I can go now. They’ll be safe.
And that’s the last thought I can think as death reaches out and wraps its cloak all around me. I snuggle into it as it warms me, and then the blackness takes over everything that I am.
* * *
Bright light flashes on the other side of my closed lids. I try to turn away from it, but no matter what I do, I can’t seem to escape it. I breathe out a deep irritated sigh and open my eyes. The light is blinding, and I quickly slam my lids shut.
“Fuck, someone turn down the light,” I grumble, and a deep laugh resonates around me. I squint to see where it’s coming from and can make out blurry black hair, olive-toned skin, and green eyes.
Surprise flashes through me, along with resignation and peace.
“Hey, where’s Keegan?” I ask Lachlan as his lips stretch into a happy and welcoming smile.
I try to sit up and grunt from how stiff I feel. He leaps out of his chair and helps me.
“He’s not here, Vinna,” Lachlan tells me, his tone solemn, and my throat gets tight.
“Shit. I’m so sorry. Maybe we can find him together,” I offer, and my uncle’s eyes fill with warmth and emotion.
“You don’t have to worry about that,” he tells me. “Just rest, and I’ll be right here if you need anything,” he reassures me, and I can’t help but give him the side eye.
Lachlan sure is a fuck-ton nicer now that he’s dead. Although I suppose whatever happens after we die could maybe do that to a person. I take stock of myself, and I’m not surprised to feel a million times better than I did before I ended up here. Wherever here is.
I look around and snort at the cliché tones of cream and white that cover everything. Why do I have to pee? Guess that kind of crap stays with you in the afterlife, go figure.
“So how are you?” I ask Lachlan as I double-check that I’m dressed and then push the covers off of me.
I’m decked out in some kind of shift—it’s white of course. The color palette is definitely going to get old around here quick.
Lachlan snorts and rubs his hand over his face. “I’m good. Adjusting. It’s all a lot to take in,” he confesses, and I nod my head.
“How are you?” he asks me, his earnest gaze searching my face. “I still can’t even believe you’re here and that I’m talking to you.”
I mirror his actions and rub a hand over my face. “I honestly don’t know. I feel better, which is good. Nothing hurts. I guess I just don’t know what happens now...you know?” I ask him, running my gaze around the room like the answers will come floating out of the walls.
The door opens, and more light floods into the room. I hold my breath to see who will walk in. Some kind of spirit guide? My mom? Laiken? Ryker walks in, and his eyes go wide. He leaps for me, and I’m wrapped up in his arms so fast,homeslamming into me with his tight embrace.
“Fuck, Squeaks, that was the worst fucking thing I’ve ever been through,” he whispers against my hair, and then his lips are on mine.
His kiss is reverent, and I reach up and wipe the tears off his cheeks as he pours his sadness and joy into me. I get lost in his lips, and then it hits me like a ton of bricks.
Ryker ishere.
I push back, separating myself from him, panic in my eyes as I trace his face with a heartbroken gaze.
“No, no, no, no, no! You were supposed to be okay. How are you here?” I shout and spring up on the bed.
Ryker looks confused for a moment, but before he can say anything, Bastien, Valen, Knox, Siah, Sabin, and Torrez come barging into the room. They look exhausted. Relief, sadness, excitement and several other things haunt their eyes and expressions. I want to scream.
Tears pour out of me, and I scramble back when Bastien reaches for me.
“No,” I yell at him, and he jerks back, hurt flickering in his eyes. “You shouldn’t be here!”
I pull at my hair, my chest heavy. I watched the Sovereign die...
“Who was it?” I demand. “Was it Suryn? I swear to fuck if it was her, I’m haunting her ass forever! What a fucking cunt! I save her ass, and she pulls this?”
“Vinna, what the fuck are you talking about?” Valen questions, and I pause.
