‘Tyler, look in the mirror. You need to see this.’
I did not want to have anything to do with the mirror which had swallowed my mother, to stare at its barren surface, but I forced myself to turn around.
I gasped.
My necklace had changed. No longer black, the wings were a luminescent white, and the shape of the skull had softened so it resembled an angel more than a death’s head. No, I now knew that there were no such things as angels. This was a Tr’lirian.
I touched the necklace with my fingertips and instantly my body throbbed with its beat.
‘I guess Killian was wrong,’ I said, my voice surprisingly steady. ‘I didn’t need years to become attuned.’ I turned back to Chris. ‘So what happens now? You said Grimm couldn’t be killed, only weakened.’
‘You’ve given us breathing space. It will take him time to recover his strength before he can come after us again.’
‘He gets his power by feeding on souls, destroying any chance they have of achieving rebirth.’
‘It’s horrible, I know, but look how many souls you saved today.’
Not the right soul. Chris and I were alive, but at what cost?
‘It will never be over,’ I said. ‘Grimm won’t stop, and now he knows I can hurt him so he’ll be more careful. Next time, we won’t see him coming.’
This time when Chris moved to comfort me I let him, drained of all emotion as I considered what the future would hold. We’d be forever looking over our shoulders, knowing one day an attack would come, but with no idea of when. And in the meantime my mother remained a prisoner in the Underworld and I couldn’t bear to think about what might be happening to her. We also had Killian to worry about. He was determined to see us dead so Cade could get the chance to kill Almorthanos.
My necklace went cold and I grabbed it with one hand, trusting Chris to take care of my body as I answered the call to reap. While I may have survived my first week as a reaper, I had not come up with a way to break free of the contract I had entered into with Grimm. I’d be seeing even more dead bodies in the future and I could only hope none of them turned out to be mine.
THE END
###
NEXT IN THE SERIES: WINGED REAPER
Secrets, lies and the Grim Reaper: a recipe for disaster!
Twenty-five-year-old Tyler Morgan is only alive—technically reborn—because the Grim Reaper offered her a job. Now she has to find a way to stop her ‘boss’ from starting a war that threatens the survival of mankind.
Weak and in need of fresh souls, the Grim Reaper has sent his Wraiths to Tyler’s hometown, Easton, and by the time he gets his fill, it could turn into a graveyard.
Tyler’s resolve is tested when old secrets surface and a new betrayal has her questioning where her loyalties lie.
Supported by the intriguing detective, Sam Lockwood; the handsome, wealthy Chris Bradbury; and sources she never expected to come to her aid, Tyler must fight her way to the truth if she is ever to find the strength to harness the powers she has inherited, and vanquish the Grim Reaper forever.
FROM THE AUTHOR: SHELLEY RUSSELL NOLAN
This book would not exist without the support of my amazing family and friends.
My mum taught me to love reading at an early age and never doubted that one day my name would be on a book cover.
My husband and kids have supported my disappearances into imaginary worlds while I write, and have joined my travels to writing festivals and workshops throughout Queensland.
My best friend and biggest fan, Donna, has read countless first drafts and helped with the difficult critiquing process. I thank her for bringing the fun, and sharing the highs and lows with me though this journey towards publication.
I would also like to thank Sandy Curtis, Deonie Fiford and Louise Cusack, who all offered valuable insights and played a huge part in shaping this story into something magical.
Thanks to fellow authors Cheryse Durrant, Kris Sheather and Sue-Ellen Pashley for professional support, friendship and the always awesome brainstorming sessions, and a heartfelt thank you to Helen Goltz for welcoming me to the Atlas team.
It’s taken many years of hard work, study, and dedication for me to share my fantasy worlds with my readers. Writing Lost Reaper took me to fantasy realms of darkness as well as love and light, so I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I loved writing it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shelley Russell Nolan is an avid reader who began writing her own stories at sixteen. Her first completed manuscript featured brain eating aliens and a butt-kicking teenage heroine. Since then she has spent her time creating fantasy worlds where death is only the beginning and even freaks can fall in love. With books for both young adults and adults in the works, Shelley plans on writing for as longs as she has the power to type, and looks forward to when all her stories will be published.
CONNECT WITH SHELLEY:
Website: https://shelleyrussellnolan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShelleyRussellNolan/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@ShelleyRNolan/
Lost Reaper (The Reaper Series Book 1) Page 25