Death Times Two(9)

“Fine.” He snaps open a black feather fan and waves it in front of his face. “I’ll reap your vampires, but it’s going to cost you.”
“Cost how?” No way am I giving up my soul or even touching him.
“Gold, sweetie. I do this as a specialty, but the ferryman isn’t so accommodating. He requires payment.”
“I’ve never had to pay before.”
“You’ve never reaped a vampire before.” He levels his gaze on Joanna. “They take special handling.”
“What’s going on?” Asa asks.
“Hal wants to be paid—in gold.” I look at him. “You don’t happen to have some gold bullion on you, do you?”
“No.” His hand dips inside his pocket and pulls out a circular piece of metal. “All I have is my challenge coin.”
My dad has a similar coin from his time on the police force. “Is that for serving in the war?”
“Not really. It’s a symbol for my battalion, the 503rd Infantry Airborne. It’s awarded for excellence. I carried it with me throughout my tours in Afghanistan.” His thumb rubs the embossed face for a second and then he hands it to me. “Maybe this will work.”
“No.” I can tell it means a lot to him. “We’ll figure out something else.”
“Take it.” He shoves it at me again. “It’s fitting that I use it to help Joanna.”
I hold onto the ghost with one hand, but reach with the other and lay it on Asa’s wrist. “Are you sure?”
Hal’s says, his interest piqued, “What is the young man offering?”
Asa stiffens and slowly turns. “Holy shit. I see him.”
“You can?” Nobody but the souls I reap have been able to see Hal. I feel the least I should do is introduce everybody. “Asa, this is Hal, my porter.”
Hal straightens, and tosses his shoulder length curls over his shoulder. What a peacock.
“It’s an army coin. Kept me alive and focused while I served.” Asa clutches the small disc to his chest. The action is overdramatic. “Now that I think about it, I don’t want to give it up.”
I suspect his resistance is all show. This vampire is smart, zeroing in on Hal’s true nature. If he can’t have something, the porter wants it all the more.
“No, no, you offered and you can’t rescind on our bargain.” Hal leans out the elevator door but is unable to go any further. “Toss it here and I will transport the young lady to her destination.”
Asa hesitates just long enough to make a good show of it, then tosses the coin to Hal. The porter catches the enameled metal easily. He examines it for a few seconds and smiles. “Yes, this has value because it means something to you.” He looks up, his pleased expression disappearing. “But from here on out I require gold. Charon doesn’t deal in trinkets such as these.”
I have no clue where we’re going to find gold. Maybe Asa has an idea because I’m not giving up the few pieces of jewelry I own for this job. “Thank you, Hal. I appreciate your cooperation.”
“I don’t want to go with him.” Joanna yanks against my grasp. “I’m staying here.”
My body jerks and I nearly lose my balance, but Asa catches me. “Joanna, calm down.”
She lurches again. “You can’t make me.”
“What’s happening?” Asa wraps his arms around my waist, holding me steady.
“Wow, she’s really strong and doesn’t want to go.” I almost lose my grip on Joanna, but tighten my clasp. The pleasant buzzing I’ve been feeling turns to a raw burn. My legs start to quiver and I feel like she’s sucking the life out of me. “Joanna, please stop.”
Her gaze becomes unfocused and I can tell her lucidity is slipping away. “You can come with me.” She smiles and my blood turns to ice. This is not a woman I’d ever want to be alone with. Suddenly I’m glad Asa is with me. “We’ll go together.”
“No!” She jerks me out of Asa’s arms and launches us toward Hal. I’m off balance so I can’t stop our forward momentum. Thoughts of being sucked into the elevator send a wave of panic through me. Though I try to regain my footing, she’s too strong. “Joanna, let go!”






 
    Nine by Night: A Multi-Author Urban Fantasy Bundle of Kickass Heroines, Adventure,   Magic
    
 


 

Chapter Four
Asa

I grab Lisa firmly in both hands and yank. It’s as if she’s being drawn forward by an unseen force. With one more tug, she stumbles back against my chest. The freaky door to I don’t know where closes while we watch. My arms wrap around her as I scan every corner of the room. There was no mistaking the panic and fear in her voice—something certainly had her in its grip a moment ago, even if the only thing I saw was the weirdly-dressed guy with the gold eyes.