Chapter 1

Ayira had grown up always haunted by visions of future events and the sight to see beyond the veil. She knew she was different, hearing stories about being born with a caul over her face, she hoped for good luck. Two years ago her parents were both killed in an automobile accident a few blocks away from home and she had foreseen it in a vision, even watching the reaper as he collected their souls. She had tried to warn them both prior but they wouldn't listen. She saw her sister Margaret dying from an incurable illness. Her older sister was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and was currently in hospice care at their house. So much for having good luck. Thankfully she'd never had a devastating vision of her older brother Javidan. Javidan attended the local community college and was a bright and cheerful, attractive man. Luckily for the three siblings, their parents had invested in a huge life insurance policy. The siblings were able to keep the house they all grew up in, afford daily expenses, pay for classes at the local college and Margaret's care. Ayira, instead of attending college, stayed home to care for her sister and take care of household duties.

Chapter one

Ayira a visit with a reaper

Lightning flashes, thunder clashes, heavy rain pelts the windows waking me from my slumber, I open my bedroom door and head downstairs to check on my sister Margaret, who hates storms.

Mark, the hospice worker, had moved her bed to the living room area to be around all of us, so I headed her way.

I suddenly felt parched and changed direction to the kitchen to get a drink first. Exiting the kitchen my arm hairs suddenly start to rise. I see a tall dark figure standing in the living room. I sigh and cross myself. I watched the figure head straight to Margaret and knew that it was death. I shivered and huddled behind the living room couch. My heart beat rapidly and my small frame shuddered uncomfortably at the man I saw going for Margaret. Rising slowly and peering through the darkness I watched. I'd always been able to see through the night. The tall sinewy, suit wearing man was holding my ailing sister's hand gently and looking down at the sleeping woman. A tear fell down my cheek seeing the wispy soul of my sister slowly being consumed by what I assumed was a reaper or death. I stood, gathering my courage and rushed towards the black figure. I lifted both of my arms and shoved into him with my hands.

Deagon Skinner, assigned reaper to this small section of this town, furrowed his brow in confusion watching the interesting female come rushing towards him. How the little welp could see him and actually connect with him, made him pause. He stumbled back, eyes wide and fell to his ass. His attacker stumbled as well and was currently spread out across his long legs.

"What do you think your doing female," Deagon growled in confusion. He changed his appearance to a skinless blazing skull to frighten the young woman. Ayira peeked up at the reaper and grinned slightly at him trying to frighten her.

"You look like the skeleton in the movie Ghost Rider," she mumbled softly in humor. Deagon huffed angrily and brushed his black pants off as he stood, changing his face to his normal self. Ayira followed and looked up into the surprisingly attractive face of death. Her eyes traveled over his chiseled jaw, high cheekbones and stunning light cAyiratal blue eyes. Deagon's eyes shined against his contrasting black eyelashes, brows and hair. He was literally drop dead gorgeous and currently looking down at Margaret until she started explaining that he was in error.

Deagon memorized by familiarity

I stood there in awe rubbing my chin as I watched the strange woman waving her hands around as she spoke. "I know that you're here for my sister, but she can't die until her cat, Miss Fluffy Bottom, has her litter of kittens," she stated firmly. I was still trying to understand how she could see and touch me and blanked on her ramblings about fluffy bottoms.

"Yes, it's her time and may I enquire on how you can stand there and see me so easily," I asked curiously, looking down at her sad face. My eyes skimmed over her shiny black hair and stunning bone structure. I realized that she was now keeping her eyes downcast. Ayira wiped the tears away from her eyes and frowned.

"I don't know sir, but you're too soon in coming for Margaret," she tells me softly. I looked down at her and wanted to lift her chin to raise her eyes to mine but hesitated. I took life with a mere touch and didn't want her dead. A pair of the most exquisite golden colored eyes looked up at me and I inhaled sharply as my heart stilled trying to recall a deep seated memory that I refused to recall.

"What is your name and age," I demanded. She furrowed her brow and crossed her arms.

"My name is Ayira Sephiran and I'm twenty six," she replied. I tilted my head back and chuckled loudly.

"You're an infant," I laughed heartily and she kicked my shin. I growled angrily and glared at her.

"Stop abusing me," I snapped harshly and she laughed at me. I could hear footfalls above my head and glanced down at Ayira. She stood before me and started pushing my chest.

"Leave, it's my brother Javidan," she mumbled softly.

"My name is Deagon and you'll be meeting me again," I told her as I nodded my head and disappeared. I could hear her sighing as I vanished.

Ayira my brush with death

I rushed to my sister's side, turned on a table lamp and sighed deeply feeling her warm skin and subtle heartbeat as she slept. Javidan noisily thumped down the stairs and approached me.

"Who were you talking to, was Mark from hospice here," he questioned me curiously and I shook my head. I pulled the blanket up over Margaret's bare arms and glanced at my brother.

"Miss fluffy bottom is going to have her babies soon and um," I paused with my bottom lip in my teeth.

"I know, I remember what you told me sis," he mumbled sadly, patting my back in a comforting manner. I rubbed my eyes and frowned. The morning sun was slowly starting to show on the horizon through the raindrop covered window panes.

"Why don't you head back to bed and I'll make coffee and wait up for Mark," he told me and I thanked him as I headed slowly back up the stairs.

"Wake me when the kittens start to come," I yawned loudly. I opened my bedroom door and closed it. I was thankful for my light blocking curtains and climbed back onto my comfy bed. I snuggled into the pillow and closed my eyes unaware of the reaper standing there looking at me oddly.

Deagon confused

I watched Ayira drift off to sleep. She must have been extremely tired since she was oblivious to my presence in the shadows. I stepped closer and kneeled down to observe her. My fingers ached to touch her. I ran my long fingernails through her silky black hair. Lifting the long soft tendrils up between my fingers. Lose strands fell down onto her olive skin and I paused as her nose twitched. I continued and gasped when her small hand flew up and grasped mine. Her golden eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.

"You're a freaking pervert," she screeched and squeezed my hand. I was in utter shock from the sensation of another's touch that I was frozen. I wrapped my fingers around her hand and watched her carefully. Death wasn't occurring at all. I giggled like a schoolgirl, climbed up on the bed and pulled her forcefully to my lap. A huge shiver flowed through my entire being and caused my heart to race as my hands embraced her form. Ayira was eyeing me curiously and yelped when I embraced her.

"I've never felt the touch of a living human without causing death," I mumbled in a mixture of shocked sadness. she patted my shoulder and grinned. I pulled her arms around my midsection and held them tightly there.

"Please lighten up a bit, you're crushing me," she squeaked, scooting back a bit. I pulled back from her with crazy eyes and a silly smile on my face. I was now sitting across from her on her bed and certain that I'd broken several reaper protocols. Ayira leaned back on her headboard and watched me fangirling over her.

"Why are you immune to a reaper's touch," I asked curiously. Ayira raised her brow and grinned slightly.

"You're kinda cute for someone who brings death," she tells me softly while examining me closely.

"You still haven't told me how you're immune," I mumble. Ayira shrugged and said she had no clue.

"Can you hold me," I asked shyly. She laughed softly and opened her arms for me. I fell into her embrace and rubbed the side of my face in the grove of her neck as she held me tightly to her bosom. I sighed happily, breathing her in. I felt her run her fingers through the hair on the back of my head and melted.

"I want to stay like this forever," I mumbled softly and she chuckled.

"I've got a sinking feeling that this is completely against your rules," Ayira says softly and added,"but your hair feels amazing." Ayira cocked her head and looked down at me.

"You're not the same reaper that took my parents, he was a blonde," she stated simply and I nodded my head.

"That would be Lestat, he's the only blond reaper in this area, the only female one is Mizette and she's his mate," I tell her, although I'm certain that I shouldn't have. Ayira furrowed her brow digesting the information I'd just shared.

"How long has it been since you've felt a human touch," she asked curiously. I bit my lip and sighed in thought.

"I've only felt a human while taking their life, never for enjoyment," I replied simply and made a horrendous snort as she attacked my sides with a deep tickle.

"Bawhaha, sssstooooop, pleeeeease haha," I paused, inhaled and laughed louder.

Ayira briefly feeling sorry for death

His deep laughter was contagious and I chuckled along as my fingers danced across his firm sides. Our joy fizzled when the loud knock sounded at my bedroom door. I giggled as I slid off my bed. I put my finger to my lips for Deagon to be quiet. I opened my door and Javidan was standing there with a scowl on his face.

"Who do you have in here sis," he snapped angrily and rushed inside. I pulled on his arm but he dragged me along with him. I looked straight at Deagon laying down on my bed and my brother frowning looking everywhere. I grinned slightly when Deagon stuck his tongue out and rolled his eyes at my brother. Of course, he couldn't see him, I thought to myself and relaxed until he told me Miss Fluffy Bottom had started labor. Javidan told me to join him and Margaret for the birth before he exited my room. I glanced at the reaper and sighed.

"After all the kittens have been born," I mumbled sadly down into his face. He nodded his head and looked at me with concern. I sighed sadly and rubbed my eyes. Deagon wrapped his arm around my back and told me he was sorry.

"Don't apologize for doing your job, I know that she's going to a better place without pain and I can handle that. It's the grief of others that tears me apart," I told him honestly. He eyed me strangely and nodded.

"She will be able to see me briefly before her soul is completely removed," Deagon says sincerely.

"Good thing you're an attractive man, she will think you're fantastic eye candy," I told him truthfully and he chuckled. I slipped into my walk in closet and changed quickly before we both exited my room. I hurried down the stairs and approached Margaret. She smiled slightly at me and I held her hand.

"How are you feeling today sweetheart," I mumbled softly, as I brushed her bangs from her face, she grimaced.

"I'm excited about the kittens but my head is hurting really bad today," she said sadly.

"She refused her pain meds and said she wanted to be alert to see the babies," Javidan stated as he brought a tiny black and white kitten. He announced that it was the third one.

"She'll have six," I mumble firmly and see Deagon sitting next to Margaret on her bed. I watched my sister for any sign that she was aware of his presence. I returned the kitten with the others then sat on one side of Margaret while Deagon was on the other.

"Why is your boyfriend sitting with us, Air," Margaret teased me. I playfully squeezed her hand and laughed.

"He's not my boyfriend sis, he's here for you," I told her, wiggling my eyebrows. Margaret blushed slightly and giggled.

"I love you sis," I told her and kissed her forehead. She told me it back.

"The last kitten," Javidan announced, placing the tiny white bundle on Margaret's lap. I watched Deagon hold her hand and his thumb rub circles in her palm. Margaret glanced at me and Javidan with bright clarity and a big pain free smile on her face. I watched the last of her soul leaving her body. Deagon had lowered her head back down to the pillow. I wiped the moisture from my eyes and gazed down at the peaceful look that graced my sister's features. I smiled and patted Deagon's arm.

"Thank you reaper," I mumble softly.

"Call Mark and let him know that she passed over peacefully," I told Javidan a little louder as I brushed my fingers against my sister's cheek. I sighed and sat down on the couch with the white kitten. Deagon sat down next to me and exhaled softly.

"Guess our brief rondevu is over now," I mumbled softly to him. I watched him chew on his bottom lip and sigh. Deagon looked troubled and gazed at me nervously.

"Could I, um, continue to visit you, I'm curious about what you are Ayira," he mumbled shyly and squeezed my hand. I looked at the sexy man and shrugged.

"If it doesn't cause you any problems, we can hang, but I'll be busy with the funeral and I was thinking about starting college," I told him flatly and he smiled brightly.

"Then I shall grace your presence again, till then, I'm being summoned for work, good day Ayira," he grins and disappears. I wiped my tears and went to join Mark who'd just arrived and my brother, hoping they weren't listening to me speaking to myself. I returned the kitten to its mother and entered the kitchen.