Page 139 of Reaper's Ruin
I gripped Soraya’s hand, pulling her down the empty corridor lit only by the faintest glow of purple flames, each step getting us closer to the exit from the prison wing. Several sets of eyes watched us from behind the bars on their doors. Reapers awaiting judgment. Most who openly defied the Veil Lords were erased instantly, but the few that escaped an instant scythe were sent here as punishment and a more miserable purgatory.
We reached the door leading to the Keep, and I pressed my ear against the thick wood and listened. My mind raced with calculations, every potential escape route mapped and remapped, so I knew exactly where to go the moment I opened this door.
Twenty minutes, Taelon had said. Twenty minutes to prepare the distraction that might give us our only chance at freedom.
I had been stunned when Skorn and Lorien had instantly jumped at the chance. I’d never given either of them the time of day, yet when Taelon explained what had happened—that I was asked to reap a soul before she’d had time to find peace, a soul I’d fallen for—they’d stepped up without hesitation.
“What’s happening?” Soraya whispered, her small hand tightening around mine.
“We’re waiting for the distraction.”
“What kind of distraction?”
“Taelon and two of his friends—all court warriors—are going to fake a fight over a gambling debt. Reapers brawl all thetime, but three court warriors going at it with their powers should draw quite the crowd. Clear our path to the gates. The keep is spelled so no Reaper wings can slice in or out of it, so we’re going to have to run until we get through the courtyard and out from under the spell. Then I can get us to safety.”
“Taelon? He’d really do this for us?”
I remembered his words about needing redemption, about being bored with decades of the same existence. But it was Lorien who’d surprised me most. “I loved a girl like that once,” he’d said simply. “Would have burned this entire world down to save her. I get it, Death. We’ll help you save yours.”
Even Skorn, who rarely spoke, had given his grunt of agreement—worth more than a thousand words from the massive Frost Warrior. Then, in his low rumble, he’d added, “Been waiting for a reason to get reaped. Might as well make it count.”
Perhaps I’d been wrong all these centuries. Maybe there were some fae who weren’t the monsters I believed them to be. Because even knowing the risks, three fae warriors were now the only thing standing between Soraya and eternal oblivion.
“Yes. They know the risks,” I answered her. “But if it goes well, no one will ever know they were involved.”
“And if it doesn’t?” she asked.
“Then they know where to meet after they escape behind us.”
“And what if...” she started with the fear gnawing inside of me, then trailed off.
“They know the risks,” I repeated, though deep down I hated they were taking them for me. But in life, I knew I’d have done the same thing for anyone, faced oblivion itself, to save an innocent.
I listened to the door again, hoping to hear the signal before any guards I’d dismissed returned. Minutes crawled by each one stretching my nerves tighter.
Could they be betraying me?
The thought clouded my mind, nagging at me that I’d trusted three fae with my plan. Cursing myself for being so stupid to fall for their act.
Then I heard it.
A distant crash, followed by shouts that echoed through the stone corridors. Another crash, louder this time, accompanied by what sounded like the roar of flames.
An explosion rocked the Keep, the very stones beneath our feet trembling. More shouts, closer now. The unmistakable sound of elemental magic unleashed within the confines of the Umbral Keep.
I couldn’t help the grim smile that crossed my face as my doubts in them dissipated in an instant. They had delivered exactly as promised.
“Now,” I said, taking Soraya’s hand and pulling against me. “We move fast, stay quiet, and don’t stop for anything. Keep your hood up.”
I eased the door open, peering into the corridor. Empty. The distraction was working better than I’d dared hope. Another explosion echoed through the Keep, followed by shouts and the sound of running feet.
We moved swiftly through the shadowed corridors, pressing into alcoves whenever we heard approaching footsteps. The sounds of the battle grew louder, then faded as we took a different route, circling toward the main gates.
I cursed my inability to use my wings to slice us to safety. Instead, because of the ancient magic surround the Umbral Keep, we were forced to remain on foot.
“How far is it?” Soraya whispered.
“Farther than I want it to be. Just stick with me and we’ll get through the gates where I can use my wings to slice us out of here.”
