Reaper Dreaming: A Reaper Novel

by Christie Palmer

  Lailah felt like her world was spinning on out of control on a tilt-a-whirl of pleasure and each time she thought it was going to go off Hunter would slow it down. And she was desperate to have it go off.

  “Please, Hunter,” Lailah begged.

  “Say the words, Lailah,” Hunter demanded.

  Lailah tried to focus on what he was saying but she was having such a hard time, with what he was doing with his cock and his lips on her breasts. “What do you want from me?” Lailah begged slapping him on the back to get his attention.

  Hunter abandoned her breast and pulled out of her making Lailah shriek. “Who do you belong to?” Hunter asked.

  Lailah finally focused on him. Letting his question soak in, was he serious? The look on his face said, yes he definitely was serious. Maybe she should have thought about if for longer than thirty seconds. Maybe they were going to take her feminist card away. And maybe, just maybe it made her a total sap.

  Looking directly into Hunter's eyes she admitted, “I totally and completely belong to you, Hunter.”

  “Damn straight,” Hunter groaned as he slammed back into Lailah making her moan. Hunter rolled his hips hitting her exactly where he needed to and she blew, she blew so hard it made her toes curl and it felt like her head was going to explode. Then he was sliding out and back in, prolonging the orgasm in a way that was sinful and delicious. Lailah rocked against him, with him. And soon Hunter’s body was moving against her in a frenzied fashion and Lailah could tell he was close to his own release.

  “It’s your turn, Hunter.” Hunter’s eyes flashed to Lailah’s, she knew she was asking for trouble. It was on the tip of her tongue to demand the same as he had but she saw the fear in his. He wouldn’t be able to give her the same response. So she changed her request, “Come for me,” Lailah demanded and buried her disappointment in his throat. And Hunter went off, and the pain she felt just seconds ago was replaced with the passion of his release. She would think more about his reaction later. But right now wasn’t the time or place for it.

  They stayed locked together for several minutes. Neither wanting the moment to end. Finally, Lailah tapped Hunter on the shoulder, “My legs are going numb.”

  “That’s okay you don’t need them,” Hunter said. “I’ll carry you anywhere you need to go.” But he released her and let her stand. Maneuvering her so she stood under the hot shower.

  Lailah rested her head on Hunters' shoulder. Hunter grabbed the soap and washed her from head to toe. Lailah had to return the favor. She was surprised they made it back to bed that night.

  * * *

  “So you are never going to believe what I found out about your friend Grayson,” Bowen said tapping on a manila envelope.

  Hunter shrugged, “I’m sure it’s riveting otherwise you wouldn’t have called me into your dungeon.”

  Bowen nodded. “I only allow the most important people into my dungeon you asshole so you should feel privileged,” Bowen said with a wink.

  Hunter rolled his eyes, “Would you just get on with it already.”

  “Grayson is a unique name. Don’t you think?” Bowen asked.

  “Not really,” Hunter said. “I deal with the dead. Do you have any idea how many people die every day?”

  “Point taken,” Bowen said. “Let me put it to you this way. On the mortal plane for any given city. Grayson isn’t all that popular a name. Ran it through Missing Persons in Chicago because, well it’s where we found him. Nothing.”

  Hunter sighed, “This is helping us how?”

  “Well, any information is good information,” Bowen said. “Anyway, I then changed the search to include missing and exploited homeless all major cities. And got a hit. Guess which city?”

  “What is it with you Trackers? You love these guessing games.” Hunter ran a hand through his hair. “Reapers just give the information. You don’t make any sense.”

  “Gods, you are no fun,” Bowen said with a laugh, “Baton Rouge, Louisiana. One Grayson LeBleu.” Bowen opened the folder he had been holding and pulled out a picture. It was a mug shot. “Had a rap sheet a mile long, did some pretty bad shit too. Was homeless since he was a teenager hooked on all, and any type of drugs he could get his hands on. But originally he came from a good family, good kid gone bad.” Bowen handed the file over to Hunter who pulled everything out of it. Along with a couple of mug shots Grayson’s evolution from a clean cut kid into a homeless drug addict. He looked emaciated and like he had been fighting demons most of his life. Hunter looked up at the Grayson they had contained in the cell now, nothing like the Grayson from before the drugs and nothing like the Grayson from the last mug shot.

  “So how does a homeless drug addict from Baton Rouge, Louisiana end up with the Tribunal and cursed to hold the souls of the dead?” Hunter asked.

  Bowen pointed to the screen. “Only he has those answers. Good luck getting any of them from him.”

  Hunter read the information Bowen had gathered on Grayson as he walked down the hall. The LeBleu family was old money in the Baton Rouge area. Grayson had grown up with a silver spoon in his mouth. He should be living on an estate now, golfing with friends and not having a care in the world. But it looked as if he hadn’t wanted his parent’s money, or maybe his parent’s money hadn’t been enough. Either way, it turned out bad for him, drugs had turned him into a runaway at an early age. At fifteen, Grayson had been picked up by the juvenile cops, and his world had spiraled out of control from there.

  Hunter let himself into the cell where Grayson was being kept and waved the folder he was holding at Grayson. “Your life story is a pretty interesting read, Grayson.”

  Grayson sat in his chair with his eyes closed and he didn’t even bother to open them as Hunter spoke. “So you figured out who I was before I became better. It matters very little.”

  “Oh, I think it matters quite a lot,” Hunter said tossing the folder onto the floor in front of Grayson. “Your parents are still looking for you by the way,” Hunter informed him.

  The corners of Grayson’s mouth turned up but he still didn’t open his eyes. “I’ve spent years attempting to step from beneath their shadow. Their feigned concern is laughable, really,” Grayson drawled.

  “This is a fucked up way to prove you aren’t a lackey of your parents,” Hunter thought out loud.

  Grayson finally opened his eyes and if Hunter hadn’t been pressed up against the door he would have stepped back. Grayson’s eyes had changed, gone were the whites of his eyes replaced with blood. And Grayson looked like he had two pupils fighting, one overlaid by the other.

  “Is the light hurting your eyes, Grayson?” Hunter asked.

  Grayson nodded and closed his eyes again. Hunter turned to the camera and nodded, the lights dimmed, leaving the room in shadows. Hunter knew Grayson was slowly losing the battle to contain the souls he was holding. Regardless of what he said or did his body was giving way to what was inside of him.

  “Is that better?” Hunter asked.

  Grayson opened his eyes and turned to Hunter, “Thank you.”

  Hunter nodded, “Don’t you think it means something, your parents still looking for you?”

  “No. I want nothing to do with them and them for me. Stop talking about them,” Grayson snapped.

  “I think family means everything,” Hunter said honestly.

  Grayson laughed, “Then you are a fool. I will not be held back by mortal hindrances. Mortal feelings,” Grayson spat. “You are a fool who is being held down by unnecessary sentiments. Things you should free yourself of in order to be a superior Reaper, a more unconnected Reaper.”

  “You think by caring for someone it makes you weak?” Hunter asked. “You think I am too connected?”

  Grayson balked, “Of course as a Reaper if you believe otherwise you are a fool. You cannot deal in death and take the time to feel for your souls.”

  Grayson’s words seemed to strike Hunter directly in the chest because such a short time ago he had felt exactly
the same way. But now he had Lailah and everything in him had changed. Everything was different, Lailah had changed how he felt. And Hunter wasn’t weaker for it. Far from it.

  “You’re wrong, Grayson. First the drugs and then the Tribunal ruined you. The drugs convinced you nothing mattered but your next high. You did unspeakable things in order to get your drugs.” Grayson opened his mouth to deny it but Hunter had read his file and knew it was true so he continued not letting Grayson speak. “Then the Tribunal convinced you, you didn’t need the drugs, and then you got addicted to the feelings of power and the souls you are living off of. But it is all a false high, brother. Just like the drugs, it’s going to lead you nowhere. You’re going to die Grayson, and if you haven’t figured that shit out yet you're more stupid than I thought. The question now is whether or not you’re going to go painfully or you’re going to work with us and I promise to do everything I can to make your passing easy.”

  Grayson shook his head, “There is nothing you can say Reaper that will change my mind or my course. I love what I have become.” He took a breath and expanded his arms he tilted his head back closing his eyes a look of absolute rapture crossing his face. “Soon I will encompass all.”

  Hunter shook his head, “No, Grayson, soon you will dwell in Hell. There is no other place for you.”

  Grayson said nothing more folding his arms his head tilted forward and rested his chin on his chest.

  Hunter left him there, he had tried to save him. And Grayson obviously didn’t want saving. He knew what he was, the souls inside of him were contaminated past redemption. They were going to have to kill Grayson and dissipate the souls. It was the only thing they could do.

  Hunter headed out to the fallout shelter they were building. They had the hole dug and it was a deep hole.

  “That’s a little intimidating,” Hunter said looking into the huge hole they had dug.

  “Yeah, twenty feet down looks a lot deeper in real life looking down on it plus ten for the metal storage container,” Falcon agreed.

  “Where is the storage container at?” Hunter asked.

  Falcon shook his head, “Yeah about that.”

  Hunter shot him a look, “What?”

  “Eric is tripp’n about it. He won’t allow a flatbed trailer to drive through to drop it off. Cause its way bigger than what we needed to bring in the backhoe.” Falcon dropped that bomb of news like he was giving Hunter the news on the weather.

  Hunter swore, “So how the fuck are we going to get it here?”

  Falcon gave him a big smile, “What exactly are you prepared to Flash exactly?”

  Hunter swore again.

  * * *

  They had never Flashed anything like the metal storage container before, it weighed over two tons. Hunter didn’t even know if it was possible. And in the end, it took four of them to do it. And when they Flashed into the clearing with the container Hunter had a blinding headache, and the look Victor, Christian, and Garrett gave him said they felt exactly the same way. But they weren’t even done, they had to Flash the damn thing into the hole. When that was done Hunter almost threw up. He and his brothers barely kept themselves on their feet.

  Lailah had to grab him when it was done because he stumbled away like a bumbling, drunk idiot.

  “Let me heal you.” Lailah threaded her fingers into his hair and he had to admit the warmth spreading through him felt amazing.

  When she was done Hunter wanted nothing more than to wrap her in his arms and kiss her but she immediately pulled from his arms.

  “Hey,” Hunter reached out to her.

  Lailah gave him a smile, “Let me heal your brothers.” Green jealously streaked through him and Hunter fisted his hands at his sides as Lailah went to each of his brothers and healed them. When she was done Victor was hugging her. And Hunter wanted to slam a fist into his brother’s face. This jealousy thing was getting totally out of hand.

  “You’re very handy to have around, I’m usually the one to heal this lot,” Victor told her.

  Lailah laughed, “I’m happy to share the load.”

  Hunter grabbed her, “Keep your hands to yourself.” Hunter snapped at Victor.

  Victor laughed and stepped back, “Now what?” Victor asked looking down at the container now deep in the hole.

  “We need the Elements to come and put some pretty hefty wards on it,” Lailah said. “Then we can bring Grayson down here… And what?” Lailah turned to Hunter.

  Hunter shook his head, “I’ve tried several times to get him to agree to give over the souls, but he believes what he is doing is right. His life is forfeit.”

  Lailah shook her head, “It is so sad.”

  Hunter turned to her, “It is not sad. Do not feel bad for him.”

  “I believe everyone deserves a second chance even Grayson,” Lailah explained. “As the earthbound Arch I want to see everyone redeemed.”

  Hunter shook his head, “He has had several chances. No, he doesn’t get a second or even a third chance. I even gave him the option for a quick death and he turned me down. My mercy for Grayson has been spent.”

  Hunter stomped off taking his brothers with him as Eric and several other Enforcers arrived. Leaving Lailah alone looking down into the hole and the metal container which would soon be Grayson burial site. The entire situation felt wrong to her. Maybe it was the light in her but she felt everyone had the right to have as many chances as the light would afford them.

  Yes, Grayson had chosen the wrong path, but it didn’t mean he couldn’t choose to go down the right path from here on out. Somewhere in him had to be a shred of light? Lailah was going to give Grayson the benefit of the doubt until the bitter end.

  Once the Elements got there everything happened very fast. They set their wards and the container was buried except for the rudimentary stairs they had built. Bowen had set up the door with a special lock that once locked, could never be unlocked. Grayson would be locked in there forever. Lailah was standing in the center of the container and it was bleak and cold making her shiver.

  “What are you doing down here?” Hunter asked ducking he came into the container.

  “I was just imagining spending eternity in here,” Lailah said looking around.

  Hunter wrapped his arms around her. “But you won’t have to spend eternity in here.”

  Lailah laughed and slapped him on the shoulder, “I know but I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. Are you sure there is no other way?”

  Hunter nodded and tucked her under his chin, “You know you don’t have to be a part of this right?”

  Lailah pulled out of his arms, “You know I have to be a part of this right? Just as much as you do. This thing is a threat to the mortal plane I can’t walk away from it.”

  “This should be easy, we are going to gas the room he is in, and we bring his unconscious body down here and lock him in,” Hunter explained. “Easy peasy.”

  Lailah gave him a smile, “So why do I have a feeling we are missing something? Why do I feel like we are headed for something horrible?”

  * * *

  “So what exactly does this thing do?” Hunter asked picking up the vile Bowen had set aside.

  Bowen reached over and grabbed it out of his hands. “Man don’t fuck around with it. You break it open and we will be on the floor for a good seventy-two hours.” Bowen gently put it back on the counter and then for good measure pushed it back from the edge several inches.

  “But what is it going to do to him.” Hunter pointed at the video screen.

  Bowen turned to the video feed of Grayson, “Oh him? Oh, it’s going to knock HIS ass out,” Bowen said with a smile.

  “So where did you get?” Hunter asked. Looking back at the vile again.

  Bowen sighed, “Dude why so interested?” Bowen turned from his bank of screens and glared at Hunter then started to shake his head. “Oh, I so don’t like the look on your face. So whatever you have cooked up in your Reaper head the answer is no.”

  �
��I don’t want her to get hurt,” Hunter started to say.

  Bowen’s eyes bulged, “Tell me you are freaking kidding me?” Bowen shook his head and turned back to his computers. “I am not drugging Lailah. She is an Angel. And in case you have forgotten she is the nicest person in the world, plus have you seen the woman swing a bat? Not happen’n.”

  Hunter reached for the vile, “You don’t have to do anything Bowen. I will do it.”

  Bowen didn’t even look but his hand shot forward and covered the vile, “Did you miss it when I said ain’t going to happen?”

  “Don’t make me hurt you, Bowen,” Hunter growled.

  Bowens head fell back, and he finally turned to Hunter. “Do you have any idea how wrong this is?”

  Hunter nodded, “Yes, but the idea of her being hurt in any way makes me so sick I can’t breathe.”

  Bowen turned to Hunter, “Dude, this is seven degrees of a bad idea.”

  “Just turn your back and I’ll take a vile and a syringe. If anyone asks I’ll tell them I stole it from you,” Hunter said.

  Bowen glared at him and turned his back on Hunter, “Bad, bad, bad, idea.” Bowen said.

  * * *

  Lailah felt so strange, she tried to move but it was like something had nailed her limbs to the bed. And she felt like she was breathing through a too small straw. And when had someone fed her sandpaper?

  “Hunter?” she tried to say but it came out so slow and garbled she wasn’t even sure she made any sense. Lailah needed water, and oxygen lots and lots of oxygen. “Whaaaattt happenennnn?”

  Lailah rolled over in the bed trying to open her to heavy eyelids and heaved a heavy breath. Her face itched. Why did her face itch? And why was she sweating? Everything was moving so slowly, and she had a craving for cheese puffs. Something was trying to clamor forward in her brain but she couldn’t focus on it because her damn nose itched so bad. What had happened to all the oxygen in the room anyway? And where had Hunter gone? He wouldn’t leave her like this, so itchy and in need of cheese puffs would he?