For One Last Kiss by Calista Taylor Read Free Book Online

no mind and didn’t bother with a glamour. She’d not be there long enough for it to matter.
    “ Miss Hancock.” To those in Aelyri, the world of the living, she was no longer Lilly Gordon, but Ellie Hancock, just as Jack went by the name of James Connelly. Mr. Johnston, the barkeep, gave her a genuine smile and she returned it. “It’s a right pleasure to see you again. You’ve been missed.”
    “ You were always too kind, Mr. Johnston. A whiskey, if you would.” She slid a coin across the bar.
    “ Of course.” He grabbed a bottle of the good whiskey and poured her out double the amount he’d give most customers. “There you are, m’ dear.”
    “ Thank you.” She took a sip. The smell of spirits and sweet toasted grain filled her head, as a molten heat glided down her throat and into her belly. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen James in the last few days?”
    “ Aye. He was in the night before last, though he didn’t stay long.”
    His words lit a spark of hope and Lilly’s mood lightened. “Did he happen to mention where he might be going or if he was leaving London on business?”
    “ I’m afraid he didn’t say. Looked like he had a lot on his mind, but you know James. He’s not one for much conversation.”
    Lilly saw him glance over her shoulder, and then again, his hands busy pouring a pint of ale while his eyes focused on a spot behind her. “You’ll need to come more often, my dear. You’ve charmed my customers. That one there has barely taken his eyes off you.”
    Lilly resisted the urge to turn around and see who it may be. Mason, perhaps? Or another reaper? “He must be an acquaintance, is all. There’s nothing terribly interesting about me, I assure you.”
    With curiosity getting the better of her, she casually glanced over her shoulder. There was no one she recognized, and yet there was indeed a man staring at her. Cold traveled down her spine and sent her pulse thudding, though she knew not why.
    There was something… it felt as if she’d seen him before. In his late twenties, the man was handsome enough, with an exotic element to his looks. A foreigner perhaps? His skin hinted to an olive undertone, his hair and eyes dark brown, with a strong nose and jaw. But the way he stared at her, it was as if he looked into her very soul.
    Unnerved, she said, “I should go. If you see James, please tell him to contact me immediately. It’s important I speak to him.”
    “ Yes, of course. Come back again soon, aye?”
    “ I will. My thanks.” She bid him farewell and headed for the door. The man was still there watching her, a smile upon his lips, but she chose to ignore him. Her hansom was waiting only a block away, and as a reaper with the ability to take over one’s mind, she had little to fear.
    Just like at Jack’s, she once more felt as if she was being watched, though this time she heard a quiet footfall come up behind her. Though it could be someone just strolling down the busy street, she thought not. Not one to be intimidated, she spun around to face the matter head on, and found herself staring into those dark eyes.
    “ May I help you, sir?” She pulled herself up to her full height of five feet and three inches, though only a fool would think her an easy target. “Not only have you been staring quite rudely, but to follow me is completely ungentlemanly of you.”
    “ My apologies.” He looked quite different to your typical Englishman, but his speech was that of a Londoner—and rather learned at that. His eyes scanned her face as if searching for something. “I’d heard my grandmother speak of your kind, but never gave it much credence.”
    It felt like the ground beneath her feet had fallen away, though she refused to let him see his words had an effect. Surely he could not be referring to her being a reaper. “I’m shocked to think I’m the first woman you’ve ever laid eyes on, and frankly think you’ve seen enough.”
    He threw back his head and laughed,