Free Death Times Two (The V V Inn, Book 3.5) by C.J. Ellisson, Boone Brux Page B

dressed for the winter temps when she died.” I leave out the part about her coat being sliced up and bloody. If the reaper didn’t see Joanna beheaded and shot through the chest, chances are their ghosts appear as they were right before they died.
    Her face shows her excitement. “Score! I’m so kicking-ass at this reaper job.”
    I politely refrain from reminding her Joanna tried to pull her into the elevator to Hell and Ivan tried to possess her. The self-confident joy on her face lights her up, making the already attractive woman look more beautiful. Lisa races to the heavy front door and throws it open, locks not needed being in the middle of nowhere—and we also have Jon’s half-wolves on patrol around the property.
    I avoid the sunlight streaming in through the entryway and make my way to the partially un-shuttered window. The reaper hesitates fifty feet or so down the gravel walkway, then steps onto the lush grass toward something only she sees.
    Fear grips my heart when I realize I’ve still got the gold coin in my pocket. Will Lisa remember before trying to grab Sanji’s ghost? Or will she be able to haul the vampire back here to call her porter?
    Lisa’s facing me and appears to be talking to someone. In a moment she reaches out a hand. Panic and fear slip over her features as she snaps her mouth shut. She’s jerked off balance and stumbles. Shit! Sanji must be trying to take her over.
    I hesitate for a split second before deciding. If I’m fast enough maybe I won’t die. I race out the door, allowing the sun to voluntarily hit my skin for the first time in over two years. I’ve got to get her the coin and help ground the reaper before it’s too late.
    Ten feet past the threshold and I start to feel very warm. I can do this. I’m wearing a tee shirt and jeans—only my arms and head tingle. Twenty feet from Lisa and she sees me, eyes going wide. I thrust one hand into my pocket as I reach her, grabbing the coin.
    Unwilling to have her violated and possessed, I wrap my other arm around her and lock my lips over hers. All the pent up passion I feel for her pours into the union, pulling a strangled moan from deep in my chest. Heat races over my skin and I feel like I’m about to spontaneously combust. Jesus it hurts!
    Lisa puts a hand to my chest and pushes me back slightly. “Asa? You don’t look so good.”
    The pain consumes me. I won’t last much longer. “Call Hal.”
    She nods, fear in her eyes. “Hal!” She squeaks and looks at something I can’t see.
    I thrust the coin into her hand and press my mouth to hers again, afraid Sanji’s strength will overpower her before her eccentric porter arrives.
    Smoke starts to rise and I smell it—the sickly sweet aroma of my own flesh charring.
    Lisa pulls back and pushes me with one arm, the other presumably holding onto the vampire ghost. “Go, Asa! Let go! You’re burning!”
    I refuse to listen until I see the pink sliver of light indicating her porter is on his way.
    “Go! Goddammit! You’re going to die!” The horrified look on her face convinces me.
    I drop my hold and race back for the safety of the lodge, blood pouring down my arms from the injuries. Once inside, I collapse in the shade, too weak to even shut the door behind me.
    I made it. I didn’t die my final death in the sun. Pain radiates from every square inch of my body. I try and move a hand to reach for my phone, only to hear the squishy sound of liquid sliding along flesh.
    Holy shit that was risky.
    Would you really have died for her? A woman you just met?
    How is what I just did any different than laying my life on the line in the Army? You don’t walk away from a problem because it’s hard or the end solution is dangerous. A soldier does what needs to be done. No excuses.
    I lower my arm to the floor, temporarily deciding to give up for the moment. Goddamn, and I thought being shot hurt. Fucking idiot.
    I’ll be good in a few minutes. Yup. The pain should ease any