Not Quite Dead Series by Catherine Lievens

Vale is used to death—but usually, the people he kills don’t come back to life. Vale’s job is to kill people, so when his last two targets get reanimated after he killed them, he takes it personally. Cyril’s job is to reanimate people. His ability as a necromancer means he lives a lonely life, but he’s used to it. He’s not looking for a relationship, and he’s certainly not looking for a confrontation with a professional assassin. Vale isn’t the only person interested in talking to Cyril... moreVale is used to death—but usually, the people he kills don’t come back to life. Vale’s job is to kill people, so when his last two targets get reanimated after he killed them, he takes it personally. Cyril’s job is to reanimate people. His ability as a necromancer means he lives a lonely life, but he’s used to it. He’s not looking for a relationship, and he’s certainly not looking for a confrontation with a professional assassin. Vale isn’t the only person interested in talking to Cyril. When Vale finds goons from a local crime family intimidating the necromancer, he steps in, only for Cyril to freak out when he asks him why he keeps reanimating his targets. Cyril needs protection, no matter how much he insists he doesn’t. It’s not Vale’s job to provide it, but he finds himself wanting to shield Cyril from the people who want to force him into something he’s not willing to do. He just wishes that Cyril’s weird skeleton octopus pet didn’t like him so much. less

Being friendly with death can get complicated. Vale has always taken his job as an assassin seriously, which means killing his targets without asking questions and keeping his mouth shut. When he finds a picture of an old target of his in the hotel room of a man he just disposed of, he knows something fishy is happening. Luckily for him, his target doesn’t have to stay dead... moreBeing friendly with death can get complicated. Vale has always taken his job as an assassin seriously, which means killing his targets without asking questions and keeping his mouth shut. When he finds a picture of an old target of his in the hotel room of a man he just disposed of, he knows something fishy is happening. Luckily for him, his target doesn’t have to stay dead. Cyril is surprised when his boyfriend asks him to reanimate his latest target, because that’s not how his job usually works. He’d do anything for Vale, though, so he does it, only to find himself pulled into a mess he has nothing to do with for once. Some people have more money than sense, and Peter West is one of those people. He wants Vale killed so he can’t tell anyone that he had his father killed, which makes Vale the prey instead of the predator. More importantly, it puts Cyril in danger, something Vale can’t accept. He’ll have to get extra friendly with death this time around. less

Cyril’s brush with death is closer than it’s ever been. Cyril has been a necromancer all his life. He doesn’t know who he is without his ability, so when he hits his head and he’s unable to reanimate people, he panics. What’s he supposed to do if he can’t be a necromancer? How is he supposed to help people? Then a friend of his dies. Vale doesn’t know how to help Cyril... moreCyril’s brush with death is closer than it’s ever been. Cyril has been a necromancer all his life. He doesn’t know who he is without his ability, so when he hits his head and he’s unable to reanimate people, he panics. What’s he supposed to do if he can’t be a necromancer? How is he supposed to help people? Then a friend of his dies. Vale doesn’t know how to help Cyril. He’s not surprised when Cyril agrees to help find out what happened to his friend, even though he can’t use his ability as a necromancer to do so. It makes things more complicated, but it doesn’t mean they can’t investigate—and investigate they do, because Cyril would do anything for his friends. Will Cyril get his ability back? Vale doesn’t know, but either way, he’s not going anywhere, no matter how much trouble Cyril manages to get himself into. less

When a necromancer’s powers spiral out of control, he must choose between trusting his boyfriend’s deadly past or losing him forever to the organization hunting them both. Cyril thought he understood his necromancy—until his powers began changing in ways that terrify him. They feel stronger and almost out of control, and his beloved pet Oscar is growing more aggressive by the day. But that mystery takes a backseat when people from Vale’s past come with threats instead of questions... moreWhen a necromancer’s powers spiral out of control, he must choose between trusting his boyfriend’s deadly past or losing him forever to the organization hunting them both. Cyril thought he understood his necromancy—until his powers began changing in ways that terrify him. They feel stronger and almost out of control, and his beloved pet Oscar is growing more aggressive by the day. But that mystery takes a backseat when people from Vale’s past come with threats instead of questions. Vale has spent close to ten years trying to forget the Organization and the blood on his hands from his time with them. He should have told Cyril about that part of his past, but how do you explain to the man you love that you had to obey orders you didn’t agree with? Now his former employers want him dead, and they’re willing to destroy anyone who gets in their way. When Cyril starts experiencing nightmares of other people’s deaths, he’s forced to confront the horrifying possibility that the gentle, protective man he’s fallen for might have killed people he swore he’d never hurt. With his powers spiraling out of control and enemies closing in, Cyril has a choice to make. And a boyfriend to save. less