Page 71 of Leafpoint Lighthouse

Allan roared with laughter and grabbed Lyra around the throat.

“Say goodbye,” Allan cackled. He held Lyra out over the ledge, and her eyes sprang open. I lunged for her just as she punched into Allan’s chest and tore his heart out. Allan screamed, toppling backwards. Lyra scrabbled for purchase and started to fall as I swung an arm out. Her hand grabbed mine, and within an instant, I teleported to the rear of Devil’s Edge.

Allan began to regain his balance.

I moved quickly, grabbing the rotting heart from Lyra as she shrieked uncontrollably and threw it into the fire.

“No!” Allan yelled as I tackled him. Time slowed. I hit Allan head-on, wrapping my arms around his decomposing body. The flames flared as they consumed his heart. Lyra was scrambling forward on her knees, her eyes meeting mine. She was screaming a denial, and her arm was outstretched, reaching for me. Then Allan and I began falling. I glanced down and saw a black tunnel opening up below. The doorway to hell, welcoming Allan home.

I shoved Allan away from me, and a sense of peace washed over me. Lyra appeared above me, and I hoped she knew how much I’d love her. I’d rest easy, knowing she was safe. A bright white light emerged above Lyra, and I blinked. Was that heaven coming for me? It was too late; hell would take me.

Allan’s screams echoed as darkness began swallowing us both. The tunnel began to collapse as we dropped, and then a pale figure appeared above me and grabbed my wrist.

“Not today, Old Boney,” he roared and pulled. I was dragged upwards, and there was a boom, and silence fell. Not even the waves made a noise; the wind died, and above me all I could see was Lyra gazing at me.

Time restarted, and I was launched onto the ledge, and Lyra tackled me. She was sobbing as she wrapped her arms around me, ignoring the stinking mess on my clothes. We held each other tightly, both of us crying. We’d survived.

“Avery!” Lyra cried.

“Where is he?”

“Allan tore him apart because Avery tried to save me. He killed our boy,” she sobbed. My heart sank. No, that is not possible.

“Avery!” I bellowed. “Son, come here!”

“Avery’s gone,” a voice said.

“Luc, you’re a fool! You risked too much just now!” a man scolded.

I spun around and saw four people behind us. I couldn’t see their faces; they were blurred.

“No, can’t be! Avery!” I roared.

“Why do you care about a little orphan ghost?” a woman questioned.

“Avery is our child. He is not an orphan,” I snarled.

“He was a ghost, just like you. Lyra’s alive; you can’t have a dead family. Do you not understand how that is wrong?”

“No,” Lyra snapped. “Love is love.”

“Love between the dead and the living?” the woman inquired.

“Sela,” the man chided,

“Luc,” she coolly replied.

“Who are you?” I demanded finally.

“Someone who can offer you a choice. William, I can give you life again. To feel the blood rushing through your veins, your heart pumping, and to have a life with Lyra. Or you may remain as you are.” The one they named Luc stepped forward.

I swapped glances with Lyra as she held my eyes. Lovingly, I kissed her forehead. “Will you bring our son back and give him that?” I asked.

“Why him?” Sela demanded.

“Because he’s our child,” Lyra replied, her fists clenched in my jumper.

“How interesting. William, you would sacrifice the gift of life for a child not even related to you?” a third man remarked.