Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
“You did what?” Grim’s voice is angry and the muscles of his back flex as he continues to shield me from my family. “How could you do that?”
“I’m afraid I had no choice. I’m one of the strongest vampires in the world, but even you know that is no match for Death.” Looks as though the Reapers weren’t really asking. I doubt Death ever does.
“I would never wish that life on anyone else,” Grim says, and I can hear the sadness in his voice. I place my hands on his back knowing collecting souls of the dying is a lonely job filled with sadness that none of them would truly understand.
“But would you damn my daughter to the same one?” my mother clips, but she refuses to look at him. I go to defend my mate, but Grim’s bellow stops me.
“No!” Grim’s denial echoes through the room, and I step closer to him so that my form is fully pressed to his back. He reaches behind him for me and I can feel him calm. “I would never show my mate a moment of sadness. I’m willing to give up that life, but I don’t want to curse someone else with it.” His words are pained. I know he’s talking about our children.
“It doesn’t have to be this way,” I say as I peer around to look at Bishop. “Does it? You just said you’re the most powerful vampire in the world. Can’t you do anything?” I plead, knowing there has to be another way. Life can’t be so unfair to try and claim more of my mate’s life.
He rubs his chin and thinks for a moment before he finally nods. “If your kind is willing to share information with me, then I’m willing to work out an arrangement.” Bishop pretends as though he just came up with the idea, but I think it’s been brewing. Bishop hated when there was knowledge out of his reach. He wanted to know everything he could.
“Such as?” Grim is hesitant, but his soul is hopeful.
“You stay here,” Bishop says, and I glance over to see my parents both staring at me.
“I don’t know if that’s a possibility.” Grim looks at my parents. “Perhaps if we were welcome.”
“Of course you would be,” my dad says, and I know that he’s being sincere. “As long as you’re no longer the reaper,” he adds.
“What do you want in return?” Grim says, addressing Bishop. He’s giving up his life for mine. No hesitation.
“I want a chance to learn everything I can about your kind.” He holds out his hands as he steps forward. “I want you and Ariella to be here with our coven so that she can be with her family and I can understand your kind. In exchange, I will consult the new Reaper and find a way to share his burden. That life is no way to spend eternity, and it shouldn’t be on one man’s shoulders for so long.” I agree. It’s a job that needs to be done, but one can’t bear it so long. Even vampires don’t walk the earth that long all alone. Maybe that’s why they die if they don’t find their mate. It’s isn’t a curse but a blessing. Who would want to be alone that long?
“What about our children?” he asks, cutting into my thoughts of what his life must have been like before me. After all of our lovemaking I could already have our baby forming inside of me. “I don’t want our son to carry on what I was cursed with.” My heart aches for my mate even more. How can anyone think he’s filled with darkness? All he thinks about is his children or me. Those are his first thoughts. He has no regard for himself.
“Ariella is special,” Bishop says and nods at me. “She’s mated you, which means she’s changed your blood. No matter what child is born of yours, it will carry a part of her. No vampire shall ever rule as Reaper. Fate would never allow something so powerful to walk this earth. I think even Ariella tested that line of power with fate. Having too much power. I think it’s part of why fate paired you. Your children will be safe.” I know Bishop is right. Fate had been letting me die to bring Death to me.
“We didn’t think this day would come and we certainly didn’t think it would be with a Reaper. But you are more important to us and we can’t lose you,” my mom says, and her eyes soften when she looks at me.
There is longing coming off of her in waves and I want to run to her and make it okay, but it’s not just me now. If they want me, they have to accept the part of me that belongs to Grim.