Reaper's Reward

Evernight Publishing www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2012 Marie Medina

ISBN: 978-1-927368-69-5

Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs Editor: Karyn White

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION To Howard, who never gives up on me and my stories.

REAPER’S REWARD Marie Medina Copyright © 2012

Chapter One

Lorelei sighed as she rounded the corner and saw an arguing couple standing right in front of the door of her shop. She didn’t want to be too conspicuous in avoiding them, so she walked with more determination and hoped she could slip past them without being drawn into their dispute. The handsome man drew her attention, but not because of his looks. She had been seeing ghosts and other supernatural beings all her life, and they never bothered her anymore. She didn’t know what she was looking at right now, but he was not a ghost. Something about the woman was odd as well, but the man was definitely not human and never had been. “Please leave me alone!” the woman said, raising her voice significantly as Lorelei approached. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Yes, you do,” the man said. “It’s best you come with me. You don’t belong here.” He held out his hand to the woman. “Are you happy with the life you’re forced to live?” The conversation sounded far too intimate to be conducted on the street. The woman looked frightened, and Lorelei didn’t blame her. The man towered over both of them, standing well over six feet tall. He had black hair that fell across his face, dark eyes, and a weathered complexion. He was clad all in black and wore a black duster, despite the warmth of the spring day. Lorelei assumed that, whatever he was, he remained unaffected by the elements. As out of place as he looked, she had to admit he looked very good. She felt a surge of desire low in her belly. If he were asking her to go with him, she might be very tempted indeed. His eyes flicked to hers for a moment, and she turned away before he could see her lick her lips.

She moved to the door of her shop and tried to get inside as quickly as possible. “Will you be opening soon?” the woman asked. Lorelei turned to her and noted the desperate look in her eyes. “Yes. You can come in now, if you like, and start browsing the books. I’ll have coffee started soon.” “Thank you! Thank you so much!” The woman looked so relieved that Lorelei couldn’t help feeling suspicious of the man. She unlocked the door and held it open for the woman. “Come on in.” The man didn’t move. “Donna, you know you should come with me.” He held out his hand again, but Donna shrank away and stepped over the threshold. Lorelei cleared her throat. The man’s pleading gesture wasn’t menacing. In fact, it seemed almost gentle, but the woman seemed genuinely afraid. “But she doesn’t seem to want to.” He stared into her eyes as he lowered his hand. “She must come with me. I’ve been sent for her.” She blinked to keep herself from getting lost in his dark eyes. “By whom?” He smiled faintly and moved closer. “Since you can see me, you might know who I was talking about. I’m very tempted to try.” “Come on then. Try me.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.” “Then leave her alone. She’s officially a customer now, and I don’t let people harass my customers.” “I’m not harassing, my dear, only insisting. I won’t harm her. She has to come of her own free will, and she knows that very well.” “And I won’t come with you! Not ever!” Donna said. The man backed away and said to Lorelei, “Soon she’ll see she has to come with me.” He turned to the woman. “I hope.” “Why?” Lorelei asked. He lowered his voice. “Because she’s no more human than I am. Look a little closer, and you’ll see, my dear.” He turned on his heels and walked down the street. Lorelei went inside and locked the door behind her, watching him until he was out of sight. Donna had retreated to a stool at the coffee bar. Her hands shook, and she folded them in her lap as if trying to still them.

“Are you okay?” “Yes.” Donna tried to smile, but it didn’t last long. “No.” “Do you want to call someone?” Donna shook her head. “No. I probably won’t see him again today.” She took a deep breath and let it out before looking at Lorelei. “You could see him, obviously. In a way I’m incredibly relieved.” “Yes. I take it that’s unusual?” She nodded. “No one else has ever seen him. People stare as if I’m crazy. They think I’m talking to myself or hallucinating.” “What is he? I couldn’t tell.” The woman hesitated. “I … I don’t know. I have no idea what he’s talking about. He keeps following me everywhere, telling me I have to come with him.” “Where?” “He won’t tell me, which is only one of the reasons I won’t go.” “Have you asked him? If he was telling the truth, he can’t force you to go. I guess you can’t force him to answer either, but have you tried?” Donna shook her head. “I’m too scared to find out.” “Well, I can see ghosts and other things like them. I don’t have special powers, and I’m not psychic. I see them, and that’s it.” Lorelei sat on the stool beside her. “I’m Lorelei.” “I’m Donna. I live in a townhouse right up the road.” “Do you live alone?” Lorelei had only asked in the interest of the woman’s safety, but Donna didn’t seem to like the question at all, though she answered readily enough. “I live with my employer. He’s a painter.” “Roger Delaware is your employer?” Donna looked surprised. “You’ve heard of him?” “Of course! This is his hometown. Well, sort of. He was born here but didn’t actually grow up here. His parents moved to Boston when he was two, but the town loves to claim him anyway.” Donna didn’t look like she wanted to claim him at all. “Yes, I think he did mention it.” Since Donna didn’t seem to want to talk about Roger Delaware, Lorelei transitioned back to the subject of the other “man” in Donna’s life. “I wish I could tell you I can help, but I only see things. I don’t even know what he is.”

“He’s not a ghost. He’s something else.” “I sensed that. I don’t know how, but I did.” Lorelei looked out the window at the deserted street. “You can stay as long as you want.” “Thank you.” Donna looked around the shop for a long time before she turned back and said, “I simply don’t know what to do!” Something about Donna was very old-fashioned. Her clothes were very conservative and modest, and her way of speaking made Lorelei feel very formal. She continued to study her as she thought. Donna certainly wasn’t a ghost, but Lorelei did believe what the man had said. Donna wasn’t human anymore than he was. Something about her felt empty. She couldn’t describe it any other way. “You really have no idea why he’s bothering you?” asked Lorelei. “You don’t believe him, do you?” Donna asked, her voice cracking. Lorelei didn’t want to upset Donna, but she had to tell her the truth. “There’s something odd about you. I believe in honesty, and I hope I’m not being offensive; but there is something different about you. Maybe it’s something you don’t even know about.” Donna looked like she might burst into tears at any moment. “Let me make us some tea instead of coffee. I don’t open for an hour, and I was just going to putter around in the stockroom straightening books anyway.” Lorelei filled the electric kettle with water and turned it on. “That sounds lovely.” Donna let her make the tea in silence for a while, and then she asked, “What other kinds of things do you see?” “You might not believe me.” Donna laughed. “No, I promise I will. Ever since the day I met that man, I’ve believed in lots of things.” “Angels and demons. I can tell if someone is possessed. I can also tell if someone is a vampire or a werewolf. I’ve met fairies. They’re very nice.” “Aren’t angels nice, too?” “Angels aren’t too friendly. They’re always on a mission, and they don’t like being recognized,” said Lorelei. “You’d think they would want people to see them. Wouldn’t it help to show people there is good somewhere in this world?”

“It might, but I think it’s best if most people don’t know about all those things. Life is complicated enough.” Lorelei set out two mugs and placed tea bags in them. “It worries me that I didn’t immediately know what he was. I always do when I see something that isn’t human.” She instantly wished she hadn’t said that. Donna’s eyes darted down as if she remembered what Lorelei had said about her moments earlier. “There’s another difference, too.” She hoped Donna would feel better if they moved on as if she hadn’t put her foot in her mouth. “Some of them can be invisible some of the time, but I’ve never encountered anything that only a few people can see all of the time.” Donna looked up. “Really?” “Yeah. Has he ever tried to hurt you?” “No.” “Is there anyone who would want to hurt you? No matter what he is, a human might still be behind this.” “I’ve never bothered anybody.” Lorelei didn’t know what to do. Even if she knew what this entity was, she couldn’t do anything about it. “Have you tried talking to any religious people? A local priest or rabbi? The Catholic church and the synagogue are both right down the street.” “I don’t like churches,” Donna said abruptly, but then she blushed. “I’m sorry. I simply never have.” Lorelei’s senses all went on high alert, but she remained calm. She shrugged and turned to pour the hot water into each mug. “I’m not religious, so don’t worry about offending me. I just thought they might know something I don’t.” She slid the tea over to Donna and sat down behind the counter with her own. Donna wrapped her hands around the tea and shivered in seeming delight. Was she cold? The sun had already started streaming through the front windows and warming the store, but there had been a little chill in the air when they came in. Lorelei looked behind her to check the thermostat, but she stayed put instead of getting up to adjust it. Turning it up any higher would have the store roasting by ten. “Do you like working for Mr. Delaware?” Donna hadn’t warmed to the subject earlier, but Lorelei didn’t know what else to talk about; and the silence made her nervous. Her eyes kept darting to the window. Would the man come back?

“It’s very interesting work. He requires a lot of me. A lot. Far more than I expected.” “Do you need to get back?” “No, I’m fine here for now. He sleeps late because he likes to paint at night.” Donna took a long sip of her tea. “Actually, I should go. He likes the house a certain way when he wakes. Me as well.” She stood up and moved to the door. Lorelei followed her to unlock it, puzzled by her abrupt change of heart. What did she do for him? Was she a maid or a personal assistant? Both maybe? And what the hell did she mean when she said he liked her a certain way? She was already dressed very professionally in a pale beige dress, and her hair and makeup were perfect. Very few people in this small town looked that good first thing in the morning unless it was Sunday. Maybe Lorelei’d misunderstood what she meant. “I’m glad I could help. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more. I wish I could tell you something helpful.” Donna reached out and grabbed her hand. “Tell me you don’t believe him. That would be a big help.” Donna’s knuckles turned white, yet her grip didn’t hurt because clearly she wasn’t very strong at all. Lorelei patted her hand, even though she wanted to pull away from Donna’s icy grip. “You feel real enough. I have no reason to believe him or trust him, so I won’t. Let me know if you need anything. I can’t do anything about him, but I’ll try if he gives you any clue as to how to get rid of him.” Donna released her hand and nodded. “Thank you. I better go before I’m missed. Mr. Delaware had no idea I was going to get up early, and…” She let her voice trail off as if something very important had distracted her. “I won’t say anything. I know how hard a good job is to find right now.” “Thank you,” Donna repeated before turning to the door. Lorelei let her out and watched her walk down the street for a minute. She grabbed the broom from inside the door and began sweeping the sidewalk. Donna looked back three times before entering the townhouse. “I’m a magnet for strangeness in this town,” Lorelei said to herself. “It is a very small town, though.”

Lorelei stopped and turned around to face the man, prepared for anything. “What do you want?” “You were kind to her. I want your help.” “I already gave it by making you leave her alone.” “She must come with me.” “You have a thing for her?” What was he? Some kind of demon? Lorelei knew she had never encountered his kind before, and that troubled her. “I have a mission to save her,” he said. “You seem to be on a mission to take her away.” “Away from evil, yes.” Lorelei put the broom down and crossed her arms. “You know I can see you, and I think you also know that’s unusual. You assumed right off I knew you weren’t human.” “I did not assume. I knew you saw me for what I am even if you cannot put a label on it.” “What are you then?” A faint smile teased at his lips again. “You really don’t know at all? No clue? No guess?” She shook her head. “I am glad. Truly. My name is Thanasis, and I am a reaper.” “You’re…Death?” She could hear her own heart thudding, and she figured he could as well; but she couldn’t stop it. He laughed, and the sound both surprised and disturbed her. In a way she couldn’t quite understand, it also aroused her. “There is no one single entity known as the ‘Grim Reaper.’ I am a reaper, as in one of many. I am not Death. Thanatos means ‘death,’ but my name means immortality. I am one of many reapers who do his work.” “Thanatos is for real?” “Yes, he is for real. He has many names, but he favors the Greek. He named me.” “Is he your, um, father?” He shook his head. “No. He has no bride and no children.” He watched her closely. “You seem to be taking this in well. Can we move inside so your fellow business owners do not think you’re crazy?” Crap! She’d forgotten no one else could see him. “You only want to talk?” “You have my word.”

They went inside, and she locked the door again. “Okay, tell me your side. I make no guarantees, but so far you haven’t tried to hurt anyone; and what you’ve said makes sense to me.” And you’re gorgeous, and I don’t want you to leave yet. She tried to bury that thought, but she had little success. “Good. You are very open. Most humans are not, especially powerless ones like you.” She gave him a brief smile. “Gee, thanks.” “It was a compliment on how rational and accepting you are. I only meant ‘powerless’ in the literal sense, that you lack powers despite your ability to see beyond the veil. You are kind and good. Donna must come with me, and I believe you can convince her.” “Convince her to go to her death? No!” “She is not alive, my dear.” “She’s not a ghost, though,” said Lorelei. “But you know she is not human.” Lorelei did know that, but she didn’t like to admit it. The look on his face told her she probably couldn’t hide much from him. Her cheeks flamed a little as she thought about the mildly lustful thoughts she’d had when she had first seen him. He smiled, inspiring even more of these kinds of thoughts. “I’m not human, Lorelei. None of your thoughts will bother me. They do intrigue me though.” “Please use some manners, and get out of my head. I still am human, and I will not help you if you keep poking around in there.” “Very well. I will get to the point so you can open your business. Roger Delaware made a deal with something very evil. He asked for the power to make his own mate, a woman who fit his ideal in every way. He gave his soul, and he received this power in return. He painted this woman, and she appeared. He wanted her to love him, but she could not because he was cruel and unfeeling. He gave away the one part of himself that could have won her love, his soul. He still has talent, but the man who painted so beautifully and won the hearts of thousands is gone forever. She has nowhere else to go because he draws her back to him. She can’t fight it. The power that created her binds her to him, but she deludes herself into believing she will be free if he dies.” Lorelei couldn’t think of an appropriate response to such a bizarre story. She thought of the few things Donna had told her. “She

doesn’t seem to like him. That much is true. She said she has no idea why you are after her.” “She does, but she denied it to you because she’s ashamed. She knows why I am here, and she knows exactly what she is and where she came from. Delaware told her everything when she rejected him.” He paused and looked into her eyes. “He told her as he was raping her.” Lorelei flinched, not only because she didn’t like thinking about the woman she’d met being hurt in that way, but also because she could feel Thanasis’s anger rolling off him in waves. “What you’re saying could be true. She dislikes him, and she was adamant that I not believe you. It worried her a lot that I might believe you. She was upset when I told her I could see there was something different about her as well.” She remembered how cold Donna’s hand had been and shivered a little. “Knowing the truth disturbs her. It is making her even unhappier. She feels as real and human as you, but she has no memories that go further back than six months.” “I can’t believe you simply because of what you are. I’ll have to consider it. She needs my help one way or another, but it’s my decision what kind of help I give.” Thanasis stared at her a long time, and his intense gaze made her feel hot all over. But she wasn’t afraid of him; in fact, she had to consciously stop herself from drawing closer to him. He obviously didn’t like her answer, but he seemed calm. Finally, he nodded. “Very well. I will leave you with many strange things to ponder.” She laughed in spite of all of those strange things. “Yes, you have accomplished that.” “I would like to talk again.” She wanted that, too, for several reasons, but instead she said, “I doubt I can stop you.” She walked him to the door, and an idea popped into her head. “One thing might help me make up my mind.” “Yes?” “Let me think about this, but while I’m thinking please leave her alone.” His jaw clenched. “I don’t want to.” “Please?” He moved very close to her and looked down into her face. “It is easy for you. You don’t have to witness her suffering.”

“Don’t try to manipulate me like that,” said Lorelei, feeling a little breathless at his nearness. “You are doing the same thing with your request. You make a request by teasing me with acceptance.” “I want to test your sincerity. I’m sorry.” “And I want to save a suffering creature from a beast who beats, rapes, and degrades her.” Thanasis unlocked her door and walked out. “I make no promises. I will return very soon.” She felt the ground beneath her shake a little. Had he caused that? There had been no denying the power of the anger coming from him as he said those final words. Was he truly upset about Donna’s supposed suffering, or was he angry he had not gotten his way? She watched him for a moment before turning to the cash register. The room felt oddly cold and empty now that he was gone. She shook her head, telling herself that her attraction to him needed to be reined in. It would only make the situation more confusing. She opened the register and began counting. Her day had gotten off to quite a start. **** Thanasis walked about a hundred paces and then closed his eyes. He stood in the townhouse when he opened them. Donna sat in a chair outside of Delaware’s bedroom waiting for him to wake up. She looked up at him with fear, but she wouldn’t speak. Delaware had become very angry once when he heard her talking to him. He hoped that one day she would reach out for his help in one of those moments. He was not allowed to interfere directly between her and Delaware unless she asked, but he always wanted to. “You don’t want my help. That woman you met is very kind. Will you let her help you? Will you listen to her? You will never be free of him. When he dies you will be nothing. If you come with me, you will exist in another form. My master will give you life, not human life, but a life that at least will be your own.” She shook her head fiercely. “I can see you won’t listen today. You will excuse me if I can’t bear to stay and watch him abuse you. He has no soul, but I do in my own way. Watching such suffering sickens me.” Thanasis closed his eyes and disappeared. He stood by Delaware’s bed and listened. Donna had not moved, so either she didn’t suspect he was in here, or she was too afraid of waking her captor earlier than usual. He couldn’t kill Delaware without grave

consequences, but sometimes the need to do so became too great. Killing him would destroy Donna completely and earn him a severe punishment, but toying with Delaware’s death had gone unnoticed so far. He doubted Thanatos begrudged him the satisfaction. He focused on Delaware’s heart and squeezed. Delaware jerked in his sleep and rolled onto his back. Thanasis squeezed harder, and the man jerked again. His eyes blinked open, and he clutched his chest. He looked around the room as he tried to catch his breath. He never called for Donna in these moments, and Thanasis wondered why. What did he think was happening to him? Did he suspect that Nysrogh, the demon who had made the deal with him, was behind it and returning for more mischief? Was he waiting for a double cross to come from the demon? His fright always seemed genuine. Whatever he believed, these episodes scared him greatly yet brought no repercussions on Donna, so Thanasis loved doing it. Any man who could abuse a woman the way Delaware did deserved to suffer in fear and pain. Thanasis heard Donna’s chair move and guessed she’d heard Delaware stir. He released the man’s heart and disappeared again. He reappeared in the park and stood watching three children playing together as their mother sat on a blanket with their infant sibling. A man passed walking his dog; and the young black Labrador wanted to run and play with the children, but the man tugged on his leash and led him away. He sat on a bench beside a pregnant woman reading a book and closed his eyes. He listened to the birds and insects moving around him, the laughter of the children, and the water flowing through the fountain in the middle of the park. He understood why Donna didn’t want to leave this world, but he couldn’t understand how she tolerated the life she had been given. Did she actually believe she could escape? Roger Delaware was only thirty-two. Would she endure him for decades in the hopes of gaining a life of her own? He wondered constantly why she didn’t believe him. She would cease to exist when Delaware died. How could going with him be more frightening than that? How could an offer of life be scarier than a life of suffering and the promise of death? Lorelei hadn’t been afraid of him. She did not trust him, but she hadn’t feared him. She’d obviously seen enough strange things in her life already. He’d honored her request and stayed out of her mind, so he now had no idea how much of his story she’d believed. He

smiled at the memory of her licking her lips after she saw him. She thought she’d turned quickly enough, but she hadn’t. He’d easily plucked from her mind the fact she hadn’t had sex in almost a year, and he had gone far longer without enjoying a human woman. Her attraction to him had still been obvious even after he’d stopped peeking into her mind. Her reaction and blatant desire pleased him more than he would’ve thought possible. Would she be willing? Would she be afraid? He didn’t want her to be, and yet the thought of her trembling under the power of his touch warmed him in unexpected ways. He sighed and stood up. The woman beside him stopped reading and looked around in a puzzled way. He focused on her for a moment. She was carrying a girl, though it would be weeks before she knew that. He moved away and continued to walk the town. He felt a twinge of a soul passing and transported himself to the hospital to take someone to the other side. An eight-year-old boy lost his fight with cancer two minutes later. As the family gathered close and cried, the boy wound his way through them and walked up to Thanasis. “Hi.” “Hello. You’re ready to go?” The boy nodded. “I feel better.” “Good.” Thanasis extended his hand, and the boy took it. At the door, the boy looked back. “Can you do anything?” he asked. “No. I’m sorry.” The boy carefully studied everyone they passed. “Is anyone else going now?” “No. Not with us.” A moment later they passed into a green meadow, and Thanasis stopped. “You’re safe now. You see that hill?” He pointed to a spot between two trees. The boy nodded. “Go there. Someone you know will meet you.” The boy ran toward the hill without question, and Thanasis watched. He saw a bright flash before the boy reached the top, and when it passed he stood in the park again. This time he sat under a tree to wait for either Donna to emerge again or Lorelei to leave work. He wondered if Lorelei would trust him more if they lay together. She

might, but at the same time she might stop trusting him completely if he suggested anything of the kind. He didn’t think she would be willing to be with him based only on her physical attraction to him. While the fact pleased him very much and certainly counted in his favor, Lorelei would be cautious. He sighed again. He’d started to leave the park before being called away in an effort to stop thinking about her. He had a mission to accomplish, and failure would not be tolerated. If he failed, he would be out of Thanatos’s favor for a very long time. He looked up at the clouds passing by and tried not to think about what his existence would be like if he couldn’t save Donna. What if Delaware died in a car accident or drank himself to death? What if he fell down the stairs or met with any number of other accidents? Donna would be lost then. He went back to the townhouse in time to see Delaware leaving. He looked very pleased with himself, so Thanasis hurried inside. Donna sat on the edge of the tub in her bra and panties. She had ceased to care weeks ago if he saw her without her clothes on. Her dress lay on the floor. The skirt had been torn, and it had cum all over it. Thanasis turned his eyes away. “Am I in for another sermon? I’ve already had one. I don’t suck cock very well.” Thanasis felt the ripple before he could stop it. The entire house shook with his rage, and Donna gasped. “If you can do that, why won’t you kill him for me?” “You would wink out of existence in a moment. When will you believe me? You see how much I want to kill him, and yet you refuse to believe what I tell you will happen at his death.” “If you kill him and let me go, I’ll do anything you want.” She slipped her panties off and unhooked her bra. “I’m better when I want to do those things. I can be very good when I want to.” He closed his eyes. She moved close, and he backed away. “I’m sorry he’s done this to you. I’m sorry you think that is the only way to get what you want, the only thing any man wants. Come with me, and you will be safe.” She touched his chest, and even through his shirt and duster he could feel how cold her touch was, as cold as his could be at times. “He told me that I would live as long as my portrait is safe.” “And did he tell you where it is?”

“No, but it’s safe. He would never tell me where it is because that’s how he controls me and keeps me here.” He opened his eyes and pushed her hands away. “How can you believe a word he says? He got that from a novel, The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde.” “Someone … you mean someone did this before?” “No, it’s fiction. Everything he tells you is a lie.” “I don’t want to go with you! I don’t want to die!” “You aren’t even alive now. You will feel nothing.” “You’re a demon. How can I trust you? I’ve been reading about demons.” “Have you? Since when?” She remained silent as she moved away and put her robe on. He tried to ignore the bruises on her back so he could stay focused. “Since he heard you talking to me, right? I came here six weeks ago to get you. You ignored me at first because he couldn’t see me, but you almost trusted me. You were so close.” He looked into the bathroom mirror, and it cracked from the power of his fury. “And then he destroyed everything! He’s a selfish, soulless, abusive monster, but you’ll trust him!” He touched the mirror to make it whole again and added in a whisper, “Just because he’s human.” “He made me,” she said in a tiny voice. “He made you so he could have a doll to play with. He didn’t want to have a real relationship with another human. He wanted a submissive, dependent thing to push around and give him pleasure.” “I was his ideal.” “On the surface, yes, but did he paint a soul for you? Did he paint your character? Did he care if you were smart or dumb? No. He painted a beautiful woman, and when she rejected him he let his true nature come out, didn’t he?” “I don’t want to talk about that,” said Donna. “How much did it hurt? How frightened were you? How much does it hurt every single time he touches you?” She’d started shaking, and he pulled her toward him. He turned her around and lowered her robe to look at her back. “When did he do this to you?” “Last night.” “Why?” he asked. “I didn’t do the dishes fast enough, and I was being too loud.”

He eyed the purple welts. Three had broken the skin. “Come with me.” She pulled her robe up and tightened the sash. “You seem kind now. So did he that first night. You’re like the thing that gave him the power to do this. I won’t go with you.” “I am nothing like the demon that made this deal with him. I’m not a demon at all, Donna, as I’ve told you many times. Delaware will only get worse because he is spiritually dead. Imagine a corpse, Donna, walking around long after death. It starts to rot. Delaware lives and breathes; and his heart pumps; and his brain works; but his soul is gone. He is rotting away and being consumed by evil.” She shook her head and pointed to the door. “Leave. If he were so evil, you would have the authority to drag me from this place to wherever it is you want to take me. What benevolent powers would leave me to suffer? This master of yours who offers me life must be weak indeed if he needs my permission to do me good. It’s an evil trick. You want me to give away my soul the way Delaware did. Things like you are always hungry for souls.” “I help souls, never hurt them, and I am not after yours. You have no soul. You need to accept that fact and take the help we offer.” “Get out!” He raked his fingers through his hair and stared at her. “You actually think things will be worse with me?” he asked as he pressed his hand against his chest and felt his heart racing. How could she truly believe that? “Yes.” “Then I will leave you to wait for your dear beneficent lover to return.” Thanasis vanished, and this time he didn’t rematerialize for a long time. He regretted his words, but hers had hurt him. He hated to hear her defend her choice to stay, and he hated being compared to the loathsome thing that had made this sadistic bargain. He stayed in the darkness and enjoyed what peace it gave him.

Chapter Two Lorelei hadn’t expected Thanasis to come back that day, but when she looked up he was standing there waiting for her. She tried not to think about how pleased she was to see him again. She put her keys in her bag and walked over to him. “You may be miffed with me and feeling impatient, but you gave me too much to consider for me to give you an answer now. I want to find out more about the situation. I know something otherwordly is going on, but right now that is all I believe.” “I know you still need to think. I came in case you had any questions.” Thanasis fell into step beside her. “I have dozens, but we’d be up all night.” “I wouldn’t mind that.” “Well, you probably don’t sleep, so—” She cut herself off when she saw the playful look in his eyes. “Wow, so you did come back to see me?” “I do want to answer your questions, but yes, I did come back because you interest me.” She sensed his interest was the same as hers, and that sent a surge of desire through her body. “And why do I interest you?” They turned onto her street, and Lorelei considered what to do. She doubted she could hide anything from him, but did she actually want to lead him right to her house and invite him inside? His effect on her made her wonder what might happen if they were alone in her house. “You are beautiful. You have a good heart and other admirable qualities.” “And I can see you.” “That is rare, my dear, but I don’t fall into bed with every woman who can see me. If I want people to see me, I can make them do so. Only someone like you can see me without my willing it.” “So you are attracted to women?” “Did you expect me to be attracted to men?” He gave her a slight smile. “No, I guess I mean, um, is this your true form, for lack of a better term?” While she hoped it was, she thought how much simpler this would be if she wasn’t so attracted to him.

“I see what you mean. Yes, this is the only physical body I have ever had. I may not be human, but I was created to be like any other man. My work is very intimate, and I have to be able to identify with those I take.” “Do you wish you were human?” Thanasis shook his head. “No, I do not wish to be human. I often resent being judged because I am not, but I am content as I am.” “So if you aren’t actually tortured and broody, what is with the clothes?” “Very few people can see me. Why do my clothes matter?” Lorelei laughed. “You’re a reaper, and you’re dressed all in black. You’re wearing a black duster. You look the part a little too well.” “I’m glad you think so,” he said, his voice low and intimate, and a little amused. She laughed again, the tone of his response sending a little flutter of happiness through her. “Are you trying to be funny, or did you actually take that as a compliment?” She wanted to nudge him with her elbow, but somehow she managed to stop herself. “Both. I suppose it is an attempt at humor, but honestly when I appear this way, there is no mistaking who and what I am. When a soul is disoriented, something like this can help ground them. I am not an angel, and I do not wish to be mistaken for one.” “You’re very different from any angel I’ve ever encountered.” “I hope that was meant as a compliment. I take it as a very great one.” Thanasis looked up at her house. “Here we are.” She stopped and turned to the house. “Yes, here we are.” “I’ll go if you want me to.” She already knew she didn’t want him to go yet, but she hesitated anyway. What should she do? He couldn’t mean her any harm, could he? She looked at him, but his expression was neutral. “I’m staying out of your head as you asked, so if you have concerns you’ll have to voice them aloud,” said Thanasis. “Thank you. I appreciate that.” What did she want to do? Did it even matter? She pushed away a few intimate images that flitted into her head. Her growing attraction to him was not the most important thing happening in her life right now. “Do I have to invite you in?”

“I can enter whether you want me to or not, but I won’t if you do not want me here. We can stay outside, or I can go.” Lorelei wanted to keep talking to him, so she nodded toward the house and began walking up the path to the door. “Come in then. I do have lots of questions.” She let him in and put her stuff down in the kitchen before joining him in the living room. “Sit, please. I’m not sure where to start, though.” “We could continue talking about ourselves, if you like. I’m enjoying it.” She considered his suggestion. She was enjoying it, too, but shouldn’t they move on? Finally, she asked, “Why was it a compliment when I said you weren’t like angels?” “Angels have free will but very few flaws. Their emotions remain restrained at all times. Even when they are engaged in compassionate acts, they often lack compassion. They do not empathize with humans in the same way.” “But you do?” He nodded. “My emotions are very human. I do not have a soul, but I have a spirit.” Lorelei turned her body toward him a little more on the couch. “Aren’t they the same?” “Not exactly. A soul exists before and after the body does. A spirit had no existence before the physical form.” “But after?” Thanasis paused. “It depends.” She thought about Donna and how odd she had felt to her. “Is that why Donna felt strange to me as well? You said she wasn’t human, and her hand was very cold when she touched me. Something about her felt so different.” He nodded, and his countenance became gloomier at the mention of Donna. “Yes. She has no soul, only a spirit. When Delaware dies, she will be gone forever, as if she had never existed. If I take her, she can survive his passing, but she must be in one of the realms of the immortals.” “Where the dead are?” He nodded again. “Souls are immortal, so they take their place with us.”

“Heaven and Hell? Or is it the Elysian Fields and Hades? Purgatory? Limbo?” “We’d be talking for days if I tried to explain.” She wouldn’t mind talking for days. She wouldn’t mind doing other things for days either, but she pulled her mind back to reality. “Okay. I understand.” Lorelei searched his face. “You shifted more toward the brooding when I mentioned her. You want to keep trying to convince me?” “Yes. I went to see her again today. I feel worse every time. She thinks I am no better than the demon Delaware made the bargain with.” “She’s afraid?” “She thinks I am lying to steal her soul. Delaware cannot see me, but he caught her talking to me once. He’s filled her head with nonsense.” “Why does she believe him if he’s so horrible to her?” The power Delaware had over Donna puzzled her. If he was really hurting her, why did she trust him? Lorelei didn’t fear Thanasis at all. In fact, she felt much better when he was with her than she did when he was not. She shifted on the couch, wondering if that feeling stemmed only from her attraction to him. “Even though she said otherwise, she knows exactly what she is and how she was created. It’s like an abused spouse refusing to leave or a child trying to earn the love of a parent who despises it. He created her, so she clings to him.” “She’d rather endure what she knows because she’s afraid of going with you?” “Yes. I have to stay until she comes with me. I may be here until Delaware dies, though I hope not, because this is one failure I would have a lot of trouble living with.” He sighed. Lorelei had never heard such a mournful sound. “How long has she been like this? Six months, you said?” “Yes.” “How long has he mistreated her?” “It began her second day of life. Even though she came into existence ready to accept every word he said, she couldn’t love him, and in her innocence she told him the truth. Even though she had only been alive for one day, she did not consciously know this. She was an adult who could read and write, who knew how to drive and cook.

She understood everything any other woman her age would, but she knew nothing of human nature. She only knew he repulsed her.” “So she rejected him, and he stopped playing nice?” “He had no patience for wooing, and he lacked the feelings that would have made him care about hers.” “He simply took what he wanted?” “And enjoyed it all the more.” He looked away. “Eventually, the demon’s act came to light. The issue was hotly debated. Six weeks ago I was sent here to rescue her on one condition. She had to want to be rescued.” “Is the demon gone? Could it be doing something?” asked Lorelei. “He’s not here. He roams freely, but he has not bothered with Delaware since they made their bargain. His name is Nysrogh, and he’s part of an inferior class of demon.” “And they simply do what they want and go unpunished?” He shook his head, folding his arms across his chest. “They do what humans ask and allow them to do.” He met her gaze. “I’m not defending it.” “That doesn’t make me feel better.” Lorelei leaned her elbows on her knees and rested her chin in her hands. “So in the end you need my help because she won’t trust you? She really knows all the things you’ve told me, assuming they’re true?” “Yes.” “And you believe I can do this?” “Yes. You’re kind and loving. That will motivate you to help me, and I believe it will help you succeed. You have no reason to deceive her, and you would gain nothing.” “Unless I made a deal with you.” She looked back at Thanasis, and his expression became even sadder. “Yes, she may think that immediately. Perhaps as you find out more, as you say you want to, you can simply convince her she is better off without him. Don’t tell her we’ve talked. She may realize I am her only choice on her own.” “Like I said before, I will try to help her. I promise. But I’m doing it for her, okay? I’m going to make up my own mind about what kind of help she really needs.”

“Helping her will help me. I am not doing this to gain anything. I don’t like seeing her suffering, and until she comes with me I have to stay and watch.” “Will anything happen if you fail?” “I will lose some favor, but that is of little concern when weighed against her fate.” He stood. “I will leave you now. I’m sure you have a lot to think about.” She stood as well. Was he leaving because she had hurt his feelings? She didn’t want to believe she had hurt him, but being honest about her doubts seemed the best course to her. “Okay. Thank you for answering my questions, I will consider all of it.” She didn’t want him to go, but she told herself thinking about all she had learned would be better than acting on all the urges warring inside of her. His concern and compassion for Donna seemed almost too good to be true, so she had to go with her head over her heart. For now. Thanasis tilted her chin up, and he looked into her eyes. “Though I wish I had already accomplished my mission, I am glad we met. I’ll be thinking of you.” He brushed his lips over hers, and her heart told her head to keep quiet. She expected him to pull her into a heated embrace, and part of her wanted that desperately, but his lips only grazed hers. They felt warm and soft, and his breath on her face sent a delicious shiver over her. He closed his eyes as if savoring the contact. She felt weak when he looked at her again. “I hope you don’t think I’m bad for you, but I don’t want you thinking I’m too good either.” She blinked, and he was gone. She fell forward a little as she realized he’d disappeared. Again, she felt a cold emptiness in the room, as she had when he’d left her earlier that day. She sank down on the couch, feeling both more worried about Donna and more confused about Thanasis. She wanted to trust him and believe he was truly as good and heroic as he seemed to be. She had the next day completely off and resolved to go see Donna. She knew of no other way to get more answers and begin solving the puzzle before her. **** Thanasis remained in Lorelei’s house for another hour, watching her and looking around. She gave him hope because she genuinely wanted to help Donna. She didn’t have any supernatural powers to guide her, but her behavior told him her instincts favored

him. She looked so disappointed after he disappeared that he wished he’d stayed and taken her into his arms. Deepening their kiss would have been glorious, but taking things slow was better, no matter how much faster he wanted to take everything with her. He couldn’t allow himself to become too distracted or infatuated, even though he believed she felt the power between them as strongly as he did. He left when he felt the call to gather two more souls in the town. As he stood in the field watching an old woman and a middleaged man walk up the hill, a dark figure approached him. Vander, another reaper, stood looking at him. His name meant “archer,” and he was Thanatos’s assassin. “Vander.” “Thanasis, you get our hopes up every time you come through the veil.” “I can go on apologizing, but it will not help.” Vander waved the comment away and began to walk in the direction Thanasis had come. “That is true, but you were chosen on purpose.” Thanasis followed him. “I still don’t understand that. I have never had to persuade anyone to come with me before.” “You were chosen for your compassion.” “My compassion has no effect on Donna. She believes it insincere and thinks I am trying to trick her.” “Is this the reason for your new plan?” Thanasis knew better than to lie, so he said, “Mostly. Does someone object?” “No. She’s beautiful. I would not hesitate to take her to my bed, and once there she would not soon leave.” Thanasis let the comment pass, though he didn’t like the idea of Lorelei catching anyone else’s attention. “If there is no objection to her, is there one to my plan?” “No, though we found it surprising.” “All of my efforts have failed.” “She is his creation in every way, and her mind works the way his does. It makes it so easy for him to steer her to his way of thinking, to convince her of anything he wishes her to believe,” said Vander. “May I ask a bold question freely?” Vander nodded.

“Why won’t Thanatos go take her himself and end her torment?” “Delaware gave his soul freely. He offered it up in the first place, believing Nysrogh would take nothing less. The bargain stated she could not be taken from him, and we must honor that, but asking you to take her is akin to suicide, a right every mortal being has. She is not physically capable of this, so the rules are being bent to give her the option all humans have for the ending of suffering.” Vander looked out into the distance and then touched Thanasis on the shoulder. “This exception we have worked out is the only reason you have been sent to her at all.” He moved away from Vander’s touch. “It sounds fair and logical when you don’t have to watch him hurt her.” Vander’s expression darkened. “Has it worsened?” “He enjoys humiliating her more than causing her pain, but when his temper flairs he always beats her. I think he does it because he knows she can’t die. She will heal, and then he can hurt her again.” “Does she cry out?” asked Vander. Thanasis shuddered. “I have to live this! Must I also talk about it?” “I asked for a reason. Does she ever cry out for help? Offer any kind of plea?” “No. She screams when she can’t help it. He gags her or covers her mouth if she is too loud.” “Any cry for help could – possibly – be construed as acquiescence.” Thanasis stopped and grabbed Vander’s arm. “Is this an official sanction? If she says ‘help’ I can take her?” “‘Help’ or ‘please’ or ‘stop him.’ Any word that calls for you to intervene. Since you are forbidden to actually come between them, the only way to ‘stop’ him would be to take her.” “She asked me today why I don’t kill him for her. She’s asked me this many times. Would that be enough?” “No. She is asking you to act for her, but it must be a plea for rescue, not a bargain between the two of you.” “That’s a very fine distinction. You’re telling me I can’t help her when she asks me to act on her behalf, but I can take her whether she wants to go or not if she lets the word ‘help’ slip out as he violates her.”

Vander said nothing at first, but once they entered the town he said, “The rules will be bent no further, so be glad you’ve been given anything at all. We are not there at her side, but we know she suffers. Thanatos has gone as far as he dares with this last exception, so make the most of it.” “Very well.” Thanasis tried not to sound curt and ungrateful, but he did not succeed. “If it is any consolation, you may protect your new lover. If he tries to harm her, you may do anything except kill him.” “I would not kill him because of Donna, and I intended on protecting Lorelei whether I had permission or not, though we are not lovers.” Not yet, anyway. Vander smiled. “Interesting.” “Interesting? That I would protect a human?” “That you would do so without permission is what interests me. A reaper protecting a human from harm is not forbidden, but it could upset events. Keeping a little boy from falling and breaking his arm means little, but stopping a car accident? Preventing a fall down the stairs? Gray areas, my friend.” “You’ve delivered your news and goaded me about Lorelei. Is there anything else?” “No. I am done with you. Go back to her. She may be in bed by now,” said Vander. “I am more concerned with our plan and tentative alliance than I am with having her.” “That compassion keeps getting you in these positions, you know. It helps you, but it also makes you neglect your own desires and needs.” “My compassion is not—” Thanasis stopped when he realized he was alone. He turned on his heels and shoved his hands in his pockets. He was so frustrated that nothing sounded more delightful than slipping into Lorelei’s bed. He would love to lose himself in her kisses and soft curves, but there would be time enough later. He would go to Donna and wait. As much as he loathed hours of watching Delaware prove his depravity, the chance she might cry out the right words drove him to endure it. **** Lorelei stopped by the bakery to get donuts and muffins. She didn’t know what Donna might like, but an offering of deliciously

empty calories would probably earn her at least a ten-minute stay. She walked up the steps of the townhouse carefully, balanced the box on her knee, and rang the doorbell. She hoped eleven wasn’t too early. She couldn’t be sure what Mr. Delaware’s idea of sleeping late might be or how late he could have been up painting the night before. She waited a long time, and to her surprise he answered the door himself. “Why hello!” he said cheerfully. “Donna had said she made a new acquaintance. Do come in.” She smiled. What else could she do? She couldn’t exactly say, Wow, I heard you were a dick! What a nice surprise! “Thank you! I don’t mean to intrude, but after meeting her I thought I would make you welcome. The town is very happy to have you living here, and I wasn’t sure if anyone had reached out to welcome you yet.” “I’m very happy to be here. I really didn’t like our last home at all. The people weren’t as friendly as everyone here is.” He led her into a large living room where Donna sat quietly. She turned her eyes to Lorelei, and her fear showed plain as day. She turned her head quickly as Mr. Delaware came up behind Lorelei. “Let me take those and set them right here.” He put them on the coffee table and turned toward a swinging door in the far right corner. “I’ll go fix some coffee while you girls chat.” Lorelei nodded and thanked him again. She went to sit on a couch across from the loveseat where Donna sat. “I hope I’m not intruding.” “Oh no. He’s encouraged me to make friends. He’s actually been disappointed I never have anyone over.” Donna’s hands trembled as she spoke. “Donna, are you okay?” Lorelei kept her voice low and her eyes on the door. “You seem terrified.” “I’m fine.” “You don’t look fine.” “Did it send you?” “It?” “You know what I mean!” Donna whispered, her voice harsh despite her trembling. “That man? No. I haven’t seen him since he walked away from my shop yesterday. Why? Have you seen him again?” asked Lorelei.

Donna looked at her as if she didn’t know either if she could believe her or how to answer her question. After half a minute she said, “No. Maybe he’s gone now. Maybe he gave up.” “I don’t know anything about him and don’t care as long as he hasn’t bothered you again. I was asking about you. You don’t look well.” “I’m a little tired. I get migraines some days.” Lorelei couldn’t stand it any longer. She darted another look at the kitchen door. “If you need help, you can come stay with me. Or I can give you some money. Get you on a bus or plane. You’re scared to death of him. I sensed it yesterday, and now I’m certain.” Based on what Thanasis had said, Lorelei didn’t think Donna could actually leave town. She now believed he’d told her the truth about Mr. Delaware, so the rest of it was likely true as well; but all she needed was to get Donna to trust her and leave the house with her. This first step was crucial. “You don’t understand. It’s complicated.” “Don’t say that! Women continue to be hurt by people who claim to care for them because they make excuses. Maybe he’s stronger physically, but you can still stand up for yourself and fight.” “Donna! Could you come here and help me?” Mr. Delaware said from behind the kitchen door. Donna jumped, but then she quickly went into the kitchen. His voice had still been cheerful, but the look on Donna’s face worried Lorelei. She had never snooped at keyholes in her life, but now she felt very tempted. She kept her seat knowing she’d get herself kicked out in no time if she were caught snooping in the first five minutes. Had he heard them talking? She’d tried to keep her voice low, but what if he were threatening Donna now? She needed to be patient so he would come out and talk to her again. She had to see more, so she could decide what to do. If she couldn’t get Donna to come with her for her own sake, she would need to use what Thanasis had told her. She wanted to be completely sure first, though, because using that information would make Donna put her guard up. She looked around the room, which was beautifully furnished. Everything in it looked brand new, even though the style was late Victorian. She rose to examine the pictures, wondering if he had painted them, when a noise attracted her attention. She stood completely still and listened. They sounded like they were having sex.

That would be odd under normal circumstances, but given what Thanasis had told her she felt a cold sense of dread settle in her stomach. She had to do something. She crept to the door and listened again. She heard him moaning, so she pushed the swinging door open an inch. Donna lay on the table with her legs spread and her skirt pushed up over her waist. She had her face turned away. Her torn panties hung from one knee, and Mr. Delaware had his face buried in her pussy. His hands groped her breasts as he licked her. The scene would have been provocative, but knowing what Thanasis had told her made it chilling. Donna moved her head to look up at the ceiling, and Lorelei saw she had her lips pressed firmly together and tears running down her cheeks. Lorelei didn’t know if she could fight him off, but she was going to try. She’d never be able to live with herself if she walked away from this scene without doing anything. She pushed the door open and cleared her throat very loudly. “Excuse me, but she doesn’t seem to be in the mood, Mr. Delaware.” He turned his head slowly and eyed her. He looked very different now. When he let her in, she had seen a handsome and charming man. Now, she saw cold eyes and a mouth set in a cruel smile. “Mmmm, I hoped you’d hear us. Two is always better than one.” Donna put her hands over her face and sobbed. “Just run! You shouldn’t have come here!” Delaware moved toward her and grabbed at her arm. Lorelei got away and grabbed a rolling pin. She tried to hit him, but she only tapped his arm. He laughed, and then he grabbed her wrist and wrenched it hard. She dropped the pin, and he twisted her arm back and bent her over the counter. She kicked him hard repeatedly, but he ignored her as his hands ran over her ass. He groped her pussy through her jeans and leaned over to lick her neck. Then he suddenly fell to the floor and yanked her with him. She rolled away when his grip loosened, and she saw Thanasis looming over them. Mr. Delaware looked stunned as he got to his knees and searched the room. “Is it here? Is it here?” He grabbed Donna and shook her. “Is it? Where? Tell me where?”

Before she could say or do anything, Lorelei was whisked into Thanasis’s arms. His touch somehow lessened her fear. He extended his hand to Donna. “Come with us. Please.” Donna closed her eyes and shook her head vehemently. “A virtual stranger cared enough to try to fight him for you. Doesn’t that mean anything?” “I’m sorry,” she said through her sobbing. Lorelei moved toward her, feeling much braver even after leaving Thanasis’s arms. She tried to get Donna to move off the table and toward Thanasis. Delaware glared at Donna. “You sure will be.” He turned to Lorelei. “Didn’t you feel it? The thing that’s helping you is much scarier than I am.” Lorelei stood firm and refused to confirm that Thanasis was there. “Feel what? You trying to rape me?” He lunged for her, and Thanasis shoved him down. Lorelei heard a strange sizzling sound and saw red welts appear on his face as he cried out, and then she saw a hint of smoke come off of Thanasis’s fingers. What had he just done? What could he do if provoked? She suddenly realized why he had been so impressed with her for not being afraid of him. Thanasis turned back to Donna. “I have to get her out of here. Just say yes. Then I can protect you from him just as I’ve protected her.” Donna shook her head as fresh tears fell. Lorelei reached for her again. “Please come with us. Don’t stay with him! Please!” “Get out of here!” Thanasis pulled her close, and darkness clouded her vision. She blinked several times, and soon she saw her own bed. She stood in her bedroom pressed against Thanasis. He steadied her and led her to the bed. “You’re safe now.” “So you can save me, but you have to leave her? Your master is a sadist!” She wanted to turn from him in her anger, but she also wanted to pull him close and never let go. “I won’t contradict you.”

She felt tears well in her eyes. “What’s wrong with her? What has he done to her to make her stay?” “The bargain that gave her life involved the selling of a soul. That complicates things.” “There was nothing complicated about what I saw. He is evil, and she is innocent. I don’t care where she came from. You can’t let this go on.” “I have no choice. If I took her, do you know what would happen?” “Tell me.” “When people die, I escort them to a different plane of existence. We begin to walk, and suddenly we’re there. They can pass through the veil because they are dead. I only lead them. If I took her against her will that realm would not open to her. We would go on and on walking until she began to feel him calling to her. She’s bound to him. If she’s away from him too long she becomes nervous and afraid.” “That’s the way she is with him!” “It’s different and much more intense. It’s like a drug addict suffering withdrawal. She must put herself in my care to escape. Only then can I take her to my own realm, which is different from the one which opens to the dead.” “And once she is there what will happen?” “My master will offer her a form of existence. She can say yes and live forever, or she can say no and fade to nothing.” Her anger had started to fade, but now she felt afraid for Donna. “Can’t you go back and stop him? I saw how much power you have. I felt it before, but seeing it makes me even angrier. What good are your powers?” He lowered his head. “I can’t interfere between them unless she agrees to come with me. Do you think that doesn’t anger me as well? I wish I could make you understand.” “I can’t understand it. I simply can’t! It seems cruel and barbaric to me. And her? How can she be afraid of anything after six months with him?” The tears began to fall now. Thanasis pulled her into his lap and let her curl up there. She wrapped her arms around his chest. Despite her anger and frustration, she felt safe and warm. He caressed her hair and pressed his cheek against the top of her head. Peace flowed over her. She had never felt

anything like it before. She didn’t cry long, but she felt better afterwards. She rested her hand over his heart. “Sorry.” Thanasis caressed her hand. “Don’t apologize for feeling compassion. You should never apologize for honest emotions.” “I felt safe the moment you touched me. How can she not feel that as well?” She moved her hand up to his neck and back down to his chest. The more she touched him the better she felt. Her distrust had evaporated. Somehow, she could feel his frustration as she sat in his arms. His inability to help Donna wasn’t his fault. That was the reason he had sought her help in the first place. “She pulls away when I touch her. She trusts no one because her life has been filled with cruelty and deceit. Even he was gentle at first.” “She’ll never trust me now. Our plan failed.” He took her hand and raised it to his lips. “I have another plan. Don’t worry.” “When?” “Later today. I need to find something, but then I’ll be ready. She told me something yesterday that gave me the idea. If I plan everything correctly, I may succeed.” She rested her hand over his heart again and felt it beating. He stroked her hand, and every nerve in her body responded to his touch. He looked into her face, and she tilted her head to accept his kiss. He called to her in such a powerful way. Touching him felt so right. As she licked her lips, she realized she wanted more than a kiss. He hesitated as he looked at her. Did he know what was going on inside her head? Was need overwhelming him in the same way? Did he feel her desire? “When I succeed, I want to share my joy with you. Will you let me come to you?” She nodded, happy to hear that same intense desire in his voice, and then he let his lips come down to meet hers. This time his kiss took her breath away. He ran his tongue along her lips to open them, and then he let it dance against hers slowly. Her breasts grew heavy, and her pussy clenched as he explored her mouth. She felt like he was tasting her and savoring every moment of it. She felt cherished in his embrace. She shifted in his arms to straddle his waist, and she groaned when his hard cock pressed against her core. She’d never

moved this fast with a man before, but she’d never felt this way before either. He pushed her back on the bed, but he didn’t go any further. He continued kissing her as if nothing had ever given him more pleasure, though she could feel him straining against her. She knew they both wanted to be rid of the clothes separating them and keeping him from entering her. The desire to be one with him filled her with both longing and peace. Again, it felt right. When they parted, they both needed to catch their breath. As her breasts heaved, he planted a kiss between them. He sat back and offered his hand so she could sit up. “We will do everything we both want to do when I return.” “Even if you do not succeed?” “I won’t return until I do. You will find a note from me if I am not coming tonight.” She gripped his hand. She didn’t want to be separated from him too long. “I want to see you no matter what. Don’t you think I could help?” He shook his head. “I think I want you too much, my dear. I would be too protective of you.” “That’s flattering, but I want to help.” He caressed her cheek. “I don’t want you in harm’s way again. Perhaps seeing you in danger has made her think. She may listen when I go back.” She shuddered. “Perhaps the punishment he’s doling out will do the trick.” She stood and rubbed her arms, feeling cold. She felt guilty for wanting to keep him there with her. “Go find what you need. I can’t keep you here while she’s still with him. It’s selfish.” He pulled her into his arms. “But you would like to keep me here with you?” She nodded and lifted on her toes to kiss him. “Yes, I can’t explain it.” Their lips met. He smiled and pulled back a little. “Perhaps we were meant to meet.” She laughed softly. “That might explain why I can’t stop touching you,” she whispered. “You do feel it too, don’t you?” He kissed her cheek. She pressed her body closer. “I can’t explain what I’m feeling. I’m not this kind of girl.”

He let his lips caress hers again. “I know that. It’s giving me hope.” He stopped her question with a kiss. Her curiosity faded as they embraced. He finally pulled away. “You’ll be safe until I return. I’m not omnipresent, but I care about you enough that you can summon me.” She smiled, the idea thrilling her despite the circumstances. “Can I?” She giggled, but then she clamped a hand over her mouth. “That’s a beautiful sound. There isn’t enough laughter in this world.” He nodded in response to her question and kissed her forehead. “If you need me, say my name. I will be here in an instant.” He caressed her cheek again, and then he was gone. She sat on the bed and wondered how long she would have to wait. Her faith in him gave her strength as she prayed his plan would work.

Chapter Three Thanasis moved through the attic and looked at every canvas. He believed Delaware would keep it close, but what if he were wrong and Delaware hadn’t kept it at all? The portrait held no real power, so he might have lied to Donna. If she found it, she would run away, though she wouldn’t get very far. Had Delaware told her keeping the portrait safe would protect her so she would continue to endure life with him? Had he threatened to have it destroyed if she left or if something happened to him? Donna had never said anything like that, so Thanasis couldn’t be sure. She might not have asked Thanasis to kill him if that were so because she valued the portrait too highly to risk it coming to harm. Donna believed she would live on after Delaware died as long as the portrait was safe. Had he told her that part, too? Had he fed her that lie about the portrait’s power to reinforce that idea and keep her under control? Sometimes she contradicted herself when she talked about the portrait and about Delaware himself, and Thanasis believed Delaware tried to keep her confused and deceived on purpose. Doubts and fear could keep her with him as easily as any of his threats could. He began ripping the paintings from their frames to see if any of them had been placed in front of Donna’s portrait. He tried to keep his anger under control. If he couldn’t find that painting, he couldn’t enact his plan. He broke the lock on a trunk and found lots of painting supplies, but underneath them lay dozens of rolled up canvases. He unfurled every one of them, and his heart nearly stopped when he found the one he needed. He spread it on a table and looked at it. Was this the original? He pressed his hand to the canvas and concentrated. He smiled. He could feel a tiny bit of latent power in it, so he had indeed found the portrait that had created Donna. Thanasis reached out into the house. Delaware sprawled on the couch in his office drinking, and Donna stood in the kitchen folding tablecloths. He rolled the canvas back up and appeared behind Donna in the kitchen. He looked at her as she continued to work as though she hadn’t had a horrifying day. She had bruises on her hands and red scratches all over her neck. For the hundredth time, he wished he could fold his arms around her and take her away. He unrolled the canvas on the table beside her.

She gasped and whirled around. “You found it?” Her eyes took on a dreamy, glazed quality. “Yes, and I’m going to prove to you that it has no power.” He planned to destroy it, and he had to have her full attention. “This is it? You recognize it?” She touched it gently and tears began to flow. “I can get away now.” “No, you can’t. This piece of canvas means nothing. It has no power, and I can prove—” “It has kept me here! It does have power. He said he would destroy it if I ran away. I would die!” “That’s not true! He told you that to keep you from hoping. I should have guessed sooner.” He took her hand away from the portrait and held it in both of his. She was always so cold, another sign she was living only a shadow of a human life. “You are bound to him and his life completely. You can run as far as you like, but you will be drawn back because you will feel yourself fading. If he were smarter he might have let you run away so you could see this, but he probably hated the idea of giving you even one terror-free night.” She pulled her hand away. “He’s very intelligent. If running away were impossible, he would have let me.” He hated to hear her defend him in anyway. He had to end this tonight. “You think so?” Her tone shifted from defensive to bitter. “Yes. He would have enjoyed it. He would have loved proving I only exist in his presence. You claim you want to save me. I have the portrait now. Kill him while I get away!” “I cannot kill him. The bargain he made protects him from me. He must go when his time comes. No reaper knows when that will be until the very moment it happens.” “Then what good are you?” She rolled up the portrait and headed for the back door. “I am going to prove you wrong! You’re a demon and a liar! You want power over me as much as he does. I’m grateful for this, but I want nothing more to do with you.” She opened the back door and ran out into the night. He admired her courage, but running now would only prolong the process. He heard Delaware stirring. He’d obviously been roused by her voice. He stumbled down the hall and into the kitchen. “Who’s here? Who are you talking to?”

He looked around the kitchen and saw no one. He cursed when his eyes fell on the open back door. He grabbed his keys and went outside. Thanasis followed him, enjoying the brief moment of triumph. “Fucking whore!” Delaware mumbled. Thanasis’s anger rolled off of him in hot waves, and he smiled when Delaware stiffened. He turned to look at the house and even reached out as if he expected to touch something. “Did you help her? Why? You gave her to me! Why help her? Do you enjoy toying with her? Pretending to help her when you are the one who did this to her?” So Delaware really did think Nysrogh had returned to toy with him and Donna. That amused Thanasis a little, though the feeling didn’t last very long. His thoughts turned to Donna. How far would she get? “We had a deal! She’s mine! You can’t take her from me!” Thanasis lifted his hand and slapped Delaware so hard he hit the ground. That would give him a few moments to get ahead of him. Delaware howled and pushed himself up, whirling to fight off his invisible attacker. Thanasis began walking in the direction Donna had taken. He wanted to find her before she was drawn back to Delaware. **** After an hour, Thanasis didn’t know where else to look. He couldn’t track her and Delaware the way he could others because neither had a soul, but that had never been a problem until now. Vander had located her and Delaware the first time, but Thanasis didn’t have time to seek him out now. This mission had been given to him, and he would see it through. She had no money, but he’d checked the hotels and taxi service anyway. He’d even checked at the police station to see if any cars had been stolen. How far could she have gotten on foot? He went to Lorelei’s shop and her house. Lorelei sat in her living room reading a book, but she kept looking out the window anxiously. He peeked into her mind and saw that Donna had not been there or called her. She had no other friends. Who could have helped her? He lingered for a moment because Lorelei was thinking of him. She was worried about Donna, but she was also wondering if he was in danger. He let the tender feelings stirring in her heart drift into him. They warmed him and renewed his strength. She didn’t just

desire him; now that she believed him, she admired him. He wanted to reach out and touch her, but he made himself leave. He had to find Donna. He was about to go to the hospital, but he decided to check the townhouse again. He saw that Delaware’s car had returned, and in an instant he was inside. Delaware had Donna on her knees in front of him, his fingers tangled in her hair. He had a razor blade in his hand, and he pressed it to her cheek. “Why are you afraid? If you’re protected by the portrait, you shouldn’t be so scared.” He slid the blade over her cheek and down to her neck, though he didn’t break the skin. “Your bruises always heal very fast. That’s why you need new ones every day.” Thanasis moved closer. What would happen if he killed Delaware? Would he come back to life again? What kind of punishment would he receive for his disobedience? He’d been told he couldn’t kill him, but was that because it was truly impossible or simply not allowed? Was Delaware actually protected by his bargain? Thanasis didn’t relish the idea of centuries locked up in Hades or one of the other darker realms, and he did not want to lose Lorelei; but wouldn’t the satisfaction of killing Delaware be worth it all? Thanasis closed his eyes and cursed silently as he reminded himself why he couldn’t do it. Even if he were willing to endure any punishment, Donna deserved to choose her own path, and he had been fighting all this time for her right to do that. He balled his hands into fists to keep them off Delaware’s neck. “Come with me,” he said to Donna. “I’m sure this is only a preview of how he will be from now on.” She met his eyes briefly and shook her head. Delaware turned, though he kept his hand in her hair. “Is it here? Tell me where, and maybe I won’t use this.” Donna pulled free, leaving a chunk of her hair in his hand, and grabbed the portrait. She ran for the door, but he grabbed her arm and threw her down. He slapped her twice, but she managed to knee him in the groin. They struggled, and he wrenched the painting from her hand. He picked up the razor blade before she could get to it. She paused, but then she threw a vase at the window. She got up, but she stopped when he went to the fireplace. “I’ll burn it! If you make one sound, I swear I will!”

Thanasis moved behind her. “Let him. You’ll see who is lying to you and who is telling the truth.” She didn’t move, but she reached toward him. “Please.” A smile spread across his face. “Come here, darling.” He unzipped his pants and pulled his cock out. “Come show me how much you want to live.” He stroked himself and eyed her with cold lust. She moved toward him. “Donna, stop! I don’t know what I did to deserve to watch this, but you have done nothing to deserve this life. You can leave it now if only you will trust me.” She got on her knees and stroked Delaware. She took his cock in her mouth and began to suck. “Mmmm. I see you learned your lesson the other day. I should start teaching you other lessons.” He groaned loudly. “And we should start tonight.” Thanasis started to turn away, but then he saw her hand moving. Was she going for the razor blade hanging out of his pocket or the portrait in his hand? She grabbed for the razor blade, but Delaware stopped her. He grabbed her by the neck and threw her with more strength than Thanasis had believed possible. She fell against a marble table and hit her head. She tried to stand, but she fell again. Delaware laughed and threw the portrait into the fire. She crawled across the floor, but when she got close he kicked her in the face. She turned toward the open window and tried to cry out, but blood choked her words. No one outside would have heard her, but Thanasis caught her whispered words. “Help me.” He took her hand and pulled her up into his arms. She trembled with fear, but after a moment she touched her face. She drew her hand away and saw no blood. She looked up at Thanasis, and he nodded toward Delaware. The man turned in a circle several times before going to the window. Then he ran from the room. They could hear him running all over the first floor and then out the front door. He came back and ran up the steps. “He can’t see you anymore. You’re with me now.”

She turned to the fire and saw that the portrait was already ash. “So either you saved me, or burning the portrait killed me?” She met his eyes. “How am I to know which?” “Do you see a body?” She looked around. “No, but would I have one?” “How did you feel in my arms?” “I felt safe.” She moved closer. “I am thankful, so I hope you don’t think I am not because I still don’t trust you completely. You said I had to go willingly. Was that a lie?” “It wasn’t when I told you. They gave me permission to bend the rules a bit more. I hope you can forgive me for making myself a liar because I couldn’t stand another day of watching you suffer.” She walked around the room slowly and paused in front of a mirror, but she had no reflection. “Do I look different? I feel different.” “Your wounds and bruises are gone.” “And now you will take me with you?” He nodded. “You will have a choice. I will do nothing to influence you. No one will ever control you or hurt you again.” He extended his hand. She took it. “Promise me one thing.” “What?” “Don’t let him hurt Lorelei. She wanted to help me. I know you probably sent her, but she would have helped me if she could have.” “I promise no harm will come to her.” “Then I will come willingly. Nothing could be worse than the last six months.” He pulled her close as Delaware burst back into the room, and she sent him a look of pure hatred. “Do something,” she whispered. “Just one little thing. I like seeing him this scared.” He held out his hand, and flames engulfed it. “Fire can purify, but there isn’t enough fire in creation to purify him.” He smiled at her. “We’ll try anyway.” He grabbed Delaware by his neck and let the flames lick all over his head and neck. Delaware screamed and writhed in his grasp as Thanasis lifted him off the ground. He released him mere seconds before he went too far.

Delaware collapsed on the floor with a moan. “He’ll heal as you did, but I enjoyed that.” “Fire is what he deserves, an eternity of it.” She spat on him before going back into Thanasis’s arms. He felt more relief, satisfaction, and peace in that moment than he ever had in all of his existence. **** Lorelei kept waiting for a note to appear, but nothing happened. How late would he wait? Was he still busy? Had his plan worked? She wanted to help, but how could she? Thanasis probably had a better chance at success without two people to protect. Her helplessness annoyed her, but he likely had his hands full enough. She hoped Donna might feel differently after seeing Delaware attack someone else. Surely she would listen to Thanasis now. She put her book down and walked into the kitchen. She went toward the refrigerator to stare into it for the third time that night when something stopped her. A hand grabbed hers and pulled her close. The room spun as Thanasis took her in his arms and kissed her deeply. She ran her hands over his shoulders and around his neck as he pressed her body close. She felt his hard cock against her leg, and she rubbed against it. He ended the kiss and looked down into her eyes. “So I’m not deluding myself? You want to make love?” She licked her lips. “I thought we already established that?” “I only wanted to be sure. I haven’t felt this kind of desire in a very long time.” She ran her fingers into his hair. “You look so different. You feel different even. Your plan must have worked.” “It did. Donna is safe and always will be.” He took a deep breath and pulled her closer. “I feel different?” She nodded. “I can feel how happy you are.” He stared into her eyes for a long time. “Before, I said someone who could see me was rare, and that’s true, but that word doesn’t begin to describe you. Any reaper could have been picked to help Donna.” She swallowed. Could he really mean what she believed he meant? “You think you had another reason for coming here?”

He nodded slowly. “Perhaps I’ve served them better than I thought.” He kissed her. “And earned special favor.” He kissed her again, longer this time. “Mmmm, very special favor.” “I felt something the moment I saw you. I kept listening to you when I should have been afraid.” He laughed softly, and she loved the sexy sound. He picked her up and walked out of the kitchen. “So we’re already of one mind, it seems.” He took her into the bedroom and set her on her feet again. “I felt your desire when you saw me. It stirred me, made me aware of a deep hunger that’s been denied too long.” He pulled her shirt over her head and undid her bra. He cupped her breasts in both hands as he kissed her hairline. He ran his hands down her stomach and around to her back. They slid down her ass, and he lifted her into his arms again. She wrapped her legs around his waist as his lips moved over her left breast. She couldn’t believe how alive she was to his touch. His lips sent shivers all over her body as they closed around her nipple. He sucked gently and then used his teeth to toy with it. She gasped as he moved onto the bed and lay her down on the mattress. He did the same with her other breast as his fingers danced across her stomach. He took her jeans off slowly and knelt between her legs. Their eyes met as she rose up on her elbows, and she had never seen a man look so sexy while still completely dressed. He raised one eyebrow at her and shook himself. In an instant he was naked. “You’re in my head,” she whispered. “It’s a fun place to be at the moment.” He turned his head a little and kissed her knee. “It’s hard to control at times like this. I’ll try harder if you want me to.” She shook her head. “I like it right now. It’s so…intimate.” He rose to meet her lips in a sweet kiss. “Think about anything and everything you’ve ever wanted a man to do to you.” He moved to her ear and nibbled it. “I swear I’ll do it.” She sighed and brought his lips back to hers. His embrace felt better than any orgasm she’d ever had, and she quaked with anticipation of all that was to come. He pushed her to the middle of the bed and climbed onto her. His cock brushed her leg, and she let her fingers circle it. She moaned against his mouth as she felt how thick and long it was.

They parted, and he moved down her body. He lay between her legs and looked up at her as she licked her lips. He smiled and said, “You did that the first time our eyes met. If only you’d known what was to come for us.” He licked her clit, and she lifted her hips for more. He locked his mouth onto her and laved the swollen bud with hard strokes of his tongue. He moved lower to taste her, and she gasped as his tongue slid into her. He kissed her there as deeply as he had kissed her mouth. He moved his mouth back to her clit and pressed one long finger deep inside her. When he found her sweet spot, he let another finger slip in as he held her clit between his teeth for a moment. He moved his fingers in a slow circle and worked his lips over her clit. When his teeth grazed it again, she came. The pleasure exploded inside of her. Every nerve tingled as he continued to suck and drive his fingers into her. The sweet pulsing deep in her core went on and on as she clenched around his fingers and arched beneath him. He shifted above her to kiss and suck her breasts. She cried out in bliss as his lips and tongue worked over her breasts. Every stroke of his tongue sent another wave of pleasure up from her pussy. She took hold of his shoulder and pulled him up to her. He thrust inside of her as they kissed, giving her half his length. She gasped against his mouth as she adjusted to his girth. He slid further, and his cock went high and deep. He lifted her hips as he thrust in and out, and the head of his cock hit her G-spot every single time. She moaned when their lips parted. “You found that very quickly.” “I wanted to.” He filled her completely and closed his eyes. He opened them as he began to thrust again. “I wanted to feel you come. It’s so powerful, that first release. It’s a very special gift.” “Coming?” she asked with a laugh. He nodded and quickened his pace. “It’s the perfect gift for a lover, true proof of how much you delight in his touch.” She wrapped her arms around his neck as she moved to meet each stroke. “You’re about to receive another one.” She relaxed as the pleasure built. “Is it always like this?” He shook his head. “It’s never been like this before.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “It has never felt so perfect.” His strokes became frenzied as he drove into her.

Her orgasm broke suddenly, and all she could do was cling to him and bury her face in his neck as he sought his own completion. He came with a jolt, and she felt him pouring into her in a hot burst. Nothing had ever felt so erotic to her. They shook together, and she lost herself in the euphoria of their joining. She heard soft words echoing around her as though he were whispering to her, but he wasn’t saying anything. She couldn’t make out the words, but they were sweet and loving. He kissed her very gently, and the tenderness of the moment brought a tear to her eye. It slid down her cheek, and he kissed it. “No power that exists could convince me I wasn’t meant to be yours.” She smiled. Many of the men she’d been with had loved saying she belonged to them, and the sentiment could be very romantic, but hearing him say he belonged to her stirred something in her heart. “Really?” He rolled off of her. He ran his hand over her stomach and down to trace one finger over her wet slit. He lifted his eyes to hers again. “Yes. Other pleasures can’t compare to how complete I feel now.” “And it’s not simply because you’re different?” “No. Physically I’m not different from a human except for my strength. I promise I haven’t enchanted any part of you.” He kissed the hollow between her breasts and soon moved to take her right nipple into his mouth. “Mmmmm. I may have to argue with you on that.” “You can try, but I still deny it.” He propped himself on his elbow and looked into her face as he smoothed her hair. “Do you feel it? The power between us?” “I do feel very different.” He bent to kiss her, and she ran her hand over his chest. She could feel his heart pounding faster as they kissed. She inched closer and let her hand drift down past his waist. His cock responded to her touch right away, and she pumped him with a steady rhythm. “Just different?” he asked, moving his lips over her neck. “I can’t describe it.” He reclined on his back and pulled her on top of him. His shaft rubbed against her clit. “Try.”

She closed her eyes to focus on the sensation of his hard length moving back and forth over her. Her pussy grew wetter with each stroke. “I feel like we’ve known each other longer than a couple of days.” He shifted her hips to let the head of his cock play at her entrance. “And?” “I constantly want to touch you. Being in your arms feels right.” “Yes?” He guided her onto his shaft and ran his hands up and down her thighs. She opened her eyes and began to bounce up and down, but she never quite took all of his shaft inside her. “I’ve never come like that before.” She relaxed and took all of him, tossing her head back and moaning. He sat up and enfolded her in his arms, wrapping her legs around him. “But it’s more than that? Our connection was stronger?” “Yes.” She held to him as he guided her in his lap. “You could almost hear me, couldn’t you?” He tilted her back to kiss her breasts. His rough tongue made her nipples ache with need. She tightened her pussy around his cock. “I thought you were whispering to me.” He held her fast against him. She tried to move, but she couldn’t. His cock remained buried deep inside her, its size and weight teasing her. She wanted to come, and she tried to move again; but he wouldn’t let her. Their faces inches apart, he stared into her eyes with breathtaking intensity. And what was I saying? She gasped. She started to speak, but he silenced her with a kiss. He loosened his grip, and again she heard him in her mind. Take your pleasure. Come for me. She gave in to the kiss. There would be time for questions later. She gripped his shoulders and rode him, enjoying the way his breathing and heart rate quickened. She was so close and began to grind against him, his hard muscles flexing against her clit as she did. She broke the kiss and cried out as she came. Her pussy squeezed him so hard she dug her nails into his shoulders. She went limp as the unbearably sweet sensations moved all over her body. He gently rolled her onto her back, his cock never leaving her body. He kissed

her face until she opened her eyes, and then he began to take her again in long, deep strokes. “I like hearing you like that,” she whispered up to him. He trembled above her, and once again his intensity took her breath away. “It gives me so much joy…” He pumped harder and made her gasp at his strength. “…that you can hear me.” She touched his cheeks, and he turned his head to kiss each palm. She linked her hands behind his neck and never broke eye contact. Somehow she sensed it was what he wanted. He smiled down at her and brushed a gentle kiss over her lips. “Yes,” he whispered. Another stroke sent a tiny burst of pleasure through her again. She ran her tongue over his lower lip and then drew it between her teeth and sucked. He sighed and then shuddered as he came into her. She flexed her muscles to milk him, giving herself another shiver of satisfaction. The look in his eye told her he appreciated it as well. He rolled them onto their sides, and they kissed for several minutes, their hands caressing and exploring one another. Then he groaned as if in pain. “What is it?” she asked. “I have to go. Someone needs … my services.” She nodded. She didn’t want to let him go, but she knew she had no choice. “Will you come back tonight?” “If you want me.” He stood up, and a moment later he was dressed. She blinked, but then she smiled at him. “Of course I do.” He took her hand and kissed it. “You truly don’t care what I am.” It was a statement, not a question. “No. Come back and stay with me.” “I will.” He disappeared, and she collapsed on the bed. Her body felt limp and sated, yet she also felt energized and aroused. She had needed his touch like she had never needed anything before, and she had never felt this kind of satisfaction before either. She closed her eyes and curled against her comforter. She would never have believed a day that began so horribly could end so beautifully.

Chapter Four Lorelei watched Roger Delaware pacing and smoking a cigarette across the street from her shop. He’d been there for ten minutes and had smoked five cigarettes. Was he just going to keep watching, or was he actually going to do something? She considered calling Thanasis, but she decided against it. He said he could be there within seconds, so she wasn’t too worried about Delaware. Men who hurt those weaker than them were cowards in her book, but at the same time he was no ordinary man. Could losing his soul have driven him crazy? Was he watching for Donna or spying on her? Did he know what had happened to Donna? If he didn’t understand that Donna was out of his reach forever, he would assume Lorelei had helped her. He could be waiting for Donna to come out of hiding, or he could be waiting to try to get information out of Lorelei. She continued emptying the box at her feet and straightening the books on the shelf in front of her. She looked up, and he was gone, but she saw a shadow on the sidewalk approaching the door. Five customers milled around the shop when he came in and walked right up to her. “Can I help you?” she asked. “Yes,” he said in a low voice. “You don’t understand what you’ve done. I have to get Donna back.” “Why?” “She’s insane. She can’t be on her own.” How stupid did he believe she was? “Mr. Delaware, you’re very lucky I didn’t call the police after what happened in your home.” His expression darkened. “If you call the police, I’ll tell them you’ve kidnapped my mentally unstable wife. I’m the richest guy in town, I’ll bet. I’m definitely the only celebrity. Who do you think they’ll believe?” “They won’t find her tied up anywhere, so it’ll be your word against mine.” She picked up the box she had just emptied and walked toward the back of the shop. “And you’re not her husband. We both know that.” “I’m sure she fed you a pretty wild story.” “What she told me matters very little in light of what happened while I was there. You’re the one who is insane if you think

you will get anything from me after laying your hands on me and treating her the way you do.” She threw the empty box into her stockroom and turned to find Mr. Delaware very close to her. “I think you need to leave my shop.” “You’re wrong.” He eyed her with menace and smiled. “I’m going to get a lot from you, and I’m going to come up with very interesting ways of taking it.” He backed away and put his hands in his pockets. “Just you wait.” As he turned away from her, she grabbed the volume of Milton from the stockroom and bashed him over the head with it. He sprawled across the floor, but he got up quickly. “You’re gonna pay for that!” “Call the cops then. I have a right to kick you out of my store, and you threatened me very bluntly. Do you want to spend the rest of the day talking to police officers? I have work to do, personally.” He turned on his heels and stormed from the shop. Her barista started to come over to her, but she waved her back. She went into the stockroom and sat down. A minute later, a knock at the back door caught her attention. She went out there to see who it was, and a smile spread across her face when she saw Donna sitting at her picnic table. “Donna?” Donna positively glowed as she smiled back at her. She looked the same, yet at the same time she looked like a completely different woman. Her countenance shone clear of the stress and panic and fear that had once dominated her features. She wore a beautiful flowing green dress, and her hair fell loose down her back. “It felt so good to watch you do that!” She pulled Lorelei into a hug that nearly crushed her ribs. “It felt good to do it,” Lorelei managed to say. Donna let her go. “Oh, sorry! I forget how strong I am now.” She took both of Lorelei’s hands in hers. “I wanted to thank you. Every other person I had ever met turned a blind eye to my situation, but you of all people, who knew exactly how scary my dilemma truly was, still tried to help me. I can never thank you enough.” “I’m glad I could help. I knew something was wrong, and when Thanasis told me just how wrong I had to do something. I wish I could have done more.” “You did more than enough. I still didn’t completely believe Thanasis until he took me away from here, but seeing that you cared

enough to help gave me the courage to keep trying.” Her face darkened for a moment. “If I hadn’t met you, I would have just stayed down and let Roger keep beating me exactly the way I always did before, but I wanted my freedom so much more because of you.” “I’m glad I did that at least then.” “Everything was exactly the way Thanasis said it would be. I have a new life now and even a new purpose.” “Were you scared? What was it like?” “It’s hard to describe. Nothing about the place we went was so strange, but it felt very different. We were in a beautiful mansion, and Thanatos definitely surprised me.” “What was he like?” “Take the best parts of every man you’ve ever seen, and you’ll have the man who was waiting for me. He kissed me and spent nearly half an hour apologizing for not rescuing me himself.” She smiled coyly. “And while he couldn’t undo my past, he did an awful lot for my future.” The satisfied and sensual expression on Donna’s face surprised Lorelei. “You mean you had sex with him?” She tried to keep her jaw from hitting the ground, but somehow she couldn’t. “Haven’t you slept with Thanasis?” “Yes, but this seems a little different.” “Different doesn’t begin to describe it. Everything has a changed feel to it now. Everything is so alive to me! In fact, I haven’t told you the best part yet. I live in his mansion, and he’s not the only gorgeous man around trying to make me forget what happened in the past. And I—” Lorelei held her hand up to stop her. This Donna truly was a different woman. “Wait. I need time to absorb what you’ve already told me. Are you serious?” “Yes, I am, but my new job is the very best part. Do you know what the Erinyes are?” Lorelei knew that word from somewhere. She thought for a moment, and then she remembered. “The Furies?” Donna nodded. “I have the same powers they do, but I have a specialty. I avenge wronged women. We talked for a long time, and I came to understand lots of things about their world. There are limitations, but we have great powers. Now that I’m in this form I see why they were restrained from helping me, but my case was special.

Humans are a different matter. After we had sex, he asked me what I wanted more than anything. I told him I wanted the power to help those who were too scared to reach out for help themselves. He gave me immortality and the very powers I asked for.” “Wow! That is amazing. I wondered where you might be, but I didn’t know if Thanasis could tell me.” “I asked him not to. I wanted to come to you myself.” Donna rose. “And now I need to go. My powers come with lots of duties, and I am very proud of my work, if I do say so myself.” Lorelei hugged her. “I’m glad to see you so happy.” “And I’m happy to see my two saviors equally happy. I know he’ll be an unusual boyfriend, but he’s worth it. I can see him as others of his kind see him now. His compassion for the human race truly is remarkable, and you’ve touched him in a very unique way. You two will be happy, always.” The words warmed Lorelei’s heart. “I know we will be. It sounds crazy, but deep down I know it’s true.” Donna turned and waved one last time before heading around the corner. Lorelei went back inside feeling happy and relieved. Even though she knew she could never have a normal life with Thanasis, she could never imagine loving anyone else. They hadn’t said the words, but she knew the connection they felt was love despite the short time they had known each other. A man had made an evil deal for selfish reasons, but in the end three people had been made very happy. She suspected life would continue surprising her in this way as long as she was with Thanasis, and she was certain she would love every minute of it. **** Lorelei heard the sirens first, and when she moved toward the front of the shop she heard all the people hurrying down the street. She unlocked the door and joined them on the sidewalk. A fire truck roared down the street, and she turned to see where it was going. She gasped when she saw the flames reaching so high into the night sky, but her fear subsided as she approached. Roger Delaware’s townhouse was engulfed in flames, but none of the other buildings seemed to be in danger. The two men to her right, who apparently had been standing there since the blaze started, were amazing those who cared to listen with their tale of the sudden explosion. They both kept pointing out how strange the fire was and how suddenly it had begun.

It hadn’t spread to the townhouses on either side, and now the firemen were having a very easy time putting it out. She almost smiled because she suspected Donna had started the fire. Lorelei looked around for Thanasis, but she didn’t see him in the crowd. Flames poured out the windows and the front door, but the hoses easily doused them. The fire had gutted the building in a very short time. She knew no one would emerge from there alive. She only had one question: was Roger Delaware alive in the first place? “No, he wasn’t.” She turned to see Thanasis standing behind her. “So does it even matter?” She looked around and added in a lower voice, “Make sure people can see you.” He smiled. “They can. I don’t want anyone thinking my girl is crazy.” He gestured to his clothes. “Better?” He wore the same black shirt, but now he had on jeans and had left off the duster. “Very nice, though you were quite handsome before.” “I’m trying to put forth my best efforts here. I’m not going to find another girl like you. Ever.” He put his arm around her, and she leaned against him. “So is he gone?” “Yes, he is. I took him to Thanatos myself. He regained his soul right before he died and has been sent someplace specially made for people like him.” “More rule bending?” “Sort of. Donna asked if she could do this, and her request was denied; but she’s found a lot of favor with Thanatos.” Lorelei bit her lip to keep from laughing. “Yes, I heard.” He grinned down at her. “We are terrible corrupting influences. You innocent things should stay away from us.” “Innocent, my ass. Go on.” “He said she could go ask Nysrogh himself for permission to take her revenge.” “A test? To see if she was brave enough?” “Sort of. She should have hated Nysrogh, but she went to him and behaved very respectfully. She aimed all her anger and hatred at Delaware, and apparently she impressed Nysrogh with her courage and determination. He gave her Delaware’s soul. She returned it to him, and then she spent most of the day doing things I won’t repeat in public.”

“I’ve never been a fan of revenge, but sometimes it has its place.” “And at those times it is called ‘justice’.” Thanasis pointed into the crowd, and when she followed his finger she saw Donna standing in the crowd. She didn’t look incredibly angry or blissfully happy; she looked peaceful. She turned her head in their direction, and after giving them a faint smile she disappeared. “When I saw you two arguing outside my shop, I wished you both away. I didn’t feel like becoming entangled in an awkward scene.” “And I take it you’re glad that wish wasn’t granted?” “Oh yes. There was another wish – a far more important one – waiting to be granted.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Being with me won’t be easy, but I’ll try my best to make up for it.” “Do you have to go away for a long time?” She hoped the answer would be “no,” but she didn’t think she would be so lucky. “Not a long time. I can move at will, so I could be anywhere and be at your side in a moment, but I can’t live here.” She nodded. “I understand.” “However, the assignment I just completed was very special. I’m on leave, you could say.” “For how long?” “A week. I know it’s not a lot of time, but we’ll make the most of it.” She pulled away and took his hand to lead him back to her shop. “Let me grab my purse, and we can start doing exactly that right now.” He tugged on her hand and stopped her. “You mean this?” He handed her purse to her. “Yes. Can you get us home just as quickly?” “Get us around this corner and out of sight. I think I can manage.” They rounded the corner, and he shoved her against the wall and captured her mouth in a hungry kiss. She felt the wall fall away, and they landed on her bed. She opened to him completely, and the wicked images in his head made her shiver in delight. She made a mental note to call her employees later and see how many of them wanted lots of overtime for the next week.

**** “I don’t want you to go,” Lorelei said as Thanasis began kissing her neck. She rolled over to face him as she rubbed one eye sleepily. “I know.” He kissed her cheek. “You’re so pretty when you wake up. I love waking up beside you.” She caressed his cheek and rested her hand on his neck. “I’ve gotten used to it, too.” “I can still spend some nights with you.” He kissed her neck and gradually moved lower. He swirled his tongue around her nipple. “And I can come wake you up sometimes, too.” The feel of his mouth on her nipple made her wet. She held his head against her breasts as his mouth became more aggressive. He pressed her breasts together and went back and forth suckling each nipple. When he ran his teeth across one, she moaned and pushed him onto his back. She got on top of him and rubbed her pussy over his cock as they kissed. She reached down to guide him into her, but he moved out of her reach, lifting her and sliding down the bed beneath her. He made her straddle his face so he could eat her pussy. She grabbed the headboard for support as his tongue drove her wild. He spread her and ran his tongue deep inside of her while fingering her clit. She massaged her breasts and then ran her hands down her body and into his hair. He took her ass in both hands and made her grind on his mouth. Her clit throbbed against his tongue, and she moaned with need. She wanted his cock, but she couldn’t make herself stop him now. One final flick of his tongue made her come. Before she knew what had happened, he tossed her into the middle of the bed and entered her. Her trembling pussy welcomed him, and she bucked hard beneath him. “You couldn’t make up your mind, so I gave you both.” He pressed her into the mattress with every hard stroke. Her pussy clenched around him. He was so hard, and the head of his cock kept hitting her sweet spot just right. Stars danced behind her eyelids as the pleasure took over. She could feel nothing but his cock and the bliss of her orgasm. She reached for him, and he covered her body with his as he continued his assault. She could feel every glorious inch as he thrust in and out. Her body came alive to his touch anew as his lips brushed her neck. Her breasts rubbed against his chest as he moved above her, and the friction on her nipples sent little

bursts of pleasure down to her core. Her delight increased every time he plunged back into her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck to keep from shaking uncontrollably. She ran her fingers into his hair and pressed her lips to his neck. He felt so powerful as he took her, and she loved tasting the salty heat of his skin. He groaned as her lips moved to his shoulder, and she bit the hard muscle gently. He slammed into her with so much force she cried out and tightened her grip on his hair. He stilled and groaned again, and she felt him jerk and release into her. She brought her lips to his and pulled him into a long and luxurious kiss. She could feel his love engulfing her and hear all the sweet words mixing with the naughty ones in his head. She collapsed beneath him when their lips parted. “I love you,” he said as he gazed down into her eyes. “I’m sure you already know that, but I couldn’t let this week end without saying it out loud.” “I did, but I’m happy you said it.” She lifted her hand and placed it over his heart. “I love you, too.” He grinned and rolled off of her before pulling her back into his arms. “I know. You’ve said it in your sleep.” “I have?” “Mmmm hmmm. Twice.” His grin widened. “Remember those times I woke you in the middle of the night simply to ravish you to the point of exhaustion? Hearing you say the words made me need you desperately.” She laughed loudly. “Darn, I thought it was a normal perk of snagging a man with such stamina.” “Stamina and desire are very different things. You awaken that desire in ways I never thought anyone would.” “It’s obvious that you can love, and it’s equally obvious it isn’t forbidden with humans; but how will this really work?” He frowned. “You’re asking me how long I will love you? Or how long we will be together?” “I don’t know what I’m asking. No one is ever guaranteed anything, but I am curious.” “It’s hard to explain.” “Can I be with you when I die?” He stiffened. “Don’t talk about dying. Please, Lorelei.”

“Thanasis, I wouldn’t kill myself. Don’t ever think that. I was only asking. Can we be together always when I die?” “When you die, you will go somewhere I cannot go, and I don’t want to think about that now.” The look in his eyes pained her. He was begging her silently to change the subject. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think you would be uncomfortable talking about death.” “Your death is what I don’t wish to dwell on. Death always brings peace to those who deserve it, and anguish to those who do not. Even though it is sad for those left behind, death has to happen at its appointed time. I’ve never felt conflicted about it before because I’ve never imagined myself as the one left behind.” “I wish I hadn’t said anything. I’ve upset you.” “Don’t wish that. I want us to talk about everything. You’re young, and we wouldn’t be discussing death if I were human. We’d both laugh at the idea of worrying about it.” “I was hoping you would tell me there were more bendable rules, but I guess not all of them are as flexible.” “No, they aren’t. If the day comes you want to end this, if you meet someone—” She cut him off with a kiss. He tried to pull away, but she held him firmly. He could have broken away, but he submitted after a feeble attempt at struggling with her. His cock hardened and touched her leg, and she took it in her hand. She looked into his eyes and said, “Shut up and make love to me.” “I should rile you more often,” he said. He flipped her onto her stomach and rested his cock on her ass. He ran his hands down her back and let his fingers stray between her cheeks. She giggled as he fingered her hole. “Is that what you want?” “Yes. I think you liked it as much as I did.” She turned enough to look at him. “I like anything that involves you touching me.” He lifted her hips and slid his cock into her pussy as his finger continued to probe the tight ring of muscle at her asshole. “I thought I was noticing a trend.” He slid deep and stroked in and out of her to get his cock wet, and then he pulled out and spread her cheeks. He probed slowly at first, barely penetrating. She relaxed and propped on her elbow so she could reach one hand down to play with her pussy. She rubbed her clit and let her

fingers slide in. He pushed deeper when she sighed, and she arched to give him more. She loved the feel of him stretching and filling her. She also loved how easily she could clench and squeeze his cock when he was in her ass. She circled her finger over her clit, her own arousal coating her fingers. He went deep and began with tiny thrusts. He held her hip with one hand and reached the other one down to her pussy. He slid his fingers in with hers, and she bucked a little at being so full. She let her fingers slide out so he could work his magic, and he found her G-spot right away. His strong fingers massaged it without mercy, and she came. He moaned with her as the orgasm took her, and he pumped harder three times and came as well. She was breathless and her entire body had gone electric as he rolled her over to kiss her. She could feel how possessive he felt in that moment, and she relished the feeling of being completely his. She resolved not to question him again. As long as she could be in his arms, she would cherish every moment. He broke the kiss and looked down into her eyes. So will I. Every sweet moment. His lips descended again, and she gave herself back to his kiss, not caring what the future might or might not bring.

Epilogue Thanasis watched Lorelei walk from her car to her front door. She looked concerned, and her hand rested on her stomach in a conspicuous way; so he guessed she had gotten confirmation of what he’d known for two months: she was pregnant. He’d felt the change in her the night it happened. He’d sensed the new life they’d created forming inside her within minutes. The baby itself, which he already knew was a girl, gave him great joy because she would be the product of their love. Her pregnancy also made him happy for another reason. They had been together six months, and she had never again asked him about their future since the day he had told her they would be separated when she died. She’d asked if any more rules could be bent, but he hadn’t told her about the one rule neither of them would want to bend. If he gave her a child, he had the right to claim both of them as his own forever. The child had to dwell in his world, so there was no question of their baby girl going with him. As far as Lorelei was concerned, he could take her and make her like himself if no champion came forward to fight for her. He smiled as he walked toward her door, knowing she would personally kick the ass of any “champion” who came forward to do such a thing. His joy in their lovemaking had increased since she became pregnant. She’d seemed puzzled at it a few times, but she hadn’t questioned him yet. He longed to be near her even more, and he couldn’t stop touching her when they were together. Even if all he could do was hold her hand or rest his hand on her shoulder, he had to have that contact. He couldn’t stop smiling because he was finally going to be able to tell her why he had been so much happier the past couple of months. He knocked and then entered on his own. “Lorelei?” “I’m here,” she said in a very small voice. He went into the kitchen and found her leaning against the counter looking scared. Tears welled in her eyes, and her lower lip trembled. He rushed to her side and kissed her. He took her into his arms and pressed her head to his chest. “Don’t cry. There’s nothing to cry about. You may be yelling in a few moments, in fact.” She pulled away. “What do you mean? Do you know? I asked you to stay out of my head when we aren’t…well—”

“I’m not in your head, I promise, but I have been keeping something from you.” “And it’s going to make me yell at you?” she asked. “Maybe.” He reached out and caressed her abdomen gently. “The last two months have been the happiest of my life.” She stiffened. “Only the last two?” “The last six have been wonderful, but the last two have been special. You see, the woman I love has been carrying my baby.” “You’ve known the whole time?” she whispered. “I knew the night it happened. I’m highly attuned to both death and life. I felt the change in you.” A few tears fell. “And you didn’t tell me because you didn’t want me to worry yet? You wanted to postpone it?” He wiped the tears away. “Not at all. There is nothing to worry about. This baby, this little girl, is going to be strong and healthy, as strong and healthy as her father.” “She’ll be like you?” She sounded both amazed and frightened. “Yes. She’ll be immortal. She won’t be a reaper, but she could easily be chosen for those duties. She may have another calling. She’ll find it as she grows, as we get to know her.” “Will she be taken from me?” “No, but she will have to come live with me.” “But I can’t—” She stopped and looked into his eyes. “Can I?” “Unless you have a champion who will complete a great feat to win your freedom, you are doomed to be the bride of the wicked creature who ravished you.” He didn’t let her reply. Instead he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She struggled playfully at first, but she soon gave in. He opened to her completely, entering her mind, and felt the questions churning there. He let his feelings and thoughts flow gently into her so she would understand what a blessing the baby truly was, and he soon felt her mind calming. When they finally parted, she shoved him playfully. “Why didn’t you tell me? We would’ve had sex more often if I’d know this was all we needed to do!” He chuckled. “I’m not sure you could have taken it, my dear. I exhaust you as it is.” He drew her back into the circle of his arms. “But that will change soon. You’re already stronger because of the

baby. You can come with me as soon as you like. I know you like your life here, but seven months should be enough time to settle your affairs.” “Seven months? I’m not staying here seven months!” “I didn’t think you would want to, but what about your friends? Your shop?” “The shop will make an amazing going away present to them!” She shook her head and laughed. “They are going to flip! They know we’re together, but a lot of jaws will drop when I announce that I am pregnant and moving … very far away.” “You can visit whenever you like. You can only stay three days at a time, but you can come and go freely. You’ll see Donna as often as you like, too.” Her face lit up. “She’ll be so happy! You didn’t tell her, did you?” “As much as I wanted to, no, I did not. I don’t want her taking any revenge on me for denying you that pleasure.” “You’ve never denied me any pleasure, and you know it.” “How could I when it gives me so much joy as well?” She rubbed her stomach and looked down at it. “A little girl?” He nodded. “Well, I get to name her. You have to endure some kind of punishment for not telling me.” “I’ll agree to those terms.” He took both of her hands in his. “But in my defense, I wanted to surprise you, and it didn’t feel very sexy or romantic to roll over and tell you I’d put a baby in you.” He kissed both of her hands. “Though I will say it certainly felt romantic to me at the time.” “Which night was it?” His hands slid around her waist and over her ass. “The night we made love five times.” Her eyes darkened with desire, and she brought his face down to hers. “So that’s what got into you that night?” “I was so happy I had to do something. I felt ready to explode.” He tilted her chin up and kissed her. She responded with passion, and he lifted her into his arms. She twined her arms around his neck. “You feel like you might be on the brink again right now,” she whispered against his lips.

“I’ll try to make it to the bedroom, unless you want to celebrate on the kitchen floor.” He took them there in an instant, and he threw her onto the bed as she giggled. He climbed on top of her and made himself pause. He caressed her cheek and let his hand slowly work down her neck and over her breasts to finally rest on her stomach. She rested her hand over his. “I love you,” she said. “And I love you.” He covered her body with his and started by slowly kissing every inch of her face. As strong as his desire was, he now had all of eternity to express his love to her. He pressed his lips to hers as he shared with her his vision of how much they would enjoy every moment of their eternal love. The End

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