But Maya was already breezing past Grim’s protests. “Okay, first things first, you need to improve your ability to immediately find and rip magic from your surroundings. We’ll start easy. I’m going to hide several highly magical objects, and your job is to find them.”
Elysia nodded.
“Once you’ve collected them, we’ll practice ripping.”
She picked at a loose thread in the rug. “Do you think if I get better at this, I could find the talisman?” She’d tried every evening since coming to Aidan’s realm, and every time she failed.
Grim looked at her intently. “You’ve been trying to subvert the death voyage?”
She turned to him. “Who’s to say that isn’t a part of my death voyage? I was told to find the talisman—we don’t have time for the fates to decide I’m suddenly worthy of a grand reveal. Of course, I’ve tried. I’ve tried every day,” she muttered.
Something shone in Maya’s eyes at this. “You haven’t felt anything when you try?”
She shook her head. “It’s like slamming into a brick wall.”
“They’re blocking you then. Likely snipping any threads that would allow you to find it.” Her face settled into harsh determination. “No matter. There are ways around that.”
“This is the shit you both can’t be doing. This is why you have a babysitter, Maya.” He turned to Elysia. “And you, don’t fuck directly with the fates. That’s how we got in this godsdamn mess in the first place. If you want to push back, it has to be thoughtful and planned.”
Elysia cocked her head. “We’re in this mess because Aidan made a stupid deal with Garrison.”
Grim’s face tightened along with his posture, but he said nothing. His dark eyes fastened onto her though, telling her she didn’t have the story quite right.
Elysia nodded to herself. It sounded like the conversation Aidan didn’t want to have was becoming more and more pressing. He had explained his role in the Fall of Kava, taking the blame without hesitation or pause. She never sensed any deceit when he spoke about the deal with Garrison, but like most things, maybe it was more complicated than its appearance.
Then again, maybe that was wishful thinking. Because no matter how much she was attracted to him, she’d be lying if she said that his past wasn't an obstacle for her. A glaring obstacle. He was the reason her kingdom and people were dying. The reason her sister was sick. Fresh guilt constricted her. It was too easy to forget what he had done when she was near him. He’d done her a favor in withdrawing, and she needed to remember that.
Maya snapped her fingers to get Elysia’s attention. The ledger, scissors, and hourglass disappeared, and her eyes sparkled with excitement. Handing Elysia a tiny brass bell, she instructed her. “Find all three objects and then ring the bell.”
With that, she exited, leaving Elysia staring at Grim with her mouth half-open.Okay…Apparently, Maya was more of a sink or swim type of teacher. Unsurprising, really. She smiled tentatively at Grim. “Want to come along?”
Grim pressed up to standing, looking like he knew this was a bad idea. “I told Aidan she couldn’t handle mentoring anyone.”
Elysia took a seat on the stiff floral couch.Bad idea or not, Maya was the only one who had even bothered to explain her magic to her.
“I’m going to look for the hourglass first.” She paused, twisting to find him gripping the back of a deep-seated velour chair. “You’ve seen what can happen when I search for sources right? It’s been better, but I don’t want you to be surprised if I go into a trance.”
He nodded seriously. “We may not know each other well yet, but we’re going to be in each other’s lives for a very,verylong time. It’s my job to have your back. You can trust me on that.”
Tension left her at his words. Grim might not be the life of the party, but she could see why he was Aidan’s right hand. She’d take his loyalty and common sense over frivolity any day. Rubbing her palms on her thighs, she answered the blunt, but strangely sweet reaper.
“That means a lot. Thank you.”
She closed her eyes and envisioned the bronze hourglass and its white sand as she sent her magic out through the Deathlands. Seconds passed, and then there was a snag, her attention narrowing to a single spot. She tried to send herself into that pinprick of space, to see where it was, but as usual, there was a hook behind her navel, prompting her to her feet. She stood, hurrying out the door and through the halls of the house with Grim trailing closely behind her.
Grabbing a coat, she left the house, boots pointed at the woods. A haunting, mournful song played in her ear. In all the times she’d sought a secret or source, there had never been anything like the sighing, soulful cry reverberating inside her now. She stumbled on her feet, racing over the soggy Bonewoods floor. She didn’t notice the gothic white fingers scraping upward, or the small branches snagging on her wool coat. Unlike in Kava, she wasn’t ruled by the magic, but nonetheless, it bore down on her, demanding she listen and take note of what it told her.
They reached a small stone bridge that crossed over a stream to an enclave. Grim’s large hand grabbed hold of the back of hercoat, bringing her to a sudden stop on the bridge. His chest worked beneath the slim, flexible jacket all the reapers wore when on duty. Irrationally, she wanted to throw herself out of his grasp and sprint ahead. They were close, and the magic pulled as the music vibrated within her body now.
“What?” she snapped, her gaze already looking ahead over the bridge even as he held on.
Grim’s grip didn’t loosen as he forced her to look at him. “Eyes, focus.”
She blew air out of her nose, sending her gaze to his. “Yes?” Her tone was still short, but she was listening.
“Up ahead, all you’ll find is graves.”
Annoyed, she shook him off. “Everyone’s dead here. Why would there be graves?”
