Page 43 of Haunted Hearts

Maybe they’re worried that whatever is willing to hunt Willow down may interrupt this moment here on the beach. They’ve even brought along their swords. I doubt that they’ll need them. I’m sure Death can protect his daughter from any threat that may come along. And given Willow’s power leaking out yesterday without her even knowing it, I think she’ll be able to protect herself as well. So, I’ll let them worry about safety, and just be here if Willow needs me.

Though, it would be kind of nice to know how to fight if Iamneeded.

“Do reapers have time to visit a beach?” Viktor asks Brock.

My eyebrows raise in surprise. Turning to look over at him, I grin, unable to keep from poking the bear. “A personal question? From you? Look at you, being all chit-chatty, Viktor.”

The white-haired grump rolls his eyes, but he doesn’t shut me down like he would have before. Impressive, the guy can change.

“I’m honored that I’ve piqued your interest,” Brock’s eyes are pinned to Willow, but he tilts his head towards the two of us. “It’s just like any other job, I suppose. We have days off, vacation time and all that. Reaping is draining so we probably get more time between jobs than most.”

“Give me a second,” Willow calls over to her dad.

Careful!

The real concern in Death’s voice is amusing. Willow is an adult, but I have a feeling Death doesn’t see her that way.

Willow frowns and lifts her hands to stare at them.

As she figures out whatever is wrong, I look over at Brock. “You probably know this realm like the back of your hand. I bet Willow would love to explore this place. Maybe you could take us to some cool spots?”

Viktor shakes his head, shutting down the idea at once. “The dangers to Willow outside of this place—”

“Will be minimal soon enough,” Brock assures him solemnly. The two of them exchange looks. “Like Death said, Willowisthe Realm of the Dead. She’ll be able to handle anything that comes her way eventually.”

“But she’s not a fighter,” Viktor objects.

“She’s going to have to become one.” Brock makes a face as though the thought is distasteful. “But in the meantime, that doesn’t mean she can’t still explore and enjoy this new life. Besides, we’re here to watch out for her.”

I frown as I consider the reaper’s words. “Well,youguys are here for her in that manner. I’m about as useless as they come.”

The realization comes with the bitter acceptance that this is the role I had in my real lifebeforeI met Willow. The useless nobody. The troublemaker, a waste of space… My shoulders sag.

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Viktor grumbles before wincing, as if admitting that I’m useful pains him.

I laugh, unperturbed by his expression since he just paid me a compliment.

Brock shoots me a curious look. “You’ve never wielded a weapon before?”

I reach up to touch my horns, “I have these bad boys.”

“Your tail is more intimidating,” Viktor grunts.

I glare at him, but I catch a shadow of a smile around his mouth. Is he joking around with me? Things were getting better there between us at the end of our lives, but right now, I’m liking dead Viktor better than living Viktor.

“Besides what’s attached to my body, nope, I haven’t picked up a weapon.” I glance at the sword on Viktor’s hip. “Want to give me a go with that thing?”

Viktor scoffs. “And end up with you cutting off one of your limbs? Absolutely not, Willow would have my balls.”

I turn my attention to Brock who is chuckling. “Want to give me a swing with your scythe?”

The reaper’s soft amusement turns into a laugh. “Absolutely not. You’ll end up accidentally billowed across realms, never to be found. We’ll find you something, though.”

I huff, “How do neither of you have any faith in me? I could so totally wield a weapon without dismembering myself or getting lost—”

Around us the world erupts. One minute I’m on my feet and the next my back slams into the wet sand. I gasp. How the hell does hitting sand hurt? It’s sand for heaven sakes!

The thought is followed by a panicked realization that the air is alarmingly hot. Brock, Viktor, and I scramble to our feet only to freeze at the sight before us. My mouth drops open. Standing between us and Willow, obscuring our view of her, is a wall of green flames. The heat the barrier emits is so hot that the sand it has erupted from is crackling and melting.

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