Page 56 of The Sorrow of Shadows

“I know it feels that way now, but you don’t need me, General.” He steps closer to me and pulls me into his chest, wrapping me in his fresh rain and leather scent.

I relax into his hug, my heart calming. “What’s coming, Julian?”

“I don’t know how to answer that question.” It’s not really an answer.

“But you do know, don’t you?” Julian knew lots of things. His ability to acquire information was part of why I chose him as second.

He tilts my head back so I’m staring into his eyes. “Trust your heart, your gut, but not your eyes. Secrets surround you, some of which will be deadly.”

“Will be?”

“And some that already have been.” That sad smile reappears on his handsome face. Something ripples across his features, and the vague image of his skull shines through. Like I’m looking at Julian, but also his skeleton at the same time.

“Your non-answers will be the death of me,” I grumble.

His face stills. “No, they won’t.” His tone is deathly serious.

Frustratedly, I demand, “What aren’t you telling me?”

“I’m sorry, B. I don’t answer to you any longer. That’s all Ican say.” His form wavers again, fading more into the skeleton form momentarily.

“I still don’t understand. Of course you answer to me. I am your generalandyour princess.”

“You are my friend and a wonderful general; someday you’ll be a fierce warrior queen. But no, I don’t answer to you. Death answers to no one. Not even you, Breyla.”

In that moment, it finally clicks.Death answers to no one.Julian is dead. The image of his skeleton showing through his skin becomes clearer as my heart shatters again.

“N-No...” I stutter, running my hands up his chest. My fingers run over his jaw, his cheeks, every part of his face as I try to convince myself it’s all a lie. Julian isn’t really dead; this is all a dream. It’s not real. Itcan’tbe real.

“Shhh...” Julian soothes me, pulling me back into his chest. He’s firm beneath my hands, firm and warm. It’s not real.

“Just because it’s a dream, doesn’t make it any less real. Those aren’t mutually exclusive in this case. I am dead, Breyla.”

“Why?” I sob into his chest, refusing to let him go. If I hold him tight enough, maybe he’ll stay.

“I found something I wasn’t supposed to. It’s not what we believed, but so much worse. It’s okay, B. Everything will be okay in the end.”

“You’re not usually the optimistic twin.”

“Death does interesting things to your perspective.”

“When will I see you again?”

“Not for a very long time. You have far too much to do in this world. But we’ll all be here for you once you’ve accomplished it all.”

“We?”

“Yes, we. Nolan, me, your father. We’ll all be watching you do the impossible.”

My chest tightens at his words. The sorrow of their loss fills me. “Any other words of wisdom for doing impossible things?”

“Nobody is who they seem. The next steps will be the hardest Jade has ever taken. I need you to be there for her. We’ve never lived without each other, but she must figure out how. Don’t let her do it on her own. It won’t be easy for anyone, but please...Don’t let her face it alone.”

“You have my word.” It was the easiest promise I had ever made.

He places a soft kiss on my forehead, then rests his head on top of mine. We stand there for a few minutes more, listening to the silence of the ancient graveyard.

“It’s time to wake up, B.”

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