Page 82 of Reaper's Ruin
Rhyker nodded, his body instantly shifting into a protective stance. “Stay behind me.”
We moved toward the sound that led us to an alcove tucked away from the main corridor. A young woman sat huddled on the floor, her face buried in her hands as her shoulders shook with sobs.
She wore an elaborate gown of pale silver, her dark hair tumbling in loose curls around her shoulders. When she looked up at our approach, I could see she was beautiful, with delicate features and eyes the color of storm clouds.
“Are you all right?” I asked, crouching down beside her.
The woman jerked back in shock, her eyes widening as she stared at me. “You can see me?”
I glanced at Rhyker, who stared at her too, so when my eyes flicked back to the woman, I knew I wasn’t hallucinating. “Yes? Why wouldn’t I be able to see you?”
“Because I’m dead,” she said simply, her voice breaking on the last word. “No one has seen me since it happened. No one has heard me. I’ve been screaming for help, and it’s like I don’t exist.”
A chill ran down my spine as understanding dawned. “You’re a ghost.”
The ghost was staring at us in confusion. “But how can you see me? Are you dead too?”
“It’s... complicated,” I replied, glancing around the busy corridor. “Let’s find somewhere more private to talk.”
“Soraya, we shouldn’t get involved,” Rhyker whispered. “We have enough problems of our own.”
I shot him a look. “We’re the only ones who can see her. I know how that feels. I’m not abandoning her.”
He let out a sigh I ignored, then I led the way to a small, empty sitting room nearby before ushering the ghost inside. Rhyker followed, his reluctance evident in every line of his body. Once the door clicked closed, I turned to the ghost.
“I’m Soraya,” I said. “And this is Rhyker.”
“Elira,” she replied, wiping away tears. “Princess Elira of the Storm Court.” Her gaze moved between us, curiosity replacing some of her distress. “You still haven’t explained how you can see me.”
I looked at Rhyker, who shrugged slightly, giving me permission to tell her the truth.
“We’re dead too,” I explained. “Sort of. Our souls are in physical forms right now, but technically, we’re both... not alive.”
Elira’s eyes widened. “So that’s why you can see me. But how are you—” she gestured at our bodies, “—like this?”
“Magic,” I said simply. “But never mind us. What happened to you, Elira? Why are you still here? You should have gotten a door to the afterlife.”
“A door? There’s supposed to be a door?” Fresh tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t know. I was killed... it was so horrible. One minute I was preparing for bed, the next...” She shuddered. “I woke up like this, screaming for help, but no one could hear me. I’ve been wandering the castle for weeks now, watching as life continues without me.”
Rhyker, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, suddenly straightened. “Weeks?” His eyes darted to the corners of the room, as if checking for something. “If she’s been dead for weeks...”
I understood immediately. “That means a Reaper will be coming for her soon.”
Elira looked between us, confusion clear on her face. “A Reaper? What’s that?”
Rhyker’sjaw tightened. “Someone who collects souls who haven’t moved on.” He glanced at me, concern evident in his eyes. “If one comes for her while we’re here—”
“They might see you,” I finished his thought. “And not all of them would be as helpful as Taelon.”
“The Veil Lords cannot find out what’s going on,” he muttered. “Taelon may have covered for me, and I’ve disappeared for extended periods before, and they’ve never questioned it. I still meet my soul quota more than any other Reaper. That buys me a little time before they send Veil Watchers looking for me, but that doesn’t matter if a Reaper spots me in this form. We need to get away from her. Now.”
I turned back to Elira, trying to focus on her situation despite the knot of anxiety forming in my stomach. “Do you know who killed you?”
“No,” she whispered, hugging herself as if cold. “I didn’t see a face. But I think it was because of my royal lineage. Someone has been picking us off one by one.” Fury flashed in her eyes. “But I don’t even know why? What have I ever done to deserve this?”
Rhyker’s eyes narrowed. “Your brother—Prince Alaric—he was named heir immediately after, wasn’t he?”
“He’s my cousin actually. I was the King’s daughter. But yes,” Elira nodded. “The very next day.”
