Deadly Kisses

Thirty-Four





The Grim Reapers danced around the fire as Bee, Jaleb, and I waited in a cavern on the outskirts of Stonehenge for our fate to catch up with us. We huddled into each other for warmth, reliving special moments of our life. It sucked that there was nothing I could say or do for them to make it better.

“Let’s run away, get on a plane, and go somewhere tropical like Cancun,” Jaleb said.

If only it were that easy, I would have run away with Bee days ago. “Grim Reapers are the most adept trackers. Worse, they would send the death dogs after us. You don’t want to mess with them. They rip you apart and make you look like a piece of sausage. I was lucky to get away with only a crooked nose, and it was only because I jumped in my gondola before my leg got torn off.” I rubbed my nose, remembering.

“Thanks, Aiden. You are the epitome of happy thoughts,” Jaleb said.

“Just looking at the facts and the fact is, we’re all going to lose. I’ll take Abe’s presidential speeches any day over Ivar.”

Bee stood up, hunched over because the cavern was small. “I’m not waiting around for Ivar to call Aiden’s name and for us to be reaped.”

Jaleb immediately went to her side. “Let’s go.” He ran his hands through his hair, looking into the woods for an escape route.

Jaleb stuck out like the color yellow in a sea of black, thanks to his clothes. He was one of the few who wasn’t wearing a cloak. I warned him not to wear the t-shirt just because there was a skull on it.

I followed, but stayed behind as they walked the outer edge of the stone wall. I hung my head down. I was an utter failure. They were expecting me to fix this and to make another bargain, saving them. But there were no more deals to make to save both of them because I had nothing left to bargain with.

“Your wardrobe is drab, Aiden, and this cloak is too long.” Bee stumbled on the cloak again. The heavy fabric hid her figure, and the hood draped down her back. “Aiden, you hear me?”

“Yes. I can’t help being a giant.” I smiled at her and she frowned.

“I’m going to miss you but not this awful cloak. Jaleb, you have a Swiss on you? I need to make an adjustment so I can run easier.”

He pulled the red pocket knife out of his pocket, handing it to her. Bee took the knife to the cloak, cutting around the bottom. She threw the strip of cut fabric over the stone wall and looked down to see her handy work. It was to her knees, exposing worn jeans underneath.

We continued to walk near the wall, stepping over tumbled stones and avoiding stares of the swarm of Grim Reapers. They gulped down firewater, dancing to the music. They were all, Ivar’s minions. We were surrounded.

I saw Reina make an entrance near the flat stone. A human followed her. Adrenaline rushed through me at the sight of her betrayal. She was going to reap a soul that was not from the List of Death. She was in on it with Ivar.

I stormed toward her, pushing other Grim Reapers to the side. They were all dazed now from the firewater, ignoring my shoves.

“Reina, what are you doing? What’s this?” I pointed to the muscled guy standing behind her.

“Don’t act so surprised Mr. Perfect. I help Abe, nothing more. But Ivar is who I take orders from.”

I grabbed her arm, putting my face in hers. “Why pretend to help me then? I don’t get it.” Reina’s eyes lingered on my lips.

Bee’s anger flared to life, and I was pissed. It was a dangerous combination.

“You make all guys seem dumb. I’m an insider for Ivar. A. Spy. I only helped you because Ivar guaranteed you would be working for us, and you’re really cute.” Reina circled me in a dance, stroking the front of my cloak. “I know who you’ll choose tonight and it won’t be her because she can’t give you what you need.”

“Reina, stop saying stuff like that. Remember what I said about asking for trouble?”

Reina put her hands on my face. She inched closer to me, her hips pushing against mine. Anger in Bee’s soul exploded when she kissed me straight on the mouth.

When Reina pulled away, I saw the panic in her eyes. She held my gaze until I acknowledged her plea.

I clutched her arm, putting my mouth to her ear. “Get through tonight and I’ll help you. Hang in there. Don’t let them see how scared you are. Does Ivar know we’re friends?”

She shook her head.

“Good, let’s keep it that way.” I let go of Reina’s arm.

I pretended to be angry at the fake show.

Her human was motionless watching the altercation. The crowd of Grim Reapers took notice, walking down the paths and jumping over stone walls. They began to surround us, cheering, like we were having a fight in the hall of school.

Before Reina could walk away, Bee pushed Jaleb, lunging on top of Reina. I tried pulling her off Reina with one hand. That’s when Bee took my scythe. Its power rolled through her. My hair rose from the electricity.

“I’m going to kill you,” Bee said in a straight, even voice.

Reina laughed. “You don’t know how to use a scythe. You’re an innocent little girl.”

The crowd of Grim Reapers became louder.

It was Reina’s biggest mistake, underestimating Bee. She took control of the scythe, aiming it at Reina. Reina jumped, giving a high-pitched squeal.

“Bee stop! Don’t do that! Give me back the scythe,” I commanded.

Ivar came to us. He wore a long fur cape. He had a broad chest that stretched his shirt. He was the only Grim Reaper that had taken his cloak off, but his choice of clothes was severely outdated to the Viking days. “Let’s save the cat fight for Abraham and his misfits.”

Ivar snapped his head to me. “Control your charges, or they will be locked up until reaping time.”

Ivar said to Bee, “Child, use your God-given sight and look what awaits you in the woods if you escape. It would be a waste of talent if the Demons killed you because you’re such a pretty little thing.” He took a strand of Bee’s hair in his hand. When he let go, Bee hid behind me and her body shook.

Ivar walked away irritated, flanked by Reina and her human.

When they were out of hearing range, Jaleb took Bee by the shoulders and shook her. “Are you crazy going after her like that? I don’t want you killed, Beatrice!”

“Why are you sticking up for Reina? You see what she’s doing, right?” she fired at me.

“It was a ploy. Feel out my emotions because I can’t say more with all Ivar’s Reaperling’s around us.”

Jaleb put his hand to his forehead, rubbing. “I need more of Marlin’s herbs.”

Bee squeezed Jaleb’s shoulder. “Sorry. I lost my temper. I don’t know what I was thinking. Now isn’t the time.”

“You scared the crap out of me. I need you in one piece. I need you to go back home. Mom and Dad are going to need you. You’re going to have to explain to them that the family is in danger because they’re going to completely freak out.”

“You can’t die!” Bee wailed.

“I know, and I’m sorry.” Beads of sweat formed on his head, dribbling down. His death fever was getting worse.

“Come on you two, looks like we’re trapped here. Ivar has this place surrounded by lesser demons.” My shoulders slumped, feeling the weight of the world.

The demons eyes blazed red through the trees and lined the stone walls in all directions.

Bee saw them too, shuddering. “Good thing we didn’t try to go out that way.”

“So, we sit and reminisce by the fire and wait?” Jaleb stumbled, weak, quickly getting his footing.

“Yes.” I couldn’t look him in the eyes. “There’ll be no more bargains.”

We continued walking along the stone wall to find a quiet place. Bee clutched my arm when we passed the stone table. I rubbed my thumb in circular motions over her hand and my pulse responded. The music boomed as the Grim Reapers swallowed down firewater.

I pointed to a larger chamber going into the ground. The entrance was built up with stone into a square. Its height was high enough to see everything that was going on at Stonehenge. A large boulder sat in front of the entrance. It was easy to climb up, to get on top of the ledge.

“Let me help you up.” I gently lifted Bee onto the boulder. She swung her leg up, crawling to the top. Jaleb followed. His long legs swung up effortlessly. I walked around the structure as my eyes caught a glimmer of white on the ground.

“Aiden! Aiden!” Bee said, in a loud whisper.

“I’m right here. I’m coming!” I couldn’t run fast enough. “You miss me already?”

I hopped up onto the rock, bouncing from one to the next, until I stood in front of her. I knelt down, holding out a couple of frozen daisies. “For you, my beautiful lady.”

Bee breathed a hot breath onto the flowers. The flower petals uncurled, extending to their former spring glory. A slight fragrance tickled my nose. Even in this drab place full of stone there was small beauty. It gave me hope that things would work out.

I took the daises, tucking them over her ear into her hair. “You’re one of a kind.”

“I’m cold,” Bee said, bringing her knees to her chest and pulling the long sleeves of the cloak down to cover her hands.

“Me too.” Jaleb moved closer to us, the warmth bouncing between us. I moved behind Bee so my legs wrapped around her waist. She cursed the cloak, pulling it up until she was nestled between me, warm and safe.

I rested my chin on her shoulder, my hair soft on her cheek. Our souls merged together, swimming in a pool of endless bliss. I closed my eyes, pretending to be anywhere but in Salem, New Hampshire.