Page 7 of Guarded By the Reaper

Grim shook his head. “No need to apologize.”

Her words, so innocent and yet so profound, hung in the air between us. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure.

“That’s… That’s very insightful, Elysia,” I finally managed. “But let’s not talk about morbid things right now, okay?” I gestured towards the dining room. “Why don’t you show Grim where we’re having dinner? I’ll be there in a minute.”

She beamed at me, her earlier solemnity forgotten. “Okay, Millie!” She skipped over to Grim, her small hand reaching outto take his bony one. My breath caught in my throat, but to my surprise, he didn’t flinch away. He just stood there, his gaze fixed on her, and for a moment, I thought I saw something flicker in those endless depths. Something akin to… wonder?

It was probably just a trick of the light.

As soon as they were out of sight, I turned and practically ran to the kitchen. I needed a moment to myself. A moment to process what had just happened. The encounter with Grim, the revelation that Elysia had been researching death on the Internet, the fact that I was now harboring a creature of darkness in my home. It was all too much.

At the kitchen sink, I splashed cold water on my face, the shock of it bringing me back to the present. I needed to pull myself together. For Elysia. For the next fourteen days, I had to be strong. I had to pretend that everything was okay.

I glanced at the time displayed on the microwave. Almost seven. Chef Pierre had left a fully stocked fridge before I’d let him go on “indefinite leave”, as I’d put it. When those creatures of clay and straw started popping up, stalking the house, I dismissed all the staff. I did more than that. I drew all the curtains, to all the windows, and made Elysia promise she wouldn’t go out of the house. I had to lie to her and invent a ridiculous story about an airborne virus that was going around. It made zero sense, but so far, my sister hadn’t questioned me.

I pulled out a casserole dish filled with chicken pot pie, a side of roasted vegetables, and a loaf of crusty bread. I carried the food into the dining room, my heart sinking as I saw Grim standing by the window, his back to me. Even in the dim light, his presence filled the room with a sense of wrongness.

I cleared my throat, and he turned to face me. “I’ve set the table for three,” I said, my voice a little too bright. “Hope that’s okay.”

He raised an eyebrow, or at least I thought he did. It was hard to tell with those empty sockets where his eyes should’ve been. “Three? Ms. Aster, I hate to break it to you, but I’m technically dead. I don’t eat.”

A wave of heat crept up my neck at his words. “Right. Of course. Sorry. I just… I assumed…” I stammered, feeling like an idiot.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, his voice softening slightly. “I’ll sit with you. It’s been a while since I’ve… dined... with others.”

I couldn’t tell if he meant it, or if he was just trying to be polite, but I nodded and took my seat at the table. Elysia was already seated across from me, her eyes shining with excitement. Since her health had returned, she ate like the world was ending and there wasn’t enough to go around. It filled me with joy. But while her appetite had returned, mine had diminished.

My stomach churned as I looked at the food in front of me. I managed a few bites, but my throat felt tight, and I couldn’t bring myself to eat another bite. Instead, I focused on watching Elysia demolish her meal.

“Millie? How’s Lady Mews?”

I blinked, startled. I’d almost forgotten about Lady Mews and that when I went out this morning, my destination was the pet hospital, not Monster Security Agency. I did go to the vet first, then realized I was being watched, followed, hounded by those things, and that I needed protection.

Lady Mews. Three days ago, she came in with a broken leg at the worst possible time. Or maybe it was fate intervening. I took a sip of water, trying to moisten my dry throat.

“She’s okay. Still recovering from the surgery. She’s doing much better.” I tried to sound upbeat.

Elysia’s face lit up. “But it’s been three days! That’s a long time. Do you think I can see her tomorrow?” She looked from me to Grim.

I shook my head. “Not tomorrow, sweetheart. But soon, okay? Dr. Jenkins wants to keep an eye on her for a few more days.”

Elysia sighed dramatically. “Fine,” she said, then pushed her plate away. She stretched and yawned. “I’m full. Can I be excused?”

“Of course you can. Come give me a kiss goodnight.”

She stood and walked over to me. I hugged her tight, burying my face in the crook of her neck. Part of me wanted to hold on to her forever, to shield her from the darkness that threatened to engulf us.

She pulled back and kissed me on the cheek. “Goodnight, Millie,” she said, then turned to Grim. “Goodnight, Grim,” she said, her voice hesitant. I was sure her research had revealed Grim Reapers didn’t sleep. Still, it was only polite.

He inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. “Goodnight, Elysia.” His voice was surprisingly gentle.

I watched as she climbed the stairs, her footsteps echoing in the silence, her presence a warm light in the growing darkness of the house. I felt hollowed out.

“Do you at least drink?” I asked, picking up my wine glass. It was almost empty, and I really needed a refill.

“No,” he said, an edge of amusement in his voice. “Technically, I don’t have a stomach.”

“Right.” I felt my cheeks flush. Of course. Silly question. I poured myself another glass, then looked at him. “Want to join me in the living room?”

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