You framed me for a double murder, Nash spat, and Sabine glared at me from his side, her eyes dark and even scarier than usual. Why, Kaylee?
Im so sorry, I said, tears filling my eyes. But there was nothing I could do or say to make things right between me and Nash. Not now. Not after everything wed done to each other. How was it possible that a relationship Id once thought was meant to be could have spawned so much pain? Addiction. Lies. Betrayal. Unfaithfulness. Manipulation by Influence. And now suspicion of two murders. We couldnt have hurt each other worse if wed been trying.
Im so sorry, Nash, I said again. Because I had to try. Beck made me. He had a knife, and he was going to But I couldnt finish that thought. I didnt want Emma to know what Beck had threatened to do to her and Sophie. Ever. Im so, so sorry. And Id be paying for what Id done to him with every single day of my afterlife.
Nash, she died, Emma said softly. That bastard stabbed her and tried to steal her soul.
Sabines eyes widened, and I could see some of her anger fade, but Nash
What soul? Nash stomped past me unsteadily on his way to his room, and we all stared after him.
He doesnt mean that, Harmony said, and my father wrapped one arm around her in sympathy. Hesnot himself.
I nodded. It was my fault Nash wasnt himself, but I couldnt quite believe that he didnt mean it. Wouldnt I hate him if hed framed me for murder? Hadnt I hated him just a little, after what happened in the parking lot? And that was nothing, compared to what Id done.
Kaylee Harmony said, and I could see the question in the slow, pain-filled swirl of pale blue in her eyes, demandingyet dreadingto know the extent of her loss. Wheres Tod? Hes not answering his phone.
Tears filled my eyes again, and mydad pulled me close.
Harmony he began, and I realized then that he knew. Hed either seen Tod die, or hed figured it out. But he hadnt told her yet. Tod refused to reap Kaylees soul. Im so sorry.
Harmonys hands flew to her mouth, and her eyes watered. She dropped onto the couch and squeezed her eyes shut, but the tears leaked out anyway.
I tried I whispered, as my own tears fell. I tried to get him back, but Levi said there was nothing he could do.
And if youd waited another hour, that would have been true.
I froze in my fathers arms, and if my heart had been beating, surely it would have stopped at the sound of Tods voice. Harmony stood, red eyes wide, and I turned slowly.
Tod stood in front of the kitchen door, his arms crossed over his chest, his lips turned up in a half smile. He spread his arms, and I ran into them, and they closed around me, and I could feel him, warm and solid, and very real.
Levi says, Surprise, he whispered, and I pulled away just enough to look into his eyes. I take it I have you to thank for this?
Tears poured down my face and I was vaguely relieved to realize that I could still cry. He said it was too late. He said hed already turned your soul in, I sobbed. I thought you were gone. I hugged him tightercouldnt get close enoughand he rubbed my back.
He didnt want to promise something he wasnt sure he could deliver. Tod stepped away so he could see my face. Thank you, Kaylee, he said, and I laughed at the absurdity, and the irony, and the inexpressible giddiness of getting a gifta surprise, at thatfrom the very agent of death whod taken my life.
Does this make us even, Reaper? I asked.
In answer, Tod kissed me.
And finally, my heart began to beat.
Im so sorry, I said, tears filling my eyes. But there was nothing I could do or say to make things right between me and Nash. Not now. Not after everything wed done to each other. How was it possible that a relationship Id once thought was meant to be could have spawned so much pain? Addiction. Lies. Betrayal. Unfaithfulness. Manipulation by Influence. And now suspicion of two murders. We couldnt have hurt each other worse if wed been trying.
Im so sorry, Nash, I said again. Because I had to try. Beck made me. He had a knife, and he was going to But I couldnt finish that thought. I didnt want Emma to know what Beck had threatened to do to her and Sophie. Ever. Im so, so sorry. And Id be paying for what Id done to him with every single day of my afterlife.
Nash, she died, Emma said softly. That bastard stabbed her and tried to steal her soul.
Sabines eyes widened, and I could see some of her anger fade, but Nash
What soul? Nash stomped past me unsteadily on his way to his room, and we all stared after him.
He doesnt mean that, Harmony said, and my father wrapped one arm around her in sympathy. Hesnot himself.
I nodded. It was my fault Nash wasnt himself, but I couldnt quite believe that he didnt mean it. Wouldnt I hate him if hed framed me for murder? Hadnt I hated him just a little, after what happened in the parking lot? And that was nothing, compared to what Id done.
Kaylee Harmony said, and I could see the question in the slow, pain-filled swirl of pale blue in her eyes, demandingyet dreadingto know the extent of her loss. Wheres Tod? Hes not answering his phone.
Tears filled my eyes again, and mydad pulled me close.
Harmony he began, and I realized then that he knew. Hed either seen Tod die, or hed figured it out. But he hadnt told her yet. Tod refused to reap Kaylees soul. Im so sorry.
Harmonys hands flew to her mouth, and her eyes watered. She dropped onto the couch and squeezed her eyes shut, but the tears leaked out anyway.
I tried I whispered, as my own tears fell. I tried to get him back, but Levi said there was nothing he could do.
And if youd waited another hour, that would have been true.
I froze in my fathers arms, and if my heart had been beating, surely it would have stopped at the sound of Tods voice. Harmony stood, red eyes wide, and I turned slowly.
Tod stood in front of the kitchen door, his arms crossed over his chest, his lips turned up in a half smile. He spread his arms, and I ran into them, and they closed around me, and I could feel him, warm and solid, and very real.
Levi says, Surprise, he whispered, and I pulled away just enough to look into his eyes. I take it I have you to thank for this?
Tears poured down my face and I was vaguely relieved to realize that I could still cry. He said it was too late. He said hed already turned your soul in, I sobbed. I thought you were gone. I hugged him tightercouldnt get close enoughand he rubbed my back.
He didnt want to promise something he wasnt sure he could deliver. Tod stepped away so he could see my face. Thank you, Kaylee, he said, and I laughed at the absurdity, and the irony, and the inexpressible giddiness of getting a gifta surprise, at thatfrom the very agent of death whod taken my life.
Does this make us even, Reaper? I asked.
In answer, Tod kissed me.
And finally, my heart began to beat.
