Deadly Kisses

Thirty-Six





Other emotions came from Bee—rage, jealousy—all over me. My brain went to static as her lips devoured mine. I parted them, bringing my tongue deep inside her mouth—vanilla. The delicious taste sent me to probe and explore.

Her fingers twisted, clutching the collar of my cloak. Her heart raced, pulsating through my veins. I pulled her into me until I could feel her body against mine. Hip to hip—soul to soul. We were chocolate slowly warming, melting into sweet goo.

Our souls blazed, dancing and swirling around each other, revealing all her emotions. It warmed my body. I moaned, vibrating against her mouth. Then our souls tangled like jungle vines, becoming so entwined that unraveling them was now impossible.

Someone yelled in the background. Weird things were happening to her heart. I forced my lips away, gasping for air. I had caused death by heart failure. There was no going back, I moved forward to kiss her again, knowing she was mine and it was already done.

This time I was gentle, giving her small kisses on her lips, moving down her jaw to her neck. I pulled away. Her eyes sparkled.

I don’t think Bee realized what I had done to her. “Bee I killed you! You’re dead! I’m so sorry . . . it wasn’t supposed to be like this.”

Jaleb was on his knees pulling at his hair, screaming.

“I still feel your soul in me.”

“Me too, me too!” I knew it wouldn’t come out now. Bee made our connection stronger when I had told her that I loved her on the river. Honestly, I didn’t want her soul to leave me.

“Kiss me. I went too long without it.” She pulled me closer to her.

“And you’re okay that I reaped you?”

“I don’t care. I love you, and I’m yours—forever.”

“That’s right, you’re mine, forever.” My body jumped at Ivar’s cold hand on my shoulder. I pulled Bee into me, wrapping her with my other arm, the thick fabric of my cloak blanketing her.

“Well, at least we don’t need to fit her with a cloak or a scythe.”

“Don’t touch her. She’s my Reaperling! She still gets her choice to ascend, Ivar!”

Ivar scratched his beard and then adjusted the hideous helmet on his egg head. Bee shook.

“You mean our Reaperling! Good choice by the way. She’s way more valuable than her brother. I knew you would see it my way.”

“Jaleb,” Bee cried. She pulled through my grip and went to her brother who had his hands out groping the air. “Jaleb!”

“Ivar took away his Sight of Death. He can’t see or hear us anymore,” I said to Bee.

I raised our scythe, slamming it to the ground. It shook and rumbled with a force equivalent to a small earthquake. The remaining partiers made an exit, leaving us and the Ancients alone at Stonehenge.

“Ad, buddy. I understand the brother is off limits now,” Ivar said, unconvincing.

I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Yes, yes the twins too until they are of age per our contract.” He put his fingers together making them flex in and out. “You should be happy. You have what you wanted and it was her decision.”

I glared at him.

“Have her get a scythe so we can get this over with.” The sound of his voice was irritating and I had an urge to choke him.

“It’s already done, she’s a Grim Reaper—my Reaperling!”

“So young and naïve. She can’t be your Reaperling unless the dead, old, overprotective, and keep under his wing, Abe, released you from his service. Ha, he never releases his charges. Having two bosses ordering you around will keep you quite busy.” Ivar cackled, his laugh echoing off the empty space.

I cocked an eyebrow. “Yes, he released me.”

Ivar took his helmet throwing it to the ground. The sharp bone of the horn broke off.

The death dogs circled us and took residence at Ivar’s side.

“Bee held onto her regret the minute she was reaped.” I smiled never feeling so warm in my life.

“I can still control you and she will do as you say.” He walked to me, putting one finger in the center of my chest. He swirled it around until I gasped. “Feel that ice cold. That’s me! Get used to it. I’ll text you with instructions. Go get your Reaperling a cell phone and we’ll talk about being marked later. Every Grim Reaper will know I own you!”

The Ancients walked into the tunnel at the main sight of Stonehenge. In a plume of black smoke they disappeared. All evidence of tonight’s activities vanished.

“This could be your last chance to change your mind, Bee. You’ll be tied to me forever because I’ll never let you go and you’ll have to face Ivar, and it will be dangerous. I’ll find a way to send him to the Underworld. I won’t allow him to hurt your family.”

“What about Jaleb?” she asked.

“He’ll go home and be the one to protect them. You slipped him money for a taxi. Although, I think he’ll need an ambulance instead.”

“He also has my cell phone. Now I need a new one before I go nuts. It better have Internet access. Where is the signup sheet?”

“Are you sure this is what you want? We’ll have to find Kessler and bind him to the ground.”

“I’m sure. It was those lips that convinced me I needed them on me every day to be happy.”

“How did you manage to stay here? I know what is keeping me here . . . but you?”

“You, Aiden. I would regret leaving you!”

“I guess I won the lottery.” I clutched the key around my neck, winking at Bee. We walked out of Stonehenge hand-in-hand to the River of Lost Souls, leaving Jaleb behind.