The Tessa Randolph Collection, Books 1-3 Paula Lester (year 7 reading list .txt) 📖

He wore black swim trunks, and his dark, shoulder-length hair was now caught up in a black leather band. The man looked like he’d never eaten a carb in his life. She was glad dark sunglasses hid his strange eyes.

Tessa realized too much time had gone by since he’d asked about the lounge chair next to her. “No. I mean yes. Um, actually, my friend is coming in a few minutes,” she stammered.

He smiled, revealing those predatory teeth, and lowered himself into the chair without acknowledging what she’d said. He leaned back and smiled. “Ah. This is the life, is it not?”

What an odd speech pattern. Like he was European or something. Or straight out of a Victorian romance novel. “Y . . . yes. It’s really nice. Are you here for the conference?” The guy did give off subtle reaper vibes, but she hadn’t seen him attending any of the presentations or in the buffet lines.

He glanced her way and then returned to facing the sun. “I’m here to observe the conference, yes. Mainly, I am enjoying cocktails and surfing. There were some gnarly waves yesterday.”

Tessa felt her eyebrows rise. She wouldn’t have pegged him as a surfer dude. “I think I missed your name before. I’m Tessa.” He’d already demonstrated he knew that, of course, but her midwestern politeness didn’t care.

“My name is Corwin Blade.” His fingers laced over cut abdomen muscles.

Blade. She’d heard that name recently. Where was it?

“Nice to meet you, Corwin.” She tried to watch him without being obvious about it. The man had such an unusual energy about him. If she had to explain it, the word she’d choose would be ancient. But that was crazy. The guy didn’t look a day over thirty.

“And Tessa, how are you enjoying your new job?”

“It’s great. Except for the fact that my co-workers seem to be dying disproportionately.” She winced, not sure that was a proper topic of conversation. But she couldn’t help herself. “Do you know anything about that? About poor Cynthia or Art? April says their deaths are unaccounted for.”

He waved a hand. “I gave up on handling the mundane details of reaper work a long . . . long time ago.” He tipped his head to look at her.

It was a bit disconcerting not to be able to see his eyes through the dark glasses. But Tessa knew from experience that being able to see them was just as unnerving.

“Oh, are you retired or something?” As soon as she said it, Tessa knew that was ridiculous. Corwin Blade was nowhere near retirement age.

He chuckled, and the sound reminded her inexplicably of metal gears grinding. A shiver skittered up her spine, and she glanced around to make sure there were still people nearby. No one was sparing a glance in their direction.

“I guess you could say I’m retired, yes. I’ve delegated all my responsibilities to others. I serve in a much more advisory capacity now. But, if necessary, I’ll step in and handle this current situation.” He returned his head to a straight position. “It’s not likely that I’ll need to, though. My people are quite capable. Especially the head of the task force on unaccounted-for deaths. Top-notch, that one. A real go-getter.”

“That’s good. I guess.” Tessa threw her legs over the side of the lounger, deciding it was time to put some distance between herself and the strange man. “It was nice meeting you. I think I’m going to get a drink from the bar.”

He wiggled his fingers in a cutesy wave. “Have fun.”

Tessa grabbed her bag and took a few steps before his voice stopped her.

“One more thing.” His words lingered in ears. “Should you ever need it, the power of the Scythe is always within your grasp. You need only call for it.”

She turned back toward the chairs, but Blade was no longer on his lounger. He was standing a couple of inches away from her. She forced herself not to shriek or jump backward. “The . . . Scythe?”

“It’s my strongest power. And sometimes I loan it out to people who work for me. But only those who are the most promising. The smartest. Reapers with the greatest of potential.” He grinned. “Like you.”

Slowly, as though the gears in her brain were grinding, his words made sense. “You’re . . .”

“I’m late for a date with a fine young lady and a coconut-flavored drink,” he finished. “Have a lovely day, Tessa Randolph. And remember what I said about the Scythe.” He saluted with the tip of his finger on his sunglasses and then strode across the pool deck toward the hotel, brushing past Silas as he went.

Silas rubbed his arm but didn’t look at Blade. He spotted Tessa, smiled, and walked over to her. “Hey! Sorry it took me so long. I got locked out of my hotel room and had to get them to make me a new pass key.” His eyes moved down to her feet and back up to her eyes. He swallowed hard. “You look . . . I mean you look . . . wow.”

“Thanks,” she barely acknowledged the compliment. Her eyes were still on Blade’s back. “That man has a strange energy, doesn’t he?”

Silas’s gaze followed hers, and then his brow furrowed. He looked back at her. “What man?”

“The one I was talking to just now.” She took in Silas’s bewildered expression and realized the truth too late. Her landlord hadn’t been able to see Blade. She waved a hand. “Never mind. I guess he slipped into the changing room. I’m sure he was gone before you came out onto the deck.” She smiled. “I was just going to get a cocktail. Do you want one?”

His face smoothed, and he grinned back at her. “Something coconutty sounds nice.”

“Yeah. They have that. It’s called a piña colada.”

“I’ll take one for each hand.” He smiled.

As they headed toward the pool bar, Tessa glanced at the door Blade had