Deadly Kisses by Kerri Cuevas

a girl in an arm lock with their lips fused together. Damn it to hell! Bee was nowhere in sight.
    I backed up until I was in the corner of the room and away from the crowd. The warm had faded and I needed it back. Thick air threatened to suffocate me. I jumped when Reina touched me and made an attempt to force air into my lungs.
    “Do you know how much easier it would be if you learned to materialize? Stay here. I’ll go find her while you snap out of your panic attack. I can see why you avoid the crowds.”
    Reina walked a step and I grabbed her arm. “She’s mine, Reina, don’t touch her.”
    “What’s with you, Ad? You’re even more pleasant than usual.” She looked down at the hand with pink fresh skin and gasped. Her eyes were wide and she lifted my hood to stare into my eyes. “What have you done and where can I get a skin job like that?”
    “You can’t, and I’m in a bit of trouble.” I let go and quickly slid my hand in my cloak so she would stop staring. “Abe can’t help me either.” Reina tried to get another glimpse. A devious smile played at the corner of her mouth.
    “You should be figuring out the problem, instead of letting your assignment run amuck. Don’t worry. Abe sent me her profile just in case you needed help.”
    “Don’t touch her, Reina. She’s mine. Whatever you do, don’t tell anyone else about this,” I waved my hand then quickly tucked it into my cloak again.
    Reina turned and stared. “You’re not acting like a Grim Reaper but a love sick puppy dog. Just reap her already so you can stay to walk this plane. The flashbacks of your death will fade after the test.”
    “I can’t complete the reap. When I went to collect her soul she scared me to death and part of my soul is trapped within her.” I had to tell someone. If Abe couldn’t help maybe Reina could.
    “What are you talking about? She scared you? The tall, scary Reaper who torments their assignments with silence?” A high pitched sound came out of her and shattered a glass that sat on an empty table.
    “Like you really comfort and explain every detail with all your assignments?” Somehow I couldn’t picture that happening while the poor person sat in her pink gondola.
    “Yes, I do. I do everything Abe taught me. I’m only scary when it’s time to collect and not because I try to be, but because I’m a freakin’ Grim Reaper. I’ve had people wake up and scare me, but I’ve never lost my soul inside someone else before. That’s unheard of.”
    I hoped Reina knew something that could help me. “You’re way older than me. What should I do?”
    “Let me get the girl. I’ll bring her to you and then I’ll go to the Grim City archives to investigate.” The band started to play and the crowd roared and made their way to the stage.
    “I hope I can trust you Reina, because my existence is in jeopardy.”
    “I don’t throw myself at just any guy for a date. I like you. Think about it.” Reina tugged at the collar of my cloak and moved her body close to mine. It wasn’t soft like Bee’s and her ribs hurt against mine. She kissed the corner of my mouth before I could react.
    A frigid gust came through the door and swept through the club. Reina pulled away from me and looked in that direction. She spit out profanities like the drummer in my band broke drumsticks. Three Grim Reapers walked in, pushing people aside. I looked away frantic to find Bee. Reina materialized.
    The drummer of Mad Dogs started a solo. I coughed on the smell of sweat, leather, and sour beer. I had to find Bee and couldn’t risk waiting for Reina. I hated crowds unless I was the one front and center. That’s it. I moved toward the stage. I would have a better view from up there.
    I walked the edge of the bar trying to keep track of where the ancient looking Reapers were when I heard Reina’s cackle laugh. Bee’s soul was angry and in a raging fire.
    I finally saw Reina holding Bee near the door to the bathroom. She had