Freaky Reapers (A Mystic Caravan Mystery Book 8) Read online

  “You can’t beat me,” he howled. “I won’t let you.”

  “It’s already too late for that.” I raised my hands until they were stretched above my head. Izzy’s fingers sparked as she added her magic to mine. The excitement never left her face. “Goodbye, Beacon. I hope no one has mercy on your soul wherever it goes.”

  I released the magic with a flourish, watching without emotion as it swallowed him whole. He screamed — I knew he would — but it didn’t last long. He was gone within seconds, leaving only Tawny to deal with ... and a sobbing Valentine curled in a ball on the floor. Just like the banshees he created out of hate and fear, he dissolved into dust.

  When I turned to Tawny she looked almost happy. I very much doubted she’d ever been able to embrace happiness — even before she came across Beacon — but there was a certain giddiness about her smile.

  “We can’t let you live.” I was apologetic. “I’m sorry, but we have to wipe this place clean.”

  “It’s fine.” Tawny’s voice rasped as she used the wall to keep herself upright. She was weak, failing just like Beacon. She wouldn’t have lasted much longer. “I’m ready to go. I’ve been ready for a long time.”

  “I’m still sorry.”

  “You can’t control everything, girl.” Her lips curved into the sad approximation of a grin. “I never thought you would be the one to end this.”

  “Yeah, well ... it had to be someone.”

  “Just make it fast.” She closed her eyes. “Do you think I’ll go somewhere?”

  I had no idea. “I hope so.” I hesitated for a moment when raising my hand, but Raven caught my wrist before I could unleash my magic again.

  “I’ve got it,” she whispered. “You don’t have to do this one.”

  “I can.”

  “You don’t have to. Not everything is your responsibility.”

  In my heart, I knew that. It was nice to be reminded.

  30

  Thirty

  Cleanup was easy. We had only one body to deal with. Tawny didn’t dissolve like the others, but she decayed fast. Nellie and Dolph handled it. They’d been cut out of the fighting — everyone had because Beacon insisted on using the banshees as cannon fodder to protect himself — and no one was happy. Even the Grimlocks looked a bit disappointed.

  “Are you okay?” Braden swooped toward Izzy when we slid outside.

  She nodded, a giggle escaping. “It was nothing. I didn’t even work up a sweat.”

  “If you want to work up a sweat, I have a few ideas for that.”

  “You always do.”

  I smiled as I watched them leave, shaking my head when Kade moved in to hug me. I accepted the embrace. It felt good to be held. It would feel better when I could shower and put the day behind me. For now, though, this was enough.

  “How are you?” His voice was a whisper against my ear.

  “I’m okay. I was wrong about the souls. He was eating them to stay alive. He was sick. It was his last desperate attempt to remain in this world. He didn’t care that he was removing others in the process.”

  “Well, then we won’t care that he’s gone.” He swayed back and forth, resting his chin on the top of my head. “I think we should get out of here. You need some sleep.”

  “I need a shower more.”

  “We can make both happen.”

  “Yeah.” I held on a moment longer and then focused on the Grimlocks. The boys were obviously disappointed. Even Aisling looked down. Cormack, though, seemed happy. I wondered if that would last after I asked a favor of him. “Um ... before you go.” I disengaged from Kade and moved toward him. “I have something to ask you. I know it’s a lot, but you’re the only person I know who can get it done.”

  He spared a glance for Valentine as Seth and Luke helped her from the mausoleum. She was in rough shape and needed to be transported to the hospital.

  “Let me handle that,” Logan offered, hurrying to the girl’s side. “It’s the least I can do. You guys have done the heavy lifting.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled at him. “Make sure you call Groove.”

  “I’d rather not.”

  “He’s her brother and she’s going to want him. Besides, you won’t have to worry about him much longer.”

  “No?” Logan’s face lit with intrigue. “Why is that?”

  “It’s better if you don’t know.”

  “I guess I’ll just have to take your word for it.” He hugged me. “I’m glad you found your happiness,” he whispered. “These people, the things you do, it’s important. You’re important. But don’t look back on this life. You’re better off putting as much distance between you and this place as possible.”

  I didn’t believe that. “This is just a place.”

  “It’s not your home.”

  “No. My home is with them.” I gestured toward Kade and Max as I pulled away. “Home isn’t a street ... or four walls and a roof. It’s love and people.”

  “And me,” Luke added, pinning me with a pointed look. “Don’t forget about me.”

  “I could never forget about you.” I blew him a kiss and turned my eyes back to Logan. “You should probably look toward your future, too.” I’d seen a glimpse of it during the hug. “You have something blonde coming your way.”

  “Hmm?” He looked puzzled. “I don’t understand.

  “You will. Eventually.”

  “Well ... as long as she’s normal — or relatively normal — I should be fine.”

  He was in for a rude awakening. It wasn’t good for him to dwell on that now, though. He had other things on his plate. “Watch Groove, but you don’t need to move on him. It won’t be long.”

  “You seem awfully sure of yourself.”

  “I am. His future is written, which is something I can rarely say. Let him spend time with his sister. Not because he needs it, but because she does. Then help her move past this life.”

  “Okay.” He gave me another brief hug. “Will I ever see you again? You can see the future.”

  I smirked. “Never say never.” I watched him go for what felt like a long time. Once he was clear of the area, I turned my attention to Cormack. “I don’t want to take too much of your time, but I need to ask a big favor. You don’t have to say yes, but know I’ll cry if you say no.”

  He snorted. “Did Aisling tell you that’s the way to get me to do things?”

  “No, but I’ve seen her in action. I like to think I’m a quick learner.”

  “Then lay it on me. I would love to hear what you have in mind.”

  THE CIRCUS CLOSED AT FIVE the next day. Usually I would’ve been in the thick of the cleanup, but Kade and Max had urged me to run the few errands I had left. We would leave early the next morning, and there were two things I had to do.

  I met Cormack at a Coney restaurant near Creek’s house. He didn’t as much as raise an eyebrow when he saw the dingy interior of the restaurant. Instead, he headed straight for me and slid in across the booth.

  “This place smells divine,” he noted. “It reminds me of my childhood.”

  I laughed. “It reminds me of the same thing. Did you do as I asked?”

  “And hello to you, too,” he drawled, shaking his head.

  “I’m sorry.” I held up my hands in contrition. “I didn’t mean to come off so rude. I just ... I’m a little antsy. I’m going to visit an old friend.” I pulled two envelopes out of my coat pocket. They were old and showing signs of age. “I wrote these before I left. One for Logan and one for Creek. They never got them. The guy I gave them to found them a few years ago and didn’t have the heart to toss them. I have a second chance to deliver them and I’m anxious.”

  “It’s closure,” he noted. “You need it.”

  “Yeah. I ... did you do what I asked?” I was a bucket of nerves.

  He laughed. “You remind me of my children. You even look enough like a few of them to pass from afar. Yes, I did as you asked. I now own the Beacon Shelter. It will be under new ma
nagement within the week and I will be expanding services.”

  I exhaled heavily, relieved. “Thank you. I know that’s probably more than you want to take on, but that shelter is important.”

  “It’s not more than I want to take on. It’s simply different than my usual endeavors. I’m thinking of putting Redmond in charge. I think he needs a little culture in his life.”

  I laughed, as he’d probably intended. “Thank you so much. I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to repay you. It had to be a lot of money.”

  “Money doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things ... and I’ve got plenty of it. You can’t put a price on helping those most at risk. I will make sure that happens going forward. You can rest easy.”

  “Thank you.” I rubbed my forehead. One task down. “I just ... thank you so much.”

  He reached across the table and rested his hand on top of my free hand. “You’ve done a wonderful thing here. You won’t be remembered for it by anyone other than those who were there, but you’ll be remembered fondly by us.”

  Tears pricked the back of my eyes. “Aisling said you were the best father ever. I guess she was right.”

  “She’s always been my favorite child.”

  “You should probably give her a seafood bar for dinner tonight.”

  “I like the way you think.” He leaned over the table and pressed a kiss to my forehead. That was enough to get the tears flowing freely. “I know your parents are gone.”

  I was surprised by the statement. “Did you reap their souls?”

  “No.” He was solemn as he shook his head. “I looked up the records last night. My wife reaped them. I don’t know if they said anything to her. I don’t know if they were afraid for you, but I’d bet they were. All I know is that they went to a good place. If you’re worried about that, you shouldn’t be.”

  I found, upon reflection, that I never worried they went to a bad place. “Thank you for that. For the other stuff, too.”

  “You mean your friend Noble? I checked on him. He’ll be reburied with full military honors, and there will be a garden planted in his honor at the shelter. I’ve already started the ball rolling.”

  The man was fast. “You’re a miracle worker.”

  “I am,” he agreed. “I also have a home for your little urchins. I believe their names are Michelob and Cotton. They’ll be going to a reaper family for the next year and a half. The individual in question is well aware of their background and that you’ll be in constant contact. They’ll be safe and well cared for.”

  And I thought Santa Claus was the best gift giver. “How did you get all of this accomplished so quickly?”

  “I’m a good multi-tasker.”

  There was no doubt about that. “Well … then I owe you about ten more thank-yous.” I let out a shaky breath. “You didn’t have to do all this for me. What I asked of you was too much. You not only came through, you went above and beyond. You’re … amazing.”

  Tears flowed freely now, and Cormack’s finger was gentle as he brushed it against my cheek. “As I said, I didn’t know your parents,” he started. “I wish I had. As a parent, I feel as if I can speak for them. Wherever they are — and I’m betting they’re only biding time until they see you again — they’re watching you with a great amount of pride.”

  I choked on a sob.

  “You’re changing the world in the most important ways imaginable,” he continued. “You have a family that isn’t much different from mine. This might not have been their ultimate plan for you, but they can’t be unhappy with the outcome.”

  “Yup. You’re definitely a good dad.” I could barely speak around the tears.

  “With that in mind, I have one more surprise for you.” He reached into the inside pocket of his suitcoat and retrieved an envelope. “I had Cillian conduct a little research for me. Your friend Creek has been going to school to become a paralegal. She’ll be done with the coursework in two weeks. She has a job waiting for her at a law firm with a guaranteed salary and health benefits for her daughter.”

  An overwhelming flow of love washed over me. “What?”

  “You heard me.” His grin widened. “I won’t allow her to be forgotten either.”

  “But ... that’s going above and beyond.”

  “Is it? She’s important to you. You helped us rid the street of a terror. On our own, we could’ve been hurt trying to take him out. You didn’t allow that to happen. From where I stand, this is a paltry repayment.”

  “But ... .” I was overwhelmed.

  “Your FBI friend was right about one thing yesterday. You shouldn’t spend all your time looking back. Don’t spend all of it looking forward either. Enjoy the present. You have a man who loves you, another who thinks you’re his platonic life mate and yet another who thinks of himself as your father. You need to embrace all three.”

  “I have.” I swiped the back of my hand over a tear-streaked cheek.

  “Then keep it up.” He patted my shoulder and then slid out of the booth. “If you return to the area, you know how to find us. Our door will always be open.”

  “Will the stuffy butler be on the other side of it?”

  “Very likely.”

  “Well, it still might be worth a visit.” I beamed at him and clutched the envelope he’d given me for Creek close to my chest. “I’ll never forget any of you.”

  “Of course you won’t.” He winked. “We’re unforgettable.”

  And, with those words he swept out of the restaurant. For a long time, I stared at the employment offer he’d given me. Then I exited the restaurant. I had two stops left — Logan and Creek — and the letters would mean different things to both of them.

  Cormack was right. The past had to be put away. There was too much life left to live, and I couldn’t live it if I was constantly looking over my shoulder.

  It was time to say goodbye to the people I’d known and allow them to move forward to be the people they were meant to be.

  It was time.

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  About the Author

  I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read my novels. I have a particular brand of humor that isn’t for everyone – and I know that.

  If you liked the book, please take a few minutes and leave a review. An independent author does it all on their own, and the reviews are helpful. I understand that my characters aren’t for everyone, though. There’s a lot of snark and sarcasm in my world – and I know some people don’t like that.

  Special thanks go out to Heidi Bitsoli and Phil VanHulle for correcting the (numerous) errors that creep into a work of fiction.

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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