Death Times Two(19)

My stomach growls when the aroma of sausage and eggs hit me. After setting up the meal the woman turns to me. “Is there anything else you need?”
A thousand questions tumble through my mind but I don’t ask. It wouldn’t be right prying for details. There was a good reason why this place was so well hidden. Probably the less I know the better. “No, thank you.”
She leaves me with more food than I’ll be able to eat—but I give it the old college try. Sated, I crawl onto the bed and grab my phone. Reclining, I get comfortable. I don’t know how long this conversation will be but I definitely want to speak my piece.
The phone rings. There’s a hint of an echo on the other end of the line. Cell towers are few and far between up here. I’m just happy I have connection.
“Carron?” Constantine’s voice sounds worried on the other end. “You all right?”
“Hello to you, too.” I smile at his concern even though I’m still miffed about coming to the inn clueless. “Why wouldn’t I be all right? Something you forgot to tell me?”
Silence stretches on the other end of the line. Then he clears his throat. “I didn’t forget.”
“Oh,” I say, my head nodding like a dancing parrot. “Just didn’t feel it was important to tell me about the vampires. Oh—oh—and the werewolves.”
“Look.” He hesitates. “You wouldn’t have believed me or gone if I told you. We needed you up there to clear the spirits before the owners return.”
“About that. We’ve run into a few problems.”
“Such as?” His words are terse, as if expecting me to make more excuses as to why I can’t do this job.
“Such as Hal won’t take these reaps without gold. So if we don’t find more, this job is dead in the water. No pun intended.”
A muffled curse wafts through the phone. “That can be dealt with. If I know that crafty redhead, and I do, I’m sure Vivian has some stashed away.”
“Asa is checking it out, but I’m just saying, the three ghosts I’ve reaped might be it.”
“Three? Just how many are there?”
Obviously he hadn’t lied about thinking this job would be a few reaps. “I know there’s at least two ghosts hanging around, but Asa says there’s six more. I’ve stopped asking how and why there are so many.”
“I’m sure you can handle it, Carron.” His voice has lost the concern and is now all about pumping up the team spirit. But in an I’m the boss and you’ll do what I say way. “Anything else?”
“Yeah, there is. That bonus you promised, well you need to increase it by ten times. So far one spirit tried to drag me into the elevator to Hell and another attempted to possess me.”
“Possess you? How did you stop them?”
Telling Constantine that I snogged a hot vamp wouldn’t win me any credibility points. “That’s not important. What is important is that either I get hazardous duty pay or I’m out of here. Besides, Nate should be reaping all these spirits. Violent death and all.”
“Supernaturals fall under you.”
For a few seconds I’m speechless. “When did we make that rule? I don’t remember reading that in my job description.”
“You’re special, Carron. That’s why you have a familiar and that’s why Hal Lee Lewya is your porter.”
Constantine had a habit of talking in half-explanations, which left me to decipher the rest of the truth. Anybody who knows me would understand how unwise that is. My imagination far outweighs my skills of deduction. If I can’t figure it out, I make the crap up.
“What do Hal and Fletcher have to do with it?”
“Familiars are rare and only choose reapers with… extra skill. And Hal is a powerful porter. One of the most powerful as a matter of fact. That’s why he can transport supernaturals. That makes you the perfect reaper for the job.”
“Well, those might have been important points to explain to me before now, don’t you think?”
He gives a noncommittal grunt.
The urge to tell him what he could do with the job wars with the knowledge that I now have some serious leverage power. If I am the only reaper able to handle these spirits then I should demand more for my services. “Then I suggest you make this job more appealing to me or I’m coming home.”
“You’re getting a bonus.”
I don’t reply, letting my silence be my answer.
After a few seconds he sighs. “Fine, Carron. I will give you a thousand per supernatural soul you reap.”
My mouth drops open. I hadn’t expected that much. He must really need these souls reaped. I snap my mouth shut, certain he can see or somehow sense my shock. Like I said, I’m not sure Constantine is human. I mirror his sigh, acting as if the offer is barely acceptable. “I’ll do this, but I’m not thrilled about it.”