Deadly Kisses

Thirty-One





Trick-or-treating was like how it used to be when we went out together. There was laughing, jokes, and fun. The fun quickly diminished after we dropped the twins off at home and boarded my gondola to make our way east to America’s Stonehenge, aka Mystery Hill.

We moved swiftly down the River of Lost Souls toward Salem to attend Ivar’s party. There were two mortals in the boat. Only one of them would return.

“Well, that was interesting when Hope had a fit because she couldn’t get the Tootsie Roll,” I said to Jaleb. I never had siblings or cousins, but I liked the twins.

“Bee, you missed it when Faith hid in a bush eating candy. Aiden used his super-power-death-skills to track her.” Jaleb snorted with a lopsided grin.

Bee sat on the wooden floor crammed next to her brother’s legs. He sat on the seat looking up the stone walls of the cave.

“How can you guys be so gabby with all that moaning coming from the water? It’s freaking me out. Couldn’t you choose a cooler rig?” She twisted the guilt in my heart and a pit rooted at the bottom of my stomach.

Bee looked at me with remorse. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up any reference to the car accident. I know why you chose the river. I wouldn’t want to drive again either.”

“No. It’s fine, really. I’m over it.” I winked.

It was dark, but I could see the concern in her face and the way she didn’t take her eyes off me. I hoped I wasn’t scaring her, but I had to put the cloak back on. She watched the way I used my scythe.

“Do you think the twins are sleeping yet?” Jaleb’s voice echoed off the walls.

“You let them eat too much candy. They’ll be awake until next week.” Bee elbowed Jaleb in the leg.

“I’m glad I won’t be around to get yelled at about that,” Jaleb said.

“That’s not funny, and we haven’t decided who it will be,” Bee said. “Let’s just go with the flow and see if we can make another bargain or something.”

The water rippled around the boat and the moans died down.

“Is this your first All Hallows Eve sacrifice, bud?” Jaleb asked.

“Yup, I read about it at the archives. Reina told me they’ve been doing this for the past thousand years. Abe’s been working to stop it.”

“What’s the point of these senseless reapings?” Bee huddled into herself, shivering.

“They do it so families are off balanced, making more reapings, so we are needed. Rumor is they want to cut our jobs. That would mean Ivar would go to Hell. He still wants to walk the earth.”

“Death politics. It’s worse than presidential debates,” Bee said. “My legs are cramped down here. Any way we can stop for a stretch?”

“We already lost time trick-or-treating and we have to see Marlin before we go to Stonehenge. That’s across the state, but you can help me steer. Give me your hand.”

“Are you nuts? She drives like a maniac,” Jaleb remarked.

“Hey, I can drive better than you. Besides, I see Grim Reapers driving around.”

I took her hand to steady her. She stood trying to balance the gondola. Jaleb held onto the sides using his body to keep it from rocking back and forth. She came face to face with me. “Turn around slow. I’ve got you.”

Bee turned her back to me and I pulled her close into my body. She fit like a piece to the puzzle. Her warmth radiated and thrummed through me. I wrapped my left arm snug around her waist. She jumped.

“Your hands are freezing. Let me warm them.” She leaned into my ear, whispering.

Jaleb sat with his elbow on the edge of the gondola. His head rested onto his hand. He was in deep thought and not paying attention to us.

Bee put both her hands over mine, animating me.

“You’re so warm. Being near you restores me, but having you touch me . . . well you are my heaven.”

A wheeze of air escaped through her lips.

“Tonight you’ll have to release my soul, or I’ll have to take it. Abe doesn’t think it will come back out, but we have to try.” I leaned into Bee’s neck to smell her, talking low so Jaleb couldn’t hear.

She nodded, but I was hesitant. I wanted my soul back, but a bigger part of me wanted it to stay within her. “Put your hand on mine. I’ll show you how to use the scythe.”

“At least I know I won’t fry if I touch it.”

I chuckled, making some of her hair fly upward. “No, but Jaleb would. You’re bonded with it.” I felt her hand eagerly grasp mine. “Close your eyes. Merge together with me.”

“I don’t know how.” Bee panicked.

“Yes, you do. Without knowing, you seek me out all the time.” I waited until our souls united.

She held onto my hand tighter, drawing closer to me. I was her willing prisoner. Without her knowing, I tried to draw our souls into their right bodies, but my attempt failed. I would have to try again when we got to America’s Stonehenge because I didn’t want to fail her. I loved her so much my heart felt like it would burst.

“Tell me what’s bothering you, Aiden,” Bee said.

“I’m fine,” I lied.

“My mother says fine stands for Frustrated-Insecure-Neurotic-and-Emotional. Talk to me. It’s making me nervous. My chest is tightening. There is a hunger in your soul.”

I swallowed hard.

“I’m begging you.”

“This is wrong to tell you, but don’t hit the messenger.” My heart rammed in my chest. It beat against her back. I released her waist, wiping my forehead, and put my arm around her tighter. I hunched down until my chin rested on her shoulder. My lips were mere inches from her ear.

“Just spit it out, Aiden. I’ll feel so much better when your soul releases this pent up energy. Please,” she pleaded.

I whispered to her in the dark of the tunnel. “I love you! I have always loved you, and I will always love you!”

That pent up energy Bee described released through her. Her soul surged. Tendrils of energy swirled and danced, binding us together. It finally burst through our bodies into a blinding white light. The cave lit up. I could see the moss curtains that hung from the stone ceiling. The black water revealed skeletons that floated about. I saw other gondolas were docked on a distant cemetery exit and then it went black again.

“What the hell was that?” The boat jostled from Jaleb’s jerky, nervous movements.

“Nothing!” Bee and I said in unison, like a choreographed dance.

“We’re not under attack, are we?” Jaleb looked down the river.

“Nope, no attack. Sit back. We’re almost to Marlin’s. You’ll feel stronger after you get more of her herbal tonic.” I closed my eyes, letting Bee guide us. My body relaxed, succumbing to her.

Jaleb hunched over, leaning on both hands. I hummed Bee’s song to her and her soul buzzed inside me.

I was content for the first time since my tragic death. I basked in it, because it would be the last time. I still had to reap Jaleb. Bee would hate me for it. I would honor my agreement with both the Ancients and Jaleb. I had promised Jaleb years ago to watch over Bee. I never go back on my promises.

When I reaped Jaleb, it would be another notch of regret, and another incident that would keep me a Grim Reaper for eternity.