“Taylor.”

  Ever slipped back into human mode, kneeling in her blood. He clutched her cold hand in both of his.

  “Taylor.”

  Her eyes continued to stare ahead.

  “Tay–”

  Ever! Death barked. Look around you!

  He tore his teary gaze away from her and looked over his shoulder. Sirens wailed, the red and blue lights atop the police car swinging round and round. So focused he had been on Taylor’s body that he hadn’t noticed the three other bodies laying mere feet away, arms and legs in disarray.

  “?Levanta las manos!”

  Ever… Death said slowly. The police are pointing guns at you. Put your hands up, slowly…

  He lowered Taylor’s hand back to the ground, put his hands up next to his head and slowly pivoted in a crouching position.

  Three police stood fanned out, firearms in front. One of them, their uniform much newer than the other two, was trembling ever so slightly.

  Don’t worry, Death said. Even if they kill you, you’ll just come back down to the Underworld. I can send you back up.

  *How long will that take, Mentor?*

  Death was silent. I don’t know.

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  “?Acuéstate en el suelo!” The gruff voice belonged to the police officer who looked most senior of the three.

  Sorry, Death growled. I have no idea what he’s–

  An eldritch wail accompanying a grey form streaking past Ever made him flinch. In response, the shaking officer fired his handgun. The bullet ripped past Ever, millimeters from the left side of his rib cage.

  Reaper mode, now! Death bellowed.

  Ever didn’t need to be told twice. Moments later, he was floating on the spot, scythe in hand.

  The senior officer lowered his gun. “?Qué chingados…?”

  So stunned was he that he didn’t even react when Ever flew through him, giving chase to the wailing soul.

  “Taylor!” Ever called. The ghost streaked away, changing direction haphazardly. Eventually, Ever caught up, slapping a hand onto her shoulder. “Taylor!--”

  He spun them around, revealing the tear-streaked face of what he guessed was a horrified local who had been caught up in the mess. “?No me hagas da?o!”

  He let go and pulled back. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “Brother?”

  Even without flesh and blood, Ever felt his skin crawl from the otherworldly, avian voice. He turned around and saw the look of surprise upon the feathered face of one of the Keres. A deep gouge extended across the top of her beak as she cocked her head.

  “You’re not Thanatos.” Her dark eyes had narrowed in suspicion. “You’re his lackey.”

  “I’m his apprentice,” Ever said, voice hard. He looked behind him, only to see that the ghost from before had disappeared.

  “Whatever,” the elder Ker said, raising a nonchalant talon. “Are you here to feast with us? Because if you’re not, then you should get back to your little, peaceful reapings.”

  Ever gripped the scythe wardingly. “I–”

  “Sister!” It was a squawk laced with glee in the distance. “We’ve caught her.”

  “Good,” the Ker said, “mine got away.” Raising her feathered arms, she launched herself into the air.

  Get after her, Death said. They’ve got Taylor.