He just stared at me, and I wondered if he was reconsidering.
“I’m ready to go now.” Actually, I was ready five minutes ago, but I didn’t want to seem ungrateful.
The Keeper raised his hand, and then, biting his lip, he paused before lowering his hand to his side once more. Frowning, he said, “Oh … I’m feeling generous. How about I give you five minutes first? To say goodbye to your friends?”
My what? His gaze flicked to something behind me. Spinning around, I came face to face with Reyna and Julian.
Not in their human forms…
They were …dead.
“No!” The horror of what had happened tore through me. All that blood, my shriveled chest and abdomen—oh Mage. I’d killed Reyna. My knees buckled, and I fell to the ground, covering my eyes to the truth of how I’d failed. With a desperate gasp, I broke into sobs.
“Oh, Nai,” Reyna’s voice came from right beside me. “Stop being so dramatic.”
I peeled my hands back to look at her. She wasglowingwith happiness. I grimaced, completely confused. Why was she happy? She wasdead.
“I’m so sorry,” I choked out. My mind raced, trying to come up with a plan to make this right. “I’ll—”
“Stop.” She shook her head, still smiling. “You did it, Nai. You beat them. It was an honor to serve as your shield. An honor to protect you. I’m right where I want to be.”
I shook my head, tears streaming down my cheeks. All the triumph of success drained out of my chest, leaving it hollow as I stared at my friend. She couldn’t mean what she said, she was just being stoic—strong. She was just being Reyna. “No.Youdon’t understand. I can bring people back from the dead. I just have to give the Keeper my soul stone, but for you, I don’t mind.”
Reyna reached out and grabbed my hand. “No, Nai.Youdon’t understand. I died with honor, doing what I love, protecting. Don’t take that from me. I’m happy with this. I promise.”
What could I say? Reyna had never lied to me, and I didn’t think she’d start now. I wanted to resist her, to force her back into her body, but instead, I threw myself into her arms, and we held each other tightly.
“Thank you,” Reyna whispered. “For letting me be your shield. For letting me choose my own path.”
“I’ll miss you,” I said, pulling away, tears streaking down my face.
She snorted. “Then come visit. You’re the freaking high mage of spirit!”
I chuckled and then nodded. “Right.”
“Will you watch out for my brother, Blake?” Julian asked, suddenly joining us. “He’s … he’s better than me. Kian pretty much ignored him, so our mom … she did a good job with him.”
“Yes, of course,” I said with a nod as my throat constricted with emotion. “Thanks … thanks for all you did out there today.”
He shrugged. “It was long overdue. I should’ve seen what Kian was sooner.”
The moment stretched, and then there was motion behind me, and it pulled my attention.
Gramps, my mom, and bonus dad were here.
“Oh Mage! I see my mom,” Julian shouted in excitement, and then he took off running. “Thanks again!”
“Sorry!” I called after him and winced. He didn’t seem to mind being dead either, but I still felt a little bad.
Reyna embraced my grandfather, both of them wearing giant smiles, and a resurgence of guilt welled up within me, filling me until it became too much. This was the first time I’d seen him since he died, and I dropped my head. So much sacrifice … for me. It was a lot to take in—a lot to accept.
“Hello, granddaughter of mine,” Gramps said, standing before me, looking healthier than he ever had before.
I had to say it. I didn’t have a lot of time, and I had to make sure he knew before the Keeper sent me back. I raised my chin and met his gaze. “I never got to tell you … how much … I love you.” I choked on a sob, and my eyes burned with fresh tears. “Thank you—for everything. All the things I know and probably a million more I don’t. I’m so, so happy you sent that letter early. That you cared enough to come into my life.”
He smiled and opened his arms with a wink. I ran into them, crashing into his soul form, and for one long moment, I just allowed myself to be here, in this beautiful place with the people I loved. Death wasn’t the end, and that was great, but I’d miss seeing him and Reyna every day.
The Keeper’s voice suddenly called over my shoulder: “I need to send you back now, or it will be too late.”
