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“It beat.”

Nobody speaks.

Sage looks at my chest. “Your heart doesn’t beat?”

“No.”

“Like… ever?”

“Not since 1791.”

“Oh.” Her eyes widen. “Oh...”

I laugh. I can’t help it. The sound is half disbelief. Half terror. Sage’s heart beats again. Mine follows. She steps toward me.

Ezra grabs her arm. “Don’t.”

She pulls free. “Stop doing that.”

“Sage.” He warns.

“I want to see.” She comes closer and every step makes the Reaper louder. Her scent. Her breath. Her pulse.

Everything.

She presses her palm against my chest.

Nothing happens.

She waits.

So do I.

Her eyes slowly lift to mine.

Then… thump.

Her mouth falls open.

Before either of us can react, something moves beneath her palm.

Thump.

She gasps.

And I feel it. A heartbeat. My heartbeat. After two hundred and thirty-five fucking years, my heart beats inside my chest.

Once.

Then it’s gone again.

Sage stares at me.

I don’t know what my face is doing. For once, I don’t care.

“Rhett?”

I cover her hand with mine. “Again.”