Page 16 of Guarded By the Reaper

“What do you mean?” I knew so little about him, about what he was, what he did. “You weren’t always a reaper?”

“No,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “I used to be human. A long time ago.”

I tried to imagine him as a human, with flesh and blood, and a heartbeat. It was impossible. He was Grim. My Grim Reaper. The creature of darkness who haunted my house, protected my dreams.

“What was your life like? Was there any woman–”

“No.”

“No?” I asked, unable to keep the surprise from my voice. “Never? Not even one?”

He let out a harsh laugh, the sound devoid of humor. “What would a woman want with someone like me? Even then?”

“What do you mean, even then?”

He hesitated again. I had a feeling I was treading on dangerous ground.

“My life was hard, and I wasn’t exactly husband material.”

I frowned, studying him more closely. Underneath the cloak, underneath the magic and shadow that held him together, there was a sadness, a loneliness that resonated with something deep inside me.

“Everyone’s husband material for someone,” I said.

He turned to face me, his head tilting slightly, as if considering me for the first time. “Is that so?”

“It’s what I believe...”

For a moment, we just stared at each other, the air thick with tension. The silence was broken by my sister’s voice. I was suddenly reminded we weren’t alone in the house.

“Millie!”

I rose to my feet just as Elysia came bounding into the living room, her pink princess nightgown trailing behind her like a cloud of cotton candy. She raced towards me, her big blue eyes – so much like my own – shining with excitement.

“Millie, Millie! When are we going to see Lady Mews?” She launched herself at me, her small arms wrapping around my waist.

“We?” Grim’s voice, a low rumble, startled both of us.

Elysia jumped back, her eyes darting towards the window where Grim now stood. How had he moved so fast? Then Elysia exhaled, as if remembering that he was here and he was safe. Just a guest. A friend, like I’d told Grim earlier, even though I didn’t quite believe it myself.

“We’re going to see Lady Mews today, right?” Elysia looked back and forth between me and Grim, her brow furrowed in confusion.

I forced a smile. “We are, sweetie. This afternoon. Just me and Grim, though.”

“But why can’t I come?” Elysia’s lower lip trembled. “I want to see Lady Mews, too.”

My heart ached for her. It wasn’t fair. “I know, honey, but remember what I told you. There’s a nasty virus going around. It’s best if you stay home and rest.”

“But I haven’t been outside in three days,” Elysia wailed, her voice cracking with the effort of holding back tears. “It’s not fair!”

“I know it’s tough,” I said. “But trust me, it’s for the best. We don’t want you getting sick, do we?”

“But–”

“Besides,” I interrupted her, pulling my best distraction tactic, “Who wants to help me make pancakes for breakfast?”

Elysia’s eyes widened a fraction. “Pancakes? Can we have strawberries?”

I smiled. It was amazing how easily distracted an eight-year-old could be, especially when pancakes were involved. “Of course. Strawberries and whipped cream.”

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