Deadly Kisses - By Kerri Cuevas Page 0,58

lose my temper.” Ivar pointed his bony finger at me.

“Please, be quiet, Bee.”

Her jaw clamped closed.

“If Ad didn’t get defensive I wouldn’t have had to get nasty. I only came to hand deliver you tickets to my party on All Hallows Eve. I personally hand out all my tickets.” Ivar tucked them into my cloak pocket. “Be ready to reap one of the Flynts at the party,” he thundered. “It would be no fun if Jaleb couldn’t see us though. I’m going to give him the Sight of Death, so he can see Grim Reapers. Won’t that be fun?” Ivar walked up to Jaleb and a blue electric light rose up circling around the wooden staff through the blade of the scythe.

It struck Jaleb in the forehead. The force of Ivar’s power pushed Jaleb back into the damp earth. He rubbed at his eyes, wiping the tears that streamed out. “That really hurt!”

Ivar had given Jaleb the Sight of Death. He was no longer blind to Grim Reapers. He could see us as clear as he could see Bee.

Jaleb looked around with his new eyesight. His eyes widened to big round saucers as he saw the Ancient Grim Reapers. He looked to me and I waved. Bee ran to him, but Ivar pushed her toward me instead. My skeletal hands clasped together around her waist so she couldn’t move.

“Aiden you’re hurting me,” she whispered.

“Ivar isn’t going to hurt him. He needs Jaleb for later, so if you stay still I’ll loosen my grip. Ivar is forcing me to hold you.” I relaxed my hands. Her body was rigid against mine.

“Fine,” she spat out.

Jaleb tried to scream, but nothing came out. All three Ancient Grim Reapers laughed loud and deep. Jaleb scuttled backward.

“And if you don’t show up, Ad, a bounty will be placed on your head by Grim security.” Ivar glared at me.

The three Ancients walked up the steps to the crypt and materialized, leaving a thick plume of black smoke seeping around the doorway. The crows scattered to the trees. I let Bee go and she fell to the ground, crawling to her brother.

“I’m so sorry about all the times I called you crazy and made fun of you. Can you ever forgive me?” Jaleb told Bee.

“You don’t have to apologize. You can’t appreciate their scariness unless you see it for yourself. I’ve seen Grim Reapers all my life, so for me, it’s normal.”

“I had no idea how awful it must be for you. I don’t want to see them. They’re dreadful.” Jaleb rubbed his eyes and looked at me.

“Aiden, you look like the splintered end of a guitar after we get done smashing it.”

My lip went up, but not into a full smile. “I looked way better when Bee wasn’t stressed and kept her energy flowing through me.”

“I didn’t mean to do that. I’m sorry.” She smiled, walking to me. “Want to see what I can do, Jaleb? It’s totally freaky deaky. Aiden wasn’t lying when he said I could heal.”

I continued walking backward until Bee had me against an oak tree. Jaleb got up and followed us over. He sat on a moss-covered log.

Bee put my hand to her face. Energy weaved between us.

“I don’t deserve the gift you offer.” I tried to take it away, but her skin was soft.

“Take off your cloak and stop giving me the sad violin lesson. I’m going to heal your mortal wound.” Bee released my hand, tugging at my cloak.

Jaleb gave me a thumbs up.

“Hold this.” I held out my scythe to Bee. “If you tried, you could use it. It’s bonded to you too.”

“I’ll hold it, but I don’t want to use it.” She grabbed it. I knew she could feel its overwhelming power run through her arm into her body, and energizing her like she ate a bowl of sugar. I smiled at her reaction. I slipped off the cloak to reveal the street clothes she had given me.

I unbuttoned the blue plaid shirt. Bee ran her hands up my rib cage. The skin came back, rolling in waves over my bones. The fatal wound filled in faster than before.

“Holy cow!” Jaleb stared. “That is so awesome!”

“I didn’t know sending you away earlier would retract my healing energy from you. I’m sorry.” Bee smoothed her hand over my creamy skin, and I closed my eyes.

I didn’t realize our lips were close until I felt a warm breath touch them.

“Ah, um . . . seriously not cool kissing the