by Jen L. Grey
“Look.” Charlie lets out a breath and glances down. “I know I’ve been really hard on you about...” He drops the front two legs of the chair back on the floor and shifts. “About Beth. I’ve blamed you for things…” He rubs his hands over his face. “Okay, I’m not ready yet, but I’ve been a jackass and I know it. But that person you reaped tonight?”
Whoa, was he almost about to semi-apologize. It kinda almost sounded like he was going to, but hell, you never know with him. “Yeah, what about him?”
“Well.” He leans forward and puts his forearms on the table, lowering his voice. “He might have been able to bring Beth back.”
“What?” I cover my mouth with my hands at the same time the lady at the table closest to us looks my way.
“Shh,” he glares at me.
I lower my tone and lean closer to him. “That’s impossible.”
“Rumor has it you can bring people back from the dead, too.” He says the statement calm and straightforward.
However, when I meet his eyes, I can see the questions in them. I lick my lips. “Yes. It’s true.”
His eyes widen. “Then why haven’t you brought her back yet?”
“Well, for one, I freaked out.” Doesn’t he know I ask myself these same questions every day? One reason I can’t let her go and cling to her like she’s my buoy. “And two, there were so many people around, including my parents, and I’ve never done that before. I didn’t know for sure that I could until two days ago.”
“Then why is it impossible for someone else to do it?” He leans forward, forehead creased.
“If the soul gets too far into their realm, it’s hard to pull them back.” I take another sip of my coffee but don’t even taste the sweetness. This whole conversation has ruined it. “It just happens.”
“He had a way.” He puts distance between us again and glances around. “I was going to find a way to bring her back. If you have a way, others can have different methods as well.”
I hate to admit it, but he does have a point there. I can’t be the sole person or supernatural in the world who can bring people back from death. Can I?
“Look, as you obviously know, I’m in a ton a trouble with the council.” And that is me downplaying it, but I’m not going to focus on semantics right now. “I messed up, and in order for me to protect my family, I have to find the earth crystal and three other special artifacts after that.”
“So why are you over here reaping random people that shouldn’t be targets?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Because how I find things is blocked.” Another cold chill wracks my body.
“What are you talking about?” He rubs his chin.
At this point, all my little secrets are coming out. “I can find things by picturing them in my mind. Except for this crystal. Only darkness shrouds it. It’s blocked.”
He grimaces. “I guess this is where everything makes sense?”
“Not sure if it makes sense, but it explains it.” I close my eyes for a moment and steady myself. “I had to find a way to unblock it. So, I made a deal with a demon. I have to reap three souls, and he’ll unblock it so I can find what I need to settle my score with the council.”
“Was she worth it?” His tone is laced with bitterness.
What a jackass. “Do you know who she looks like?”
“Huh?” His eyebrows furrow.
“The girl I saved.” I speak slow so he can process it. “She’s the spitting image of Beth.” I cover my face with my hands. “Do you know what it’s like to live with the blame every day?”
“Christina…” His voice is soft.
I hold up a hand and glare. “No, listen. I have felt responsible for Beth’s death since that night. I shouldn’t have let her talk me into going. I should have listened to my gut. All these I shoulds.”
He narrows his eyes.
My hands shake, and I take another sip of my drink needing just a moment. “So, when I saw my target, who looked exactly like Beth, die in front of me, I couldn’t handle it. It was like watching Beth die all over again. I didn’t know if it would work, but I knew I had to try. No one else was around. My parents weren’t there to stop me.” My vision stings with tears, and I wipe one away that trickles down my cheek. “I saved her because of Beth.”
Charlie’s face is blank.
“And then my power was blocked. I couldn’t find the crystal, and I felt like I was suffocating.” I let out a shaky breath.
He licks his lips and looks out the cafe window. “We’re going to find a way to save her.”
Could we? I never thought about that possibility, but could we bring Beth back? To think I could have my best friend back with me is intoxicating. Maybe there is a way. “After this, I am willing to help find a way.”
His eyes meet mine. “Really?”
“Of course.” I would give anything to have her here with me again. “She’s my best friend.”
“You know what?” He scratches the back of his head and blows out his mouth. “I might regret this, but let’s team up. I’ll help you get what you need, and while we’re doing this, we’ll hunt for ways to bring Beth back. But we can’t let the council know I’m involved.”
Is this a good idea? I don’t know if I trust him, but he does want his sister back as much as I do. And finding these artifacts will put us in contact with the correct people who will know if there is a way to do this. “Okay, I’m in.”
Fire and brimstone fill my nose, and I glance at Charlie and put a finger to my lips.
“What?” he whispers when Damien steps out from dark hallway behind us.
His black inkiness is on full display, and he glances at Charlie then me. “Christina, may I have a word?”
20
Charlie stiffens and his fists clench. “You can join us.”
That wouldn’t go well. Damien is the reason he’s lost hope of getting Beth back again, so I’m sure he’s looking for a fight. “Just give me a second.”
Damien smirks and nods. Then he heads out the front door.
After the door shuts, I get to my feet. “I’ll be right back.”
A hand grabs mine, and I startle when it sinks in that it’s Charlie.
His hazel eyes soften and he leans in a little. “I don’t like this.”
Whoa, is he concerned about me? That can’t be, right? I have to be misreading this whole situation. I pull my hand away and stick it in my pocket, because, let’s be real, this is awkward. “Well, I do have to get my second target, so I have to talk to him.”
He jerks his hand back and wipes it on his pants legs. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
What are we, twelve? Does he still think girls have cooties? I swear, this guy has always driven me insane. Needing to get distance, I begin to walk out.
“Hey,” Charlie calls after me.
The last thing I want to do is turn around, but we have somewhat of a truce going on so I guess I better. I got this. I turn around and find him holding out my cup. “Don’t forget this. I’d hate for it to go to waste.”
I close the distance between us and grab the cup. “How long do you think I’m going to be out there?”
He shrugs. “Not long, but I figure if he does anything suspect you can at least throw it in his eyes.”
A lady-like snort escapes me. “Oh, yes. I’m sure the coffee will really bother a demon that comes from Hell.”
“Hey, it’s a distraction no matter where he comes from.” He lowers his face and stares into my eyes.
Not wanting to fight over something so stupid, I take a large sip of my drink. “I guess if you consider a fly a distraction.” I turn and head out the door, not wanting to deal with anything else at the moment with Charlie. I glance around and find Damien leaned up against the building several feet away from all the people.
His arms are crossed and his muscles are bulging. A few girls are staring at him from several feet away.
It’s crazy. Demons are not bad looking, but their app
earance isn’t what truly gets them their attention. If you pay attention to them, you can see the darkness surrounding them. It’s easier for me because I’m another supernatural. However, humans don’t see that because they focus in on the dark, seductive, sinful allure that pours out of them for being what they are. However, I can’t see past what he is. “What’s up?”
“Oh, you finally made it.” His blue eyes flash, and he tilts his head to the side. “I didn’t know if your boyfriend was going to let you leave.”
“Did you hit your head in our short time apart?” I rise on my tiptoes, looking for signs of injury. Charlie has hated me with all his being, so for someone to think otherwise means there is a screw loose somewhere.
“No, stop being stupid.” Damien scowls at me.
“I’m not.” I take a step back. “But, by you thinking there was a chance he was my boyfriend, I’m rethinking how smart you really are.”
“That’s the thing, little reaper.” He drops his hands and smiles as he bites his bottom lip. “I do know a lot. A lot more than you do. And there is one thing I’m willing to share. If you think that boy,” he points back to the coffee shop, “hates you, you have another thing coming. However, he’s so confused by what he’s feeling, he doesn’t understand it yet.”
This whole conversation is pointless so it’s time to let it drop. I don’t have the energy to keep arguing, and to be honest, I still don’t feel great. If reaping one soul took that much out of me, how in the world am I supposed to do two more? My pulse speeds up, but I take deep, calming breaths. I have to take this one person at a time. I can’t jump two ahead. “So, the guy I just reaped. What did he do?”
His relaxed posture tenses a bit. “What is our agreement?”
“I know, but…” How do I get out of this? I take a sip of my coffee, trying to buy some time. “Well, it just seemed like he knew something was off.”
“It doesn’t matter.” He stares out into the crowd of people. “A deal’s a deal… unless you’re trying to renege.”
“No.” I shake my head. “No, I’m not. I just thought.” I sigh. What did I think? “How is Becca?”
“She’s fine.” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his cell phone. “She’s actually visiting with her family now for a few minutes. She needed to see them, but I told her to meet them out and to not stay with them long yet. We don’t need to push anything until she’s off the council’s radar.”
Good. She was upset and needed to be around them even if it’s just for a short while. “Well, I’m glad she’s getting to see them.”
After tapping on his phone for a few minutes, he hands it over to me. “Here is your next target.”
I take the phone and see a picture of a name written down on a post-it note.
Randy Johnson
I close my eyes and clear my mind. A younger guy that appears to be in his early thirties comes to mind. He’s wearing boxing gloves and is adjusting a mouthpiece. When I pull back, it appears he’s at a gym sparring with someone. I open my eyes and the demon is studying me.
“Where do you see him?” He takes the phone from me and puts it back in his pocket.
It almost seems as if it’s a test. “He’s at a gym just a couple of blocks over.”
He nods and straightens up. “Then I guess my time here is done.” Then he disappears from sight.
Must be nice to be able to do that whenever you want. I hate that I’m limited to doing it when I’m on an assigned job. I take my last sip of coffee and throw it in the garbage can a few feet away.
Within a few minutes, Charlie is walking out the door, joining me outside. “Did you get the next target?”
“Yeah. I doubt he would leave otherwise.”
“True.” He snorts. “Please tell me they’re close by.”
“Believe it or not, they are.” I point to the right, past the donut truck he had been standing in line at earlier. “He’s just a couple of blocks that way.”
Charlie claps his hands. “Okay, let’s get moving.”
I wish I was that enthusiastic, but I’m still chilled and off kilter from my last reaping. I take a step heading in that direction when I stumble. I reach out to the wall and catch myself before I fall.
“Are you okay?” He’s leaning toward me, scratching the back of his neck.
My insides feel as if they are at war with one another. So, I’m not, but I don’t want to explain this to him. “Just been a long couple of days. I’m fine. Let’s go.” I take off before he can ask any more questions.
We turn down a few roads and, before long, we’re standing outside of the gym. It’s dark and the streetlights are now on. What kind of knucklehead wants to work out at this time of night? I do my best to not work out at all.
There is a section of trees to the left of the gym where there is an isolated walkway. We head over there so we can blend in with the night and wait for Randy.
As soon as we get situated by the trees, my target walks out of the gym. He is still drenched in sweat from his sparring and dressed in a wife beater and shorts with a backpack slung over a shoulder. He heads to our area and soon stumbles right upon us. He smiles as he walks by. “Oh, hey there. You guys have a nice night.”
My stomach drops. This guy seems like a nice one. I don’t know if I can do it. My power is even revolting more at the thought.
Charlie grabs my arm and shakes it. “What the hell are you doing?” His tone is low and menacing. “This is for your parents and Beth.”
Shit, he’s right. What am I doing? I rub my hands down my face. I have to get myself together. I chase after Randy, and when I get within a few steps of him, I push my power to spin.
It sputters, and I force it even harder. It begins to move at a very slow pace, but I can’t let him get much further. He’s almost out of the park-type area and there are more people.
I close the distance between us and place my hands on his back. I try to churn it faster, but it’s still only moving at a small, circular pace. It’s not enough suction to remove the soul from the body.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Randy’s tone is raw anger.
21
When he turns around, he grabs my arm and pushes it away from him. But he stops short when he sees me then looks me up and down. A boyish grin crosses his face. “Hey there, gorgeous.” He reaches for my arm again.
I take a step back.
“Look, I’m sorry.” He raises both hands up. “I didn’t mean to scare you. How ‘bout I make it up to you? There’s a bar close by. Maybe I can get you a drink?”
Am I crazy or is he hitting on me? I have to hold back a laugh. The person I’m here to kill is asking if they can buy me a drink. “No, I think I should call it an early night.”
His face morphs into a solemn expression and his jaw clenches. “Then why the hell were you touching me?” He takes a menacing step toward me.
Shit. He should already be reaped by now. I don’t even know how to make this better. “Sorry, I…”
His backpack has fallen down his arm so he hoists it up on his shoulder. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He spins around on his heels, heading back in his original direction.
Dammit, I’ve got to handle this now. I push hard on my power, and it jerks into motion. I reach out again and touch him, hoping that it’ll be enough. The world begins to spin and my vision dims on the sides.
Before I can take another breath, I’m slammed against a tree. My chest feels as if it’s being crushed in, and he’s grabbed me by the shoulders.
“I said get your hands off me.” His breathing is ragged and his body is quivering.
I can feel each and every finger of his as they dig into my skin. Wow, and I thought he seemed nice, but he has rage skimming right under the surface like I’ve never seen before. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” His grips tightens, and it causes me to cry out.
“Don’t grab her like that.” Charlie walks out from the t
rees’ shadows and picks up the abandoned backpack Randy must have tossed when he was attacking me.
“Is this some kind of half-assed attempt at pickpocketing?” Randy laughs.
“I wouldn’t call if half-assed since I have your stuff right here in my hands.” Charlie raises the bag up.
“Like I’d be dumb enough to keep anything important in there.” His gaze lands back on me, and he lifts one hand up to pull my hair. “But this night is turning out a little more fun than I had anticipated.”
Pain ricochets down my scalp. What the hell is his problem? Before I can process the repercussions, I lift my left leg up and knee him in the crotch.
He groans in pain and lets go, falling to his knees. “You’re going to pay for that.”
Here’s hoping I don’t. I get down on my knees and reach out to touch his arm.
As soon as I reach him, he rolls away and begins to stand, even though he’s hobbled over. “Why do you keep touching me?”
Like I’m going to tell him.
He charges me and rams into my belly, laying me flat on the ground. He grabs my arms and spreads them on each side of me. “Now you’re going to pay.”
“Like hell she will.” Charlie races over and punches him in the face.
Randy falls off me and onto his side but scrambles back up and throws a punch back at Charlie. The guys trade punches and focus on one another, giving me the time I need to get my shit together.
I get up and look around, desperate to find something to somehow calm down the situation. I don’t want Charlie to get hurt, and I need my powers to stop acting wonky. Why can’t I be like everyone else? I’m tired of being different.
There are no rocks anywhere around me and the branches are small. It’s not like they are going to do any good. Maybe there is something back where we were hiding out.