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

the midst of preparations for his passing.” She released a long sigh. “I wish my son was a more capable member of the Council. It shames me that he is the only heir available to take my husband’s place.”
    Aiden did shake his head this time. “With all due respect, Empress. Do not underestimate your son. Jack is a very capable and very lethal man. He has learned well from you and your husband.”
    She raised a sarcastic eyebrow. “You mean to tell me that you think my son would do well as a leader.”
    What the hell was he doing? He should know by now when to keep his damn mouth shut. “Yes, Empress, I do.”
    She leaned back and let out a little cackle. Or maybe the cackling was just him imagining the evil queen from a fairy tale. “Well, Aiden, perhaps when he takes over, you will become his advisor. Thus far I’ve found you to be far wiser with your decisions in life.”
    Good God, if she only knew. The only difference between himself and her son was that he knew how to keep his mouth shut and his endeavors quiet, while Jack made a show of the whole matter just to spite his parents.
    He polished off his beer and set the glass on the small table for Winston to pick up later. “I shall take my leave now, with your permission. I need to prepare for my trip.”
    She nodded. “I understand. I do so enjoy your company though.”
    He stood and bent to kiss her hand. “And I yours.”
    She extended the jewel laden fingers to him and let him press his lips to the back of her hand. “I am sure you will report to me with a positive outcome.”
    “Of course ,” he responded with certainty. 
    “I have already arranged your airline tickets and rental car . You need only to check in at the airport. Your flight will land in San Francisco and you will have to drive the rest of the way. You can stay wherever Jack is staying.” She shook her head. “He rented a house. Apparently there are no appropriate hotels in the area.”
    Aiden turned to go. He was anxious to call his friend and find out what the hell was going on. Son of a bitch. The fucking legend of the Keepers bringing an end to the Reapers was happening , and he was procrastinating the kill. Oh, hell no.
    Aiden bowed just a tiny bit. “Thank you, Empress.”
    It was all he could do not to hit those marble floors at a dead run. Fucking Jack. Damn him.
    As soon as he was back in his car he had his cell phone out and hit Jacks number on the speed dial. It went over into voice mail. Of course, Jack wasn’t answering the phone . He was probably fucking everything on two legs.
    Fine. He would just surprise him. It would be better if Jack didn’t know he was coming till he was actually there, anyhow.
    Back at his houseboat, which was actually more of a yacht, he made the few preparations to close up the boat for a few days. After he had settled arrangements for the caretaker and the housekeeper, he went to his bedroom and opened his closet. He looked over his weapons collection and frowned. It was a shame that he was flying and wouldn’t be able to bring any of his favorites with him. He was going to have to acquire others when he arrived in Summer Hollow. Not that he really needed any weapons. He could fight and he could take their souls. That was all he needed.
    Killing a Keeper by taking their soul was not easy. Sure, they could die just like any other human. Most of the time if they had to kill a Keeper it was straight up murder and a bloody mess. Occasionally though, it came down to the soul sucking.
    Because of the way a Reaper and a Keeper were created, their chemistry did not mix. It was usually quite painful to touch each other, so to suck their souls was extremely difficult. But, the soul of a Keeper also gave them more energy and life force than your average run of the mill soul did.
    For the most part, the Reapers just tried to avoid the Keepers. It was more trouble than it was worth to have to worry about disposing of the bodies. The Keepers did