Page 106 of The Reaper's Vice

I reach my arm back, feeling the space in my backpack where I’ve carefully stored Maggie and Vee’s ashes. My eyes sting with tears as I think of their smiling faces, but I press forward, needing to make it to the top before the sun crests the horizon.

It seems too good to be true when we finally reach the summit. Every muscle in my body screams for me to bend over, to sit and rest after that tiresome journey, but I can’t. I’m frozen, awestruck by the beautiful scene in front of me.

It feels like I’m on top of the world—and I’m not sure if it’s the altitude or the physical activity, or both—but I can’t seem to catch my breath. Orion stands next to me, his hand enveloping mine as we look out at the horizon. The top of the sun is just starting to appear, coloring the snow-capped mountains in beautiful pink and golden hues. The snow sparkles like diamonds in the glowing light, burning my retinas and making my chest ache with the pure beauty of it.

“It’s spectacular.” The howling wind carries my voice away. Orion squeezes my hand, unzipping my bag and pulling out the two small urns. One silver for Vee, one bright red for Maggie. Both small and tough and beautiful—just like the two women I loved so much.

As the sun rises higher in the sky, bathing the world in a bright golden light, Orion helps me pull the tops from the urns. My hands shake as I hold the vases out over the cliff, and for one horrible moment, I don’t think I’ll be able to do it. I don’t think I can let go.

“You were right.”

I look to the side, my mouth parting in shock as I gaze into Maggie’s cobalt eyes.

“Wh—right about what?” I sputter.

She gestures to the horizon, her cheeks spreading in an infectious grin. “We made it to the top of the mountain.” Her bright pink aura bursts from her shoulders, mingling with the hue of the sunrise and casting her face in a beautiful light. “You brought me to see the sunrise. Just like you said you would.”

My eyes brim with tears, but for the life of me, I can’t seem to form the words to respond. I blink, and Vee appears at her side, placing a warm, weathered palm onto Maggie’s shoulder.

“You did it, Seraphina.” The corners of her eyes crinkle with her smile. “I knew you could. Now, there’s just one thing left.”

“We love you, Nina,” Maggie adds. “We always will. But now, it’s time to let us go.”

I nod, holding back the heaving sob that tries to break free. For a moment, I’m worried I’ll drop the urns because my hands are shaking so badly. But then Orion reaches out, covering my frigid skin with his warm, calloused palm, and I stop shivering.

“It’s okay, little dove.” He places a delicate kiss atop my head. “You can do this.”

Sucking in a breath, I spare one last, long glance at Maggie and Vee. Etching their faces into my mind—my soul—so I might always have them with me.

“I love you, too,” I choke. “I willalwayslove you.”

I turn my eyes from those spirits, gazing out at the wonderful sunrise. I twist my wrists, watching as the breeze captures the ashes and willows them away. I hold my hand outstretched until the last of my loved ones is gone, and long after that.

I only realize I’ve been crying when Orion reaches out, swiping my tears away with the pad of his thumb. I look up at him, letting the pure love brimming in his gaze ground me.

Save me.

When I feel like I’m not going to break apart, I take my eyes back to the horizon, admiring the rising sun. And when I speak, my voice is no more than a whisper.

“Maggie and Vee always believed in a good, kind being… not the ones the Sanctum told us to pray to.” I blink at the brightening sky, a vise tightening around my heart. “They believed their souls would go someplace better after this life. They really thought that—believed it with all of their being. I think it was why they remained so positive… sogoodup until the very end.” Orion grabs my hand, and I cling to it like a lifeline as tears stream down my face. “I never believed in any of that, but still, I hope… I hope, wherever they are, that someone heard them coming. That they’re taking care of them.”

Orion looks at me, takes my chin in his hand, and pulls me back to earth. “If there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s that today, someone decided to listen. I know it like I know the forests of Moriton.” He takes a deep breath, sparing a glance toward the horizon before settling back on me. “They’re safe, little dove. No one can hurt them anymore.”

I can only nod, turning toward the vast openness as my tears dry—the weight in my soul lifting. I fear I will never be rid of it completely, but it’s lightened tenfold by the wonderful man at my side. And one day, I’ll be able to look back on these memories and smile, knowing I had them.

Just as I’m about to turn back, my gaze snags on two little birds dancing among the pink and orange sunrise, wings spread proud as they shrill their joy to the heavens. One tipped with silver, the other a vibrant red—both striking and beautiful and graceful andfree.

I have to do a double take because I know for a fact that particular species shouldn’t be found at this altitude. It’s impossible. Inconceivable.

Yet they’re unmistakable.

Shrikes.

The End.

EPILOGUE

SERAPHINA

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