Page 65 of Sticks and Stones and Broken Bones

“I promise,” Raevyn cried. “I promise.”

Then Charon reached his bony hand out to Alice and turned her to face the direction of the river. Raevyn collapsed in my arms, her grief becoming too much to bear. I cradled her to me, hoping that she knew she was loved, even in her darkest moments.

I didn’t know how long we stayed there, my arms wrapped around her, and the others stood close but when Raevyn’s sobs quietened to whimpers, I knew it was time to get her home. “Rook?”

He turned towards me and instantly seemed to know what I needed.

“Give her to me. I’ll portal us home.” He took her into his arms, and she curled into his chest.

I placed a soft kiss on her forehead and stepped back, giving Rook the space he needed to portal them home.

“Thank you, Roux,” Korbin said to the Reaper after Rook had left. “This means a lot.”

“Any time,” she replied before shaking Korbin’s offered hand. “Don’t linger. It’s not safe for live souls.”

“She’s definitely alive then?” Casimir asked, his voice soft by my ear. I didn’t think he realised that he was gravitating towards me more and more.

“Oh, yes,” Roux replied. “I think her journey here unlocked whatever was buried inside her. There’s something familiar about her power. Like I’ve sensed it before, but I can’t place it.”

I didn’t know enough about Roux to understand how her power worked, but I knew she was the Grim Reaper whilst Thane was being investigated. That made her one of the most powerful creatures in the Underworld. Almost as powerful as Hades and he was a damn God.

“You wouldn’t know how to get into the Isles of the Blessed, would you?” Nox asked Roux, a dark brow raised.

“The only way you’re getting in there is by doing something ridiculously heroic. I’m talking Herculean feats, or with Divine permission,” she replied with a snort. “And I don’t see anyone giving you that.”

“I don’t know,” I murmured. “I know a God who owes me a favour.”

Four pairs of eyes snapped in my direction, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Who the Hell owes you a favour?” Nox asked, his grin wide and manic.

“That’s for me to know.” I smiled as I thought of the last time I’d crossed paths with that particular God. He was going to hate me calling in this favour, but that just made me want to do it all the more.

“What other secrets are you keeping?” Casimir asked, his eyes searching mine.

“Plenty,” I said dropping my voice. “The question is, do you want to find out?”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Raevyn

My mother was dead. I couldn’t quite reconcile that thought with the fact that I’d seen Charon sail her to her judgment. I’d spent the last 24 hours in a sort of daze. The guys had been feeding me, cuddling and giving me space to let me come to terms with what had happened but I just… I couldn’t.

I was sad my mother had died, but I also felt guilty. I’d wanted her to suffer but never like this. She hadn’t even had a chance to spend time with Robyn. Another wave of guilt hit me, churning my insides and making me feel like the worst sort of person. Here I was, wallowing in grief and guilt, and my baby sister was left to the care of my grandmother. I should do something for her. I wanted to; I just couldn’t seem to get the motivation to actually put any thought into action. It was like my brain just couldn’t get into gear.

“I’m sure your sister will be safe,” Corvus said as he perched on the arm of the sofa next to me.

“Would you check on her?”

He bobbed his head, his feathers ruffling under his beak. “Of course. I will go when one of your men return to keep you company.”

“Thank you,” I said as I stroked a finger down his plumage.

His beak nipped at the black feathered ring around my finger. “You saw him?”

“Yes, but I don’t really remember. It’s like I can see him one minute, but when I try to describe him, the image vanishes. Who is he?”

“My master,” Corvus squawked.

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