you. You’re going to have to explain to them that the family is in danger because they’re going to completely freak out.”

“
You
can’t die!” Bee wailed.

“I know, and I’m sorry.” Beads of sweat formed on his head, dribbling down. His death fever was getting worse.

“Come on you two, looks like we’re trapped here. Ivar has this place surrounded by lesser demons.” My shoulders slumped, feeling the weight of the world.

The demons eyes blazed red through the trees and lined the stone walls in all directions.

Bee saw them too, shuddering. “Good thing we didn’t try to go out that way.”

“So, we sit and reminisce by the fire and wait?” Jaleb stumbled, weak, quickly getting his footing.

“Yes.” I couldn’t look him in the eyes. “There’ll be no more bargains.”

We continued walking along the stone wall to find a quiet place. Bee clutched my arm when we passed the stone table. I rubbed my thumb in circular motions over her hand and my pulse responded. The music boomed as the Grim Reapers swallowed down firewater.

I pointed to a larger chamber going into the ground. The entrance was built up with stone into a square. Its height was high enough to see everything that was going on at Stonehenge. A large boulder sat in front of the entrance. It was easy to climb up, to get on top of the ledge.

“Let me help you up.” I gently lifted Bee onto the boulder. She swung her leg up, crawling to the top. Jaleb followed. His long legs swung up effortlessly. I walked around the structure as my eyes caught a glimmer of white on the ground.

“Aiden! Aiden!” Bee said, in a loud whisper.

“I’m right here. I’m coming!” I couldn’t run fast enough. “You miss me already?”

I hopped up onto the rock, bouncing from one to the next, until I stood in front of her. I knelt down, holding out a couple of frozen daisies. “For you, my beautiful lady.”

Bee breathed a hot breath onto the flowers. The flower petals uncurled, extending to their former spring glory. A slight fragrance tickled my nose. Even in this drab place full of stone there was small beauty. It gave me hope that things would work out.

I took the daises, tucking them over her ear into her hair. “You’re one of a kind.”

“I’m cold,” Bee said, bringing her knees to her chest and pulling the long sleeves of the cloak down to cover her hands.

“Me too.” Jaleb moved closer to us, the warmth bouncing between us. I moved behind Bee so my legs wrapped around her waist. She cursed the cloak, pulling it up until she was nestled between me, warm and safe.

I rested my chin on her shoulder, my hair soft on her cheek. Our souls merged together, swimming in a pool of endless bliss. I closed my eyes, pretending to be anywhere but in Salem, New Hampshire.

The nineteen-year-old wearing a Red Sox cap said, “Gary.”

“You’re going to die. Will you keep in your mind the regret from gambling your single mother’s house away, forcing her to foreclose, and becoming homeless because of your habits? If yes, then you will bond to Erik and I and serve us for the will of the Dark Lord. If no, the Dark Lord will make you his pet to torture for eternity.” Ivar guffawed to Erik. “Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Rumbles of laughter swept the crowd.

“Yes,” he said, shaking.

Erik yielded his scythe. He slashed into the boy’s chest, dragging it down his chest. He slashed two more lines, making an “I
,
” marking him. Blood drained out in a torrent. His skin went from golden brown to yellow to stark white. Then he kissed him, sucking out his soul. Tendrils of black energy reached out, binding them together. They tossed Gary on the stone table to wait.

Bee sniffled. Jaleb crawled to the edge of the rock, dry heaving.

“I promise that won’t happen to Jaleb, Bee. I don’t mark anyone as property using my scythe. Ever! That’s just sick.”

“Why them?” Jaleb stared. “I thought they had to walk the straight line.”

“Ivar is choosing humans with lesser offenses. The guy doesn’t know he’s being played. Then once poor Gary chooses to hold his regret, he awakens as one of us.”

Gary opened his eyes, sitting up. The wound stopped bleeding, but would never heal. He stood, the crowd cheered. Sick bastards! They placed a cloak over him. Erik led him away to be fitted with a scythe, phone, and a rig.