Death Times Two

by C. J. Ellisson

  My eyes are drawn to the others in the room. Not people, but spirits. Three that I can see. “Ghosts.”

  “Excuse me?” he says, as if not understanding.

  I take a deep breath. “Do you know you’ve got a lot of dead people walking around here?”

  Chapter Two

  Asa

  She couldn’t have said we have a lot of dead people walking around, right? I glance around the room and then back to the curvy blond. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

  Lisa smiles at me like I’m a simpleton. “That’s why I was sent.” She turns away. “Gorgeous but dumb, just my luck.”

  Even though she mumbles the last part I hear her perfectly. A spark of interest lights inside me. This one’s a firecracker all right. She might be a little older than me, but there’s something about her that’s different from anyone I’ve met in a long while.

  Not like you get out much to socialize up here in the wilds of Alaska.

  Yeah, there is that.

  She speaks slowly, with a hint of humor in her voice. “You. Have lots. Of dead people.” She motions in big circles with her arms. “Walking around.”

  “Let me get this straight,” I say, stifling the urge to snap a comeback that I am indeed more than just a big dumb guy. “You’re saying we have ghosts on the premises?”

  She shakes her head and a tiny snort escapes.

  My gaze travels over the full-figured woman, wondering if she laughs in bed, too. I wouldn’t mind a little laughter in my life these days. I haven’t been with anyone since Joanna last year, and this woman appears ripe and ready. Like she knows what she wants.

  Get your mind out of the gutter. You’ve got a job to do.

  Damn conscience. Shut up.

  Lisa catches me staring. Her cheeks flame red as she glances away and motions jerkily with her chin across the room. Jon and I look in the direction she’s indicating.

  Nothing.

  “The tiny Asian lady leaning against the front desk? She’s got long black hair and looks as fragile as a porcelain doll.” Lisa steps deeper into the mammoth lounge area in the center of the hotel. “There’s a creepy guy with a short white goatee staring at us from near the fireplace.” She gestures with one hand.

  Whirling to her left, like she hears something, Lisa faces the hallway of the north wing. “And you’ve got a serene-looking Indian guy heading toward us from the hall.”

  No freakin’ way.

  My mouth drops open and I glance at the werewolf across from me. Yup. Jon’s jaw is gaping like a caught fish, too.

  Jon recovers first. “Am I smoking crack, or is she describing Emiko, Ivan, and Vikram?”

  Despite the disbelief coursing through me, I can’t think of any other logical answer. Vivian, one of the owners, wouldn’t be playing some long-distance joke on us, would she? Like using her vamp mental skills to project dead people’s images that only this human could see? Nah. Wouldn’t make sense. If she was going to mess with me or Jon, she’d want a ring-side seat while the prank unfolded.

  Viv did say a reaper was coming, but I didn’t have a chance to think about what the hell that really meant.

  “So… you’re able to see three dead people who were killed here this past year?”

  Lisa slowly turns and faces me, her complexion paling. “Did you…” With an unsteady step she walks to the sofa and lowers herself to a deep cushion. She audibly swallows and stares at the floor. “Kill them?”

  “No… no.” I rush to reassure her, moving to a chair across from her. She jumps slightly in her seat. I raise my empty hands in a slow-down motion. “Calm yourself. I’m not going to hurt you. I didn’t kill any of them.” Remembering my time with Emiko in the bowling alley I add, “And one of them seriously kicked my ass.”

  Jon walks to the fireplace, taking a deep sniff of air. “Nothing here, man.” He looks over his shoulder at me. “Are you sure she’s telling the truth?”

  Lisa glares at him and the fire I saw earlier returns. “Now why the hell would I lie, jackass? What do I have to gain?” She shakes her head, disbelief and annoyance clear on her face. “Typical guy. You can’t see it or understand it, so it must be a lie.” She settles back against the couch. “Reminds me of my partner, Nate.”

  Jon’s eyebrows shoot up his forehead and he opens his mouth to retaliate. I shake my head once. It’s not worth it. It’s unclear how much she knows about us or how much she’s likely to believe. But Vivian said she was here to do a job and we needed to support her. That’s what I damn well will do.

  I reach for my travel mug filled with bloodcoffee, using the cup as a prop for casual intro to conversation. “So… how long have you seen dead people?”

  Lisa barks out a laugh. “Cute. Haven’t heard that line outside of a movie.”

  “Okay,” Jon announces. “I’m out of here. It’s your turn to handle the weirdness. Call me if you need me.” The temperamental werewolf strides across the lobby and disappears into the dining area. He’s temporarily moved into Rafe and Vivian’s apartment while they’re tying up loose ends in Argentina.

  It’s been a long summer so far and I can’t wait for the vampire master and her husband to come home. Their arrival will signify a return to normalcy as well as the beginning of fall at our remote resort. Personally, avoiding the sun and traveling through the tunnels gets old.

  “All kidding aside,” I say to Lisa. “I’m serious. I never knew there were reapers in the world.”

  “Isn’t there an old saying about what man doesn’t know about his world could fill the largest library ten times over?”

  I shrug. “No idea. Sounds about right, though. Are you going to answer me about how long you’ve seen ghosts? I am truly curious.”

  Lisa glances into my eyes, uncertainty showing in the dazzling blue depths. “Normally I can’t discuss that.” She hesitates, but apparently sees something in me that encourages her to go on. “I guess I was born with the trait. Another reaper died, my husband as a matter of fact, and I kind of fell into the job. It certainly wasn’t my choice. Then I found out I’d be reaping stupid people. So really not my choice.”

  I lean forward and rest my elbows on my knees. “Fascinating. And what does ‘reaping’ entail?”

  “Well, it depends on the soul. People who die in violent ways are more resistant than happy souls. Sometimes I have to chase them down. Sometimes they go to the afterlife willingly.”

  “So there is an afterlife? I’ve always wondered.”

  “Er… um… yeah. There is. But I really don’t know much about it. I make a point of not getting too close to my porter. He has a tendency to take anybody who gets within reach on a joyride to Hell.” She nervously looks around the lobby. “Why is it so dark in here? And you didn’t cover who actually did the killing of those ghosts I spotted.”

  I stand and motion to the front desk. “Why don’t we get you checked into a room? Neither of those questions has a quick answer.”

  Lisa follows me and listens quietly to Tommy’s directions on where her room is and on some of the inn’s facilities. Thankfully he catches himself and doesn’t mention the protocols on blood donors and the sex-toy basket our paying guests normally receive.

  Jon had carried in Lisa’s bag, so once she’s handed her room key card I grab the luggage and lead the way upstairs.

  “Wow,” Lisa says, eyeing the floor to ceiling book cases encircling the landings that overlook the lobby. “Someone sure likes to read.”

  “The owners collect first edition books. Sure fills up the time during the long Alaskan winter.”

  A tense laugh escapes her. “I prefer indoor target shooting with a .22 pistol. Especially under the influence of alcohol—it’s good for a laugh.”

  Her words sink in and I glance over my shoulder with a raised eyebrow. “Isn’t that dangerous?”

  We arrive at the top and she shrugs. “Only if you’re stupid.”

  I escort her to the largest suite on the second floor, room three.
The inn is dead this week—no pun intended. Our busy time is winter and after the botched first attempt of a werewolf hunt earlier this summer we’ve reverted to the normal off-season skeleton staff of thirty. Less people around should make it easy for Lisa to do her ghost-hunting task.

  I stand to the side, allowing her to open the door with her card. A low whistle issues from her pink lips. Such soft-looking pink lips.

  Don’t go there, man. You know it will only end badly.

  “This place is really high end.” She steps in and gazes around at the dark wood and heavy fabrics done in shades of gold. Her attention is drawn to the windows. “Why are there metal shutters?”

  “Do you understand what this place is?”

  “It’s an elaborate—and remote—resort for the wealthy, right? There’s a bunch of places like this scattered all over the state.”

  “Um… Well, not exactly. We cater to a very specific clientele.”

  A smile lights up her face, transforming her from attractive to down-right hot. “OooOoo… that sounds mysterious. Do you need the shutters to make sure they don’t escape?” That cute snort is back. “You know those things are a fire hazard?”

  Momentarily taken off guard by the impulse to kiss her, I stutter my response. “Er…uh…” I point inanely to the ceiling. “There’s a sprinkler system and shit.”

  “‘And shit?’ How old are you? Twenty?”

  I stand straighter and try to look menacing. “Almost twenty-seven.” I wisely don’t add that I look younger due to my condition. “Served five terms in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

  “I can tell.” She smiles again, this one softer with a hint of kindness I haven’t seen in years. “You’ve got ‘bad-ass’ written all over you.” Lisa tilts her head toward the windows. “Still doesn’t explain the severe storm-ready decor. Especially when it’s gorgeous outside.” She moves toward the shutters and pulls back a drape. “Can I open them?”

  Reacting on instinct, I dart forward to grab her wrist as she reaches for the control knob. “No! I can’t be in the sun.”

  She looks down at my wrist, a pointed look on her face. “You’re quick. But do you mind? I didn’t invite the touching.”

  I drop her hand as if scalded. A muttered “sorry” escapes me before I retreat to the door. What the hell was I thinking? She must think I’m a total nut job.

  Rubbing a hand over my shaved head, I’m unsure of what to do or say. I’ve got to tell her what I am so she understands about the sun. She’s a supernatural, too. She must know about all this stuff already, right? “Look… I’m like you. Different than normal humans.”

  “Whoa!” Her attention is drawn to an empty corner. “Sorry, I didn’t notice you there.”

  “Are you talking to me?” I ask.

  Lisa waves a hand at me to be quiet. Frustration bubbles inside as I watch.

  “Was this your room?” She’s silent for a few seconds. “Well, you know you’re dead, right?”

  “Or undead.” I interject. “Depends on how you look at it.”

  “What?” Lisa turns back to me. “Did you just say ‘undead’?” Her head whips back to the corner. “Excuse me?”

  “You see, I’m a vam—”

  “You’re joking. They’re real?” Lisa says in the direction of the armchair. “And what about you?” She gasps. “Oh, no. He did not!”

  “Lisa,” I call her name, hoping to get her attention. Turning her head, she looks at me, wariness in her beautiful blue eyes.

  She opens her mouth to speak exactly as I do. “Do you know someone named Joanna?”

  “I’m a vampire.”

  Chapter Three

  Lisa

  I wasn’t sure I heard what I think I heard. My gaze bounces between the female ghost named Joanna and Asa. “Did you just say ‘vampire’?”

  They both nod.

  “Yeah,” Asa says. “I thought you knew.”

  The ghost continues her rant, drawing my attention again. “We were one big happy family.” She paces along the wall. “Vivian’s puppets.”

  I don’t know who Vivian is and at the moment it doesn’t seem important. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the whole vampire thing. “Let me get this straight, you both are vampires?”

  Asa answers. “Yes, but you don’t have to be afraid of me.”

  “Like—” I look at him. “Dracula vampire? As in drink blood, turn into bats, sleep in coffins type of vampires?”

  His brow furrows. “I don’t turn into a bat or sleep in a coffin. But yeah, the blood thing is true.”

  “Oh,” is all I can manage. Sure, why not vampires. I mean, I’m a grim reaper. Plus, I’ve seen guardian angels and an elevator to the afterlife. So of course vampires could exist. Suddenly I feel like the main course on the menu. “Everybody here is a vampire?”

  Asa takes a step toward me. I mirror his action and back up. “No, there are humans and…” He hesitates. “Werewolves.”

  A slightly hysterical laugh slips from me. “Of course, where there’s a vampire there has to be werewolves.”

  “Lisa.” He takes another step toward me but I hold up my hand, halting him. “I know it’s a lot to take in.”

  I want to be cool about the whole paranormal mess I’ve landed in, but I’m not pulling it off. Why would Constantine send me into a den of vampires without telling me first? “Just give me a minute.” I turn back to Joanna. She’s frantic, like a caged animal needing to get free. The urge to grab her is nearly overwhelming, but I’ve never reaped a supernatural being before and have no idea what will happen. “Joanna, do you realize you’re dead?”

  She stops and glares at me as if I just said I am going to stake her. I wonder if that really works on vampires. Since I have no intention of trying, I let that random thought drift away without being voiced.

  “What did she say?” Asa asks.

  “Nothing.” I glance at him. “I don’t think she realizes it.” Impulsively, I reach up to my neck and grip the raven charm dangling from my necklace. Given to me by my familiar, Fletcher, a raven that adopted me, the charm has kept me safe against the effects of my porter’s compulsions. I hope it has some magical properties against the paranormal crazy swirling around the room. “Do you understand me, Joanna? You’re dead.”

  Blunt, but at this point, I’m making shit up as I go along.

  “Dead?” She shakes her head, her short blond hair swinging around her face. “I’m dead?”

  “Yes, but your soul is trapped here.” I inch toward her. “I can help you.”

  Joanna’s attention focuses toward Asa and she points. “He killed me.”

  I stop. “I’m sorry, what?”

  “He killed me after we had sex.” A sob hiccups from her. “He did it…he did it…”

  She appears unable to string coherent thoughts together. I take a deep breath and look at Asa. “Joanna says you killed her.”

  “Fuck.” He places his hands on his shaved head, his eyes wide. “Fuck.”

  “Is that true?” From his reaction I know it is, but I have to ask. “Did you kill Joanna?”

  His shoulders slump and he lowers his hands. “Yes.” Our gazes lock for a few seconds. “But I had to—at least I thought I had to.”

  My gig is reaping people who are already dead. Actually killing somebody has never crossed my mind. Well, except for the cable guy who never shows up when he says he will. Asa’s confession is a lot to process and it takes all my willpower not to run screaming from the room.

  “Okay. Okay.” I blink several times trying to not completely freak out. Vampires, and one of them was a murderer. I am so killing Constantine when I got back to Anchorage. “I have to deal with Joanna first.” The whole reason I’m at this vampire hotel is to reap the souls. I focus on that. Having a purpose is the only thing keeping me sane at the moment. “Joanna.” I edge toward her until I’m within reach. She bares her teeth at me and hisses, just like in vampire movies, but I hold my ground. “I’m not going to hurt you
. I want to help you.”

  Her eyes follow my hand as I reach for her, but she doesn’t attack or run. The second my fingers connect, her body relaxes.

  “What are you doing?” Asa says behind me.

  “Joanna and I are going to have a little talk.” I smile at her. “Nothing more.”

  She focuses are me and her gaze is more lucid than before. “I didn’t mean it,” she says.

  “Didn’t mean what?” I have no idea what she’s talking about but I don’t want to alienate her now that I’ve got a hold on her.

  “I wasn’t myself.” She glances at Asa. “Tell him I wasn’t myself. I wouldn’t have harmed her. Well, maybe I would have at the time.” Her confused eyes meet mine. “I feel better touching you.”

  Without looking at him I repeat what she says. “Joanna wants me to tell you she wasn’t herself.”

  A few seconds of silence pass before he answers. “I know.”

  Drawn by the utter desolation in his tone I look at him. “What’s she talking about?”

  “Vivian used Joanna for a time and she—Joanna—went a little nuts. Talked about draining Vivian.”

  “And that’s why you killed her?” Going completely on instinct and what I’d seen in the movies, I suspect Vivian is the head honcho of vampires. Of course Asa would protect his master if she was threatened. The explanation makes sense and gives me the peace of mind I need. At least now I know I’m not in the room with a cold-blooded killer. “To protect Vivian?”

  He nods. “But I shouldn’t have. I should have trusted Vivian to take care of the situation.” He swallows hard, his gaze boring into me. “Tell Joanna I’m sorry.”

  My heart actually hurts for him. There is no doubt he’s been living with a lot of guilt. All I have to go on is my gut reaction, so I decide to trust what he’s telling me. I look at Joanna. “She can hear you.”

  Joanna takes both my hands in hers, gripping them tightly. “Tell him I would have done the same thing and that I’m sorry.”