THE REAPER by kittie le sabre

The Reaper: Prologue

THE REAPER

by: kittie le sabre

Prologue:

It was a known fact that youkai made the best assassins.

That certainly didn't mean that he had to enjoy taking orders from ningen, no matter how well they paid. He would attempt to find her again tonight before the others. It wasn't everyday that a miko that powerful came into existence.

The Reaper abandoned the white satin luxury of his platinum bed to wander onto the open veranda that overlooked his private beachfront property. He stood there gloriously naked, his silvery-white hair trailing across the muscular lines of his magnificent nudity.

The sun pierced the dull grayness of the sky, threading ambers, gold, orange, and crimson into the hazy mist. The burst of color warmed the cold depths of the ocean and the still white sands that trailed endlessly for miles.

The pulse of his cell phone shattered the peace of dawn, and he strolled back into the bedroom to retrieve it. He flipped it open, holding it up to a graceful, pointed ear, listening intently before shutting it close.

Stalking towards to the double shining white marble doors, The Reaper's mind raced wildly as he contemplated the preparations. The news he'd just received changed everything.

"Where are you going?" a groggy feminine voice called from the confines of the enormous bed.

He didn't deign to reply as he left the room. She enjoyed a final view of his broad shoulders, defined waist, firm backside and solid legs, all firm with years of muscle from rigorous training. Fortunately most of his hair was pulled up and out of the way. Basking in his physical radiance, she was grateful for his generosity because she seriously doubted that she would ever see him again.

What a shame. For her anyway.

The Reaper quickly showered and dressed in under ten minutes. He was barking orders to his retainer, Jaken, as he rushed out the front door to the waiting Rolls Royce Phantom. Gracefully stepping into the vehicle while the driver patiently held open the door, he calmly sat down and peered at the occupant lying on the plush seat opposite him, soundly asleep.

The Reaper picked up his wayward daughter, and quickly carried her to her room and tucked her in. As he was about to move away, she opened her eyes.

"Daddy?"

The Reaper smiled down at his daughter, his golden eyes bright with love. He kissed her on the temple and murmured, "Go back to sleep, Rin. I'll be back soon."

"Okay. Love you, Daddy."

"I love you, Little One."

The Reaper waited until she drifted back to sleep. She was the sole reason why he returned from his jobs.

Twenty minutes later, the car was racing towards the airport. By the time The Reaper was boarding his private plane, he received two confirmations.

The first was that the miko had been located, and that his foolish half-brother was guarding her. The second was that the woman who'd spent the night in his bed was now dead. Her assassination attempt had failed, and Naraku never, ever allowed his underlings to fail or betray him. To a goon like Naraku, both were interchangeable.

The Reaper allowed his thoughts to drift; his only anticipation involving defeating his enemy by finding the miko first, completing this job, and then returning home to his beloved daughter.