Michael
The clearing is empty when I arrive. I make the long whooping call, cupping my hands around my mouth, putting my whole breath behind it.
A moment later I’m surrounded by dark shapes, stark against the bright green forest.
‘Michael?’ Flynn’s voice, recognisable through the mask.
‘Is Cass here?’
‘I’m here.’ My sister grabs the back of my neck, squeezing perhaps a little tighter than she needs to. ‘But why the fuck are you?’
I twist out of her grasp. ‘It’s a long story.’
‘It’s good to see you, man.’ Flynn slings an arm around my shoulders, bringing me along the familiar pathway towards the settlement. ‘How’s Emelia?’ His voice changes, darkening. ‘We saw … I mean, fucking God and darkness. What a shitshow. Is she all right?’
‘She’s broken.’ An ache in my chest, echo of her pain. ‘About as well as you could expect.’ I hate that I had to leave her; would never have done it, if there was any other option. But I need to stay alive, for her. For us. She knew it, too, that she couldn’t keep me safe for ever, not without caging me. I was a marked man from the moment my brother swung his sword, one last terrible twisted gift from my family. I have to lock away my pain, my sorrow, and thank my lucky stars I have somewhere safe to go. Ira, at least, will keep us connected. We’ll be together again one day, I know it.
‘Give her my love,’ Flynn says. ‘And I don’t mean that like a dick.’
‘No can do.’ I bite the words out.
‘Are you out, brother?’ Cass falls into step with us. There’s an uncharacteristic gentleness to her tone. ‘I thought she gave you her name.’
‘She did. It wasn’t enough to protect me, though.’ The forest rises around me, a glimpse of cloud-flecked skies above the treetops. Last time I was here, Emelia was in my arms, her soft skin, her scent all around me. It’s hell to be apart from her.
I took the long way here, Ira getting me on several different transports, moving me around so with each stop I shed a part of who I was, until I was just Michael, another orphan looking for a new life. Except for her. She’s given me her name; I wanted to give her mine, but this is better. A piece of her I can hold onto until we see each other again.
I saw the news report, about the Channel Islands, and how they think it’s Reapers. My heart aches for her, knowing she’ll do what it takes to keep our secrets. But whoever is attacking Raven lands risks bringing the wrath of Raven onto us, destroying what we protect with our lives. If someone is trying to implicate Reapers in massacres, I’m going to stop them. They want blood, I’ll give it to them.
‘Is that why you’re here? You’ve come back to hide out? Or are you just the first wave of whatever attack she’s going to unleash on us, now that she knows where we are?’ The usual sting is absent from Cass’s voice, though. I know she liked Emelia and is probably shaken by what happened.
‘You know she won’t say a word.’
‘Even with the entire pressure of Raven on her?’
‘She’s stronger than you know. I’m here because I have to be. She’ll keep us informed of any developments, via Ira. There’s no threat.’
‘Come on, Cass, give him a break.’
Flynn. My brother in every way except blood. We’ve fought together, many times, and I know he has my back. They all do. My sister stares at me for a moment, then bumps my shoulder with hers. It’s the closest thing to a hug we’ll ever do, I guess.
‘Okay. You’re back in. But I cannot let you leave again. You’re our insurance, now.’
Fine. If that’s how it’s to be. I’ll stay here under dark trees, with my memories of her. Stay true until we’re together again, and safeguard this way of life until she can make it happen on the outside.
‘I know. But I’m in, Cass. I want to wear the black.’
My sister nods. Flynn whoops as we head into the heart of the woods, shadows closing around us.
And I am a Reaper once more.
ChapterFifty-Six
DARKNESS RISES
It took all I had to hold it together long enough to make those orders. But it’s done, now. I watched the newsreel as long as I could, then left the room. No one followed, apart from Bertrand. I went to the library, waiting while he flashed around the room, not caring if there was any threat there. Let them come.
Now I’m sitting on the sofa, my knees pulled up to my chest, staring into space.
