Soul of the Reaper: Soul Taker Series, #2

By YD La Mar

Caught between the realms of the living and the dead, I'm the tortured son of a mortal woman and the Reaper himself.

 

I'm an anomaly.

 

Not fully human, yet not quite a reaper. My existence is a constant battle within myself, a struggle to reconcile the two halves of my soul. But amidst the chaos of my life, I found her—a fiery woman in the heart of Brooklyn. She was stubborn, infuriating, and I craved her more than my next breath.

 

When the cruel hands of fate intervene, I'm forced to make a decision. Venturing into the depths of the underworld, a sacrifice is made, leading me on a mission of revenge, fueled by love and driven by the need to protect what's mine.

 

But am I ready to face the wrath of those who tore us apart? And will she still love me when she sees the darkness that lurks within me?

• Language: English
• Publisher: YD La Mar
• Release date: Sep 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223684787

Book preview

ONE

RAY

I just need something steady. My family needs it.

I hear what you’re saying, Mister Rivera. I’m going to try my best to find you a job so that you can help your family.

Mister Rivera has been back at the agency three times in the last six months. I’m not sure what’s going on or why he can’t seem to keep down a job when I keep finding him ones that he apparently feels are a good fit.

They say, third times a charm, but maybe he just needs one more try.

How about this one, right here. There’s an opening for a janitorial position at a local public school. It comes with benefits and a good constant schedule.

Something crosses his features and disappears quickly. Come on, don’t give up on me yet. We can do this.

Yeah. Yeah, I can do that.

Alright. Getting his paperwork ready and paperclipping a copy of his resume onto it, I hand it back to him with a smile on my face. I really hope this one works out. He’s looking down in the dumps and his family needs the income with the three kids he has at home.

Without a second thought, I reach into my purse and pull out some cash, handing it to him. Mister Rivera, why don’t you get outta here and go grab a slice. It’s easier to think when ya got a full stomach.

His brave expression crumbles just a bit and it breaks my damn heart. That’s why I started working here. I want to help people get on the right track, get back on their feet.

In fact - Grabbing a bigger bill out of my purse, I hand him the rest of the money. - why don’t you grab a pie for the family. I bet your kids would love it.

Mister Rivera’s eyes water as he tries to blink it away. Standing up and rounding the corner of my desk, I plan to see him out when he pulls me into a tight hug.

You’re an angel. A ray of fucking sun in this damn place, you know that? My heart constricts at his broken voice.

Mister Rivera, like many of the people who come in here, is hitting some hard times trying to find work in Brooklyn. Everyone’s competing for the same jobs. This place has slowly changed over time. Those who have lived here almost their whole lives have slowly been forced out due to gentrification. This is part of the reason why I try so damn hard to help individuals like Mister Rivera - I’m possibly playing a huge part in helping them keep their home. I may not be able to help everyone, but I can still do what I can.

He pats my back as he heads out the door, his shoulders visibly with less tension than when he came in. I’m glad I can provide him with whatever little comfort I can.

I’ve been helping the neighborhood people find jobs for the past fifteen years. This is what I was made for - I feel it deep in my soul - to help guide people in the right direction and hope it changes things for the better.

My mother left a message on the phone earlier today saying she wanted me to come over for dinner. Despite having lived independently for the past ten years, she still insists on these get togethers like I’m unable to take care of myself.

Waving goodbye to my coworkers, I walk out of the building and towards the street. The sound of whistles, sirens, and cars going by fill in the quiet I just left.

Eh! Eh Mami! This guy has been on this corner forever, always calling me at the exact same time each day when I leave work. He’s an older gentleman who was probably good looking during his prime but hasn’t realized he left it a while back. Ignoring him, I continue down the street to catch the train. I wonder what Ma is making for dinner today?

The good thing about work is that it’s conveniently located near the subway. Not needing a car has saved me a lot of money.

There’s a big crowd waiting already, the usual nine to five workers going home. I’ll have to make sure I find a seat for myself and for the work bag I’m schlepping around. Luckily, I do and it’s an end seat. Throwing my bag up beside me, I take off my heels and put on my flats. Rummaging through my bag, I pull out a snack bag. I don’t want to come over to my ma’s house looking like I’m starving. It would just reiterate to her that ‘I’m not feeding myself properly’ and it’s probably because I need a man to get my priorities straight.

When the train gets to my stop in Brooklyn Heights, I stand and line up behind the crowd to exit the car. The walk towards my mother’s house feels much easier in these flats as I dodge incoming foot traffic waiting to get in. Once I make it up the stairs and out onto the streets, the smells of different food I pass by make my stomach growl. Guess those snacks were pointless.

My legs and my calves are my best assets, I think, from all the walking I do. My shoulders are pretty fit from the bags I have to carry to and from work.

Hey, Ray! What’s happenin, kid? The thick Brooklyn accent can only belong to one person. I’ve been told I have one by tourists I’ve come across, but I can’t tell.

How you doing, Mister Jones? My mother’s neighbor is hanging out on the stoop, blowing smoke out the side of his lips, a cigarette between his fingers hanging over his knee. The brownstones around here are multiple units but some of the new people moving in have transformed them back into single family units. Mister Jones still lives in the multi units.

The natural look of my old neighborhood brings back old memories of growing up on these streets.

Ah, just taking in the air, you know. I can’t stay cooped up with that old hag too long, she drives me nuts.

I can fucking hear you, you old dirty bastard! Mrs. Jones is hanging out her window looking like she’s about to dump a bucket of something or other on his damn face. Luckily he’s not sitting directly below her and he knows it too.

Yeah, well. You’ll hear more than that in a minute! Get your ass back inside!

Stifling my laugh, I wave him goodbye. See you later. Don’t get into too much trouble with the missus.

Don’t worry bout it. This is how I love the old hag. It’s all we got anymore and she loves my ass too much to let me go. He gives me a wink before he stands and puts out his cigarette butt and enters his building. The Jones’ have been together ever since I can remember. They used to always yell at their kids but since they’ve become empty nesters, they have no one else to yell at but themselves. I grew up with his son. We weren’t friends really until we hit high school age when our hormones started to run rampant. He was my first kiss but his parents never knew about it.

Walking up my mother’s stoop, I smooth down my long dark locks while ringing the doorbell. I can already hear my mother’s voice before she even opens it.

Ray! Honey. You’ve finally come to visit your mother. My God, you look like a mess. Come in and I’ll fix you something to eat. Thanks, Ma.

Hello to you too, Ma. What do you mean I look like a mess? I just left work and came straight over here. The train was packed. My mother is already pulling my coat off and hanging it up on the coat rack before I even get a chance to do it myself like she’s afraid I’ll change my mind right at the door.

Ray, you need to start taking care of yourself more. I thought by leaving home, you’d have more time on your hands. What are you doing if you can’t even spare some time to get your hair done? Internally groaning and pinching the bridge of my nose, I should have known to expect this. My mother is a stickler for getting to her beauty appointments and never fails to point out the fact that I don’t.

Yeah? Well, that’s nice Ma. I think I’m doing alright. No one at work has mentioned anything about my appearance.

By the way, I ran into this very nice young man on the way from getting my hair done. Turns out he’s the son of one of the ladies there. He’s studying to be a doctor, you know. Very nice, very good looking. Tall, beautiful hair on his head and a smile to die for. I swear my mother is a bloodhound when it comes to matchmaking. She’s been on me for the past who knows how long, and continues to hate the fact that I don’t mind being single.

Yeah? That’s nice Ma. I’m sure he’s a swell guy.

Ray! Phew. Saved.

Hey, Lawrence. How’s it going? I give him a hug, then hold him at arm’s length to get a good look at him. My mind wasn’t playing tricks - my younger brother is looking broader these days. You working out or something?

Yeah? You noticed?

Well yeah. I’m hugging more of you.

His laugh always lights up my day, because it’s loud and it’s obnoxious. As long as the ‘more of you’ ain’t my gut. How’s work treating ya?

I love my job. You know that.

I don’t know how you can handle all those people who really aren’t even trying to hold down a job. That’s why it’s always the same faces showin back up. Just the other day I thought I saw what-his-face come out of your building and head straight for the bodega to get some booze.

My brother has a tendency to always slap the truth in my face. I love him and I hate him for it sometimes. I don’t want to hear about all the effort I put in, to have some of the clients just throw it in the trash like my time wasn’t worth anything.

Well, I’m off work now. I can’t control what others wish to do with their lives. I can only do what I can when they come to me for help, you know?

That’s my sister. Out to save the damn world, starting with Brooklyn. Good luck on that. Ow! Ma! I was just teasing her.

You need to make me some grandbabies. I’m getting older and older while you two are standing around arguing about unimportant things. What about your mother, huh? Don’t you want to make me happy and find someone?

Ma, you’re not that old and decrepit yet. Stop being so dramatic. My little sister, Sadie, comes in from the kitchen on the left, looking as beautiful as ever with her long dark hair flowing as she walks. She has the Markowitz chin that’s slightly on the rounded side but not too noticeable to detract from her other beautiful features and dark eyes. I looked like that at a time - but my body’s not like it used to be. Not bad, but not like it once was when I was in my twenties. Maybe Ma’s right. Maybe I have been letting myself go, getting buried in my work.

Ah, Barbara, leave my little girl alone. She’s doing fine. She’s got a great job and is living just fine with that roommate of hers, what more could you ask for? My dad pops up out of the kitchen as well and gives me a big bear hug. I miss him. He’s gotten rounder in the belly but still as jovial as ever - a polar opposite to my mother. I look over his five-foot-seven frame, just an inch taller than my own, and look him over.

I’m alright, Ray. You don’t have to look at me like that. Your mother’s been taking care of me.

My father had to take an early retirement from working the stock exchange because of health reasons. He’s worked so hard trying to give us a good life and it finally caught up with him. I’m sure he doesn’t miss dressing in suits since he’s always in loungewear every time I see him. His smile is infectious and I can’t help but respond to it.

I miss them all, but I also love my privacy as well. My mother continues to convince me why.

David, honey, all I’m saying is that Ray shouldn’t pass up an opportunity to meet a nice young man who’s single. What’s the harm in a date?

Ma! I can’t hear anything over Lawrence’s laugh and Sadie isn’t backing me up at all, her eyes just volleying between my mother and me. Enjoy it while you can Sadie, you’re next.

Barbara, let’s just have a nice dinner with the kids. I’m starving and Lawrence picked up Chinese.

I just want my daughter to be happy, is all I’m saying. I know Ma, I know. I am happy.

Walking past the living room, my eyes look around at the old childhood pictures my parents still have hanging on the walls. From school pictures to candid ones, the faces of the family staring back at me tells me a story of a loving home that raised three rambunctious kids. I don’t know how my mother did it with us. She must have had the patience of a saint.

Passing the kitchen entrance on the left and the stairway on the right, we all start making our way towards the dining room. The hardwood floors beneath our feet make our footsteps echo until we reach the large throw rug under the dinner table. Living away from home has taught me one thing, decorations like this cost way more than what I can afford.

I’m glad I was able to find a good roommate who went to college with me that can help split the cost of living in Caroll Gardens. My parents were relieved when they came with me for the walk-through. Feels like yesterday even though I’ve been out of my childhood home for over a decade.

My brother slaps my back as he walks around the table to sit on the other side of me. Standing at six foot one to my five foot six, my brother towers over everyone. His wavy dark locks only add to his looks, keeping him looking younger than his thirty-two years. Despite being only older than him by a few years, he makes me feel my age with his mention of me working all the time. My baby sister Sadie just celebrated finishing college with a degree in interior design at twenty-five. Standing at about the same height, she reminds me of myself at her age, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, excited to take on the world.

When everyone sits down at the table, my mother is fluttering around with plates. Of course, when she gets to me she has to say something.

Ray, honey. You look like a bag a bones. You sure you eating alright at home?

I’m not starving myself, Ma, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m not skinny, I’m just not overweight or anything either. My mother seems to think the sign of a healthy person is when they have more meat on their bones.

So how’s work, Ray? My dad is trying to smooth the weirdness over with his small talk, his smile tells me he knows how my mother is making me feel right now. Ever the observer.

It’s going good. Same old stuff. Been doing it for so long I can probably do it in my sleep.

Lawrence, what are you doing these days? My dad directs the conversation elsewhere, giving me a small break with the interrogation. My brother moved out not long after me. We used to talk everyday but work has been keeping us both busy it seems.

I’m still managing the restaurant. We got good workers, so I don’t have to be around as much as I used to. Been using that time to hit up the gym. Lawrence flexes his biceps like he needs to make a point, making me laugh. Despite his age, my little brother still acts like he’s fifteen.

Food and conversation go by quickly - well, as quickly as it can since my mother keeps adding more food to my plate every time I take a bite - but I’m already missing the peace and quiet my own personal space brings. Julia is a great roommate who lives her own schedule almost opposite of my own, making me feel like I’m actually living independently in a home that I wouldn’t be able to afford by myself.

The wine that’s sitting in the cabinet is just waiting for me. With that thought, I quickly finish my meal and help my mother gather the dirty dishes to wash. The kitchen is just how I remember it. Ma hasn’t changed anything since I left home. A little mix of modern clean lines and some old school cabinetry and wallpaper. Ma keeps her kitchen neat and tidy, everything having its place. Once the dishes are washed and put into the drying rack, I dry my hands on the kitchen towel hanging on the oven handle.

Ma, I’m going to head out.

Whatta ya talking bout? You just got here. This is ridiculous, ya came for like thirty minutes and you can’t spend more time with your mother?

No Ma, I just have my own place I have to upkeep. You know. I’ve been living on my own for a while. It hasn’t changed. She visibly deflates and it makes me feel guilty.

She claps her hand out of the blue so loud, it makes me jump. Oye, let me package some food for you to take home. Just hold on for one second.

Ma! I just want to go home and relax from a long workday. You don’t have to worry about packing anything. I don’t want to impose any more on my parent’s hospitality.

My mother’s already coming back with some Tupperware. You know Judith’s daughter, Franny, just got married to a nice Jewish boy. Maybe he has some single friends you can meet.

Ma! I don’t even know Franny, really. You can’t just go up to random people and ask them to hook strangers up with your daughter. Don’t worry so much about me. I’m a big girl. I got it.

Barbara, leave the poor girl alone. She’s doing fine. My mother shoots him an anxious