Page 49 of Guarded By the Reaper

Hope flickered in my chest, and I clung to it desperately. “Yes,” I said, my voice stronger now. “I swear it.”

She studied me for a moment longer, her eyes seeming to peer into my very soul. Then, finally, she said, “Fine.”

She flicked her wrist – a small, dismissive gesture – and the world blurred again. The castle, the candles, Ma-Vasha herself and her Poppets – it all faded away.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Grim

Millie was gone. I’d searched every room, called her name, called her phone – nothing. Elysia hadn’t seen her, either. The house felt too big, too empty without her. Panic was starting to settle in. Just as I was about to tear the place apart, the sunroom door creaked open. Millie stumbled out, looking dazed and disheveled. I felt relief as I rushed towards her. I wrapped her in my arms and pulled her under my cloak. The familiar warmth of her body against mine felt like coming home.

“Where were you? I thought we agreed you’d stay out of that room.”

Millie leaned into me, her breath warm against my neck. “Ma-Vasha,” she whispered. “She kidnapped me, took me to her castle. I don’t know where it was, but it was cold, and dark, and...” She trailed off, shuddering.

I tightened my hold, wishing I could shield her from more than just the physical world.

“But you’re back,” I said. “How?”

“I begged her,” Millie said, pulling back to look at me. Her blue eyes were wide, haunted by whatever she’d seen. “I asked for more time, and she... she actually agreed. Sent me back.”

My jaw clenched. “Just like that?”

Millie nodded, her hand coming up to rest on my chest. “I’m okay, Grim. Really. But it means she’s losing patience. The time for me to pay up is near.”

Her words hit me hard. I’d failed her, left her alone, and Ma-Vasha had snatched her away. If things had gone differently, I might never have seen her again.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I should’ve been here. I could’ve lost you today.”

Millie’s hand moved to my face. “It’s not your fault,” she whispered. “You can’t be here every second.”

Though that was wrong. I was supposed to be here every second. I was her bodyguard! But before I could argue, she leaned in and kissed me. It was soft, tender – a reminder of everything I stood to lose. I kissed her back, pouring every ounce of my fear and desperation into it. When we broke apart, I rested my forehead against hers, trying to steady myself. The events of the day swirled in my mind. Isabelle passing on, Millie’s disappearance... I had to do better. I’d faced death countless times, both as a soldier and a reaper. But this? This fear of losing Millie? It shook me to my core.

“Grim?” Millie’s voice pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. “Where’s Elysia?”

I blinked, forcing myself back to the present. “In her room,” I said. “I checked on her when I was looking for you. She was upset, thought you’d gone out without her.”

Guilt flashed across Millie’s face. “I should go talk to her,” she said, starting to pull away.

I held her for a moment longer, not quite ready to let go. “Millie,” I said. “We’ll figure this out.”

She nodded. “We will.”

We made our way to Elysia’s room, Millie’s steps quickening as we approached. I hung back, giving her space. This was family business, after all.

Millie knocked softly. “Elysia? It’s me. Can we talk?”

Silence. Not even a rustle from inside. Millie tried again, louder this time. Still nothing. I watched as she pulled out her phone, dialing Elysia’s number. The faint sound of a ringtone echoed from behind the door, but no answer came. Millie’s face fell. She reached for the doorknob, twisting it gently. Locked.

“Elysia, please,” she called out.

I’d seen this before. Kids acting out, shutting down. Hell, I’d done it myself back in the day. But seeing it happen to Millie, watching her face crumple with concern, hit different.

She turned to me, shoulders sagging. “She must still be upset,” she sighed. “I get it. She’s been cooped up in here for so long, not seeing her friends. It’s normal for her to need space sometimes.”

I nodded, not quite sure what to say. Millie leaned against the wall, closing her eyes for a moment.

“We need to bring Lady Mews home tomorrow,” she said. “That’ll cheer her up. Maybe then she’ll talk to me again.”

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