mlevinthal

Sera didn’t believe in the afterlife, not Heaven or Hell, or reincarnation or rebirth. Dead is dead. She didn’t believe in magic, she believed in science. Nor, after twenty-some years of marriage to a cheating liar, did she believe in True Love. 

Until she was murdered by a rogue immortal possessing the body of one of Sera’s coworkers. 

Then she found out there IS an afterlife. And it is very, very boring. 

Luckily for Sera, she got a second chance to live. But it’s not her body. Or her world. All she has is guide her the words, “Try not to die.”

Well, obviously. 

That would be a lot easier if someone hadn’t hired an assassin to kill this body. And if she wasn’t being hunted by a disturbingly attractive immortal who’s mistaken Sera for her own murderer.

Better Luck Next Time, Sugar

'Well,' Sera thought as she found herself in the void of post-death again. 'That was . . . short.'


But despite that, more had happened in the eight hours of her second life than in the last ten years of her first. Which was depressing, so she decided not to dwell on it. 


On the plus side, she had plenty to think about now.


Beginning with . . . had she guessed right? Had the real Amalthea jumped from her own body into Lyra's? If she had, what had happened to Lyra? And why? Had Keeryn and the other maids gotten away safely? What about the commander and the last two guardswomen? Who'd been behind the attack?


Would she have liked her second husband? And was she still married to him?


Yes, those questions would keep Sera busy for a while, at least. 


If she'd had a face, she would have smiled sourly. What did it say about her that she considered the experiences of the last few hours a good thing?


Another question to contemplate during the long boring stretch of eternity, she told herself. But then she caught sight of a flicker. In the moment it took to think she ought to investigate, she was across the void and enveloped in bright light again.


'Back already?' Bored Call-Center-Rep asked in amusement. 'I see you managed to remember your soul stones this time, at least.'


'My what?' Sera wondered. But Bored Call-Center-Rep wasn't listening. 


She had the impression of being frowned at. 'That's not the name you gave last time.'


With a mental sigh, Sera clarified, 'Ana Serafina Conroy.'


Now Sera had the impression of impatience, though she was fairly certain it wasn't directed at her this time. After a moment Bored Call-Center-Rep put her on hold. Sera waited, mildly curious to see where this was going. Last time she'd been abruptly booted out into a strange world. Would that happen again?


Eventually Bored Call-Center-Rep returned and announced, 'I can't find you in the system. What's your identification number?'


'I don't have one,' Sera thought back. That got her a flash of disgust. 


'This isn't my first day on the job, Conroy,' Bored Call-Center-Rep thought sourly at her. 'And stop calling me that.'


'Nothing. You shouldn't be here at all. You should be directing your own damn jumps without my needing to get involved,' said Bored Call-Center-Rep. They sighed. 'Ben.'


'Ben? Your name is Ben?' Sera asked. She had the impression of a nod, and then Ben put her on hold again. Once more, Sera waited. 


'I made you a temporary ID,' he announced. And there was searing pain as something was . . . attached . . . to her soul. When the pain had faded, Ben said, 'Okay. Next life. Try not to die.'


Once again, Sera was flicked out of the light and across the nothingness. 


But things were looking up. She'd learned Bored Call-Center-Rep's name and she had an ID now.   That was progress, right? Maybe next time Ben would give her an instruction manual. That would really help with this life-jumping business.


Back Already?