Page 63

ATTICUS

Lyr and I can never seem to get the planning aspect down, but even with us ditching it and Lyr ad-libbing her way through her revenge, this definitely wasn’t a part of it.

The Grim Reaper? Here? Now? But why?

“What do you mean?” My voice comes out in a near-snarl as I question the thing in front of me.

“It is time.” The reaper gestures to Lyr. “For her to go home.”

This is all too sudden, and I can’t allow him to take her. I need Lyr, and she needs me. I think about everything we’ve been through thus far—disposing of her body, getting revenge on Jake and coming face-to-face with a demon, killing her mother, and now this—the grim reaper is here to collect my Strawberry Girl.

“You can’t have her.” I stand my ground and put my foot down on the matter.

“Attie, please—” Lyr protests.

I interrupt, “No, Lyric. This wasn’t part of the plan⁠—”

“There is no plan! There never was. Our goal was to get me home. I thought you wanted this for me…”

She sounds so defeated, and my heart cracks at the inclination that I’m hurting her. I know what I said. Acknowledging my agreement, I concur I was unprepared. I wasn’t sure it would actually work, and even if it did, I thought I had more time. More time to tell her I love her, more time to convince her to stay… just—more.

“Enough!” the reaper bellows, grabbing our attention.

“This is not up for negotiation,” he exclaims, “I’m telling you that this is what’s happening. My instructions are to retrieve her and bring her home. Now is your chance to say goodbye. You will not receive another opportunity.”

I lunge for Lyr and yank her into my chest. She grunts at the abrupt snag, stiffening slightly before eventually melting into my arms. I know that what I’m about to do is selfish. I sit with my guilt for just a minute before pushing Lyr back a little to peer down at her. I stare into her eyes, and it’s like I can see the storm whirling inside them.

In the time that I have known her, I’ve never not seen her wear her emotions. That little bit of conflict is what encourages me, and for the first time, tears gather in the corners of my eyes, and I plead with the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

“Please stay.” I beg, “This isn’t right. We belong together. Can’t you see that? Don’t you feel it, too?”

The urgency in my voice betrays me, but I continue on.

“I said I’d get you home. I said I’d help you find peace. I said so many things, and now I can’t live up to any of them. I should’ve been more prepared. I should’ve taken this part more seriously. Everyone leaves me, eventually. They all do… but never you, Lyric. Please, never you.”

I feel the tears stream down my face, gathering in my rust-red beard. But like all the times I’ve seen Lyric cry, when I go to wipe them from my vision, nothing’s there. No proof of my pain, of my existence, or my love.

No one has ever cared enough about me to stay. I’ve had my heart broken many times, by ones I loved and even those I didn’t. All I’ve ever wanted is for someone to choose me.

Lyr’s eyes well with tears, and she stuffs her face into my chest, little whimpers escaping her body.

“Lyric…” the reaper coaxes.

“Why won’t you take me?” I ask.

“What’s wrong with my soul?”

I can’t see the reaper’s face, but I imagine it aimlessly blinking at me as if that’s the dumbest question it’s ever heard. It refuses to answer, and I find myself growing frustrated and annoyed, maybe even a little angry. Not that I want to leave Lyr, but because I want to know why I’m not good enough? Why not me?

“What if I make you a deal?” Lyric asks hurriedly, lifting her head from me.

Wait.

What?

When it presumes to give her the silent treatment, she pushes forward.

“One soul is ready for the taking. She’s still inside. What if you claim her instead?”