A Shadow in the Reaping

"The Bay of Souls," Ember says, leaning forward and casting her gaze to the horizon. "It’s where the detritus of human civilization comes to suffer for eternity. Isn't it beautiful?"

"Not really," Ediye says.

I shake my head.

Ember smiles. The sparks and cinders in her eyes dance with amusement.

We reach the end of the bridge and the fog thickens, but I can still see the black marble blocks of a tall gate in the mist as our carriage passes the threshold. Gargoyles loom over the guards that stand watch, silver spears with points of flame aimed to the dim light of a hidden sun.

The road curves and we stop at a tall building of the same polished black marble as the gate, imposing and unwelcoming. Torches ripple on either side of heavy iron doors, a line of guards in armor standing either side. We exit the carriage and it lumbers away, squeaking as it rolls into the abyss of silver mist.

Our taxi isn't going to wait, I guess, I sign to Ediye. She has her fiercest, most badass face on, and I love her for it. Her only acknowledgement of my uneasy message is a twitch in her lip.

Ember leads our party up the wide stairway to the entrance, not bothering to check if we follow. The Reapers behind us push us along. The guards at the doors pull them open with great effort despite their strength, and we pass into a hall of shadow.

The rhythm of my heart doubles in the dark. I can't see as well as I normally can. Pins pierce my eyes and I stumble in pain. Ediye grips my arm and whispers encouragement close to my ear. Keep going, Lu. Focus on the sound of my voice. One foot in front of the other. The guard tugs on the chain in another warning and she snarls her own warning back at him. But she doesn't give in. She doesn't stop. She continues her soothing monotone, even when I trip and she pulls me back up. Even when I stop to vomit blood on the slick black floor. Even when I close my eyes and lean against her as we walk.

So I focus on the things I can cling to as I drift on waves of unrelenting pain. How I can't give up, because Ediye needs me now as much as I need her. I have to get her out of the Shadow Realm. And I think of Ashen, that he's got to be here somewhere. That I need to find him, even if I don't have a spell to guide me. Even if it's only for a last look or a final word, to tell him how I feel. That I'm not just falling into love, I've landed in the very depths of it. It’s as consuming as the desperation of not knowing where he is. And I don't think I've got much time left to tell him, because I'm not going to make it very long like this. I might not get another chance.

We walk for what feels like an eternity. Our steps echo up the stone walls that encase us like a tomb. I try to picture the good things I can think of when pain threatens to drown me. I feel Ediye's steps falter beside me and I open my eyes.

The space opens to a wide room, many stories high. Black smoke cascades up the wall like a reverse waterfall. A dais stands before us, lit by shafts of light from a window behind us that must sit above the cover of fog. We slow to a halt.

There are three Reapers standing on the platform.

The one in the center is a tall man, older but still handsome, with streaks of grey in his dark hair and trimmed beard. His hand is folded around a long metal spear that rests at his side.

To the left, a woman with fair skin and waves of red hair that fall across her shoulders. Her hands are clasped together at her waist, her expression placid but observant.

To the right is Ashen.

I close my eyes and bend my head as relief overwhelms me. It floods my veins like a soothing serum, and for a moment I imagine it cools my burning skin and calms my pain. Tears sting my eyes and when I open them they fall, thick and cool on my fevered skin.

Ashen's expression is unreadable. I can see the rise and fall of his chest. I can almost smell the ink and tobacco that would comfort me if I could just feel his embrace. I meet his eyes and see the spark of flame in his pupils. I don't know what thoughts might live behind them. Everything is buried far beneath layers of armor centuries thick.

"Well done, Ember," the man says as Ember separates from our group, stepping closer to the dais. "When you spoke of a weapon to bring the Realm of Light to its knees, I hardly believed you. But now I see. She shines very bright indeed. I can see the stain of their promise on her soul."

I look from the man to Ashen and back again. My fingertips are numb. I don't feel them as I press my nervous grip into Ediye's arm.

"Not only that, Master Eshkar. She is Leucosia, the last of the original sirens. The one that gave Hakan an everlasting death on the island of Anthemoessa," Ember says, looking back at me with a smile of malice and delight. I hear the sharp intake of breath from the two unfamiliar Reapers on the dais as their shocked gazes shift between me and Ember. I look to Ashen. There is ferocity and determination in his gaze as he flicks it to Ember. He meets my eyes again and I wonder if he might tear this room apart.

"Truly?" the woman asks, and Ember gives a definitive nod. "How is that possible?"

"She faked her death. I'm sure the witch here had something to do with it. Perhaps my brother can confirm the specifics." Ember turns on her heel, pressing the sharp point on the stone as she locks her eyes to mine. "None of this would have been possible without him, after all."

My heart ricochets on my ribs.

"Gaining Leucosia's trust, luring her here... bringing her to the enemy... using her to uncover their secrets."

My lungs burn in the absence of breath.

"Releasing the pack of hyenas into House Urbigu was a particular stroke of genius on his behalf. Nothing grows trust and affection like fighting danger together, isn't that right, brother?"

I turn my gaze to Ashen. His eyes are fused to Ember. He says nothing. No affirmation. No denial. No acknowledgement that I'm dismantling right before him.

Despair crashes through my chest. I try to grip my heart, as though the shattered pieces will pierce through my skin. Needles of pain radiate through my eyes. My legs and arms tremble. I drop to my knees before Ediye can catch me. I seize but I stay conscious long enough for Ediye to pull a thermos of her potion from the hands of one of the guards, forcing the liquid down my throat. Ediye's arms fold around me until the tremors subside.

"What is wrong with you, vampire?" Eshkar asks when Ediye hauls me to my feet. She knows me better than anyone. She knows I won't want to writhe on the floor. I wipe my tears and swallow my sorrow, raising my eyes to the man in the fiercest glare I can manage. "Speak."

"She can't," Ediye says.

"It's a lie. She can," Ember snaps.

"Not anymore. They burned it from her."

My glare intensifies as tears for another loss mount in my eyes. I turn my feral rage to Ashen. He looks back at me, the flame brightening in his eyes. The hand clasped around the hilt of his sword tenses.

"They started the process of turning her into a hybrid," Ediye says. "They have not finished."

Ember turns toward the dais. "Good. We will finish the job. Bring me Gallus and I will see it done."

The woman with the red hair nods.

"Not only have you brought us a powerful weapon that will win the war against the Realm of Light, but you found a great prize that had slipped away without our knowledge," Eshkar says as he turns toward Ashen. Ashen pulls his eyes away from mine and for a moment I think I see pain within them, but maybe it's just my own that I imagine there. "Your service to the Shadow Realm has been long and dedicated. You have earned a great reward."