Suck My Life (Sucking Dead #1) - Andie M. Long Page 0,50

position.”

“You could have just asked, rather than me having to end up dead.”

“Like you’d have believed me. Anyway, I was debating revealing my true self to you, given your interest in supernaturals, when I noticed a vampire hanging around the store staring at you like you were prey. I approached him and found he intended to drain you.”

“Lawrie?” I queried.

Jenny nodded. “All I had to do next was to show Death how perfect you were for the role of Queen. I spoke to The Book of the Dead and it obviously agreed. Lawrence was going to kill you anyway. Your death appeared in the book. The book made sure Death knew you would be a good candidate for Wayward Souls.”

“That book is one powerful tome.” I acknowledged thinking about when it had kicked my arse. “So you’re leaving are you? Now I’m here? Do you and your loved one want me to help you move on?”

“Oh, I don’t want to leave the house. Just the job. I’m hoping you’ll let me stay here. I won’t be taking up any more room, you’ll see.” She broke the connection of our hands and walked to the living room door. She opened it, revealing Spence. I had not heard his leg dragging, so he’d managed to be super quiet down here, proving how theatrical he was the rest of the time.

He walked in, now dragging his leg again. “We’re in love,” he announced.

“You’re in love? You and Spence?” I addressed Jenny. I hoped neither of them could read my mind, but Spence was hardly a looker, even though he was charming. I couldn’t imagine sticking my tongue in a mouth with teeth that rotten. Jenny clearly knew what I meant though as she returned to her natural witch state, complete with a hooked nose and facial warts. Seemed they were a match after all.

“I wonder why you’re both able to be solid here and the other spirits are not?” I queried.

I noticed a shimmer from the corner near the black velvet curtains and Death materialised.

“Have you been here all along, hiding as a wisp?”

“I may have. Anyway, you can lecture me on that later. Right now, I want to offer my opinion. I believe that The Book of the Dead recognises Jenny and Spence as its caretakers. Spence has been here for centuries and Jenny cared for its books and legacies. The house is an extension of the book after all. The place where the unquiet spirits linger. That’s why I believe it listened to you about Mya and why you’ve been able to stay in this more substantial body.”

Jenny agreed, nodding her head. “I believe you’re right. Anyway, that’s my story told and now I’m officially handing in my notice as The Librarian, effective immediately. Enjoy looking after the library as well as the souls. I’ll be sharing Spence’s room. We’ll see you around the place when we surface.”

With that they both went wispy and drifted out of the room, while I just sat there stunned thinking that obviously Spence’s leg wasn’t the only wood he’d been showing Jenny.

Mya

Death told me he’d be back shortly and left too.

I stayed in my living room. Sitting on my sofa with my feet up, I could hear Stan and his son working on the floor above. I needed to go do my own job, and to visit the turrets, but first I would take a moment to think about the fact I’d been buried today and consider all the revelations from Jenny.

They always said a funeral gave closure and mine certainly had. But where others departed to Heaven or Hell, I was here in Gnarly Fell. Well, just outside it. In my home at the top of a hill with unlimited access to shoes, and also… my own vast library.

Death was usually a nightmare, but for me, the bookworm, it was a whole new chapter.

A knock came at the door.

“Come in.”

Death walked in, dressed in cream trousers, a white shirt and a navy jumper. I realised I was still dressed in my black funeral attire.

“How are you?”

“Okay. It’s been a day of surprises, but I’m all right. Just needed a bit of processing time. Now, I guess I need to get changed and get to work.”

He shook his head. “No, you don’t. Need to get to work that is. You do need to get changed though. I hope you have something suitable for a party.”

“A what?”

“When I left, I went and spoke to Jenny. She