Free Keeper vs. Reaper (Graveyard Guardians Book 1) by Jennifer Malone Wright

totally using the crossbow.” Her hand crept to the side and grasped the weapon as she claimed it. She couldn’t explain it, but when she had held the crossbow, it felt right, like she hadn’t been quite complete without it.
    Ethan chuckled. “I’m so not surprised to hear that come out of your mouth.”
    “Me either.” Greg shook his head and picked himself up off the dusty floor. “Come on you guys, let’s get this big ass trunk down stairs. All this dust is getting to me.”
    They repacked everything back into the trunk and then hauled it all down to the main floor. Olivia and Hannah were lounging about in the living room while they waited for Lucy, Greg and Ethan to come down out of the attic. Steph and James were still out on patrol and Daniel had gone off somewhere, probably to drown himself in booze.
    I have to get out there , she thought. Even though Steph and James most likely had it more than covered, she still felt the need to go out. It was the nature of the Keeper. Also, living off of a few hours of sleep per night … if that … was apparently the nature of the Keeper as well.
    After depositing the trunk in the living room , Lucy turned to find her sisters staring at her. “What?”
    Hannah spread her hands out and shot an exasperated look at Lucy. “Well? What happened?”
    Yay. I’m prophesized. Whoot, whoot.
    “It’s true. The info is in there. We found a book that we will have to get translated, but yeah, I’m the one who is supposed to um … bring forth an end to the Reapers.” Lucy used air quotes to emphasize her sarcasm.
    Olivia got up and went over to get a look at the trunk. “Lucy, this is huge.”
    “I know. That thing weighs a fucking ton too.”
    “Shut up, you know that’s not what I mean.”
    Lucy shrugged and flopped down onto the couch. “All right, all right. I know what you mean, but in all honesty how in the hell does it really change anything?” She waited for someone … anyone to answer.
    No one did.
    “See what I mean. I go about my life, do the same things I always do and hope that I’m fulfilling the prophecy.” She stood back up. “Now if you guys don’t mind. I need to change my clothes so I can go out for patrol.” She lifted the lid of the trunk and extracted her crossbow. “At least I get to use my new toy.”
     
     

 
     
     
     
    Aiden marched up the large stone staircase. The Empress had called upon him and he was fairly sure as to why. Her son … his best friend, was on an important mission right now, and Jack usually fucked shit up when it came to doing things for the Reaper Council. Which meant, as usual, that Aiden was going to be sent to clean up his mess.
    The mansion’s double doors opened as soon as his boots hit the landing.
    “Welcome, sir.” The elderly butler bowed slightly as he opened the way into the grand house.
    “Thanks, Winston.”
    “It is my pleasure, sir. The Empress is taking in the evening sun at the south pool. Shall I take you there?”
    Aiden waved him off. “No worries. I know the way.”
    “Very well. Do you require a refreshment?”
    “I think I could tolerate a beer.”
    Winston bowed again. “I shall pour you a Guinness.” Aidan smiled at how much the old butler loved doing his job. “You are a life saver.”
    “I am nothing of the sort.” The old man cracked a grin and waved Aiden off in the direction of the south pool. “You should be on your way or the Empress will wonder where you are.” With that, Winston shuffled off toward the kitchen.
    After navigating his way through the marble hallways that he knew so well, Aiden opened the back doors that led to the south wing patio. The warm Florida breeze lifted off the palms and brushed his blond hair up off his ears.
    The whole estate was in comparison to the major hotels in the area. This was one of the three pools which graced the mansions grounds. Everything around him was beautiful and delicate, from the many kinds of flowers that covered the