Page 42 of Death and Divination
“Well, I’m thinking of heading over to the hospital,” I told them. “If Ophelia shows up here and I’m not back, can you send her over?”
“Absolutely.” Edward stood and smacked me on the shoulder. Both men said their goodbyes, and Flora shouted a farewell from the back room as I left and walked through town to the big gray blocky building that served as Accident’s hospital.
I wasn’t going to see that nice nurse who was more than happy to demonstrate all the medical equipment to me, nor to reap souls, although I could tell there were a few in the hospital that would probably be getting a visit from a reaper sooner rather than later. I wanted to visit Ophelia’s twin sister, Sylvie.
The guard who’d caught Ophelia and I making out in the parking lot was there at the door, giving me a nod and a knowing wink as he waved me inside. With a quick check to make sure Sylvie hadn’t yet left the hospital, I headed upstairs to find her alone in her room.
Standing in the doorway, we stared at each other for a moment.
“I know you.” Her voice trembled. “Are you here…for me?”
“No,” I reassured her. “Ophelia made a deal and I resurrected you.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “Don’t take her. Please don’t take her. I can’t let her die in my place.”
“She’s not going to die in your place.” I walked in and stood beside Sylvie’s bed. “I’m the one who died. I’m not a reaper any more. At least I don’tthinkI’m a reaper any more. Plants. Maybe small animals. Actually, I think Imightbe able to reap a soul if I’m in the right place at the right time, but I’m not hearing the call any more. I’m not being sent all over the world to ease mortals in their transition.”
“Why? Why would you do that? Why did you spare me?” she asked, her eyes searching mine.
“Because I love your sister.” Love. Two years ago, I hadn’t even known what that word meant, what it felt like. And now I was completely certain that Ophelia had my heart.
Sylvie’s lips trembled into a smile, then she laughed. “Seriously? A reaper falls in love with my sister who is terrified of death.”
“Opposites attract?” I smiled in return, pulled a chair up beside Sylvie’s bed and sat. “How are you feeling today?”
“Like I was electrocuted, died, and then was forced to drink a gallon of rotted seaweed-flavored sewage,” she shot back. “Actually, I don’t feel bad. Glenda’s smoothies make me want to puke, but they’re definitely powerful potions. My chest doesn’t hurt any more. My arms and legs aren’t shaking any more. I’m thinking clearer. I’m remembering more about that night.”
“You had memory loss?” I asked.
She nodded. “Some of that night was kind of blurry. Were we eating lasagna or ziti? Was Aaron there or not? I remembered needing to microwave the hot fudge, but nothing about what happened once I went into the kitchen. I was dead—definitely dead. I remember…I remember seeing you. I knew you were a reaper, and I felt okay about it. Not happy. Not sad. Just sort of resigned. Then there was all this pain and I was gasping for breath on the kitchen floor.” She reached out and touched my arm. “You resurrected me?”
“Your soul had separated. You’re right. You were dead. A life for a life.” I struggled to find a way to explain it, thinking of all the books, magazine articles, and canned food labels I’d read, along with all the late-night television I’d binged on. “Without a reaper to cut the cord, you were dead, but you still remained tethered to your body. Once Ophelia acknowledged my offer and accepted it, I died in your place.”
Her hand gripped my arm. “But you’re still alive. And from what you said, you’re still kind of a reaper.”
“Death isn’t final; it’s just a transition,” I told her. “I died as a reaper and have transformed into something else. I’m still trying to figure out what that something else is.”
“And you love my sister,” she prompted.
“Ophelia is my life.” I thought of one of those late-night movies I’d watched. “In a wholesome, non-threatening, respectful of her autonomy sort of way.”
Sylvie laughed. “Wholesome. Let me tell you right now…whatever your name is, my sister isn’t as wholesome as she pretends to be. I hope your love for her includes getting busy between the sheets because she could seriously use some good sex in her life.”
“We’ve made love many times,” I told her. “I’m enjoying that level of intimacy with your sister and I hope we continue to do that a lot. Several times a day.”
For some reason that made Sylvie laugh so hard I thought I might need to call the doctor in.
“Ilikeyou, reaper. Honesty and clear communication are an essential component to any healthy relationship. So, what’s your name?”
“Ophelia calls me Nash,” I said.
“Nash.” She nodded as if she approved. “Here’s the deal, Nash who used to be a reaper and still might be when it comes to plants. Support Ophelia in everything she does because she needs someone to do that. Tell her how smart and awesome she is on a regular basis. Sheissmart and awesome, but it’s always good to be adored and be adored for more than your boobs or epic blow job ability. With me so far?”
I nodded, even though I was so not with her.
“Hold her when she wakes up with nightmares and visions. Listen to her without judgement. Let her know you’ll never leave her, that she’ll never wake up one morning and find you gone, because that’s a big fear of hers.” Sylvie’s voice broke a bit on that one. “It’s a big fear with all of us.”
“I won’t leave her,” I assured the witch. “Unless she tells me I need to leave, then I’ll stand outside and watch and wait because she might change her mind. Is that crossing a line?”
