My head is spinning as I peer inside the bar’s window to see my sister laughing again. She’s practically radiating.
Then, I realize that this is a version of her I’ve never met.
A version of her who never lost her brother.
A version who met her soulmate all on her own.
A version that never grieved.
I love this carefree version of her. I really do.
But it isn’t the same Irie I said goodbye to months ago.
Likewise, this version of Kai, who sat next to Katherine earlier, is a stranger to me. Those feelings I once had for her are long gone.
I’d love to live the rest of my days with my family by my side. I’ve missed Irie. I’ve missed Jasper. Hell, I’ve missed Truman.
But I’ve got to stop running from my fate.
From love.
I’ve been the gatekeeper of my own heart for too long, and until Cleo, I hadn’t realized how heavy the key to the gate guarding my heart was.
I may need to let go of this life after all.
Living life with Iris, Jasper, and other loved ones from my life before would be quite the experience. I want that.
But Ineedher.
Ultimately, it’s Cleo or nothing at all.
There is nothing I’ve ever been more certain of.
Suddenly, Jasper’s hand lands on my shoulder from behind. “I may not know her personally, but Cleo seems to mean a lot to you.”
I simply nod in response. He steps into my line of sight, peering into my eyes.
“As long as you’re happy, I’ll support either choice you make.”
I glance at him with tears in my eyes, knowing that regardless of whether this is real for him, this is the last time we’ll lock eyes before we meet again in death one day.
“Thank you, brother. Keep taking care of Irie for me, okay?”
“You have nothing to worry about there.” He grins, then embraces me unexpectedly. “Does this mean you found what you were looking for, brother?”
“She found me.”
Suddenly, the world around me collapses, melting into a sea of colors and shadows. I want to scream, but find that I can’t. My entire body is frozen, subject to whatever comes next.
“Where is she?” I immediately rasp upon awaking, coughing and struggling to catch my breath.
In all my years of life—and afterlife—I’ve never experienced a sensation as overwhelming as that. Everything around me is still blurry, like I’m living in a B-roll scene of a low-budget film. I squint my eyes, attempting to recalibrate my vision.
Where am I? Was that real? What the actual hell is happening?
“Glance to your right, golden boy,” a deep voice drawls from ahead. I follow the voice and lift my eyes to the platform ahead, recognizing it as the throne room’s dais first. Nial. Of course, it’s him. Annalise sits next to him, Luke and Jessenia on the opposite end of the dais.
My eyes steadily drift to my right, seeing Cleo bound by her wrists in a seat next to me. She’s still wearing the same sweater, skirt, and tights she wore when I saw her last. Only the whites of her eyes are showing—she’s in a trance-like state. I wonder if it’s similar to what I just endured. She’s gripping the armrests of her golden seat with a death grip, and her expression isn’t restful. She’s in pain.
