Free Jack A Grim Reaper Romance by Calista Taylor Page A

murders, he puts us all in jeopardy—he could change the history of all that has yet to come. The fabric of fate will have holes torn in it as the future is changed. If Jack’s responsible for these untimely deaths, they’ll do more than execute him, Lilly. They’ll send his soul to be tormented for an eternity. He’ll be made an example of.”
     
    A cold sweat trickled down her back as his words sank in. “And you want me to help you curse him for all of time? I loved him, Mason. How could you involve me in such a thing? This goes far beyond simply helping you find him.” She shook her head in disbelief. “They’ll condemn him without ever giving him a fair trial. This changes everything.”
     
    “Well, I’m sorry to say, I have no choice, love, and neither do you.”
     
    Needing some distance, Lilly shifted over and sat back, still unable to comprehend it all. Once again she felt betrayed, this time by Mason. And by Jack. Those poor women—dead. She could not comprehend how the man she once loved could be involved in such heinous crimes. She tried her best to steel herself for what would come and it was not long before the carriage stopped in the neighborhood of Whitechapel, near Buck’s Row.
     
    Lilly said not a word and ignored Mason’s offered hand to help her from the carriage, stepping out onto the cobbles. He sighed, but said nothing.
     
    “What is it you want then?” Lilly turned towards him with her arms crossed in front of her chest and a cold hard stare, her mood still sour after Mason’s revelation.
     
    Mason’s lips pursed in annoyance. “Don’t forget what’s at stake, Lilly. You could move on from being a reaper, and keep us all out of trouble. You do remember what it’s like to anger the Elders, aye?”
     
    “How could I possibly forget?” What she endured was never far from her thoughts.
     
    With a gentle hand on her arm, he turned her towards him, his eyes kind but worried. “I want to protect you, love. But I cannot do it if you’re going to fight me every step of the way. Please, Lilly…”
     
    What option did she have? She gave a sigh, and steeled herself for what was to come. “We should get started then.”
     
    “Aye, love. We should.” His touch lingered only a moment more, and then the chancellor was back, focused, sharp and determined.
     
    She shifted between the words, so she’d remain unseen, the familiar tingle traveling over her body, Mason following suit. No one would see or hear them now, like the ghosts they truly were.
     
    Arriving to where the murder occurred, there was not much to see, though it was crawling with police. Curiosity seekers were held back from the area by constables, their numbers growing with each passing moment. Before long, Lilly was sure it’d be thronged with people as word spread of yet another gruesome murder in the district of Whitechapel.
     
    Having seen the extent of the woman’s gruesome injuries, there was surprisingly little blood at the scene. Indeed, had it not been for the police and crowds, one would likely walk past the area and not give it a moment’s notice.
     
    For Lilly and Mason, however, there was more there than could be seen with the naked eye. The energy left behind spoke of the violence—and there, once again, was Jack’s essence. Yet another life wasted, a woman dead before her time.
     
    Lilly wondered how long it would take to feel the effects of this woman’s life cut short. Would a child destined to come into this world now not exist? Even the smaller, seemingly inconsequential things, like talking to another, pausing at a corner, purchasing a dinner, all played a role in a grander scheme. Every breath and action crossed with others, influencing them somehow—only to now not ever happen.
     
    Mason mentioned trying something that involved Jack’s essence and their relations, and it had on her edge. Knowing what had been done to the woman and the uncertainty of what was to come, she could not