Page 51 of Find My Way Down to You

“Why?”

“They have not seen a mortal since their death.” His thumb skims up the daffodil tattoo on the inside of my arm. My skin buzzes. His breath ghosts along my ear as he whispers, “They might want to keep you.”

I draw back until our eyes find each other. There’s something teasing in his expression. That hint of a smile again.

“You’re joking,” I say.

“I do not joke,” he replies, but not very convincingly.

“You wouldn’t let them keep me,” I say with a smirk. “Then you’d be stuck with me. Forever.”

After a beat, Cary’s fingers uncurl from around my wrist. “Yes,” he says on a deep exhale. “Who would want that?”

“Definitely not me,” I murmur.

Quietly, he leads me through the field. I stay close to avoid disturbing the souls. Every few steps, my hand accidentally brushes the back of his. When it does, Cary’s eyes dart in my direction. Then look away.

To end our awkward silence, I say, “Do you come here a lot?”

“Sometimes.” The fingers on his other hand tickle the pointy petals of asphodels as we pass. “I do not have much free time.”

“Oh, right.” Embarrassment warms my cheeks “Because you’re the ferrier and all.”

“Ferrier and all,” he repeats almost wistfully.

A strange curiosity comes over me. I wonder what it’s like to have to travel the entire world constantly. To always be needed. Does he ever sleep? Is there freedom to do anything other than guide souls?

By the distant look on Cary’s face, I can tell he doesn’t want to talk about it. I decide not to press him.

My eyes concentrate on the souls we’re not far from. Blue and gossamer andreal. So many different faces. Young and old. From every region of the world.

A few of them pause to smile at Cary. One raises a hand to wave. Cary acknowledges her with a tiny nod.

I have a thought: “Do you remember all the souls you ferry?”

There’s an unexpected warmth in his voice, something like pride, when he says, “Most of them, yes. But not all.”

What if he remembers London? I consider asking, then quickly stop myself. I can’t seem too eager, too obvious.

Gradually, the crowd of souls grows. It’s nearly impossible to see everyone. I try anyway. But none of them look like the face I want. The one Ineed.

Disappointment wells in my stomach.

I turn to Cary. “Are there any other places souls go?” This can’t be all of Aides.

“There are…”

His eyes fix on a point beyond my head. I twist around, looking. Deeper out, a snaking river slices between this meadow and the next. Even from this distance, its vibrance is eye-catching. A glittery veil casts the land in gold.

With reverence, he says, “Elysium.”

Awe coats my voice. “What is it?”

Cary’s chin lifts. “Home of the exceptional. Of heroes. The selfless. Mortals who made great sacrifices for others.”

The cool breeze sweeps against the back of my neck. A smile kisses my lips. “It sounds amazing.”

“It is.”