Page 78 of The Reaper's Vice

I standin the shadow of the brush, my eyes locked on Seraphina as she walks toward my blue truck. I couldn’t justleaveher, but I also couldn’t stay. Not when she looked at me like that. Like she?—

I can’t finish the rest of the thought. Because if I think about the hatred in her eyes, I’ll fall apart. I’ll shatter into a million, billion tiny pieces, and I’ll never be able to put myself back together. So I stand here, watching her long legs strain as she steps into the cabin of the truck.

How can something so close be so fucking far out of reach? It defies the laws of nature, the universe. And I can’t—I can’t lose her. Not like this. Not now.

Yet I have.

I lost her.

I never had her.

The sick realization twists into my mind and causes my heart to burst, and I fall to my knees, watching the taillights disappear into the forest, leaving me with nothing but exhaust, heartache, and the knowledge of what I know to be true.

She’s gone.

PART THREE

THE ENDING

38

SERAPHINA

“THE RED LINE”

I pressmy foot to the gas, not caring how fast I’m speeding as I race toward Maggie’s and my apartment. I can’t begin to fathom what I would do if they were able to find her—if I lost Maggie on the same day I lost Vee. My mind is a mess as I slam the truck into park on the sidewalk, leaving the keys in the ignition and the door open wide as I race up the steps of the apartment.

My chest is heaving by the time I make it to the second floor, my hands quaking as I try to jam my key into the lock. I throw open the door, charging inside as my eyes fly wildly around the room, searching for anything out of place.

Thankfully, nothing looks like it’s been ransacked—and I guess the fact the door was locked should have tipped me off to that, but I was just too out of my mind after what happened with Vee. I stand in the center of the room for a moment, steadying my emotions before I have to face Maggie.

I move toward her door, not bothering to knock, before I throw the door wide. A massive wave of relief crests over my shoulder as I see Maggie sitting in bed, her eyes closed and humming a gentle tune. Except it’s not a happy one—not at all—and something about the haunting lilt reminds me of the song Orion sang to me in the forest.

Her eyes pop when she senses me standing there, and a bright white smile eats up her freckled face. “Nina! I’m so happy you’re ho?—”

She doesn’t get to finish the sentence as I throw my arms around her. Tears leak from my eyes as I run a hand over her curly red hair, half of me still not believing she’s genuinely okay. “Magoo… Magoo, I promise I will never leave you ever again.”

She pulls back, her brows furrowed in worry. “Nina? What’s wrong?”

I shake my head, not having the strength to tell her what happened to Vee just yet. “I just… oh God, I’m so happy you’re okay.” I pull her in for another hug, holding tight even when she starts to wriggle from my hold.

“Ow! Nina, you’re squishing me!” A laugh bubbles from her lips, easing some of the sorrow throbbing beneath my skin. Instead of letting go, I pull her even closer, my throat burning from the strength I keep my sobs inside.

“Magoo… I don’t know what I would do without you.” I close my eyes as a tear leaks free. “Promise we’ll never be apart. Promise me, Magoo.”

“Silly Nina. Of course we’ll always be together!” She pulls back with a carefree smile on her face. “We’re the bestest of friends. I could never leave you.”

I nod, clutching to her words and willing them to be true. “Okay. Okay, good.” I slowly release my grip, pulling back with an embarrassed grin. “Sorry… I just?—”

“You don’t need to explain, Nina. I understand.” Her eyes hold some unspoken words I can’t make out, and right now, I don’t think I want to.

Her hand pats the duck poking out of my pocket. “What’s this?”

I pull it out, my heart heavy as I hold out the little black duck in my palm.

“It’s just a stupid duck,” I whisper, throwing it onto the couch. I don’t want aduck.I want Vee. And the reality that I never will again is too painful to bear.

A tinkling noise draws my attention to the floor, and I’m surprised to find a small storage locker key lying beneath the coffee table. I step toward it, stooping and pinching the silver key between my fingers.

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