Somebody to Die For

Chapter 1-2

Duncan Moor was a sleepy town outside Rochester, New York. Requiem Inc. had opened a branch office there a hundred years before, when they realized the area had a high concentration of mediums. As much as they needed the ghostwalker’s special skill set, no one could go into the spirit plane without direction, and mediums provided that.

Avery had always liked the place and its small-town-America feel. Shops and storefronts littered Water Street, the main thoroughfare along the river that wound through the center of town. He took the long way to Blake and Derek’s townhouse, just so he could admire the charm. But the town wasn’t that big, and before long, he was pulling into the small development and then Blake and Derek’s driveway.

He got out of the car, but before he could do more than stretch, the front door of the house opened, and Derek strode down the steps. Derek was a big guy, all muscles, dark skin, and radiant smile, and Avery couldn’t help but relax at the sight of him. Derek had the anchor gene, and Avery’s own genes responded to that. Derek was made to care, and Avery was made to need care. Besides, Avery genuinely liked him. Avery was glad he decided to stay with them instead of taking the company up on the offer to get him a room somewhere. It was a comfort to have friends close, and Derek wasn’t nearly as overbearing as Michael.

Derek didn’t say a word. He just wrapped Avery in a warm hug, and Avery relaxed into it and inhaled deeply. His tense muscles unwound, and the stress he’d been feeling all but disappeared. He offered Derek a huge smile when he pulled back, and then he turned to give Blake a hug as well.

“It’s good to see you,” Blake said as he hugged him tightly.

“You, too.” Avery pulled back and found a smile for them both. They’d met when Blake and Derek first started to bond, and Avery had come to help them navigate their new connection. An anchor bond was a rare thing. The ghostwalker/anchor pair had to connect on every level, and the anchor had to have the gene. It hardly ever happened.

Blake and Derek were his friends, and he treasured them, but there were times when just being around them was painful. They reminded him of what he no longer had. Avery and Luke had shared the bond, and being that connected to someone else was a true gift. Even though Avery was devastated when he lost Luke, he wouldn’t have given up the ten years they’d been bonded for anything. Not even to be saved the pain of his death.

He shoved the sadness away and focused on just how good it was to see them again. He grinned and gestured over his shoulder.

“Is Michael staring out the window at me?”

Derek laughed as he moved toward the trunk of Avery’s car. “Yep. I can see Sam’s hand. He’s trying to tug him away. But Michael isn’t budging.”

Avery chuckled. Since Michael had finally gotten his head out of his ass and claimed Sam as his own, he’d moved into Sam’s house, which was right across the street. Sam and Blake were brothers and incredibly close. Neither wanted to move far from the other, and both their lovers were quick to accommodate their ghostwalkers. Michael didn’t share a bond with Sam—he couldn’t, since he was a Guardian—but their love was a whole other kind of connection.

What had he been thinking? He should have taken up the offer of the room at the bed and breakfast. Being around that much love was going to wear on him. As much as he cared for his friends, they were a constant reminder Luke was no longer with him.

“You okay?” Blake murmured.

Avery nodded, even though it was a lie. He’d be fine. He just had to get himself together. “Yep. Just tired. And hungry. What are you feeding me, Derek?”

“Chicken marsala, roasted potatoes, and baby asparagus. I also got that wine you like, even though it doesn’t go with the meal.” Derek offered him a wink.

“Here, give me that.” Avery took the messenger bag, but Derek refused to relinquish the suitcase and garment bag.

“Get in the house.” Derek motioned with his chin. “You have about twenty minutes before your friend comes tearing across the street for dinner. I assume you’d like to relax a little before he pushes his way into your life.”

Avery had to give him that. No doubt Michael would try to take over, pester him and push to make sure Avery was all right. Avery was never going to be a hundred percent all right, but he was okay. And though it was harder than he expected, he also knew he could handle it.

It would be two weeks of his life. And it was important. The trainees would benefit from his expertise. He was there to share his experiences without sugarcoating them. When he was done, he hoped at least some of the ghostwalkers would understand how important their job was. And he really hoped what he said would help at least some of them do those jobs safely and effectively.

That made it worth it.