Deadly Kisses by Kerri Cuevas Page B

panic. Because of you he will be forced to ascend,” Reina complained.
    “What do you mean ascend?” Bee asked.
    “You know, go to Heaven or Hell.” Reina turned to me. “Haven’t you told her anything? Sheesh.”
    I closed my eyes.
    Bee pushed me back into the wall.
    And then she pulled the hood off my head.

Fourteen
    A iden? Aiden Grant! I knew it! But you . . . oh my god, Sabrina? Is she a Grim Reaper? Why didn’t you say anything? No wonder! How could I’ve not figured it out sooner? At least that explains things,” Bee said in a rush.
    The world stopped suddenly and my heart beat frantic, threatening to lurch out of my chest.
    “I missed looking at your blue eyes.” She stared wide-eyed then brushed my hair behind my ear. Her slender finger stroked down my nose, following the crook. “You stopped aging, so it looks like we’re about the same age now.”
    I tried to put my hood back on, but she took my hand and clasped it in hers. I just wanted to disappear.
    “Sabrina? And don’t you talk like an old man anymore.”
    I cleared my throat. “We always knew how much smarter she was than me. Don’t worry, Sabrina’s in Heaven, so you’re stuck with me.”
    “That explains why you know the song. You were the one who wrote it. Why, Aiden?”
    I looked down at her, my face blushing to a pale pink. “Why what?”
    “Why did you become a Grim Reaper? You were a good person and should be in Heaven.” Bee flung her hand out to my scythe before picking up the rim of my cloak with her fingers.
    “It’s not your problem. Just be glad you get me as your Grim Reaper. Abraham Lincoln reaped me and now he’s my boss.”
    “Well, if that isn’t the craziest joke in the history of crazy.”
    Laughter rolled through her and my soul heated up and danced with hers. “Tell me about it. He’s determined for me to know every detail of dead presidents down to where they were born.”
    “Huh, Aiden Grant the history buff and, apparently, actor.”
    “So you’re not freaked out that your cousin’s best friend is dead, but not exactly stuck in the grave dead?” I wanted to pick up her hand, but I balled my hand into fist and thrust it inside my cloak. I could see her disappointment that I didn’t touch her. I still had to keep this impersonal.
    “You really want the truth?”
    “Just like in my song that Mad Dogs just played, ‘The Truth Will Set You Free.’”
    “That was Sabrina’s favorite song.” Bee frowned.
    “I know, I wrote it for her because she kept a secret from me. I guess if Sabrina told me you could see Grim Reapers, I would’ve called her a freak.”
    “I’m sure glad it’s you I’ve been pressuring to kiss and not some stranger. I thought you made me want you with some kind of super power.”
    “Sorry I didn’t tell you. Like I said, impersonal,” I mumbled and felt guilty.
    “Forget about it. I’m just . . .well, I thought . . . I would never see you again.” Bee avoided my eyes. “I can’t believe Sabrina didn’t tell you that I could see Death. I thought for sure she let it leak out years ago.”
    “Not exactly, but sometimes Sabrina said stuff that creeped me out. That, and she said I was a dead anti-social butterfly that would wilt at the parties you guys went to.” I watched Bee for an indication that she was freaked out.
    The click clack of heels stopped our conversation as Reina stopped next to me with her hand on her hip. “Umm, I hate to break up your little high school reunion, but we have a problem . . . a very, very ancient problem. Why didn’t you read the manual?”
    The fear in Reina’s voice made my nerves jitter.
    Three tall, cloaked figures walked through the crowd unnoticed. Their shoulders were broad and pulled back. The one in front held a silver dagger tucked to his side.
    “Crash course, Reina!” I demanded.
    She pulled up her sleeves and my stomach went foul. Above her hand with the new skin were mangled bones. The radius bone twisted