Page 64 of Sticks and Stones and Broken Bones

I tried to get a read on Raevyn’s mind, but all I could feel was grief and a touch of guilt. My draguta felt guilty that her mother was dead. It wasn’t her fault, but I could understand a little why she might feel that way.

It was cold down here and reminded me of the Depths. The sky was a perpetual sunset by Charon’s pier, a constant reminder of the end of someone’s life. That the sun will set on their mortality and rise again upon their eternal rest. They just had to be judged first.

I’d been sent to the Depths as a punishment. By rights, I should still be there and if it wasn’t for my draguta I still would be. A bitter taste gripped my tongue as I thought about the suffering I’d endured because Hades had thrown a hissy fit. Perhaps I’d get some revenge on him eventually. Well, if I was lucky enough and the Fates were on my side.

As we got closer to Charon a soft chorus of low moans filled the air.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“The souls of the sea,” the Reaper replied sombrely and pointed to the dark waters. “Look.”

I peered over the edge and saw ethereal shapes floating beneath the surface. A wave of misery so strong hit me and I had the sudden urge to surrender to the souls.

A hand hit me in the centre of my chest, halting my watery demise.

“Careful,” the Reaper said. “Wouldn’t want to fall in there. Not even Raevyn could save you from them.”

I swallowed, suddenly uncomfortable. This place gave me the creeps.

“There she is,” Raevyn said breathlessly and ran towards the boat.

“Don’t let her off the pier!” the Reaper shouted.

Shit. I ran after Raevyn, but she was quick. I reached her just as she was about to jump into the boat. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I held her against me. She kicked and screamed but I held on.

“No. You can’t go with them,” I said by her ear.

“Mum!” she shouted.

Alice was stood towards the back of the long wooden boat, but she didn’t turn around. Charon was part of the boat itself, his long frame disappearing beneath the surface of the water as if he were the rudder.

“Mum, please!” Raevyn sobbed, tears streaming down her face. My heart broke for her a little. I’d never really felt loss but I knew, if anything ever happened to Raevyn, I’d be inconsolable to the point my life wouldn’t have meaning anymore. I wouldn’t be able to live without her so I’d just stop living.

Charon lifted a bony hand from his wooden oar and tapped Alice on the shoulder. The boat paused for a moment and I thanked the Gods for this moment of grace.

“Raevyn?” Alice said, a little confused. “Where am I?”

“The River Styx,” Raevyn said with a sniffle.

“Am I dead then?” Alice asked.

“Oh, mum. I…” Raevyn broke off, unable to talk through her grief.

“Do you know what happened?” Casimir asked as he came to stand next to me.

Alice’s brow dropped as she tried to remember. “After you visited the baby came, but there were complications.” She looked to Raevyn. “I don’t think I survived long after she was born.”

Raevyn turned to Korbin, her eyes wild with rage and grief. “You visited my mother and you didn’t tell me?”

Korbin winced. “We were going to tell you; we just didn’t get the chance.”

“Pretty girl, don’t waste your last moments with your mother talking about this. We will tell you everything,” Nox said as he cupped Raevyn’s face with his ink-dipped fingers. “Don’t lose the chance to say goodbye.”

“I’m sorry,” Alice said softly. “I’m sorry for everything, sweetheart. I just wanted to protect you.”

“I know,” Raevyn said.

“Her name is Robyn. Keep her safe. Please.” Tears streamed down Alice’s face as she begged her daughter for something she had failed to do herself. “Promise me.”

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