Resurrection Man

By Laylah Hunter

Necromancy means never having to say good-bye....

Consumption has claimed the life of Adel St. Claire, cutting him down in his prime. But his lover, Josef Leitner, isn’t ready to let him go. To get Adel back, Josef is willing to risk the anger of Adel’s family, make unsavory deals with a corrupt mortician, and challenge the authority of death itself.

Even if he can reanimate Adel’s body, Josef’s next challenge may be more daunting still: when a man returns from the dead, what will it take to satisfy his needs?

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Note: This is a standalone release of a story that originally appeared in the Bump in the Night anthology.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Riptide Publishing
• Release date: Oct 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781626492424

Laylah Hunter

Laylah Hunter has been writing erotic fiction for the last decade, starting with fan fiction and branching out into original work when the draw of imagining entire worlds became irresistible. Most of Laylah's work explores speculative themes, queer relationships, power imbalances, or combinations thereof. When not writing, Laylah enjoys long walks through scenic video game landscapes, drinking froofy coffee, and being at the mercy of two very needy cats. It all comes back to the writing eventually, though.

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Riptide Publishing

PO Box 6652

Hillsborough, NJ 08844

http://www.riptidepublishing.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Resurrection Man

Copyright © 2013, 2104 by Laylah Hunter

Smashwords Edition

Cover Art by Vongue, vongue.deviantart.com

Cover Design by L.C. Chase, lcchase.com/design.htm

Editor: Rachel Haimowitz

Layout: L.C. Chase, lcchase.com/design.htm

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher, and where permitted by law. Reviewers may quote brief passages in a review. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Riptide Publishing at the mailing address above, at Riptidepublishing.com, or at [e-mail].

ISBN: 978-1-62649-242-4

First edition

October, 2013

Second edition

October, 2014

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Necromancy means never having to say good-bye.

Consumption has claimed the life of Adel St. Claire, cutting him down in his prime. But his lover, Josef Leitner, isn’t ready to let him go. To get Adel back, Josef is willing to risk the anger of Adel’s family, make unsavory deals with a corrupt mortician, and challenge the authority of death itself.

Even if he can reanimate Adel’s body, Josef’s next challenge may be more daunting still: when a man returns from the dead, what will it take to satisfy his needs?

About Resurrection Man

Resurrection Man

Gabriel’s City: Sneak Peek

Dear Reader

Acknowledgments

Also by Laylah Hunter

About the Author

Enjoy this Book?

Blue twilight has settled over the cramped streets of Sternberg, deepening shadows at the edges of the tradesmen’s district. Josef leads his rented pony down an alley, watching nervously for any sign that someone might notice his passage. The bundle slung across the pony’s back would cause far too many questions should it fall and spill its contents on the cobblestones.

The door he seeks is halfway down the alley, recessed in the grimy wall, where a weak lantern spills its light against the plaster. Josef knocks on the weathered wood: two sharp raps, a pause, then two more. He wills himself to stay calm. He has done this before—but never for stakes this high.

The door opens with not so much as a whisper. Any man who seeks this entry does not wish his passage remarked. Good evening, sir, murmurs Geier, the old mortician. May I help you?

I bring lavender, cut this spring.

Geier smiles, slow and crooked, and opens the door wider. You’d best come in, sir.

Josef tethers the pony to the hitching ring in the wall, lifts down the heavy bundle from its back, and carries it carefully inside. Geier shuts and bolts the door behind him, then turns away to stir the tiny fire in the hearth as Josef sets his parcel down on the long table against one wall. This first part of the exchange is a waiting game, and Josef knows how crucial it is that he not seem impatient.

Well? Geier says eventually.

You know why I’m here. The passphrase makes it clear enough what his unsavory business is.

Remind me, Geier says. I grow forgetful in my old age.

He’s never the one to admit to this business first. He doesn’t have to when he’s the one holding the high cards. Josef nods. I’m looking for a body.

Ah. Geier’s smile stretches thin over his aging flesh. I do have a few of those on hand.

Josef grits his teeth. "A