Page 103 of The Reaper's Vice

First, for never explaining the contents of this locker. For never confiding in you about my past. You must realize—as someone who was almost forced to become a Madam herself—how secretive we are about the organization that raised us. How, even though we hate them, we still carry a shred of loyalty to them. You and I may be the only two people who know it. For we escaped. Wesurvived.

Forty years ago, I was tasked with selecting a new Madam. Knowing I would have to end my life, knowing it was what the Sanctum expected of me.

I was a coward—or the bravest person alive—but I ran the day after selection. I grabbed my possessions in the dead of night, and I took to the streets. I hid in plain sight, knowing the Sanctum would never expect to find me there. Not a Madam—with her taste for finery, with the extravagant life of luxury I was allowed to live.

What fools they were.

I had resigned to live my life alone and on the streets of Moriton when I came across… you.

When I saw you ten years ago, scrawny and dirty and rummaging through the trash—I knew exactly what you were. I could see so much of myself in those eyes of yours—so much of the anger, the hatred I carried with me to that day. But when I saw you, it all fell away. And suddenly, I wanted to be good. I wanted to help you.

And so, I did.

The more I got to know you, the more I realized how truly alike we were. You see, we have both lost someone dear to us. Someone we swore we would protect—and we failed. I was not allowed to have anything of my Aaron’s—even the little duck he gave me was burned to ash by the Sanctum. I was not allowed to keep his remains, or bury him in a dignified way. I was not allowed to mourn.

So when I found out about your Maggie—you do like to talk in your sleep—I knew I had to do something. I snuck out one night, to the place I know they keep the remains of fallen Madam and Mask trainees… and I took your Maggie back for you.

I know this will offer no comfort—will take away none of the pain—but at least now, you can have a piece of the girl you loved. The one you will always love.

Mourn her, Seraphina. Take as much time as you need. And when you’re ready… let her go. You have lost so much already, but I’m hoping this will offer you a shred of comfort.

I know my death must be painful as well—and I so wish I was there to hold you, to tell you it will be okay. But I am not, so I must leave you with the only thing I have left. My advice:

You will never escape the things they did to you. It will hurt. It will hurt deep, and it will hurt long. It will consume you until you think you can’t blink, breathe, or be without feeling that sharp, painful ache.

But it only hurts because you survived.

So keep surviving, my darling girl. Show them all who you are. Show them what it means to be good, to turn your face from evil. Show them what it means to havestrength—and not the kind that comes from brute force, but the one that comes from within.

You have a powerful heart, Seraphina. One capable of so, so much love.

Give it to someone. If it’s the last thing you do—if you only do it for me—just promise me you will.

There is no better cure in the world.

All my love,

Vee.

Tears fall freely down my face as I finish the contents of the letter. I fold it neatly, hands shaking and making it nearly impossible to stuff it into my pocket. I reach for the urn—the remains of my precious Magoo—and I hold it to my chest like a lifeline.

Orion steps over to me, throwing his arms around me and pulling me deep into his chest, keeping me in one piece as my sobs fill the air. They’re sad cries—but also relieved, and I’m such a mess of differing emotions, I’m not sure what to do. When they subside, he pulls back, blue eyes shimmering with barely contained worry.

I know he wants to talk—to know about the contents of the letter. And soon, when it stops hurting so much, I’ll tell him. Until then…

I look up at him, the warmth in his gaze thawing my blackened heart.

“Let’s go home.”

52

ORION

“ONE TALL POLE”

As soon asSeraphina and I get into the cabin, she turns to me, nibbling her bottom lip with lowered lids. My heart stutters, shooting hot blood throughout my body as my cock throbs to attention.

“Fuck,” I groan. “I know what that look is for.”

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