Page 223 of War

“And—thank you, for bringing my daughter back to us,” my mother adds, her eyes moving to me.

War’s own gaze slides to mine, and he gives me a gentle look, one that makes me forget he was ever anything besides my soul mate. “That’s what you do for those you love,” he says. “You bring them back.”

Epilogue

Year 16 of the Horsemen

It begins witha tremble. The ground quakes from deep within, each second more violent than the last, until it feels as though the very earth itself were trying to shake off its own skin.

Colossal waves crash along coastlines, buildings fall to the earth, and across the world, people take shelter as they wait for the terrible earthquake to pass.

The first horseman staggers as the truth hits him.It’s happening again.

The second horseman wakes from sleep with a sharp inhalation. Ancient words are ripped from his lips. “Ina bubutiimuttu.”

They will die of hunger.

And in a crypt of his own making, an unearthly creature stirs.

His fingers flex around his scythe. His bronze armor rustles as he stirs.

His green eyes open and he draws in his first breath in many long years.

And then he smiles.