Chapter Twenty-Two #2
“Sit.” The Grim Reaper waved them toward the chairs. Malaki took to the air and flew once around the room before settling on the back of the throne.
Kieran yanked out a chair and sat. Rather than allow Georgia to take the one next to him, he dragged her down onto his lap and clamped his arms around her. If shit went sideways, he wanted her close. Taking a cue from him, his brothers did the same.
Sighing, their father leaned his scythe against the wall, took his seat, propped his elbows on the arms of his chair, and steepled his fingers together. “It’s past time you learned the truth of your mothers.”
Georgia placed her hand over Kieran’s heart, as if she could somehow protect it from what was about to come. He glanced at his brothers. They were as confused as he. “Why now?” Kieran asked the question they were all thinking.
“Because it’s time,” his father answered.
The shadows crept closer, the light of the candles unable to hold them back.
Kieran’s stomach twisted. While he’d always wondered, he feared the truth.
“I’ve lived longer than you can imagine.
” Beyond the Grim Reaper’s deep intonation lay a fatigue Kieran understood.
He’d lived with it for millennia. How much worse would it be for his father?
Death reached up and ran a finger down Malaki’s back.
The bird rubbed his head against it, as if to offer comfort.
“I wanted to understand human emotion. The two most powerful ones are love and hate, mirror images of each other. I decided love would benefit me more in my position. Some of the gods warned me against it, but I would not be dissuaded.”
They were all spellbound by the unfolding tale, barely daring to breathe lest they miss something.
“I dwelled among humans, watching and learning. Until then, I’d preferred to enjoy the unspoiled wilderness of the planet when I visited.
” He reached for a goblet, which had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
There was one in front of all of them now.
From past experience, Kieran knew it would contain the pale-gold wine his father favored.
After taking a sip, Death set it back down on the table.
“It was fascinating to watch the mating rituals of humans—the things they did to attract one another. This was long ago, and while many things have changed in the world, that remains much the same.” He gave a harsh laugh.
“In my arrogance, I decided to have relationships with three women to see if there was a difference, or if they were all the same.”
Georgia crossed her arms over her chest. “Bet you discovered the error of your ways pretty fast.”
Unsure how his father would react, Kieran tensed. There was no way to fight the man, especially not here, where he was all-powerful.
This time his father’s laugh came easier. “You’re correct, Ms. Baker.”
…
Had she just given Death a piece of her mind?
Sam and Alex were staring at her like she’d temporarily gone insane.
Perhaps she had, but honestly, what did any of them have to lose at this point?
The man was the ultimate power. All Georgia had was her voice, and she planned to use it.
There was no telling what Kieran thought.
His muscles had turned to iron beneath her when she’d started to speak. She half-expected him to muzzle her.
“Samael was born first, followed by Alexiares, and then Kieran. That had been an unexpected turn of events. I didn’t believe I could father a child.” He held his hand out in front of him. “I am Death, but as nature has proven time and again, life will find a way.”
Georgia tried to read Kieran’s expression, but it was closed. She was suddenly glad she was sitting on his lap instead of beside him. This couldn’t be easy for him to hear.
“At first, I thought to leave you with your mothers. They were better equipped to raise you. The only time I’d been around children was when I had to collect their souls.”
“Did they know what you are?” Kieran’s voice rumbled in his chest.
“They knew I was…different. In those days, humans believed gods mingled with them on occasion. But no, they had no idea of my real identity.”
Sam’s eyes burned with anger, while a muscle worked in Alex’s jaw. Like her, the other two women were trying to keep their men calm. “You were just going to leave us?” Kieran accused.
“Yes.” He met his son’s gaze unflinchingly.
“Then I looked into Samael’s face and saw my own reflected back at me.
When I touched him, something inside me shifted.
” He pressed his hand to his chest. “I admired and cared for your mothers, but that’s as far as it went.
But you, my sons, taught me the meaning of love. ”
Kieran reached around Georgia and grabbed one of the goblets from the table, knocking back whatever was inside in one swallow. He slammed the empty vessel back down so hard it shattered. Shards of glass exploded. One sliced into his hand, and blood spurted.
“Oh God.” She reached for the injured hand, unsure how she was going to stop the bleeding, only knowing she had to try.
“Wait,” Death ordered. Before her eyes, the cut closed, the skin knitting seamlessly back together.
This is what immortality looks like. Talk about a jolting reminder that Kieran was different from her on so many levels.
“You grew and evolved faster than human children. That caused problems for your mothers. I took all three of you, brought you back here, and raised you myself.”
“And our mothers?” Sam asked. “What of them?”
“They lived out their normal lives. I made sure they wanted for nothing. I offered to bring them here to be with you or to bring you to them for visits.” For the first time, he faltered. “All three declined.”
Kieran jerked as if he’d been struck a blow. She couldn’t imagine how hard it was to hear that his mother hadn’t wanted him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, unsure if it was the right thing to say but needing to say something.
“I’ve imagined the scenario thousands of times.” Kieran glanced toward his brothers. “We all have. It’s not something I haven’t considered. It’s actually what I expected.”
But hearing it as the truth solidified his worst fears.
“I wanted you.” Conviction burned in the Grim Reaper’s voice. “I cared for you as best I could and taught you. Luckily for all of us, you matured at an astounding rate. Then you took up positions as reapers, and I assumed my job was done.” His smile was rueful. “I was an idiot.”
Georgia blinked several times. Thought about tapping her ears to make sure she’d heard correctly. Kieran and the others appeared just as shocked.
“I learned that the love of a parent doesn’t end because the child is grown.
All went well, or seemed to, for years. You were independent, rarely coming home.
I left you because I believed you were happy.
These past few centuries I watched as discontentment, world-weariness, or whatever you want to call it, grew inside all of you.
It was then I understood that you’re not normal reapers.
You’re not like me or your mothers. You’re unique in all of time.
” Leaning back, he gripped the ornate arms of his chair. “I decided to intervene.”
“By sending us to Redemption?” Sam lifted Adrianne onto the empty chair next to him and stood, hands on the table.
Beside him, Alex did the same with Cilla.
Before Kieran could set her aside, Georgia scrambled to her feet, determined to stand beside him.
She wasn’t the only woman ready to stand by her man. The other two were up as well.
“I wanted to see if you could do what I could not. I wanted to see if you could find love.”
“All this.” Kieran waved his hand around the room. “All the hell you put us through was because you were trying to help?”
“Yes.”
Throwing back his head, Kieran laughed. “That’s rich. You sent me to reap Georgia’s soul the same way you sent Sam to take Adrianne’s and Alex to take Cilla’s.”
“It was a test. I have made a study of humankind for eons. If you were not willing to give up everything for them, if they were not willing to give up everything for you, it was not real love.”
“I’m not sure if I want to thank you or kick your ass.”
Georgia sucked in a breath at Sam’s audacity.
A heavy fist slammed into the table. The goblets flew and shattered, spilling wine across the wood and onto the floor.
The entire room shook with the force of his anger.
“I am your father.” Silence blanketed the space.
“I had to be sure,” he whispered. He waved his hand, and a portal appeared. “You are all free to go.”
“What about Georgia’s life?” Kieran boldly asked. She grabbed his hand and shook her head wildly, but he would not be deterred. “Are you coming for her?”
The Grim Reaper closed his eyes, appearing…tired, and maybe distressed. Or maybe she was imagining it.
“All three women have been removed from the timeline,” he said.
“You and your brothers are immortal once more, all abilities and physical possessions restored. If you wish to remain together, then your women must agree to live as you do, on the fringes of the world, of it but not a part of it, not interfering with the timeline. If you choose to stay in Redemption, you have a decade or so before the people around you realize you’re not aging. ”
Georgia’s head spun at the implication. She swallowed heavily. “You mean… You mean, I’m immortal?” She pointed at the other women, who were as pale as she felt. “They’re immortal?”
“Samael’s life is linked to Adrianne, as Alexiares’s is to Cilla, and Kieran’s to you. If at any time you wish to change that, all you need do is call my name and I will come.” He pointed at the portal. “Go.”
Sam opened his mouth to speak, closed it, then grabbed Adrianne’s hand and stepped into the void.
Alex hesitated but gave his father a nod before following.
Kieran gripped Georgia’s hand and pulled her toward the swirling darkness.
She understood the brothers were angry, and rightfully so.
Their father had played god with their lives.
While she wasn’t happy, it wasn’t the same for her.
Death was a concept until now, this man a stranger, but he was Kieran’s father.
She dug in her heels until Kieran had to stop unless he wanted to drag her behind him. “Thank you. I don’t agree with your methods, but I know you love your sons.”
He graciously inclined his head. Malaki had perched on his shoulder. It occurred to her that the bird was likely his closest companion. He appeared lonely sitting in the shadows.
“When everyone’s had time to process, maybe you can drop by for coffee and cake. Or I can make pie, if you prefer.”
The Grim Reaper glanced toward his son. When Kieran didn’t say anything, she rammed her elbow back into his gut.
He exhaled sharply and grunted. “If Georgia’s willing to extend an olive branch, I can do the same.
” Before she could add anything, Kieran pulled her through the portal.
She stepped forward and into her kitchen.
The clock on the wall told her no time had passed since they’d left.
Her legs buckled, and she would’ve fallen if Kieran hadn’t grabbed her. “I’ve got you.” Swinging her up into his arms, he carried her down the hallway.
“I didn’t imagine that, did I?” It all seemed like a surreal dream. “Oh my god, I asked the Grim Reaper over for dessert. The Grim Reaper.” Stunned by her audacity, she began to hyperventilate.