Micah Thaxter has a problem -- one scary, inconvenient problem. His shadow wants him dead and isn't shy about it.

On the plus side, it's not his time to die and Scary Gary is always there to carry him back to the land of the living. Gary is far too pale, his black cloak a bit out of fashion, and his scythe quite terrifying, but he's still one of the most beautiful men Micah has ever seen.

Micah may be stuck with a homicidal shadow, but perhaps there's a way to keep Gary around too. His job escorting souls keeps him busy, but since Micah has already died once today, Gary's there. So what's the harm in offering him a cup of tea?