Undead Or Alive (Bad Things #3)(26)

The plane shuddered, the smoke filled her nostrils, and Cass held her tight.

***

“They wouldn’t have made it far,” Ivan spoke quietly. Guilt twisted in his stomach as he stared at Gregory. He’d gotten the call from that vamp just moments before Cass and the woman had appeared in his woods. “I made sure of it.”

Gregory smiled at him. “Considering what he is…Cass is far too trusting.”

Yes, he was. Ivan had worked with Cass plenty of times over the years, and he had agreed to get Cass transport but…Gregory had something Ivan needed. Something he was desperate to have. “You have her? Vanessa is really alive?” The human he’d loved. The human who’d vanished during that terrible battle.

But Gregory had said that he’d saved her. That he’d transformed her and kept her close by.

Vampire, human, it didn’t matter to Ivan what his love had become. He just wanted Vanessa back. He wanted her so much…that he’d just sent two people to their deaths. I’m sorry, Cass.

Gregory’s smile stretched. “Of course…” He slapped his hand over Ivan’s shoulder.

Hope burst in him, making him light-headed.

“…she’s not alive,” Gregory continued. He gave a low, rumbling laugh. “I drained that bitch years ago. She’s rotting in the ground someplace.”

Ivan’s body went ice-cold. “But…but you said…”

“I lied.” Then Gregory went right for his throat. Ivan tried to shove him back, but Gregory wasn’t interested in drinking from him. The vampire used his fangs to slash Ivan’s throat wide open. Blood sprayed into the air and Ivan fell onto the ground, his body jerking.

Gregory stood there, Ivan’s blood dripping on him. “Everyone has a weakness,” the vamp said. “She was always yours. If it makes you feel better…I don’t think she felt pain at the end.” That smile was on his bloody lips again. “I made sure she enjoyed her death.”

Ivan tried to speak but couldn’t. Too much of his throat was gone.

“Shifters are always most vulnerable in their human forms. For such a big, fierce bear, you sure did go down easy.” He crouched beside Ivan. “Maybe you’ll see your Vanessa in the next world, hmm? Then I’ll have kept my promise and given her back to you.” He dipped his finger in the blood that poured from Ivan’s throat. “Or maybe not. I really don’t give a shit.” He rose. “Now…I have a crashed plane to find. I’m betting Luke will still pay me even if the bounty is dead on arrival. And I’ve got plans for Luke. I think it’s time for someone else to be in charge, don’t you?”

Ivan’s body had grown cold.

Gregory walked away, not heading back for the road, but going to the small hangar that housed Ivan’s other plane. The vamp knew how to fly, too. Once, he and Cass had flown together. Once, they’d been nearly best friends. But something had happened. Something that had made Cass turn away from the vampire.

Gregory would fly after the Reaper. He’d follow the smoke and flames.

Then Ivan knew he’d head for that final meeting with Luke. There would be no stopping him.

His eyes began to close. Sorry…Reaper…

***

Cass knew hell. He also knew heaven. He’d visited both, at different times.

The plane ignited and the fire swept back toward him. The crash was brutal, jarring, and he held as tightly to Amber as he could. They both went flying on impact, but he didn’t let her go. He wished he’d said more to her, wished he’d learned all her truths…

But there had been no time.

Death was brutal. Fast and hard. His body burned with the agony, but it was one he’d felt before. He was the last Reaper…and that meant something.

It meant he could never stay dead. All of the power of his people—it had come to him. As the others had died out, as they’d been slaughtered, their powers had drained to him, coming in like a beacon.

He hadn’t even realized it. Not until the first time he’d been killed.

Back when he’d been six.

He died, but he didn’t stay dead. Heaven, hell—neither could keep a strong hold on him. A Reaper always had to walk the earth.

And he was the last one. He had to walk.

He had to rise.

So he came back, his mouth opening and a roar of rage escaping him. He came back—this time from hell, from the pain and the horror, and he opened his eyes to see more fire around him.

And to see Amber…held in his arms, but still. So still…

He was afraid then. Terrified beyond his darkest dreams. He put his hands on her chest—the gloves still covering his fingers—and he fought to bring her back. He pushed on her chest, again and again. He breathed for her. He begged her…

Come back. Come back.

Another breath.

Don’t leave.

He pushed on her chest.

Stay with me…





Chapter Nine


“You will not die.”

Something hard pressed on to her chest. Amber tried to get a breath but couldn’t and then—

Air. Air was filling her lungs. Power pulsed in her body. Her eyes opened.

Cass stared down at her. A deep gash was on his forehead, bleeding too much, and he stared at her with glittering eyes. With…