Page 58 of Guarded By the Reaper

“I... Thank you,” I managed to say. I bent down to retrieve my scythe, using the moment to compose myself. When I straightened, I met Death’s gaze squarely. “I’ll do my best.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Millie

I woke up with a start, the morning light streaming through Elysia’s curtains. For a moment, I was disoriented, but then the events of the previous day came rushing back. I looked around, expecting to see Grim still in the armchair, but he was gone. Elysia was fast asleep next to me, her chest rising and falling peacefully. Lady Mews, however, was wide awake and meowing softly, demanding breakfast. I carefully got out of the bed, trying not to disturb Elysia, and scooped up the cat.

“Alright, alright,” I whispered to Lady Mews as I headed downstairs. “Let’s get you some food.”

As I walked through the house, I kept an eye out for Grim. I figured he must be in the library or maybe the living room. After all, he didn’t need sleep, so he had to be somewhere, right? But as I checked each room, my heart sank a little more. No sign of him in the library, the living room, or the kitchen. I set Lady Mews down and filled her bowl.

Had Grim left? Even after I told him I wanted him to stay? The thought made my stomach twist uncomfortably. I leaned against the kitchen counter, trying to make sense of it. Maybe he’d just stepped out for a bit, I told myself. But even as I thought it, I knew it didn’t feel right. Grim wouldn’t just leave without saying anything, would he?

I pulled out my phone, staring at the screen. Should I call him? My finger hovered over his contact, but I couldn’t bring myself to press it. What if he didn’t answer? The thought of that rejection was almost too much to bear. I set the phone down and ran my hands through my hair, trying to think. Maybe I could call Monster Security Agency instead? Talk to Norman, Grim’s handler? At least then I’d know if Grim had gone back to work.

I paced the kitchen, feeling more lost with each step. This wasn’t like me. I was usually the one with the plan, the one who knew what to do. But right now, I felt completely adrift. Part of me wanted to jump in the car and drive straight to the MSA office. At least then I’d be doing something. But what if Grim came back while I was gone? What if I missed him? I stopped by the window, looking out at the garden. Everything looked so normal, so peaceful. It was hard to believe that just yesterday, we’d been fighting for our lives against Ma-Vasha and her Poppets. And through it all, Grim had been here. He’d protected us, risked everything for us. For me. The memory of his words last night echoed in my mind.“I love you,”he’d said. Had he not meant it? No, I couldn’t believe that. Whatever was going on, there had to be an explanation. Grim wouldn’t just leave without a word. He wouldn’t do that to me.

I turned back to Lady Mews. She looked up at me, licking her whiskers after finishing her breakfast. Even she seemed confused by Grim’s absence.

“What do you think, Lady Mews? Where did he go?”

She just blinked at me, offering no answers. I sighed, picking up my phone again. Maybe I should just call him. Even if he didn’t answer, at least I’d have tried. I was about to press the call button when the air in the middle of the kitchen shimmered. I froze, my heart leaping into my throat. In the blink of an eye, Grim materialized right in front of me. He looked exactly as he always did, tall and skeletal, his dark cloak swirling around him. In one bony hand, he held a paper bag that smelled suspiciously like fresh pastries.

“Grim! Where have you been?”

He tilted his head. “I thought you might be hungry when you woke up,” he said, holding up the bag. “So, I went to get breakfast.”

I stared at him. All my worries, all my fears, and he’d just gone out for pastries?

“You scared me half to death!” I yelled, my relief quickly turning to frustration. “You couldn’t leave a note or something?”

I playfully punched him in the arm. Despite my anger, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of affection for this ridiculous skeleton man.

Grim set the bag down on the counter and reached for me. “I’m sorry, Millie. I didn’t think…”

Before he could finish, he pulled me into his arms. The familiar chill of his body against mine sent shivers down my spine. He leaned in and kissed me passionately. My anger melted away as I lost myself in the kiss, my arms wrapping around his neck.

When we finally broke apart, I was breathless. “Don’t think this gets you off the hook,” I muttered, but there was no real heat in my words.

Grim’s dark pits seemed to sparkle with amusement. “Noted. Next time, I’ll leave a detailed itinerary.”

I was about to respond when a small voice interrupted us. “Eww, gross!”

We turned to see Elysia standing in the doorway, her nose wrinkled. I felt my cheeks heat up, but I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Morning, sweetie,” I said, stepping away from Grim. “Did you sleep well?”

Elysia nodded, her attention already shifting. “Can I play outside today? Please?”

I hesitated for a moment, memories of the Poppets flashing through my mind. But they were gone now, weren’t they? We were safe. I took a deep breath and smiled.

“Of course you can.”

Elysia’s face lit up, but then she grew serious. “I get it now, you know. Why you didn’t let me go out before. It was because of those creepy doll things, right?”

My heart clenched. Sometimes I forgot how perceptive she could be. “Yes, sweetheart. That’s why.”

She nodded. “It’s okay. I’m not mad at you anymore. You were just trying to keep me safe.”

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