Death’s eyes narrowed. “You speak of that old man’s wife?”
Elyse nodded. It was the least she could do, after stealing Mr. Grayson’s chance at resurrecting his wife. “Cordelia. Bring back Cordelia Grayson, and tell us where Sera is, and we’ll give you the Blade. Here. Now.”
“I cannot bring her back for long. Her body will not be able to sustain a full life.”
“How long?” Elyse demanded.
Death contemplated. “Seven years,” she offered.
It was an easy decision. Elyse would take seven years with Killian over no time at all. She knew Mr. Grayson would do the same. “Done,” she accepted.
Death closed her eyes and lifted her hands. A fearsome energy emanated from her. Her lips moved in a quiet chant. Elyse waited for a long moment, unsure what to expect.
“It is done,” Death said.
Elyse tried to picture it. Somewhere, a woman was awaking from a long slumber. Somewhere, there was a tearful reunion. Somewhere, two hearts merged again.
“Your friend is in the demonic realm. The place you know as Hell. She’s near the city of Aniei.”
Manny’s breath hitched. “Thank you,” he muttered, again and again.
“Do not tarry,” Death warned. “Hell is a dangerous enough place for its residents. Even more so for humans.”
Elyse strode forward and presented the Blade to Death. “Until we meet again.”
Death’s lips curled into a smile. “Not for a long time,” she mused. “If you’re lucky.”
She snatched the Blade from Elyse’s hand, and then she was gone.
Elyse turned to find Killian smiling at her, his hand extended. Waiting for her to take it. She happily did.
They were left to embrace their victory, tainted by broken hearts.
Epilogue
Theroom was quiet when Elyse woke. The only sound was her friends’ gentle breathing as they slept. Judging by the way the sun came through the windows, it was at least midday. The bright light didn’t seem to bother anyone though. They were so dog tired, they likely wouldn’t have noticed a parade marching through.
It had been a long night. After Lady Death disappeared with the Blade of Hanael, they’d set to work on the wounded. There had been hundreds to attend to—soldiers and civilians alike. Nina, Corin, and Elyse, along with a score of trained healers, had passed out tonics and set broken bones all night.
Elyse had been grateful for the distraction. Every burn or cut she healed felt like a win. If she collected enough wins, maybe the aching in her heart would subside.
Manny seemed to feel the same way. He’d limped around the arena, helping to locate anyone injured, working to reunite families who had been separated. Elyse didn’t think he’d stood still for more than three seconds all night. It had taken Maelor ordering him to leavetwicebefore Manny actually obeyed.
They’d all left together, and though it hadn’t been discussed, everyone wound up in Elyse and Killian’s room at the inn. Elyse didn’t mind at all. She couldn’t imagine Manny going back to his room alone, sleeping in a bed that still smelled of Sera.
Corin had given him a sleeping potion, and he’d quickly passed out on top of the covers of Killian and Elyse’s bed. Corin and Nina had made themselves a little pallet of blankets on the floor, where they were still snuggled up together. Elyse and Killian had taken the armchair by the window. She’d been sitting on top of Killian’s lap with her head on his chest when she’d fallen asleep. Now, she leaned against the wings of the chair with Killian nowhere to be found.
Elyse guessed he was meeting with Maelor and a few Guard members, as they had planned for a debriefing session. She didn’t envy Killian for losing out on sleep, nor for having to discuss the “collateral damages” of the battle, as one of the officers had put it the day before.
They’d lost forty-six souls in the attack. Thirty-one civilians, fourteen guards, and one extremely brave, exceptionally kind shifter.
Forty-seven if you counted Sera.
Elyse felt her heart clench as she thought of both Zubir and Sera. She couldn’t face that emotional weight right now. Not without Killian. And not until she felt physically better—after sustenance, a shower, and a full night’s sleep.
Food first, her stomach demanded with a growl.
Elyse stood, her hips cracking with the movement. She hadn’t taken her boots off when they arrived back at the room, and she tiptoed across the floor to keep from disturbing Manny, Corin,or Nina. She avoided the mirror—too terrified by what she would see there—and slipped into the hallway.
