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

grounds, to the prissy ass lawn furniture that was anything but comfortable.
    The lush green lawns were bordered by a stone wall that was about eight feet in height. He knew that the wall was also covered in security cameras every few feet, ensuring the safety of the royal family.
    “Aiden, there you are.”
    Beside the glowing, aqua waters of the pool, sat his Empress. As always, she was dressed in a feminine business suit. Today, the fabric was a soft cream color, and her high heels were the exact same shade of cream as the suit. Her charcoal hair had been styled into a bobbed hairdo that sat just underneath her diamond clad ears.
    Aiden fought the urge to shake his head. He knew this woman not only as his Empress, but also as his best friend’s mother. She was always stern, never, ever showing any signs of weakness by displaying any form of love or emotion to anyone.
    She was a straight up bitch.
    “My Empress.” He bent to kiss her extended hand and then returned to his position of attention “I rushed right over as soon as I received your call.”
    “Sit.” She gestured to the chair across the table from hers.
    He sat in the uncomfortably petite chair.
    “Aiden,” She took hold of her tiny tea cup and lifted it to her lips , “I trust you. As a member of the Reaper Guard and one who has grown up close to our family, I have to once again send you to correct my own son.”
    He fought an eye roll. “What has he done now?”
    “I have sent Jackson to the small town of Summer Hollow, California. One of the Keepers from the Estmond bloodline has died. He leaves behind seven children, one of which was born on the seventh day of the seventh month.”
    “The prophecy?”
    Camille nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. I sent Jackson to take care of the young Keeper. If she is the Chosen One, she must be eliminated.”
    Aiden merely shook his head. He was shocked that Jack wouldn’t be doing his job when it came to something this serious. “Anything you need, Empress. I am at your service.”
    “Good. I need you to go to this, Summer Hollow, and dispose of the Keeper.” She took a delicate sip of her tea. “Jackson tells me that there are many Keepers there. He insists that to attempt the extermination would be a suicide mission. So, I am sending you as reinforcement. You will help him accomplish the mission.”
    “Of course. I will leave immediately.”
    Winston arrived at that moment with his Guinness, poured into a chilled glass and sitting on a silver tray. “Your beverage, sir.”
    Aiden accepted the dark beer and figured he better at least drink it so he didn’t offend the butler who had gone through the trouble of getting it for him. “Thank you, Winston.” He plucked the beer off the tray.
    His Empress set her tea cup onto the tiny table. “No need to leave right this second. Please, sit with me and finish your beer.”
    “Thank you, Empress. It would be my pleasure.”
    She waved him off. “Besides, it will give us a moment to go over the details.” She examined one of her scarlet fingernails and then caught his gaze. “I trust that your friendship with my son will have no merit when it comes to accomplishing your task.”
    Beer. Thank the lord for beer.
    “You should never worry. I love Jack like a brother, but my life service is to the Reaper Council.” Yeah, that was what she wanted to hear. He could tell by the way her mouth curled up into a wicked little smile.
    “How is our Emperor , if it does not offend for me to ask?” He was expected to ask, as a member of the Guard and a close family friend.
    “So kind of you to inquire. He is hanging on. He can no longer go out to reap the souls he needs to survive, so we must bring the souls to him. It’s a messy business, having to deal with that in the home, but it is necessary.”
    Another swig of beer. Almost gone.
    Camille looked away, breaking her gaze from Aiden’s green eyes. “The doctor doesn’t expect him to last much longer. We are in