Paranormal Nights

by CJ Ellisson

  “Night goggles?” she asked when all he did was stare up at her.

  Another spate of gunfire came from beyond sight. Reika closed her eyes in thankfulness. That had to mean Darryl was alive still. Or they wouldn’t be shooting. She watched Roger do a quick check through his pockets, pull a pair of goggles from somewhere near his backside, and slip them over his head with one hand. The other still held the EMP generator.

  “You ready?” he asked.

  “I’m a vampire, Roger. I’m always ready.”

  “Oh. Right.”

  He grinned. The guy had really nice teeth, more befitting a Hollywood leading man than a mercenary trying to blend in. If he went underground he’d probably have to darken that smile with something.

  “On the count of five, then. Four. Three…”

  On three he clicked a switch on the missile. On one, he heaved it well down the tunnel in front of them. Toward the battle sounds. On zero, the box exploded, blasting the area with a quick flash of brilliant white, followed by a dark red, and then complete blackness as everything electrical checked out. Permanently.

  Reika swooped down and grabbed Roger’s collar and raced along the corridor. She’d have asked but she didn’t have time for niceties. Nor did she have time to wait for him to catch up. Other than a quick intake of breath, he didn’t react to being lifted and flown. Good recruit. Akron really knew how to pick them. She set him on his feet at the entrance to a cavernous space, probably used at one point for building something like the B-2 Bomber for the Third Reich. Rows of nothing but dust graced most the walls, although behind a wire enclosure she could see a good cache of weapons. Old school types. She didn’t check. She didn’t care. All she wanted was Darryl.

  She homed in on a bullet-ridden wreck of a truck almost dead center in the space, tilted due to the flat tires on the right side. Two dead Hunters lay sprawled on the concrete beneath the open back door. A quick glance inside revealed more dead bodies. Reika slammed the door with a vicious motion that took it off the hinges. The crash as it fell was loud, but before that happened she was on her hands and knees, looking beneath the vehicle.

  It was empty.

  “Darryl?”

  The whisper carried every bit of her worry and yearning, and something more: fright.

  “Right here, Love.”

  A moment later, she was in his arms, her legs wrapped about his hips, her lips slammed to his. Wonder opened up and washed over her. And the very next second she pulled from him and burst into tears.

  “Whoa. Reika. Love.”

  Darryl put his forehead against hers and tightened his hold, hugging her against bare skin. His voice soothed. Ripples of air from each whisper touched her earlobes. Wool scratched at her sides from his jacket. He didn’t even wear a shirt? With the effort she’d gone through over his wardrobe? The thought helped temper her wayward emotion. She sniffed.

  “Athelrod…will you look at that?”

  “What?”

  “Our Reika. Sobbing.”

  “I hear it’s a wonderful thing, Ethelstone.”

  “What is?”

  “The mating thing.”

  “Yeah. So they say. It will never happen to us. Right?”

  “Right.”

  “You even think of taking a mate and leaving me alone, and I’ll challenge you. Blood feud. Got it?”

  “Yeah. And right back at you.”

  “Aw. Aren’t they sweet, though?”

  Darryl lifted his head. “Guys. A little privacy, please?”

  “Privacy?”

  “For me and the lady. Now.”

  “Where do you want us to go?”

  “Go knock some Hunter heads together. You forgetting them?”

  “Oh. Yeah.”

  “No…need. I handled…two. Lost. One. Bastard. He got away.”

  Huffs of breath accompanied the words, announcing the arrival of Roger. Reika rubbed her face along Darryl’s collar. She’d never have believed such a reaction if it hadn’t just happened. And to her? Sweet Freya! She’d never acted so spontaneously or out of character. She should be embarrassed, yet she wouldn’t give up the feel of Darryl stroking her back for anything. She nuzzled her nose into his neck.

  “And just who are you?” One of the twins asked it.

  “Roger Stanislav. And you two have to be the Icelandic twins, no doubt.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Lucky guess,” Roger replied.

  Darryl chuckled, moving her. Reika tightened her hold on him. Fitted her breasts right against his pecs and hugged. Reveled. Gloried.

  “Guys?”

  The word rumbled through him, transferred into her, and started a vibration that just kept growing.

  “Yeah Darryl?”

  “Privacy. Now.”

  “Where do you want us to go? I mean…it’s not like we can’t see.”

  “Can you guys fly, too?” Roger asked.

  “Well, yeah. It’s a vampire thing.”

  “Cool.”

  “You want to join us? We could change you. You’d fly, too.”

  “Uh…how about I take a rain check?”

  “Gentlemen.”

  Darryl spoke again, this time using a voice that carried authority. She’d heard he’d been a Master Sergeant. Right now, he sounded it.

  “Sir.” Three voices answered in unison.

  “We have a vehicle, don’t we?”

  “New SUV. 3.0 liter, bi-turbo diesel. Really sweet ride,” Roger answered.

  “Then go fetch it. All of you.”

  “I get to drive.”

  “No way, Ethel. You can’t drive your way out of a barn.”

  “Can, too. And don’t call me Ethel. I’m warning you.”

  “Just what are you going to do about it?”

  “Leg wrestle. Now. Or…when we reach the automobile. You! Roger. You any good at refereeing?”

  “Uh…”

  Sounds of a scuffle started. Reika giggled. Darryl’s arms tightened.

  “Man. I thought they’d never leave. I feel like I’ve been babysitting. Are they always like that?”

  She nodded. “More times than not.”

  “Figures. Listen. Um…we should probably search out the missing Hunter.”

  “He doesn’t matter.”

  “It might be the leader fellow…that Chester Beethan. You can’t let him get away.”

  “It still doesn’t matter. I don’t care. Darryl?”

  “Yeah?”

  Reika ran a thumb along his cheek. Met his eyes. Her heart lurched. It matched his. Exactly.

  “You called me some endearments earlier. On the phone.”

  He swallowed audibly. She heard it.

  “Oh. Yeah. Those.”

  “You want to elaborate?”

  He pulled in a large breath, moving her with it. And then he spoke, sounding a little wobbly.

  “We have to talk. About…this mating thing. Uh...”

  She stopped moving. Thinking. Everything. She wasn’t going to miss a word of this declaration for the world.

  “Yes?”

  Her lips trembled. The sensation moved to encompass her entire body as she waited. Tensed.

  “It’s forever, right? I mean, there’s no going back. Ever. Once you turn me…that’s it. Right?”

  Please, don’t let that sound like a no. Please…?

  She nodded. She didn’t dare try and speak. Not with the way this was headed. She was amazed her heart still beat. Painfully. Harshly.

  He blew a sigh, ruffling her bangs with it.

  “Well. Hell. You’ve got the best-run organization I’ve ever seen. I could be a recruit, too. Yes? I mean, I’m good with a blade; fair with everything else. And I’m not one for sitting around on my butt. Plus there’s that immortality stuff. I could do worse.”

  “Is that…all?”

  He grinned. Her heart dove.

  “No. That’s not all. I might as well ‘fess up. I’m in love with you, Reika. Total
ly. Completely. Figured it out the moment you answered the phone. Got it? I love you. I’m new to it, and it’s scary, but as long as you’re there, I’m in. Heck. Sounds pretty much like paradise.”

  Happiness flooded, turning her into a beacon of joy. She was surprised it didn’t light the entire cavern they stood in.

  “I’ll be able to fly, too? And all the other cool stuff? Yes?”

  She didn’t hear all of it. She was already draining him, and the taste was too heady. Too perfect. Too all-encompassing wonderful.

  He was right. It was paradise.

  About the Author

  Jackie Ivie here. I write award-winning historical Highland romances for Kensington, as well as my sexy paranormal series, the Vampire Assassin League. And I just launched my new historical line, the Brocade Series. I’m a self-described history nut, and I have to tell you – there’s nothing better than a vampire with a dark past. I must love snow, too, because I’ve lived in three big snow states here in the US: Utah, Wyoming and now Alaska. I’m retired from the USPS and if it wasn’t for the hubby and three very spoiled pets, I’d be spending all my time researching or at my keyboard. I’m addicted to writing. And you never know what might come out of my keyboard. I’ve got the Highland Clans series with Kensington, the Brocade historical series going, but I have to say, there’s nothing better than the mayhem, murder, and mating possibilities that happen with my vampire assassins.

  I love connecting with readers! You can reach me all kinds of ways:

  Websites: www.jackieivie.com and www.VampireAssassinLeague.com

  Email: jackieivie@hotmail.com

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackieIvieAuthor

  If you’d like to know more about the VAL, consider joining the Street Assassin team. It’s free and there’s always a contest going on and SWAG:

  Street Team Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/379151425455048/

  WHY THESE TWO is an installment of the VAL series. I hear it’s addictive. Every story can be read alone, but they’re a lot more fun if read in order. This story was preceded by KNIGHT AFTER NIGHT, BE STILL MY HEART, DEARLY BELOVED, WE ARE GATHERED, TOGETHER TO JOIN, THIS MAN AND WOMAN, FOREVER AS ONE, SHOULD THERE BE, ANYONE HERE, WITH JUST CAUSE…and it’s followed by CANNOT UNITE, LET THEM SPEAK, NOW OR FOREVER, HOLD THEIR PEACE. Book #16 – DO YOU TAKE will be out in January 2014.

  The Vampire Assassin League is available in 4-pack bundles: THE BEGINNING (books 1-4), MORTAL DEATH (5-8), and IMMORTALITY (9-12). Bundle #4 ETERNAL LONELINESS (13-16) will be out in early 2014.

  The Vampire Assassin league is also available in print 2-packs: BRITISH, FRENCH, MEDIEVAL, SLAVIC, SOUTHERN, NORDIC, and coming soon – SPANISH.

  The Brocade series contains long, heart-touching romances set in all kinds of historical settings and eras. It is currently available only on Amazon.

  Death Times Two by C.J. Ellisson and Boone Brux

  The V V Inn Series: Book 3.5

  A Grim Reality Novel

  Copyright © 2013, C.J. Ellisson and Boone Brux– All Rights Reserved.

  All Rights Reserved. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is strictly prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author/publisher.

  The V V Inn has a ghost problem. When the lurking specters draw the attention of Constantine, head of Grim Reaper Services, he calls in the only local who can return the remote resort to its former tranquility, Lisa Carron—resident Alaskan reaper.

  Still new to the death gig, Lisa accepts the job. After all, how much trouble could one ghost be? Once at the hotel, she learns that not only is the inn full of the dearly departed, she’ll also be working for vampires. Throw in Asa, a young vamp hot enough to melt the Arctic ice, and Lisa realizes she’s way out of her element.

  Asa didn’t know what to expect when told a reaper would be working on the property, but Lisa certainly wasn’t it. Blond and curvy, she’s very easy on the eyes. Tasked with helping her, Asa soon realizes that not only can she provide the dead a peaceful passing, but offer him solace in a way no other woman can.

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you, Tina Winograd, for your unwavering professionalism, your sometimes quirky sense of humor, your fast and adept editing, and your friendship. We’re glad to have you on our side.

  Big thanks goes out to our readers, new and old. You’re the reason we struggle day in and day out to make it in this complex and disenchanting industry. To have someone who longs to read the stories inside our heads is priceless.

  Chapter One

  Lisa

  I stare at Constantine, certain I heard him wrong. “What do you mean I have to do this reap alone?”

  He continues to scan the green blips on the radar. I still haven’t gotten used to the idea that those dots are people who are about to die. “Nate is on another assignment and this reap needs to get done—ASAP.”

  Reaping, that’s my job. I’m an Angel of Death, a grim reaper of idiotic spirits for GRS, Grim Reaper Services. People who die in stupid ways are my clients. Lucky me. Nate, my partner, reaps violent criminals. Way more impressive than my job, and more dangerous. Admittedly, I’ve grown to depend on Nate and the thought of doing an important reap on my own is daunting. “Where am I going?”

  “North of Fairbanks, near Coldfoot.” Constantine straightens and looks at me. “These are...special clients. I’m trusting you’ll get this done quickly and quietly.”

  “Special? As in particularly stupid?”

  “Far from it.” He steps past me and heads toward a desk. “The inn you’ll be traveling to is owned by a friend of mine.” He tears off a sheet of paper from a small tablet and hands it to me. “Finesse and discretion are mandatory.”

  I give an unladylike snort. “I’m sorry, have we met? Finesse is not my greatest skill.”

  He places his hands on my shoulders and slowly rubs. Sparks of electricity shoot down my arms. “I have faith in you, Lisa.” My heartbeat quickens. I’ll admit I’ve imagined Constantine and me in a few hot and heavy positions, but I’ve never told anyone. Not even my best friend Vella. There are two problems with my fantasy about Constantine. First, I’m not sure he’s human. Secondly, if he’s not, getting jiggy with him might be like supernatural crack. What if he ruins me for other men? It’s not a chance I want to take. Plus, he’s never offered.

  A sigh slips from me and my shoulders slump. “I’m not getting out of this, am I?”

  He lowers his hands. “Nope.”

  I look at the paper. “The V V Inn. Never heard of it.”

  “It’s very upscale. Only the most elite clientele stay there,” he says.

  I’ve lived in Alaska all my life. There are a lot of expensive remote lodges that serve the wealthy, but I’m surprised I’ve never heard of this one. Not even a mention. “When do I leave?”

  Constantine hands me another sheet of paper. “In three hours.”

  My mouth drops open when I look at the electronic ticket and charter flight information. I give a huff of protest. “I’ve got to make arrangements for the kids. I can’t just drop everything.”

  My argument falls on deaf ears. Constantine stares at me with his beautiful, but unwavering, silver eyes. “You’ll figure it out.”

  When I agreed to be a grim reaper they told me there would be village travel. But I didn’t think I’d be venturing out so soon—and so alone. “I’ll see if my mom can watch the kids.” I fold the flight information and shove the paper into my pocket. “I got this.”

  He gives me a soft punch in the arm like we’re buddies. “I knew you’d come through for me, Carron.”

  “Yeah,” I grumble. “That’s me—reliable.”

  With only three hours until my flight I walk to t
he elevator, the list of things I need to do already swirling in my mind.

  “Lisa.”

  I glance back at Constantine.

  “Remember, discretion.”

  My brow furrows. “Yeah, I got it.”

  What does he think? I’m going to tell my mom I have souls to reap so I’ll need her to watch my kids? Hardly. When my parents found out I took the plunge and got a job at GRS after my husband died, they weren’t all that thrilled. What would they say if I told them I was actually an angel of death and not a case manager at an employment agency? Either I’d be medicated and committed, or my mother would be. Lying by omission was the best course of action.

  On the way home I call Vella and make arrangements for the kids. I also pull into a convenience store and buy some junk food. It’s a guilt purchase. Yes, I’m not above bribing my kids into compliance.

  By noon I’m sitting on the jet, trying to relax. For some reason this job doesn’t feel right. Why such a rush? Why me? And who are these special clients? I hate not knowing what I’m getting into. Hopefully Constantine’s request for discretion is because the spirit is rich or famous. Maybe I’ll be reaping a sheik or a movie star. My mind delves into all sorts of possibilities. Maybe I’ll be reaping Elvis. Now that would be cool.

  The flight to Fairbanks is uneventful. The airport is packed from all the tourists and I have a hard time locating the charter service I’m to take to the inn. I stare at a small glassed-in kiosk in the far corner. There’s no discernible marking to indicate this is the company I’m to use, or that it’s a charter service at all. But from the vague directions on my instructions this has to be the place.

  I stop in front of the glass. “Hi.”

  A young guy looks up from his book and smiles. “May I help you?”

  “Yes.” I drop my carry-on bag and hold up my sheet of paper. “I’m supposed to catch a charter to the V V Inn. Is this where I do that?”