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“Out with it,” the Reaper says. “It’s time for me to feed my pets.” There’s a shadow at his side. I hadn’t even seen it appear there.

The way it moves, so dark, so shapeless… It’s the very same thing I saw in Rhenn when we sight-ported. The shadow was a part of him, just as this one seems to be a part of the Reaper.

“You have something of mine,” Rhenn answers, voice steady.

His uncle smiles. “By all means, come in. Let’s discuss it.” He flicks his wrist. A rumble shakes the ground as the sturdy door opens for them. I follow behind, stepping lightly even though I’m sure they can’t hear me.

Darkness from the night envelops me. The only source of light surfaces when we enter the foyer, where a grand fireplace rests at the center wall. Flames crackle and spit, obscuring their faces with its dancing luminescence.

“The girl,” Rhenn speaks first, “I ask that you let her go.”

The girl? Is he referring to me? No one has me. I’m… I glance at myself, unseen and without a voice. I am here, but I’m also not here.

I was.

My hands brush over my arms, distantly remembering someone holding onto me. Rhenn was with me in the dark. It has already happened, or maybe it hasn’t happened yet. This isn’t quite a dream, not quite reality.

“I already have her. Why on Aldure would I let her go?” the Reaper responds, his living shadow circling Rhenn.

“What about a trade?”

I move closer so I can better hear what they’re saying, feeling the warmth emanating from the flickering inferno.

“And what, pray tell, could you possibly offer me that I don’t already have?” His uncle holds out his arms, taking in the glory of his wicked kingdom.

“Me,” Rhenn answers firmly. “My life for hers.”

I take an unsteady step back, shaking my head. Rhenn doesn’t care about me. Rhenn doesn’t even like me. Why would he do this?

“Very curious.” The Reaper clicks his tongue, looking Rhenn over. “What cause does an Alken have for losing everything over a helpless little peach? She isn’t even your kind.”

Rhenn’s fists clench at his sides, the line of his jaw hardening. “Do we have a deal, or not?”

“Your father had a soft spot for the humans too. Yours, she looks a lot like the one I took from him. That scent. Those eyes.”

My heart skips a beat.

“Your father betrayed me. Chose the mortal over his own brother. So, I took her from him. Just as I will take this one from you.” He turns away, glancing back over his shoulder. “Interesting, isn’t it, how you would fall for the daughter of your father’s lover. Too bad mommy and daddy aren’t with us anymore. This would make one hell of a reunion.” An icy smile breaks across his lips as Rhenn drops his head.

I shuffle back. No. It doesn’t make sense. My mother, she disappeared. No one knows what happened to her. She… She…

“Mommy’s in love, baby girl. I found an amazing man who’s going to take care of us. His world is so beautiful. I just know you’re going to love it there.”

The man, I always assumed he was fake, a made-up illusion in her mind. She said he had a family…

Rhenn.

“You see, I need you alive,” the Reaper continues. “So, I’m afraid I’m going to have to deny your request, noble as it may be.”

Rhenn stands frozen, unmoving, barely even breathing. He wears a look like he just lost everything, like whatever hope he had left in him was shattered.

I feel like I’ve just been shattered too. Every last bit of life I had splintered into a million tiny shards.

He lied to me.

He knew who I was.

He knew my mother. She was here.