Billi Bell [Bell - An Immortal Death

An Immortal Death

Billi Bell

CONTENTS

Copyright 2019 by Billi Bell

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

For J, M, and K

Prologue

January 18, 1862: Virginia, The Ballard Hotel, Early Morning

D eath opened a portal to the afterlife. The former President, John Tyler, was staunchly refusing to pass on, and her patience was wearing thin. Hed asked for time to spend with his grieving wife, Julia, who had remained at the side of his corpse.

She didnt want to, but since Julia was in the still same room with him, the reasonable request had to be granted. She pulled out her golden pocket watch and saw his hour was only halfway over. In thirty minutes, shed have no choice but to force him inside.

Listen, you will pass on whether you like it or not, she said sternly. Her British accent fiercely annoyed him, Your last words kind of insinuated you were ready.

He turned away from his wife to face Death with an austere look on his face. You cannot speak to me with any authority with that accent, and especially that skin.

That was the final straw. She grabbed him by his collar and shoved him into the portal. Im sure Hades will love you.

Death was relieved to see he wasnt rejected by the afterlife, although a part of her wishes there was an orb with his name on it. Eight years prior she rescued an immortal from his plantation. It always pained her to leave the other slaves there, but there were rules she had to abide by. Altering the path of a life caused irreversible ripples. A small ripple could be an avalanche killing a few people, but large ones were typhoons and earthquakes that would kill thousands. It was a lesson shed learned early.

Death departed Tylers hotel room and headed straight for another. The Great Reaper was tired. Shed finally decided to give in to the temptation of a nearby empty bed. The American Civil War had been underway for nearly a year and showed no sign of being over any time soon. Victor had been doing his job well, but she was still keeping a close eye.

Years before the war had begun, she knew it was coming and that it would create a shift in mankinds future. She didnt know what, but the war itself was one large ripple produced by the universe. She couldnt stop it if she wanted to; it was fate. Part of why she was created was to ensure these things happened as smoothly as possible.

She entered the room and laid down gently on the firm mattress. Staring at the ceiling, Death tried desperately to clear her thoughts. The past years were hard on her, and shed rarely needed to rest as often as now. After Hades infiltration of her reapers, shed instituted mandatory and random blood testing on everyone, including Horsemen. Black blood meant they belonged to her, but red bled from a traitor. It had been nearly twenty years since a positive result, but shed learned not to put her guard down when it came to Hades.

Closing her eyes, she tried to picture the few good moments shed had over the years. She noticed most of them were with Dominic.

Dominic Fratelli, her God-fearing companion, had opted to stay for a while but eventually left to help other immortals. She hadnt seen him in nearly a decade, but often received letters via May.

Death smiled at the thought of May, her immortal longtime housekeeper and friend. She knew a verbal lashing was coming her way whenever she returned home. Death had been gone for over a month, and May was not going to be happy with such a long absence. Closing her eyes, she made a mental note to bring her back a gift.

As she lay, a tune came into her head, and she began to hum softly, but stopped abruptly.

What the hell is wrong with me?

A soft knock came at the door and she was rescued from her troubles. Initial annoyance was immediately replaced by confusion. The empty room had no signs it was currently being let to anyone. Her suspicion now heightened, she cloaked herself, stood in a corner, and waited.

I know youre in there, Death, a man whispered through the door.

She recognized the London accent right away. Dominic?

The door opened, and he rushed inside. The Confederate soldier uniform he wore, was too big and needed two belts to hold up the trousers. Hed grown his dark hair out and now had a trimmed beard.

She held back laughter at the sight of his ill-fitting clothes. How did you find me here and what on Earth are you wearing?

He chuckled as she looked him over. Its not mine. I stole it to blend in. I got a message through to May, but you werent there. Adofo was and kindly escorted me here. Speaking of clothing

Dominic pointed at her dress. The fitted black long sleeve Victorian dress was new. The red and black gems were now embedded into her laced sleeves. Im not allowed to change my wardrobe?

Of course, you are! he laughed but his expression quickly grew solemn. I need your help, but you cant tell anyone I asked.

Death became immediately concerned about Dominics safety. Whats wrong?

Dominics eyes shifted down to the floor as he fought to find the words. Deaths worry only worsened at the sight this.

Dominic, youve been on your own for nearly ten years. You wouldnt have tracked me down if it wasnt important.

A horrible thought crossed Deaths mind, and a mixture of anger and panic raced through her. Has Abel returned?

No, he quickly answered. Ive seen the impossible, but I was sworn to secrecy. Im afraid I shouldnt have agreed to that.

What the hell is going on?

Last month, I saw the mutilated body of a dead man lying in a mausoleum, he said with a distant look in his eyes.

Why is this significant?

Dominic seated himself on the bed and looked into her eyes. He was immortal.

Chapter 1

November 5, 1861: Texas

Dominic had been traveling the southern states for weeks, and he was exhausted. Masquerading as an injured veteran, hed been in search of an elusive immortal who was rumored to near the Louisiana-Texas border.

Over the past ten years, hed been rescuing and introducing immortals to Elysium, a haven world for their kind. Hed become known all over as The Guide.

He was surprised he hadnt come across Death in his travels, although a reaper or two had spotted him and wished him well.

The search for Gaius had been frustrating. The Ancient Greek had become near impossible to find and hadnt been seen for months. The last confirmed sighting had been New Orleans, and Dominic had got a lead to search border towns. Gaius knew of Elysium but wanted nothing to do with it.

Dominic would have let him be, but recently there had been reports that hed been going mad and could possibly harm mortals. Death could not learn of this, and Dominic had been tasked with finding him. If she discovered an immortal being was capable of murder, Death would have to find a way to kill them.

Dominic figured Gaius had discovered he was being followed and was on the move. A recent sighting sent him to Houston. After checking into a hotel, he changed his disguise and became a sheriff from Tennessee with a warrant for Gaius arrest. He searched every saloon, hotel and even knocked on doors. With the exception of a very friendly and deceitful widow, hed come up empty.

After being out all day, Dominic retired to his room. He was hungry and had not been to see his beloved Elizabeth in days.

Dominic landed hard on his bed and closed his eyes, then he pictured the land he called a second home. Elysium was a world only accessible to immortals. Although their physical bodies were still on Earth, their consciousness emerged on another plane in identical vessels.

Permanent residents were rooted, meaning theyd entombed their bodies in mausoleums around the world and called Elysium home. The world stretched across an infinite plane made of various types of environments. A scorching hot desert could turn into a lush rainforest after only a few miles.