Lumiere the Reaper's Daughter Read online

  ‘You can do what you like but the universe knows what’s what. All this will come back and kick you in the ass one day.’ I said casually.

  I was just my usual, cool, calm, cold self. This unnerved him a bit. I could see the flicker in his eyes. He straightened his shoulders. His eyes still bore down on me but they weren’t full of the self confidence that I had seen previously.

  ‘We have zombies roaming about the place and the stink of rotten flesh is already shimmering in the air. People, your fellow human beings are going to be freaking out. Do you have family and friends you care about, Mr Lee?’ I asked.

  ‘What’s it to you?’

  ‘Imagine how scared they’re going to be. How could you do this to them?’

  He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He seemed to have second thoughts.

  ‘I don’t care.’ He spat.

  The door opened, and a man stuck his head around the door.

  ‘Sir, the Reaper is about to make an announcement. If that’s not all, reports are coming in about zombies walking the streets. It’s manic out there.’

  ‘Then it’s time.’ He laughed. ‘Come on you lot, let’s witness this remarkable event. We’ll see to the girl later.’

  They left the room and I sat wondering where the hell Daniel had gotten to. I looked up at the clock on the wall. It was almost midnight. I’m not the type to give up, but everything seemed pointless, that was until I heard the door creak open and in walked Daniel.

  ‘Where have you been?’ He asked.

  ‘Nowhere. Where have you been?’

  ‘For a few minutes I couldn’t see you. You were there one minute, gone the next, so I went to check in some rooms.’ He untied me again.

  ‘Thanks. I’ll try not to get myself tied up again tonight. It’s getting draining.’

  He laughed. ‘Come on, I found the studio doors.’

  ‘No, wait. Your dad is in there.’

  ‘Oh no.’

  ‘I’ve thought of something.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘My sister could help.’

  ‘Your sister?’

  ‘It’s hard to explain, but she came dressed as a soul for Halloween, so her touch is limited, but she could scare your dad, giving us enough time to get into the studio to stop mine from doing something reckless.’

  ‘Cool. Then ask her.’

  ‘Oh, she has already heard.’

  We sneaked out of the room when we heard screams. The door burst open and Mr. Lee and his entourage ran down the corridor to the exit.

  ‘Come on.’ I grabbed Daniel’s hand and dashed across the hallway. We waded through the crew members stood around the cameras when I saw Dad sat on the couch. The presenter was just about to say something when a member of the audience shrieked. The cameras panned to the woman stood pointing to the doors.

  ‘Now what?’ I whispered to Daniel.

  I followed his gaze. There was Ulrich on the top step with half a dozen zombies standing behind him.

  ‘Follow my lead.’ I said to Daniel as I casually walked on stage. Dad jumped out of the chair and the poor presenter looked on as the zombies followed Ulrich down the steps.

  ‘It’s all part of the show, people.’ I winked to Dad hoping he would follow my lead.

  ‘He has the Red Poker.’

  ‘I know.’

  I hoped the audience would play along too and see it as part of the Halloween theme night but many of them were getting edgy. Ulrich reached the bottom step and ran towards Dad wielding the poker in the air when Daniel ran and kicked it out of his hand.

  ‘No, Daniel. Don’t.’

  But it was too late, he lay on the floor. Dead.

  ‘Traitor.’ Dad yelled at Ulrich. ‘I’ve always suspected you were you getting your nose too deep into my business.’

  His anger was flared, and when his anger got to boiling point everybody within a mile of him had better look out. Flames burst from the ground by his feet and his eyes glowed red. The presenter ran off stage and the audience now wrapped in the theatrics applauded. I ran to Daniel and lifted his head, grateful it wasn’t me who had to take him now. I looked over my shoulder and Dad had Ulrich by the scruff of the neck. The red poker lay on the ground. I ran to pick it up when Mr. Lee grabbed it.

  ‘I had a feeling you would be up to something.’ He sniggered, pointing the poker at Dad. ‘Go on, say it.’ He yelled at him. ‘Tell the world who you really are.’

  ‘No. I will not. Lumi has made me see the error of my ways. Now, give me that poker and we will all leave here intact’

  ‘Not until I have the money you owe.’

  ‘And how much would that be?’ Came a familiar voice from the side of the stage.

  ‘Uncle Patrick?’ I exclaimed.

  ‘How much?’ He asked walking forward.

  ‘Just over a million dollars,’ he said.

  Uncle Patrick manifested a million pounds in cash on the floor, and the audience gasped.

  ‘Give me the poker and leave.’ He said angrily. ‘And don’t ever mess with Hell again, do you hear me Mr. Lee? Your place in Hell has already been reserved.’

  It was only now Mr. Lee noticed his son lying on the floor. He looked at the money and then at his son. I expected him to do the right thing but nope. He took the money and ran. The audience cheered. Uncle Patrick obliterated the zombies and turned to me.

  ‘What do you want me to do with his soul?’ He asked. ‘I know he was your friend but I must do the right thing.’

  ‘Could you bring him back?’ I asked, almost begging.

  ‘Uncle David believes he should go to The Other Room.’ He looked over at his body. Two white figures stood around him.

  ‘Please, let him live. He saved my life. He saved everyone’s life.’

  ‘But that was his purpose in this life. He has served it now, Lumi, so he should rest before his soul will be returned in another life. In another time.’

  ‘No. Bring him back.’ I pleaded, looking over at dad.

  ‘Do as she’s asked.’ Dad said to Patrick. ‘I’ll take full responsibility.’

  Patrick sighed. He had heard that response from Dad a thousand times before. If wasn’t for me, he would not have given into him this time just like he wouldn’t have given him the cash. As the Reaper he could not give himself luxuries with his own power

  He brushed the Angels away and clicked his fingers. Daniel got up, gasping for air.

  ‘What’s happened to me, Lumiere?’

  This was the second time he has risen from the dead and he did not even know it.

  The presenter took to the stage wiping his sweaty forehead with a tissue, encouraging the audience to give Dad a round of applause, thinking it was all part of an elaborate Halloween act.

  Chapter Twelve

  So Uncle Patrick saved my dad from exposing himself by loaning him money. And I had gained a new friend. Except that has come with a clause. As Daniel had physically died twice it had upset my grandparents. To set the balance right, Daniel had to be told everything, and he was to become a Reaper’s Soul himself. Of course, it was up to me to tell him.

  I arranged to meet him at a café the next morning. Dad was gracious and practically ushered me on the Shute. The last thing he wanted was to get into any more trouble.

  ‘See you later, Lumi and please do as you are told this time.’ I threw him a mocking glare.

  ‘You are a fine one to talk. I get my adventurous streak from you.’

  ‘What can I say to that? But, hey, I did a good job with you. Proud of you daughter. Now go and get him.’ He chuckled and turned to leave the room.

  ‘Here we go, again.’ I punched in New York on the keypad and within seconds I was sat in a diner, a little spun out by the ride but for once the machine had got the destination down to precision.

  ‘Can I take your order?’ A waitress asked, looking a little perplexed by my sudden appearance.

  As I flipped over the menu, the door opened and in walke
d Daniel. I expected him to have a sullen look about him after last night and losing his mum to the zombies but he was in high spirits.

  ‘It’s nice to see you again, Lumi.’ He said, taking a seat opposite me.

  He was still human, and I had no intention of taking his soul. He was to accompany me on Reaper’s business though I suspected there could be more to this than I had been told.

  ‘Likewise, although I wish it were in better circumstances.’ He flicked a look up to the waitress. ‘Can I get two vanilla milkshakes, thank you.’

  Hang on a minute. He seemed so different than the petrified state he was in yesterday.

  ‘What’s happened to you overnight?’ I asked.

  ‘Lumi if you think dying twice doesn’t change you then you ought to question what are you doing as the Reaper’s daughter?’ He smiled, taking a hold of my hand.

  This was terribly confusing.

  ‘Sorry, could you bring me up to speed with this change of personality. I’m not so familiar with humans.’

  He smiled and leaned across the table.

  ‘My eyes have been opened to the wonders of life and death. It’s a cycle. I see that now, clearer than ever before. I know my mother isn’t gone completely and when I come to work for you, I’ll get to see her. And as for Dad, well, I guess it’ll all catch up with him in the end.’

  I was gobsmacked.

  ‘You are taking this, oh, so lightly. I hope it’s not a delayed reaction and you’ll start freaking out any minute.’

  ‘No, no absolutely not. So when do we leave?’ He asked eagerly, which concerned me a bit.

  The waitress put the shakes on the table, and I grabbed one, gulping it down. Travelling from Hell was thirsty business even if it only seemed like a split second. I put down the glass and took a napkin, wiping my mouth.

  ‘Well, there’s plenty of time. How about we take a walk around New York first?’ I asked, zipping up my jacket, glad I had remembered it this time.

  ‘Sure.’ He stood up, took my hand led me out the door.

  ‘Oh wait.’ I said, feeling my pocket again. It seemed unusually heavy. ‘Dracula.’ I laughed looking at the first edition copy I had found in the library. Dad must’ve slipped it in my pocket whilst we were at the table. ‘I’ve got a present for you.’ I handed him the book and the look on his face was pure joy.

  ‘How did you get this?’ He asked, holding the book as though I had given him a handful of jewels.

  ‘You’ll soon find out.’ I smiled as we made our way out onto the street.

  It was still snowing heavily. Daniel put the book into his rucksack and slung it over his shoulder.

  ‘And where would the beautiful Lumiere would like to go first?’ He asked, taking my hand tightly in his.

  ‘I wouldn’t mind seeing where they filmed the Ghostbusters.’ I laughed.

  ‘Haven’t you had enough of ghosts?’ He burst out laughing, but our sightseeing tour was soon interrupted.

  We had only walked a few yards up the street when there was a gunshot.

  ‘Lumi.’ Daniel pointed to a man lying down on the pavement, blood pooling from his body.

  ‘Do you see him?’ I asked, looking at his soul standing next to the body.

  ‘Yes. I do.’ He whispered.

  ‘Then he’s your first customer. Come on, we have work to do.’