by Donna Grant
Cael nodded. “That’s coming. First I want to find him.”
Jordyn screamed as the door to her flat was busted in and a tall man with pitch black hair that fell to his jaw stood in the doorway smiling as his silver eyes looked at each of them.
Behind him were several Dark who were all but salivating to get inside and start killing.
Jordyn felt Baylon’s nudge and she gradually slid behind him. There was something about Bran that made her feel as if someone walked over her grave.
His eyes were that of a Light Fae, but there was something decidedly evil about him.
“You don’t need to look, Cael. I’m right here,” Bran said, his smile growing. “I actually thought I was going to have more of a fight with you, but this is entirely too easy.”
While Jordyn’s hands shook as she parted her coat and put her hands on the hilts of the daggers, the six men around her stood as tall as oaks and as daunting as giants.
Bran rubbed his hand along his jaw as he smirked at Cael and Eoghan. “I walked among you before you went to see Death and ask if I was dead. How did that conversation go, Cael?”
“Swimmingly,” Cael said, as if they were talking about what to order for dinner.
“It didn’t take a great amount of effort to locate where the Reapers would meet up. There are always hidden rooms in ancient buildings. Edinburgh Castle was an obvious choice. And you didn’t even put any magic around the rooms.”
Cael shrugged indifferently. “There wasn’t a point.”
Bran laughed and took two steps into the flat. “The great Cael didn’t have a clue I was veiled and listening to your conversation. I discovered quite a bit. And something very interesting,” he said as his gaze landed on Jordyn.
Her heart seized. Bran knew of her and Baylon’s affair. The malic she glimpsed in his gaze was enough to make her realize he was coming for her.
Suddenly Baylon’s large form blocked Bran from her view. Which only made Bran chuckle.
“If I don’t kill her, Death will,” Bran said to Baylon.
Baylon’s sword materialized in his hand. “Try.”
Jordyn found herself squeezed between Kyran and Talin as Fintan moved to stand just behind Baylon. The tension in the flat was running high.
When she suggested her place, she never thought there might be a battle. There were innocent people all around. One of them could die.
Jordyn looked around and saw Eoghan watching her. There was anger in his gaze, but it was for Bran. Eoghan stood calm and collected. Then he gave her a split-second smile.
Was that supposed to help her? She didn’t know him well enough to know what that was supposed to mean. All she knew was that there was about to be a war, and once more, everything was aimed at her.
“Who did you come for, Bran?” Cael asked. “Me or Jordyn?”
Bran’s smile widened. “All of you.”
There was a moment where no one moved. They didn’t even breathe. Their gazes were locked, the intensity so thick she could’ve cut it with a knife.
For the first time in her life, Jordyn knew what real fear felt like. Before with the Dark on the streets, she had been scared. She’d been frightened at the loch when she was used as bait.
Both times she’d thought she was scared out of her skin.
But that was before this.
She stood on a precipice of life and death. Now she fully grasped what terror, true debilitating horror and distress, felt like.
It gripped her body, making it impossible for her to move. She couldn’t draw a breath into her lungs or even think past the idea that this could be her end.
She wanted to touch Baylon, to feel his strength against her once more. If she could get to him she might be able to gather some courage and fight.
Jordyn reached out her hand, sliding past Fintan’s body. Just as she was about to wrap her fingers around Baylon’s arm, the first volley of magic was thrown by Bran.
Chapter Twenty-one
In all his years as a Reaper, Baylon had been the one sent to assassinate. He was the one who took lives without hesitation, because it was his duty, his promise to Death.
For the third time in as many days, he was protecting. It felt right. Perhaps it was because the one he was defending was Jordyn, but it didn’t matter. All he knew was that by doing so, the pit in his stomach that had been worrying him for centuries began to dissipate.
He lifted his sword, the blade stopping a ball of magic aimed for his head. Baylon spun in a circle, bending down to one knee as one of the Dark approached. He swung his blade, slicing the Dark’s legs in half.
The Dark fell with a cry of agony. Baylon stood and plunged his sword in the Dark’s gut. He wanted to look for Jordyn, but there wasn’t time. He had to accept that the others were shielding her.
Baylon leaned to the side to miss a ball of magic, only to be hit in quick succession by two blasts. One in his thigh, the other in his gut.
He shook off the pain and found himself standing next to Cael. Eoghan was on Cael’s other side as they fought shoulder to shoulder in Jordyn’s small flat.
Her books were being destroyed, the bookshelves disintegrating upon impact of the magic. Glass shattered, furniture splintered, dishes clattered to the floor and broke.
Baylon couldn’t properly move his sword to defend or attack. He allowed it to disappear and focused on his magic instead.
The others soon did the same, and the Reapers were able to keep the Dark bottlenecked at the door. But that only lasted for a short time before they demolished the door and the wall on either side.
Eoghan took a nasty hit to his chest from Bran that sent him flying backwards. Baylon felt someone on his other side and glanced over to see Fintan. That meant that Kyran and Talin were with Jordyn.
Baylon knew what it meant to lose. He’d felt the helplessness, the futility as his friends betrayed and killed him. Only a few hours ago, he’d experienced much the same thing when he thought Jordyn was dying.
But it had been a very long while since he’d lost. In all his battles as a Reaper, he’d always won. And he was going to make sure he did today as well.
The smile Bran had so confidently worn was slowly fading as more and more of his Dark were being cut down by the magic of the Reapers.
Baylon felt assured they were going to win. He advanced on Bran, even as he heard Cael call him back. But Baylon wanted this ended with Bran right then.
As if anticipating such a move, Bran eagerly went one-on-one with Baylon. Bran’s punches were like having rocks slammed into him. But Baylon was a Reaper. He dodged and weaved, landing his own blows, adding magic to them when he did.
He thought of Jordyn, and what Bran and the Dark would do to her, which gave Baylon the strength to continue even as he bled from his wounds.
Hit after hit, he slammed his fists into Bran with enough force to kill a lesser Fae. Baylon didn’t stop until Bran was on his knees.
Bran then looked up at him and grinned. “So cocky. You’re going to know how it feels to lose the woman you love.”
The words barely had time to register before the flat was filled with Dark. Baylon tried to turn and rush to Jordyn, but he was grabbed from behind and had blast after blast of magic pounded into him until it was all he could do to keep his eyes open.
He heard Bran laugh even as there was a loud battle cry that sounded like it came from Eoghan. Baylon’s body struggled to heal the damage that had been done while the Dark tramped on him as they rushed into the flat.
Kyran shouted Jordyn’s name. Then Baylon heard her scream. He gritted his teeth and rolled onto his side. That’s when he got a look at the carnage.
Bodies of the Dark littered the floor. Cael and Eoghan were cut off from the others by a large group of Dark. Kyran and Talin stood in front of Jordyn as they battled the Dark. Fintan had been singled out by Bran, but Baylon couldn’t make out what Bran was saying.
Whatever Fintan said in response angered Bran by his mottle
d face. Baylon dragged himself toward Jordyn, Talin, and Kyran. He would be there to help protect her.
Baylon called up his sword and rolled onto his back, jerking the blade up into the spine of a Dark. Then he moved out of the way before the Dark fell on him.
It seemed to take forever for Baylon to get anywhere. There were so many Dark, but the Reapers were holding their own, even as wounded as each of them were.
Baylon was nearly to Jordyn. He caught her gaze and shot her a smile. She returned it, her face softening. Out of the corner of his eye, Baylon saw Bran turn toward Jordyn. Fintan shouted her name while he swung his sword at Bran.
And all Baylon could do was watch in horror as the bubble of magic hit Jordyn in the chest. She fell back, unmoving.
“I told you I’d take everything,” Bran whispered in Baylon’s ear.
Baylon forgot his pain. He forgot that his body was riddled with holes of Dark magic as he jumped to his feet and plunged his sword toward Bran, but the Fae teleported away.
While the others continued to fight any Dark that remained, Baylon limped his way to Jordyn. He fell to his knees and gently pulled Jordyn into his arms.
She was no longer breathing. All life was gone from her body. Baylon had never known such emptiness before. He thought what his friends had done to him was the worst that could happen. How very wrong he’d been.
Now he understood the true meaning of pain–pain of the mind, of the heart.
Of the soul.
It took him a moment to realize that there were no more sounds of fighting. His friends stood around him, their silence conveying their sorrow.
Baylon touched Jordyn’s cheek, recalling what a vibrant force she’d been. Nothing had stopped her once she set her mind to something.
“Baylon,” Cael said and touched his shoulder.
He looked up to find ashes of the dead Dark disappearing out the window. Then he spotted Death. She wore a black dress with long, fitted sleeves and a high neckline. The train of her gown trailed behind her with a hint of white at the edges that faded to gray and then to black.
Baylon no longer feared what she would do to him. He’d lost the one thing that was precious to him, the one person who righted his soul.
Death walked to him without a word. She stood looking down at him with a closed expression in her lavender eyes. Baylon held Jordyn tighter while he gazed at the vision of Death.
She was so beautiful that it hurt to look at her. Baylon recalled the first time she’d come to him. She’d held his soul, telling him he was a formidable warrior who’d had the misfortune of being betrayed. Then she asked if he wanted to join the Reapers. She told him of the extra powers he would get, as well as the added strength to become her executioner.
After what had just happened to him, Baylon couldn’t refuse. He gladly accepted her offer and hadn’t looked back.
Death knelt at Jordyn’s side and touched her forehead before her gaze slid back to Baylon. “She’s gone.”
He’d already known it, but to hear it said was too much. Baylon felt the emotion well within him, but he didn’t stop it. Nor did he care that tears fell down his face.
“You loved her,” Erith said.
Baylon simply nodded, unable to speak the words.
“Even though you knew my rules.”
He blinked and looked at Death. This was where she would take his life. “Yes. It’s my fault alone. I talked Cael into using Jordyn as bait to catch our enemy. None of the others were happy with the situation. I take full responsibility.”
She raised a blue-black brow.
“I know by taking her to my bed more than once I’ve broken your rule and forfeited my life. The Reapers are going to need someone to fill my place to fight Bran. I hope you have someone in mind.”
“I do,” she responded.
Cael said, “Erith.”
She held up a hand, her gaze still locked on Baylon. “Do you know why I have those rules in place?”
“I do,” Baylon answered. “We carry out your orders. No one can know of us so they can’t bribe us as what was done before. Thereby, we’re also forbidden from forming any emotional attachment in case it jeopardizes our decisions in battle.”
Death looked at each Reaper. “All of you agreed to my rules when you accepted my offer to be a Reaper.”
This was what Baylon feared. He was the only one who should be punished for his decision, not any of the others. But before he could speak, Death halted him with a look.
She took a breath and released it. “I’ve watched you and Jordyn, Baylon. She was courageous, even though she knew she was going to die. She stood by the Reapers, willingly helping you ferret out your enemy.
“I also saw something else,” Death continued. “I saw the Reapers knowingly accept Jordyn into the group.”
“Because she was using herself as bait.”
Erith shook her head. “Cael knew you were in love with her. He could’ve forbidden it and used another half-Fae. He didn’t. Nor did any of the others balk at having Jordyn among you.”
“What are you saying?” Cael asked.
Death got to her feet. “Forbidding my Reapers from finding love is like demanding you not breathe. What happened with Bran will repeat over and over again unless something changes.”
Baylon wasn’t sure he heard her correctly. Surely Death didn’t just say the rules were being altered.
“Baylon, if Jordyn agrees to be yours, she will be a part of the Reapers. There are things she can do to help the group.”
Fintan crossed his arms over his chest and rocked back on his heels. “You’re making Jordyn a Reaper?”
“No,” Baylon said. “I don’t want her killing anyone.”
Erith’s gaze narrowed on him. “It may come to a point sometime where she needs to take a life, but no, I don’t plan on sending her as I do the seven of you. I’ve other plans for Jordyn.”
“What if the rest of us find someone?” Talin asked.
“Just as all of you were chosen to be Reapers, if you fall in love, the women must prove themselves as Jordyn has.” Erith paused. “I’m not issuing a blanket acceptance for anyone. The Reapers still need to remain a secret. Jordyn will have to remain as anonymous as the rest of you or this endeavor will fail.”
Cael stepped forward. “It won’t. I won’t allow it.”
“Baylon, take Jordyn from this place,” Death said.
He climbed to his feet with Jordyn in his arms. “When will you talk to her?”
There was a small smile upon Erith’s lips. “I already have. She’ll wake soon.”
“What about Bran?” Kyran asked.
Fury contorted Death’s face. “He believes he killed Jordyn. Let him. But be warned, any of you who show feelings toward another, Bran will be there.”
“Unless we stop him,” Fintan said.
Eoghan nodded, his jaw clenched tight.
Death turned her head to Cael. “He had help escaping from the Netherworld. I’ve got a name.”
“Let me have a talk with them,” Cael bade.
When Cael and Death moved away to talk in low tones, Baylon couldn’t stop staring at Jordyn. Not only was he not going to be killed, but Death saved Jordyn while allowing her into the Reapers.
“I’m happy for you,” Kyran said as he slapped Baylon on the back.
Talin nodded with a grin. “It’s certainly going to be different.”
“We need to find another place to hide,” Fintan said.
Eoghan snapped his fingers to get their attention. He pointed out the window, far in the distance, toward the sea.
“Lead the way,” Kyran told Eoghan.
Baylon gave a nod of thanks to Death before he teleported away.
Chapter Twenty-two
Jordyn came awake and found herself cradled in arms she knew all too well. The pain from the blast of magic that killed her might never fade from her memory, but it was the knowledge that she was alive once more and with Baylon that made it
acceptable.
“How do you feel?” Baylon asked.
She shifted her head to look up at him with a smile. “I’m with you. I feel amazing.”
He gave her a quick kiss. “I know from experience that you’ll never forget how you were killed.”
“I’m still reeling over the fact that Death is a woman, a beautiful woman. And she gave me a place with the Reapers.”
“What did Death say to you?”
Jordyn thought back to the moments after she was killed. Her mind had been full of regrets for everything she hadn’t been able to do with Baylon. And then suddenly, all the misery and pain were gone. Standing before her was a woman in all black wearing a kind smile.
Death hadn’t been at all what Jordyn expected. Erith was nothing like the Grim Reaper, but then again, perhaps that story came about because of the Reapers.
That’s when Death told her she had been watching her and Baylon and saw everything Jordyn did to help them. Somehow, Jordyn impressed her. Though Death made it known that her rules wouldn’t be broken twice.
Then to Jordyn’s shock, Death had offered her a deal.
“Jordyn?” Baylon nudged.
She turned and looked around at the room, noticing it for the first time. They were in a plush bed with a large fireplace before them, keeping her warm.
“Death told me there was a place for me among the Reapers. I wouldn’t be sent out killing as all of you do, but that there are other things she has need of me for. I wasn’t prepared to leave you yet, and I want to catch Bran. So I agreed.” She looked back at him. “I no longer have any family, Baylon. You and the Reapers are all I have now. You are my family.”
He said nothing as he brought her against him and held her. They stayed that way for long moments, with the only sound coming from the wood that popped in the fire.
“Bran had help escaping the Netherworld,” Baylon finally said. “Cael is questioning the man now.”
“I’m surprised you aren’t with him.”
Baylon’s lips twisted as he loosened his hold. “All of us want to be, but Cael is doing this alone.”
“Where are we?”