Life After Death: Ytherynia: Gifted Blood Academy

By Megan Grooms

I am a reaper. You'd think after I died I wouldn't have to go to school any more, no such luck. I get to go to a supernatural boarding school called Gifted Blood Academy. Not only do I have to get used to supernatural creatures that, surprise, are all real, but I am a 'unique' reaper too.

Life after death just keeps getting weirder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Megan Grooms
• Release date: Nov 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201554262

Book preview

1

I am a reaper. I no longer live with my family, I live with my sponsor, the man that was to separate my soul from my body, but thought I deserved to have a second chance, a second life. As far as my family knows I’m dead, technically I am dead. My human life is dead, I am now part of the supernatural world.

Once I finished my daily reminder, I opened my eyes. I liked my new room, with a large bed in the center of one wall, a nightstand on either side. I got up and moved to my closet. I’d been given all new clothes; I was glad they didn’t make me change my style. I picked out a black pleated mini skirt and a black long-sleeved crop top. The sleeves were see-through mesh, as well as along the neckline. My knee-high black books with silver studs and two-inch-thick heels came out of the bottom of the closet. My night stand had my undergarments, black of course, and my mesh stockings.

After a shower in my adjoining bathroom, I dressed for the day. My fingers brushed over my new scythe tattoo. It was beautiful, and matched me well. It had along dark wood handle that came to a point at the top, and had three rings of silver just below the long curved red and silver blade, the back of which had a short gold blade. There was a design etched in both blades and on the handle. Though it was brand new it looked a little worn and old, which I liked.

Tina are you dressed and ready yet? My sponsor called for me from down stairs.

I looked around the room, I had just gotten used to living here. Was I ready? Didn’t being dead mean I didn’t have to go to school? I knew there was no point in arguing. I wasn’t going to get out of it, and to be honest, I had always liked school. One that was full of supernatural beings sounded interesting, if not scary as hell.

Closing my eyes, I pictured the kitchen downstairs. When I opened them again, I found I was in the kitchen. I was getting the hang of teleporting, at least short distances.

There you are, I’ve already sent what you packed yesterday, so you’ll only need the small bag you like to carry. My sponsor, Samael, stood in the doorway between the kitchen and living room. He was a tall man, slim, but with a muscular build, blond hair, and the same bright blue eyes that, I’ve learned, we all have. My hazel eyes had turned to that unnatural blue, it still freaked me out when I looked in the mirror.

You are sure that I’ll be okay? I asked. I hated feeling scared, and I hated even more when I showed others I was scared.

Samael moved to stand in front of me, putting his hands on my shoulders. I promise you’ll be fine. To be honest, with your scythe, you are stronger than any of them. You can kill them at any time. You will never be hurt like that again. He moved a piece of my copper red hair behind my ear. Now, are you ready Libitina?

I gave a little smile, though to be honest I wasn’t sure if I was ready. Let’s go. I answered.

He took my hand, and suddenly we had a swamp around us. I edged a closer to him. Where are we?

He laughed a little, just outside of New Orleans. 

I should have guessed a school for supernatural beings would be hidden in the bayou. I muttered.

Samael shook his head. It’s not here, the portal is here. He corrected me. He hadn’t told me much about the school, besides that there were all kinds of different supernatural creatures, some I hadn’t even heard of before. There are more portals, this one is set to the school this morning. We can’t teleport directly there, it’s in a different realm.

I just looked at him. I hated when he talked like all this was normal. I was human just a month ago, this was not normal. I needed to stop reacting this way though. I needed all this to be normal. According to Samael almost everyone else grew up in this world, and if I came in acting like it was crazy, then I was going to be the outcast. I shook my head; not sure I was up for this.

Think of it as a parallel universe, using this portal we can get there.

Are there a lot of other realms? I asked trying to get used to the proper terms he used.

There are quite a few others, most species have their own realms, some live in the area of the school others have to get there through portals. He started walking now, picking his way around the marshland, finding the least wet path on the small expanse of land. I expected to be attacked by an alligator at any time. Here we are.

I looked up from watching a suspicious looking log in the water, to find a large circular area of black, blue, purple, and a multitude of other colors swirling together, a foot off the ground in front of us. I couldn’t see anything through the swirl and I got the intense feeling that I did not want to go through it.

Alright, just walk right through, there are people on the other side to help you. They will direct you to the reaper dorms. If no one is there, all you need to do is walk straight ahead through the trees. He clapped his hands before turning to me, grinning. His smile fell a little when he saw my face.

You aren’t coming with me? I asked, now panicked. I felt like I was in kindergarten, not wanting to leave my father’s side. It was pathetic that at fifteen years old, I wanted a grown up to come with me. I couldn’t help the feeling though.

Samael put his hands on my shoulders again, it seemed to be his favorite move to calm me down, or make sure I was listening to him. I know you are scared, but I promise you, it will be alright. Reapers look out for one another. The only thing you really need to remember is what to say if someone asks you how you died.

I know, an accident, and I don’t really want to talk about it. I looked down, before looking back into his eyes. Would it cause that much trouble if I said a vampire killed me? I don’t understand why I have to lie about how I died.

Dropping his hands from my shoulders, Samael ran one through is hair. This school was made so that we could learn to get along. Most of the beings that live and go to school there have lived for a very long time. The war ended around 200 years ago, that’s not much time in their world. We need to keep the peace. Our people, reapers, protect humans. If was discovered that a vampire killed a human, and now that human is a reaper, it would cause trouble. Please, for my sake, just don’t say anything about it.

Alright. I agreed with a sigh. What about Victoria? What if she remembers what happened?

She won’t. Just stick to our story. I nodded. He put a large hand to my cheek. I’m sorry that you have to lie about your death, I wouldn’t ask you to if it wasn’t important. I know you can do this; I know you will be an amazing reaper. Just try your hardest, if you really are having trouble, talk to your teacher.

I wish you were coming. I mumbled, and he gave me a look that told me I was being a little too much like a child now. I took a deep breath and stood straighter. Alright, let’s get this over with.

He smiled, that’s my girl.

I hugged him tightly before turning to the portal and swiftly walking through it, without looking back.

It was only a second between earth and the new realm, but when I popped out on the other side I was freezing. My arms were wrapped tightly around myself; I didn’t remember moving them. My teeth were chattering and I couldn’t focus my eyes on anything in particular.

Something was thrown over my shoulders and I heard a voice it’s alright newbie, I’ve got ya. I was herded over to the side. Realizing it was a blanket around my shoulders, I grabbed the edges and pulled it tightly around me. What’s your name? The voice spoke again. Making me realize the arm was still around me.

I looked to my left to find a guy a few inches taller than me, standing close to me. He had the same striking blue eyes as me and Samael, with deep black hair that hung just to his eyes, parted in the middle. His eyebrows rose and I realized I hadn’t answered him yet. Libitina, Tina. I answered, my chattering teeth slowing enough that I could speak again.

The boy looked back toward the portal, Where is your sponsor?

He’s not coming. I answered looking back at the portal as well. It looked the same on this side as it did the other, for some reason I thought I’d get to see earth, and Samael on the other side.

The boy gave me a curious look, but then dropped his arm from around me and shrugged. Come on Tina, let me show you to your room. Orientation is in a little bit, then I’ll take you on a tour. 

He gestured ahead of him so I started walking, him by my side. So... what’s your name? I asked peeking at him from the corner of my eye. He was kind of cute.

Right, I didn’t tell you. He rubbed the back of his neck, like he was embarrassed that he forgot. I’m Thanatos, everyone calls me Than, second year. I’ll be your mentor; first years always get a second-year mentor. I remember all too well how weird this place was for me last year, so if you have any questions or problems let me know.

Thanks. I responded, not sure what else to say.