Death Times Two Read online

  I scoop up the coins and start tossing them at Hal. “All right then, get on board the elevator to paradise.” And hopefully I’d be visiting paradise very soon as well. “Happy trails. Run free. Be wild. See you in the next life.”

  The two spirits waste no time boarding the elevator. With an excited wave from Melvyn, the door slides shut, leaving Asa and me alone in the cabin. Both of his arms slide around my body and he pulls my back against him. His breath feathers against my ear and his lips nuzzle against my neck.

  “We’re alone,” he mumbles. “Wanna make out?”

  I sigh and relax against him. “I’d love nothing more.” Turning, I wind my arms around his neck. “But we’ve got one more ghost to reap and I can’t concentrate until the job is finished.” I brush my mouth against his. “And you don’t want me to be distracted…” My tongue caresses his bottom lip. “Do you?”

  He runs a hand up my spine and cups the back of my head, tilting it slightly. His mouth claims mine. I open to him and our tongues meet, sliding along each other. My heart beat quickens and those little flips I used to get when I was young and had a crush on a boy tumble in my stomach. A moan escapes me and all I want is to lose myself in Asa.

  As if out of protest my stomach erupts with a complaint that sounds as if I haven’t eaten in days—which would be idiotic, because I’d kill somebody before that happened.

  He smiles against my mouth, pulls back slightly and rests his forehead against mine. “Come on, you need to eat.”

  For the first time as far as I remember, I want to argue I’m not hungry. But I’m going to need my strength for this last ghost and hopefully for the romp fest with Asa. “Okay.”

  Our trip back to the inn is quick. I think I’m starting to memorize part of the tunnels. I knew when we were getting closer and guessed the last half dozen turns correctly. I can’t help but feel this isn’t information Vivian would want an outsider to know, but I’m not going to bring up the subject. Let sleeping vamps lie, as they say—or as I say now that I’ve reaped a kagillion of them.

  Back at the inn I’m served a meal that satisfies every fat, cheese lovin’, alcoholic bit of me—a cheeseburger, fries, and a beer. It’s as if someone read my mind. Another thought I don’t want to examine too closely. Ignorance is bliss.

  After downing the last of my beer, I stretch and yawn. For Asa the night is young, but the day’s events have wiped me out.

  “Tired?” he asks.

  I cover my mouth in a feeble attempt to hide my exhaustion. “Sorry. Reaping takes a lot out of me. Especially when they try to possess me.”

  “Why don’t you get some sleep? Maybe we can reap Emiko later, or even tomorrow.”

  Despite the prospect of having some fun with Asa after the job is finished, I’m missing my kids. Home seems like a million miles away and even though I know they’re fine with my best friend, I’m getting anxious to get home. “Maybe just a nap. We can go out later.”

  “Sounds good.”

  I prop my elbow on the table and rest my chin on my hand, smiling. “Can I ask you a favor?”

  He mirrors my position. “Anything.”

  “Will you come to bed with me?”

  His eyes widen. “You’re supposed to sleep.”

  “I will.” My smile evaporates. “I don’t want to be alone. Not with Emiko still on the loose.”

  Without hesitation he stands and holds out his hand. “Come on.”

  Boy, I could really get used to having this guy around. Hot, considerate, seems to like kids. I tamp down the disappointment about what can’t be—at least not now, and accept his hand. We head to my room and he closes the door behind us.

  It takes a second for my eyes to adjust. “Is it true vampires see in the dark?”

  “Yep.”

  “What am I doing now?” I stick out my tongue.

  “Careful, or I’ll take that as an invitation.”

  I laugh. “Okay, it’s true.” I walk to the bed. “Uh, sorry if this is awkward, but I can’t sleep with pants on. I’m a little claustrophobic.”

  Suddenly he’s beside me. “You can take off all your clothes as far as I’m concerned.”

  “But then I wouldn’t get a nap, would I.”

  He gives me a slow, coaxing kiss and then pulls away. “Definitely not.”

  I push at his chest and step back. “I’m not saying no. I’m just saying no for now.” I shed my pants, which leaves me in a long t-shirt, and crawl under the covers. I pat the bed. “Come on.”

  He turns on the bathroom light and cracks the door an inch. Very deliberately, Asa unzips his pants and steps out of them, and then pulls off his shirt. I frown at him and he smiles. “Just leveling the playing field.”

  “Tease.”

  Pulling back the covers, he slips in next to me and wraps me in his slightly cooler embrace. “Honey, teasing is the last thing I want to do to you.”

  His skin feels good against mine. I swear my body temperature has risen three degrees since I met him. I snuggle against him and sigh. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a man’s arms around me. Even way before my husband died. We had a hands-off practice when it came to actually sleeping. He stayed on his side of the bed and I stayed on mine. But with Asa that’s not what I want.

  My eyes drift shut and I’m asleep within minutes.

  When my eyes flutter open a few hours later, he’s still there, still wrapped around me, still keeping me safe. Even though I didn’t move he must have sensed when I awoke.

  “Sleep well?”

  “Better than I have in a long time.” I lift my head and look at the clock. “Ten.” My head drops back to the pillow. “Dang, I was really tired.”

  Asa doesn’t move to get up, but his hand slides up my arm. It would be so easy to turn over and make love to him right now. Giving in a little, I do roll to face him. The red numbers from the digital clock reflect in his eyes. His stare is intense and it takes my breath away.

  “I really want you, Lisa.”

  Usually I’d come back with some coy comment but humor escapes me, because I want what he wants. Skin against skin. “One more ghost and I’m all yours.” He pushes me to my back, covering my body with his. I spread my legs and he settles between them. God he feels good. His erection presses against me. “You’re not making this easy.”

  “I know.” His mouth captures mine and his hand creeps up my ribs to cup my breast. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”

  His thumb strums my nipple, bringing it to a tight peak. A whimper of desire and angst escapes me. I run my hands down his back and over his tight buns. They’re just as nice to touch as they are to look at. Unable to help myself I grind against him and open my mouth in invitation.

  He accepts and for a few minutes we’re lost in a cloud of sensual caresses and kisses. To my surprise, Asa draws back first. “Listen, if we go much further I’m not going to be able to stop. Good news is you don’t have to worry about disease or getting pregnant.” He grins at me wickedly in the semi-darkness.

  A glimmer of light from the clock glints off the top of his fang. Oh yeah, that’s hot, but he’s right. I’m not sure what kind of shape I’m going to be in, so I’d rather reap this last ghost and then let the chips—or clothes—fall where they may. “Then we’d better stop.” I use my own argument on him, certain the sliver of doubt I place will be enough to give us both the willpower we need to get dressed. “Because if I have to rest for a few days after we make love, I don’t want to worry about Emiko.”

  His body tenses and stares at me. “Do you think… that us being together will be to rough?”

  I squeeze his ass and wrap my legs around his thighs. “If we do it right.”

  A slow smile spreads across his mouth and his body relaxes. “Let’s go reap this bitch.”

  In an instant he’s off the bed and getting dressed. “Uh, okay.” I shove the covers the rest of the way off. “Nothing like a little enthusiasm.”

  The rasp of his zipper hiss
es through the darkness. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

  That spurs on my own efforts to get dressed. Within minutes we’re out the door and back in the tunnels, practically running. “You got the gold?” I huff out.

  “Yep.” He slows to a brisk walk. “Three pieces in case Hal decides to barter.”

  We continue down tunnel after tunnel. “Tell me about Emiko.”

  “Small, Asian, deadly, fully trained as a ninja like three hundred years ago—and if she could die again I’d gladly do the honors.”

  The vehemence in his voice shocks me. “So, we’ve saved the worst for last?”

  He stops suddenly and turns. I almost run into him, but halt just in time. “Don’t let your guard down for a second. Don’t let go of me. And don’t believe the crap she’s going to spew at you. There’s nothing good about Emiko. She’s no innocent soul that needs to be saved. She was a master vampire and did a lot of really bad shit when she was alive.” I open my mouth to ask what, but he holds up a hand. “No, don’t ask. They’re the kind of things that will keep you awake at night. Trust me when I say, you don’t want to know.”

  I inhale. “Okay. I trust you.”

  He nods and takes my hand. “We still have a way to the hangar.”

  From my ride from the landing strip I figure we have to walk at least two miles. Again, the complexity and sheer genius of the tunnels hits me. We travel without talking. Mainly I’m trying not to suck wind like a two pack-a-day smoker, and I wonder what it would be like to have unlimited energy like Asa.

  “So, explain again how a human turns into a vampire.”

  “Why? You thinking of converting?”

  I give an unladylike snort. “No. Just curious.”

  “A human is drained almost to point of death and then given the vampire’s blood.” He says this in the same way he’d explain how to microwave a burrito. “The conversion takes place after they’ve consumed almost half of their maker’s blood.”

  “Oh.” I’m afraid to ask the next question but I forge ahead. “What if a human happens to say… lick a cut you had? Would anything happen?”

  He stopped again and faced me. “What are you asking?”

  I shrug. “I’m just curious. Some stories say it’s addictive.”

  His eyes search my face for a few seconds. “It can be, especially to werewolves and other vampires.”

  “Would a human get any special perks from it?” God, I sound like a junkie, but I’m curious if a little of Asa’s blood will help me in case Emiko is too strong.

  “You planning on draining me?”

  “Yes, but not that way.” I lean in and kiss him. “If you’re lucky.”

  He shakes his head. “Yes, there are—perks, but you don’t need them. If you drank from me and I’ve fed from you, you’d be bound to me for a month. I wouldn’t do that to you unless we had no other choice—like you were hurt badly or something. Besides, you’re the Angel of Death. You’ve got your own mojo.”

  “I didn’t say I wanted to try it.” From the look on his face he doesn’t believe me. I roll my eyes. “Fine, I was thinking if Emiko is too strong then it might help—but that was before you mentioned the binding part.” I already had enough people demanding things from me. Answering to one more wasn’t appealing. Even if it was Asa. “What is the binding all about?”

  “It’s nature’s defense mechanism for vampires. You’d want to protect me and would do anything I wanted, with no regard for yourself. I’d never do that to you—Vivian has taught me a lot about what it means to take someone’s free will. She’s not done it me and I’m grateful for it.” He draws me to him. “You can do this. Without my blood.”

  “I’m glad you have confidence in me.” And I don’t mention how freaked out the idea of losing my free will has made me.

  “I won’t let Emiko hurt you, Lisa.” He starts down the tunnel again.

  I don’t ask how he’s going to do that if he can’t see her. I’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

  We exit the tunnels inside the hangar. The sun is still high in the sky even at this late hour. The place is empty, no planes, no people, but the giant door is open. With nobody around and wolves roaming the area, there’s probably not a reason to lock things up.

  We walk to the edge of the shadows and stop. “I don’t see any ghosts.” I let go of Asa’s hand. “Let me look outside.”

  “No, you have to draw her in here where I can help you.”

  “I’ll be all right. We have to find her first.”

  His lips thin into a tight line. “Don’t go far. If she’s not here we’ll look somewhere else.”

  “I promise.”

  Creeping forward, I scan the parking area. There’s a jet and another black SUV with dark windows, but nothing else. We’re miles from civilization and the tundra stretches beyond the runway in a wavy sea of lichen and scrub. The warm breeze caresses me and makes the tiny buds of the ground cover dance. It’s so quiet it’s eerie, especially since I’m searching for a psycho ghost.

  “Looking for me?”

  I swing around and come face to face with Emiko. She’s a lot smaller than I remembered from the inn when I first arrived, but I know not to let her size fool me. “Yes.” The casual ‘hey, I’m here to reap you’ I used on the other ghosts seems laughable. Power emanates from her and I’m instantly on alert. “If you’re Emiko.”

  She continues to stare at me, not confirming her identity. After a few seconds she says, “You should have left after Melvyn and Deneishia.”

  I almost feel her gaze stabbing me with its intensity. Everything Asa told me about her is true, and then some. “I take it you’re not going to be cooperative.”

  “Hardly.”

  “Lisa, get back in the hangar,” Asa yells.

  Good idea. I take a step but she blocks my path. “I don’t think so.”

  “Hal.” I want him waiting to take Emiko because I’ll probably not get a second chance. The pink light expands and within seconds the door opens. “Get ready.”

  I don’t look at him but I hear his muttered curse. Dread washes over me. If he’s concerned then I certainly should be way more so. I bolt toward the hangar but before I go three steps I’m lifted off the ground and tossed several feet. I hit the gravel and roll. Pain ricochets through my body. Rolling to my side, I glare at Emiko, trying to catch my breath and not whine. “You.” Gasp. “Did not just do that.”

  “Lisa, are you okay?” Asa’s voice sounds frantic. “Don’t let her touch you!”

  I push to a sitting position and glance at him. He’s pacing along the edge of the shadow and I know he’s going to run out and to try and help if I don’t stop him. My body protests when I ease to a stand. “Yeah, I’m all right.” I hold up a hand. “Do not come out here. I want you whole and healthy for later.”

  Luckily the bitch of a ghost tossed me closer to where he prowled. I back toward him as she stalks me.

  “I wanted Vivian’s pet wolf but had to settle for taking what I wanted from this one.” She flicks her head toward Asa.

  “What do you mean?” I want to keep her talking. Maybe I can get the advantage—somehow. “Taking what?”

  “Don’t listen to her, Lisa. She’s a lying cunt.”

  Normally I hate the C-word, but in this case it’s fitting.

  “You won’t be disappointed, reaper. He’s a good lay. I think he liked it, even though he fought it ‘til the end.”

  That draws me to a stop. Sometimes I’m not the brightest bulb in the string of lights but her meaning is perfectly clear. “You raped him?”

  “Lisa!” Anguish fills Asa’s cry. “Do not listen to her.”

  Emiko shrugs. “I take what I want because I’m more powerful and there’s nothing anybody can do about it.”

  “Really?” I’m super pissed now. Not just irked or angry. A red haze settles over my vision. “Because it looks like somebody took care of you and now it’s my turn.”

  Her fangs extend and
she hisses. “I’d like to see you try.”

  I’m suddenly very calm. Rape my temporary vampire boyfriend and think you’re going to get away with it? Oh, I don’t think so. Energy ripples through my body and I dig deep, focusing on what I am—an angel of death.

  I hurl toward the ghost just as she attacks. All my training races back to me. We collide but instead of holding onto her with my hand, I wrap my arms around the ghost and press her against my body. Instead of her possessing me, I take command of her spirit.

  From what seems like a long distance I hear Asa and Hal yelling at me, but I’m completely focused on Emiko. Even though she tries to fight me, her efforts are useless. A part of me I’ve not acknowledge before, the scary part of being Death’s deliverer, pushes through my fear. A black ghostly essence extends from me and wraps around us, making Emiko and me one. I feel her hatred and evil, but I also sense her years of empty existence.

  The blackness flows around us, her screams seemingly locked inside me. I walk to Hal. My mind is not my own. Something beyond Lisa Carron is controlling my actions. A few feet away, the energy holding Emiko disconnects from me. Still encased in the black ghostly shroud, her spirit is whisked into the elevator. Unlike the other ghosts, she descends and within seconds she’s gone.

  I stumble away from Hal, gasping and in a daze. He’s staring at me with an expression I haven’t seen before. Respect? Maybe fear? I don’t want—am unable—to analyze what just happened. Turning, I walk to Asa. “Gold.”

  He drops a coin in my hand. Numbly I return to Hal and toss the payment to him. He catches it, but doesn’t lower his hand. “It seems we are in for very interesting ride, Lisa Carron.” He tucks the gold in his vest pocket. “Very interesting.”

  With that the elevator compresses into a pink line of light and disappears. I stand there for a few seconds, still trying to wrap my head around what I’d just become. Slowly I turn and face Asa. “Well, that’s never happened before.”

  His mouth is hanging open and his body sags at my words. “Holy shit. I don’t think you ever really needed me.”

  My footsteps move toward him. “Oh yes, I really need you.”

  I’m on him in five long strides and throw myself at him. Our mouths lock, devouring each other. After a few breathless seconds, and before I start peeling off his clothes, I pull back. “That’s it right? No more ghosts?”