Opal knew exactly who it was.My turn.
“All of you need to go,” she said in a shaky voice. “Get to the houseboat.”
Nico shook his head, staring at the dark apparition. “No way, Opal. What is that?”
“It’s Death.” Opal gripped the key dagger tightly. “This one came from me. I’ll follow after …”
“Opal, that’sDeath.” Emma swallowed. “No one can fight Death.”
Opal laughed a little wildly. “I sure hope you’re wrong.”
The specter slid smoothly across the grass. Stalks in its path crinkled and died.
Opal took a deep breath. “I just have to conquer my fear. That’s how you guys did it.”
“I don’t thi—” Nico began, but she cut him off.
“You’re wasting time.Please. This one is mine.”
Death halted ten yards away. Opal’s breath began to mist.
“You have to stop the Darkdeep,” Opal whispered. “We need toend this. Now go.”
Death lofted its gleaming scythe. Logan turned and sprinted for the stepping-stones.
“Be strong,” Tyler whispered. “It’s only a figment, not the Reaper.” He grabbed Emma’s hand. “Come on.”
Tears spilled onto Emma’s cheeks. Her gaze flicked to Opal, who nodded.Emma bit her lip, then turned and ran with Tyler.
Nico didn’t budge.
“Nico, please. Finish the job. I’ve got this, but I need to do it alone.”
Emotions warred on Nico’s face. “You better be right behind me,” he said roughly, echoing her from the night before. She heard him groan helplessly, but he spun and jogged away.
Opal released a shaky breath.This is how you face Death. Alone.
The Reaper moved forward again. Ice-white hands gripped the scythe’s black handle.
Come and get me.Opal clutched the dagger so hard her fingers ached.I’m not as defenseless as you think.But her heart pounded. How could anyone face Death without fear?
She took a tiny step back. Then another.
Death closed in.It always catches you in the end.
The scythe’s shadow fell across Opal’s body. Terror pulsed through her veins. Her breath hitched, halted, hung in the air. Death pulled back its hood. Eyes of nothing stared down at her.
I am the end of everything.
Opal screamed. The sound echoed through her, awakening her blood, her bones.
She ran from Death as fast as she could.
31
NICO
The Darkdeep seethed like a hurricane.
