For One Last Kiss by Calista Taylor

For One Last Kiss
     
    London, July 1879
     
    “ Can you feel the pull of death, Lilly?”
    Walking down the road with Mason at her side, Lilly bit back a curse. Was he daft? How could she not feel it? The pull of her reap blocked out all other thoughts, nagging at her like an itch she could not reach.
    Knowing it would do her no good, and indeed could land her in a world of trouble, she curbed her tongue and answered him. “Yes, I feel it.”
    Lilly silently cursed her luck. She could not understand why Lord Mason Archer had taken a personal interest in her, even if she was a reaper in his jurisdiction. As chancellor, he certainly had more important things to do, and yet he’d decided to mentor her, showing up unannounced to accompany her on her reaps.
    It had been a couple years since she crossed over to a world she could never have imagined, yet she still had not grown accustomed to the nuances of a being reaper—nor had she forgotten the life she left behind.
    Turning her attention back to her reap, Lilly guided them through the market. A golden light surrounded a man in his fifties and Lilly knew he would be the one. “There. The peddler selling the daily paper.”
    Lilly approached him and purchased a paper, taking care to brush his hand in order to reap him as she handed him the coin. The golden light that surrounded him faded to grey, and Lilly knew the man would be dead within the week.
    She turned away with a sigh, and joined Mason once more. “I think that was the last one of the day.”
    Mason frowned at her. “You cannot let it bother you, my dear. Everyone’s life must come to an end.”
    “ Yes. Of course.”
    She knew it was nothing but the truth and yet it bothered her. Worst still was when she had to take the lives of the young and those who had not yet lived a full life—just like her own, cut short at the age of twenty three.
    “ Shall I see you home?”
    His smile was kind, but she knew it would not do to have him lingering about. Come evening, she would be up to no good, and having Mason around with his sharp eyes and intellect would only cause her problems. “Thank you, Mason, but I should be fine.”
    She gathered the silk of her skirt so as not to trip on it, and Mason kindly helped her into the carriage. She waved him a final farewell, but already her mind wandered to the evening ahead.
    Lilly knew she’d be taking a risk. Relations with the living were strictly forbidden—and even more damning would be contacting someone from her past. Yet she’d willingly pay the price for the chance to see her betrothed once more.
    The dinner party was still hours away, and each moment she had to wait felt like the slow trickle of winter snow melting on a still too cold day.
    Once Lilly returned home, it was to find she had company. “Jack, what a pleasant surprise.”
    Though Jack Torrington was a fellow reaper and friend, she could not afford to have her plans discovered nor delayed, and Jack was yet another man with too keen a gaze and mind.
    He took her hands in his and kissed her cheek, his lips lingering for just a moment. “I had the sudden urge to see you and could not wait for an invite. I do hope you’ve been keeping well.”
    “ Well enough, though I’m afraid I’ll be heading out shortly. I’m so sorry, Jack. Tomorrow perhaps?”
    Jack gave her a tentative smile that made him all the more handsome, his dark locks refusing to be tamed. Tall, with piercing eyes and strong angular features, he could not be easily ignored.
    “ Lilly, I know not of your plans, but suspect you’re up to something better left alone. You know it would be unwise to anger the Elders, for it is not an experience you want to live through, my dear. I’m begging you to rethink the matter.”
    He couldn’t possibly know. Had she mentioned something to give herself away when they last met? Or had he too heard of the gala being hosted by Corwin’s partner, and made the connection just like she had?
    She had to