Caleb suddenly flinched. “Is that why you asked if I remember digging up corpses?”
“Yes. When the Corrupter stopped using the Corrupted as soldiers, we could only assume that he was using them for other things.”
“Like digging up bodies.”
“Yes, but here's the problem with that—the graves all showed signs of bodies emerging from their coffins on their own. The wood of coffins poked up, as if they'd been bashed apart from inside, and the earth looked as if it had erupted outward.”
Caleb's breath quickened.
“Caleb?” I asked softly.
“I think they needed a little help,” he whispered. “I remember hearing the swish of dirt and then breaking wood. I think I did dig up bodies. I dug, and they broke their way out.”
“Dear Goddess,” I said. “I'm sorry, Caleb. I shouldn't have asked you about it. That memory was better left buried.”
“No.” He lifted his chin. “You needed to know. And I needed to know what happened to me. Thank you.”
“I hope it helps you move on.”
“I think it will.” Caleb knocked his shoulder into mine. “I'm looking forward to being friends with you, Ember. I feel as if I was cheated of that in the past.”
I grinned. “We're already friends.”
“You know what I mean. And I hope you know that I would never try anything with you. Anything romantic, I mean. I'd never disrespect you like that.”
“I do know that.” I knocked his shoulder back. “I can't be with anyone other than a Wraith Lord now.”
“So you're saying I don't stand a chance anyway?” Caleb's lips twisted wryly and his eyes sparkled.
I snorted a laugh. “Sorry, but it's not even about chances.”
“I know. I understand. Could you maybe express that to your boyfriends so they stop glaring at me?”
“I thought Xae had gotten better about that?”
Caleb snorted.
“I guess not.” I chuckled. “All right, I'll talk to them.”
“Good. Because I don't want to have to sneak around with you again. Especially now that there's no reason for it.”
“No, I'm done sneaking around.”
Chapter Ten
“You look happy when you're with him,” someone said as I headed upstairs.
I spun around, but no one was there. Then I realized who was speaking.
“Oh, it's you. It's been a while,” I said to Death.
“I thought I'd give you some time to deal with things.”
“You mean, you announcing yourself to all the Wraith Lords, and me getting ordered to not use Death Magic unless it was an emergency? Those things?” I started climbing the stairs again, looking up to make sure I was alone.
Hadn't I just said I was done with sneaking around? Well, shit.
“Yes, those things,” Death said
