Jack A Grim Reaper Romance (18 page)

Pierce waved her concerns away. “I wouldn’t worry yourself over it. It’s bound to hurt a bit, but you’re being gentle enough, and it’s already stopped bleeding.”

She shook her head and frowned. “No. I meant about getting stabbed. I feel responsible. He was there looking for me.”

“He’s the one that stabbed me, aye?” He gave her a shrug and a smile. “I’ll tell you, Mason was furious when you went after Stefan. I’ve not seen him that angry in a long time.”

Indeed, Mason had given her an earful on the matter. His lecture had only come to an end when he left to discuss the case with Nelson and inform Damon of the latest with Stefan. Something would need to be done. She no longer felt safe walking the streets of London.

“Why Mason shows any interest is beyond me. I swear, I do nothing but annoy and frustrate the man.” She dropped the cloth back in the bowl to rinse it free of the blood, the acrid smell of iron in the air.

Pierce choked out a laugh that left him cringing in pain. “Truth is I’d give anything to have that sort of affect on him. You know, my dear, it would not be so if he did not care.”

She cocked her head in question. “And you think he doesn’t care for you? You’d be mistaken.”

Pierce gave her a sly smile and a wink. “Well, I do have my charms.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Hmph. Of that I’m sure. I’m amazed at the amount of people you’ve charmed into your bed.”

“I’ve never been able to convince you, though.” He flicked a hand at her, waving her away. “Always too serious.”

She smiled while cleaning up the rest of the blood. “You’ve no interest in getting me into your bed, Pierce—not unless I bring Mason with me.”

“It could be fun, my dear. Are you not at all curious?” He gave her his most seductive smile, but she did her best to ignore it.

“You’ve obviously been a reaper far too long.” Needing to change the subject, she motioned to his wound. “There’s not much more I can do, but it looks like you’re already healing.”

“One of the many advantages of this life.” He reached over and pulled on a borrowed night shirt, since Mason had insisted Pierce stay at his home until he was once again well.

She looked away and sighed. Being a reaper had its perks, first and foremost not being dead, yet she could not find a level of comfort with what she was asked to do in return. And now with Nelson in charge, she wondered if the Elders would still allow her to take on a different position as Mason had promised.

“It will get easier, Lilly—but only if you let it. By the gods, I’ve never seen anyone fight things as much as you do.”

Her eyes went wide with dismay. “That’s not true.”

He shrugged with a sympathetic smile, his eyes kind. “If you say so, my dear.”

Chapter Eighteen

Having returned to finish the investigation with Nelson and the Elders, Mason was exhausted and his nerves were worn thin. However, he had one more thing he needed to do before heading home. He looked over his shoulder to make sure he wasn’t being followed and then followed the path Lilly had taken from his carriage.

His gut still clenched in worry as he recalled watching her run after that maniac. Clearly, she’d not thought the matter through, and what nearly came to be left him furious.

Jack. Of all people to save her. And a good thing he’d been there too.

Of course, it only complicated matters exponentially. If the Elders found out he didn’t pursue Jack when he had the opportunity to do so—no matter that Stefan could have attacked once more—Mason would be lucky to escape unscathed. The Elders certainly had ways of making someone pay for their crimes and transgressions.

He wondered if he’d have done the same were it someone other than Lilly. Likely not. However, the thought of what could have transpired had Jack not been there shook him to the core. He’d yet to find out exactly what occurred and truth be told, he did not want to know. Yet, in the same breath, he needed to know every detail, for certainly what his mind imagined had to be far worse than the reality of the matter.

One thing he knew without a doubt. If he ever got his hands on that bastard, Stefan, he’d make him suffer for what he’d done, and consequences be damned.

As he traced the steps she’d taken only hours earlier, he thought it odd that even amongst reapers who did not leave a strong trace of energy, she left even less behind. Indeed, it was why he’d had a hard time finding her sooner.

After a few missteps, he got to his destination. The alley was narrow and dark on such an overcast day, the houses too close to let in what little light existed. It was as he’d expected—Jack’s essence was there, but it was already faint and broken and not strong enough to follow. Yet it mattered not, for the real reason he’d come was to find any clue that might lead to Stefan.

With Stefan capable of seeing a reaper’s true form and immune to a reaper’s defenses, he posed a threat that needed to be seen to before he exposed their existence or attacked again. However, Mason was fully aware of why he was searching for the bastard. He knew full well what Stefan’s intentions had been with Lilly, and Mason needed to keep her safe and make Stefan understand what a grave mistake he’d made.

The thought of Lilly’s near rape fueled Mason’s anger and determination. It had been a while since he’d had to track down a human that was not a reap, but he’d been a man of the law when alive, and that experience would serve him well now.

What did he already know about Stefan? Lilly said his speech was that of a man with an education. Yet they’d found him in Whitechapel on two of the four occasions that Lilly had run into him. Did he have a home or offices in the area? Or had he turned up with the knowledge Lilly would be there. With the gift of sight, he could likely predict where she might be.

The thought sent his heart racing, his fists clenched tight. If Stefan could find her at will, how could Mason possibly keep her safe? There was only one way, and that was to catch the bastard.

Mason gave each occurrence some thought. If there was one chance meeting in the bunch, Mason suspected it would be when they first met, though it was possible instinct drove Stefan to the pub that night. Afterwards, Stefan was either following her or using his gift, for it could not be mere coincidence that he kept turning up.

Mason looked around the alley, but there was nothing to lead him to Stefan, and there hadn’t been any witnesses during the attack—other than Jack. It was yet another reason to track him down, as if the murders hadn’t been reason enough.

With nothing more to be found in the alley, he thought of returning to Lilly. She’d had a rough day, and Pierce was likely still healing. Once he checked in on them both, he’d think about heading out to the pub where Lilly first met Stefan.

He wandered back towards his carriage, only to find Nelson waiting for him. Tired as he was, Mason was in no mood to play games.

“Going already?” Nelson scoffed and shook his head. “I guess you have your priorities.”

Mason’s hands curled into fists, his voice clipped when he spoke. His patience was already worn thin after thinking of what happened to Lilly and Pierce, and he had little patience for Nelson’s nonsense.

“My lieutenant and driver were stabbed, and one of my reapers was attacked. You’ll forgive me if I go check on them when there’s nothing more to be done here. Or do you need help kissing Damon’s arse?”

“It’d be a grave mistake for you to make me your enemy, Mason.” Nelson’s eyes narrowed, the spark of anger glowing within them as he pointed a finger at Mason’s chest. “You underestimate me.”

Mason bit down on his words. “And you overestimate your importance. Now get out of my way.”

“Be careful, Mason. You’re far from invincible and there’s more than one way to get to the heart of the beast.” Nelson paused—said nothing for a long moment, though his eyes did not leave Mason’s. “When I was in her head, I saw something that makes me wonder how well you truly know your pet?”

Mason felt his heart skip a beat, for he wasn’t sure what Nelson was referring to. Had she betrayed him to Jack early in the investigation, and Nelson had seen it? Doubtful. He’d not have let her go if that were the case. It was just another of his games. “I know her better than your hand knows your cock. I’m done here.”

Without another glance, he spun to go, but was stopped by Nelson’s words. “Then you know she birthed a bastard child?”

Mason’s fist connected with Nelson’s jaw, but it took only a moment for Nelson to retaliate, his fist grazing Mason’s cheek as he leaned back out of the way. Before it turned into a brawl, Mason’s footman jumped down from the carriage and pulled them apart with the help of Nelson’s lieutenant.

Nelson was spitting mad. He grabbed his jaw, and then wiped at the blood coming from his cut and swollen lip. “I’ll make sure you pay for this.”

“Go fuck yourself, Nelson.”

***

Mason took Lilly’s hand away from his swollen cheek, not wanting her to worry. “’Tis nothing, love. How’s Pierce doing?”

“He’s asleep, and I suspect he’ll be healed in the next day or two. Nowhere near as speedy as your recovery from getting shot.” Lines of worry creased her face. “Who hit you? Was it Nelson?”

“Aye, but only after I hit him first.” Mason waved away her worries. “It matters not. Another quarter of an hour and I’ll have healed.”

Lilly looked like she was managing fine, though Mason worried it was only a façade. He ran a gentle hand down the curve of her cheek. “I’m more concerned about how you’re holding up with all that’s happened. You’ve had a difficult day, love.”

“I’ll not lie. The sight of that poor woman and what was done to her is going to give me nightmares.” She squeezed her eyes shut as if attempting to erase the image from her brain.

He noticed she did not mention Stefan, and it made his heart ache for her. Unfortunately, it only made more difficult what he would now ask her to do. “I’d not bother you with this after all you’ve been through, but I need to see the murder through your own eyes while it’s still fresh in your mind and you can recall all the details.”

Her jaw dropped, disbelief in her eyes. She looked ready to protest, and Mason prepared to defend his request, but then she closed her mouth, swallowed hard, and looked away. “If you must. But first, if you’d be so kind as to get me something to drink, it’d be much appreciated.”

“Will brandy do?” When she nodded, he poured her a glass. “I know this isn’t easy for you, love.”

“Will it hurt—like it did with Damon and Nelson?” She took a sip from her glass, her ice blue eyes on his. She was trying to be strong, but after the pain she’d been through, he could see the fear creep into her eyes.

He resisted the urge to wrap an arm around her waist and pull her close, the investigation be damned. Yet he could not. As she was always fond of reminding him, he was chancellor and had a responsibility to uphold the law, even if it meant he and everyone around him suffered the consequences. One did not become chancellor if you could not make the sacrifice.

Mason took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “I’ll do my best to be as gentle as possible, but it will still likely cause you discomfort.”

Her eyelids fluttered closed over shimmering ponds, while she took a ragged breath. He should hold her, comfort her. Instead he stood there, frozen to the spot, waiting for her to come around. She was strong—stronger than anyone gave her credit for.

He saw her steel herself with determination, her gaze locked on his. “Will you be able to find the information you need if I am intoxicated?”

Mason gave it some thought. “I should still be able to access the memory and details. However, there may be a better option than brandy.”

Mason took her hand and led her upstairs to his sleeping chambers. Once there, he went to the side table where he kept a tray with a few different spirits and a couple of glasses. He picked up a bottle of dark amber glass and poured them each a small glass of the green liquid. It was a curious drink, its affect upon one’s person unlike nothing else.

She sat by the fire and he handed her a glass. “Here you are, love. This should help.”

Lilly took a sip of the herbal elixir, and then took a better look at the liquid in her glass. “What is this? I’ve never had it before.”

Mason smiled. “It’s called Viridis, and no, you would not have tasted it before. It’s from a different place and a different time, and I think you’ll find its qualities rather unique.” He drank from his own glass, the warmth of the alcohol burning his throat, while the taste of herbs mixed with a hint of sweetness. It was pleasant enough, though one did not drink Viridis for the taste.

He tucked a loose strand behind her ear. “It’ll take a while for the drink to have an effect, and I’d like to check in on Pierce before we get started. I should have already stopped to see him, but wanted to make sure you were all right after what happened.”

“He’ll be happy to see you. He was worried about the investigation—that he’d not been there to help you.”

He leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll be but a moment.”

Mason did not bother knocking on Pierce’s door, worried that he’d wake him if he were asleep. In the end, he need not have worried. Mason closed the door behind him and went to Pierce’s side. “You should be trying to get some sleep. How are you feeling?”