Page 12

seven

.

.

.

Towering stone buildings clustered together, reaching up high, silhouetted by the blood orange sky.

Humans and ethereal beings walked the shimmering charcoal paths, some snaking along the ground, others lifting beyond my view, scaled by figures too distant to see clearly.

They were all dressed in a variety of garb from plain frocks and simple night dresses to elaborate gowns and suits with funny box-looking hats.

Generations of the dead, all coalescing in Occasus.

“There are so many,” I said, taking in a couple holding hands, a human in a long sequined dress and another woman in tight trousers, a flowy blouse, and bare feet.

“Are these the things they died in?”

“For some. There are shops and things, as the dead have unlimited time. Many prefer to be in the clothes they are familiar with, though there are some who enjoy trying out a variety of styles over the centuries, not that we worry about when it is in Occasus.”

“When is it here?”

Death shrugged.

“Who knows, I stopped counting millennia ago.”

As we passed, the dead visited with Death as if they were old friends.

There were no fearful gazes or angry looks.

Granted, many of these people could have been deceased for a long time, but from the desperate way the Emperor had clung to life, had begged for my song to abate Death’s visits, I had always imagined souls being intimidated or terrified of Death, maybe both.

“It is normal to fear Death, but many realize shortly after I find them that I am merely a guide to a new beginning. Scary, yes. Something to be terrified of? Absolutely not.”

I blinked a few times, remembering that Death could read my thoughts and wishing I didn’t have so much to think about right now.

If only there were a way to stop my mind from running away with all sorts of scenarios, not that any of them would make sense.

This place already bent the world as I understood it, even the small parts I’d had access to in my lifetime.

“Also, my name is not Death. It’s Reaper.” Their captivating eyes sparkled with stars and I wished I could see what lay beneath their hooded face.

“Maybe one day I will show you, Lyric. But only when we are alone.”

Alone flickered in the back of my mind.

It was a word my life had been full of, that usually brought great sadness, so much so that I often shoved it away.

Maybe it was simply hearing how my name sounded on another’s lips, beautiful and reverent.

But the word from Reaper’s lips was a warm promise, like a wood fire on a cold dreary night.

The thin veil of fabric covering their mouth twitched.

“So now that I am dead?—”

Reaper halted in place then pivoted to face me, their sharp brows drawing together.

“You’re not dead.”

Their attention scanned over the throngs of beings wandering the paths and looking down at us from windows high above.

“Not everyone in Occasus is dead. There are those, like you and I, who are called here to serve a greater purpose, one beyond the mortal-dwelling realms.”

Realms , as in there was more than one.

The world suddenly felt so vast, and I, so small and insignificant.

I thought I’d had a purpose in the palace, bringing joy and glory to the empire, saving the Emperor, but where had that gotten me?

What would my purpose be here?

“Well, that’s truly up to you,” Reaper answered, and it was no less unsettling.

They continued walking up the long winding path that seemed to trace the sky toward the furthest reaches where orange bled into a rich scarlet.

That tower was larger than the rest and once we made it about halfway up the slope, everyone who had been using the same path had veered in other directions toward other buildings.

Reaper’s voice lowered, still smooth and dulcet, only with a tinge of softness.

It was a tone I wouldn’t expect from someone who had a sea of shadows trailing behind them, even if they were hidden from view.

“I do hope you’ll help me.”

“Is that why you made the bargain?” I asked, glancing behind me at the thick waves of smoky bodies and tendrils, a few broke off and floated toward other buildings.

“It’s one of the reasons.”

“And the other reasons?”

They scoffed.

“You like to ask a lot of questions, don’t you, Songbird?”

I snapped my mouth shut.

Nodding up at the building ahead, they held out their hand, nails a sparkling jet black that reminded me of their starlit eyes.

I slipped my palm against theirs, a prickling sensation running from the point of contact and through the rest of me.

My heart pounded a quick beat, deep and rich.

A reminder that I was, as Reaper had claimed, alive.

A smile bubbled up from my chest at that, along with the steady rapping that lingered within my ribs.

Because that pulsing metronome of my kin?

It was more steady and vibrant than ever.