Chapter 1

One

SHAY

A shrill feline yowl breaks the silence in my bedroom as I jolt upright.

“Sorry I scared you.” I pat the spot on my bed where my cat just sprang from. “Come here, drama queen. You can bite me and we’ll call it even.”

Rune returns to the bed, sniffs the finger I offer, but declines the opportunity to sink her feline fangs into my skin. My cat has never shown any sign of being a familiar. Not surprising. I’m the least witchy witch there is. It makes sense for my cat to be just that—a cat. Plus, I found her in the alley behind the coffee shop, and familiars are always received as a gift from another witch. Hope isn’t my strong suit, but with the pittance I possess, I thought maybe the Oracle had left Rune in that alley for me.

Even without magic, Rune is the best kitty. Always forgiving when I scare the shit out of her with my nightmares, like the one I just woke from. They’re less frequent now, but when they happen, I see the visions as clearly and horrifically as I did when I touched that man’s hand and saw his future. All those women, some murdered, some on their way to reaching that end.

And him. I still see him, too.

Cold ripples up from my gut, making me shiver. Fifteen years since the night I foolishly set up a table at a psychic fair, but when I have one of the nightmares, it feels like yesterday. Younger me had been so desperate to be independent, something other than the Winterlock coven’s lone and never-needed seer. I couldn’t get out of Gettysburg fast enough.

But Pittsburg hadn’t been the adventure and new beginning I hoped for. Limited and specific as my magic is, it’s also impossible to turn off. Wanting to live a “normal” life didn’t make it happen. I still got visions every time I made skin-to-skin contact. Talk about a relationship buzzkill. The only normal aspect of my life was the heap of responsibilities and expenses. Everything cost more than I expected. Even working part-time while going to college, I couldn’t keep up with the rent and eat.

I’d decided to quit the University of Pittsburg and move back home. Start the next semester at HACC. I planned to surprise my mom with the news during what she thought was my Christmas break visit. The best gift I could’ve given her. But first I had to get home. And I was down to my literal last dollar.

My damn pride wouldn’t let me ask Mom for money, so I broke one of the coven’s cardinal rules— never profit from your magic. I told myself it wasn’t a big deal. Touch a bunch of strangers’ hands, tell them some vague truths about their futures, make enough cash to buy a one-way bus ticket. People at the psychic fair would assume I was a fake, just like all the other fortune tellers and woo-woo vendors. The coven would never know. Mom wouldn’t look at me with disappointment. It was a dirty little secret I could live with. Everyone has at least one skeleton in their closet, right?

Never did I consider that I’d touch the hand of someone with actual skeletons in his closet. That I’d see the future atrocities of a serial killer.

Visions I relived in tonight’s nightmare. His bloodied mouth and hands, eyes wild with excitement from the unconscionable acts he’d committed. Then the nightmare switched to my personal memories from that night. The flicker in his eyes when I told him what I’d seen in his future. Somehow, he’d known I was lying. That I had the power to see the evil in him. He enjoyed that I saw the truth.

I’ll never forget the rabid glee on his face when our gazes met outside the hotel. He thought he had me, but I was prepared to do whatever was necessary to change the future I’d seen. And I tried. I died trying.

Purring and rubbing against me, Rune pulls me back to the present with a single gentle meow.

“Want to go for a walk?” I ask and get a string of feline conversation in return. “Me too. Let’s go.”

Rune hops off the bed, following as closely as possible while I throw on clothes and make my way out of the small cottage. It’s a miracle she hasn’t tripped me in fifteen years of weaving around my legs. Maybe there’s some magic in the black cat after all.

Out on the sidewalk, Rune trots ahead of me, quickly blending in with the darkness. Our predawn walks are her time to scope out the neighborhood. Catch up on new scents. She sticks close to our regular route, though, and always returns to my side by the time we round the block toward home.

As usual, the street is empty and quiet. Even the birds aren’t awake yet. Four in the morning is too early for a lot of people, but they’re missing out. There’s a special kind of peacefulness at this time of day. Here in Fate’s Falls, anyway. The Oracle’s magic protects the town and its residents from harm. Evil doesn’t exist here—aside from in memories. There’s no escape from those.

Rune’s aggravated yowl pierces the silence. Muttering a curse, I switch from a relaxed pace to sprinting, following the sound into Minerva Goodwin’s side yard. It’s probably just a standoff between Rune and Cookie, Minerva’s cat. They have low-level beef. Not the scrapping variety, just feline smack talk. I always imagine Cookie bragging about having a cat door, egging Rune on. Whatever they’re saying, it’s harmless. But if the noise wakes the old witch, I’ll be on the hook to make amends for disturbing the ninety-five-year-old’s sleep.

Shining my phone’s flashlight around the dense gardens, I say, “Rune, stop talking shit and let’s go,” in my sternest whisper. “I’m going to have to visit every day for a week if you wake Minerva.”

“No chance of that.”

I straighten, as if my puppet strings have been firmly yanked. Doesn’t matter that I haven’t heard his voice in a decade and a half. It’s part of that night. Unforgettable.

In what feels like slow motion, I turn toward the sound. He looks the same as I remember. The only time I’ve ever seen the reaper. “Kohl.”

“Hello, Shay.” The hood of his dark robe barely moves when he tips his head. Just like that night. A reaper’s cloak is more than just clothing—it’s part of their being. “It’s good to see you. You’re looking well.”

“Anything’s better than the last time you saw me.” Funny isn’t my specialty, but I pull it off sometimes. Based on the lack of response my attempted humor gets, now is not one of those times. “Seriously, though. I know I thanked you before, but that apology came from twenty-one-year-old hysterical me. I’ve thought about you a lot over the years. Even with its limits, I’m grateful for this life. So, thank you for that night and all the nights I’ve had since.”

Rather than answer, he steps closer. Close enough for me to see his dark eyes focused on mine. To feel his gaze inside me, searching my soul.

“Um, hello… I feel you poking around in there. Checking to see if I’m still worthy of the second chance?”

Now, his full lips curve upward. Just a little. Even that hint of a smile tugs at my insides. Makes me feel all fluttery and shit. Like a normal woman successfully flirting with an interesting man. Which is not at all what this is.

“I was looking to see if you’re happy.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I raise an eyebrow at him. “Ever consider asking?”

“I could have. But I knew your soul wouldn’t lie.”

My exaggerated, affronted gasp hits the right notes, netting me another almost-smile. Still, I can’t resist asking what his probing found. “So, what’s the verdict, Mr. Soul Snooper?”

Before Kohl can answer, Minerva’s big orange tabby shoots out from between the hosta plants, with Rune hot on his fluffy tail—until she spots Kohl. Emitting a low, constant rumble, my literal scaredy-cat cowers behind my legs. Cookie, on the other hand, sits directly in front of Kohl, quietly staring up at the dark-cloaked reaper.

“Wow, he seems to like you,” I say, unfolding my arms so I can point at an uncharacteristically docile tabby. “And that cat doesn’t like a lot of people.”

“The attention isn’t a matter of ‘like.’ He’s waiting for me to settle Minerva Goodwin’s final request.”

“Final request?” I clap my hand over my heart. “Oh shit, you’re here for her soul. Wait a sec. Why are you here , here, in the physical realm? Don’t you meet souls in the in-between?”

That’s where I met him. He accompanied me back to the mortal realm, then brought me to Fate’s Falls, but I know that’s now it usually works, unless?—

“Is Minerva back from the dead too? Is that your reaper specialty or something?”

Calm and silent, Kohl lets my questions hang in the air. Making sure I don’t have more to add to the barrage? Probably. A flash of something less serious plays across his face when I make the zipping-my-lips gesture, then the tickly sensation low in my belly returns.

What does it say about me that I find a reaper attractive? It says my self-preservation instincts are as alive and well as my physical health, that’s what. Deciding to avoid skin-to-skin contact for the rest of my life killed pretty much any possibility of a non-platonic relationship. If I’m going to be attracted to anyone, the only safe option is someone completely off-limits. A reaper who exists on another plane certainly checks that box. Maybe that’s why I’ve spent fifteen years fantasizing about this one.

“It is not usual for me to turn souls back to their mortal bodies, though I understand why you might think that, knowing I have done it for someone other than you. Minerva Goodwin’s soul has moved on to the next place. It was her time, and she was ready. She passed peacefully, in her sleep.”

“The ending we all wish for,” I say, my voice coming out softer than usual.

“Most wish for that, yes. Warriors wish for an active death.”

“You’ve met a lot of warriors on their way to the next place?”

“Quantity is a relative thing, but throughout history, I have guided many.”

“Throughout history.” I take a beat to give Kohl a good look-over. Sure, I’ve only seen him one time before tonight, and it was during the most terrifying point in my life, but those memories are crystal clear. And what I can see of his face looks exactly the same. Not a single wrinkle on his pale skin. “Exactly how much history have you been around for?”

“What mortals would consider all of it.”

It feels as if my jaw has unhinged, it drops so low. “ All of it , as in, since the beginning of time?”

“That, I couldn’t say. I have no firsthand knowledge of what existed before the first sentient mortal being with a soul being died in this physical realm. My existence began when I was needed.”

“But you’ve been around since then? Since the first human died?”

“The first sentient mortal being with a soul,” he says, correcting me.

Holy shit. I make the mind-blown gesture, complete with sound effects.

“I would very much like to stay and continue our conversation, but I’m needed elsewhere.”

“Of course.” I wave a hand in his direction.

“You’re not wearing gloves.”

“No need at this time of day, when I’ve got the world to myself and there’s zero chance I might accidentally touch someone,” I say, then it hits me. “Hold on—how do you know about the gloves?” I started wearing them after the night I died, after he brought me to Fate’s Falls. After I swore to myself that I’d never to use my magic again.

“Just because you haven’t seen me doesn’t mean I haven’t seen you.”

Hands on my hips, I cock an eyebrow. “Are we talking casual observations when you happen to be floating by on reaper duty, or have you been keeping tabs on me?” This attempt at humor gets an actual smile from him. Glorious. Just like in the fantasies I’ve had about him.

A sorrowful meow rises from between us. Moment broken. But I can’t be mad at the big ginger tabby. Poor thing just lost his person, and my guess is that he knows she’s gone.

“I have not forgotten you,” Kohl says, meeting the cat’s gaze before turning his dark eyes on me. “Minerva’s final request was for you to take Cookie.”

“Me?” I press my fingers to my forehead when he gives a single nod. “What about someone in her family? I realize her daughters don’t live in town, but her great-niece does. As much as I’m not a fan of Lexi Goodwin, she is the logical choice to take Cookie.”

“But not Minerva’s choice.”

“Ugh. Why me?”

“I didn’t ask the reason.”

“You just agreed. Assumed I’d say yes.” I throw my hands up when he nods again. The warm fuzzies from minutes ago feel more like hot pricklies now. “Why would you make a promise that I have to fulfil?”

“Is it not a privilege to be gifted a familiar by another witch?”

“A familiar? Are you sure she was talking about this cat?” I say, motioning at Cookie.

The corner of Kohl’s lips twitch. That’s his answer.

I tilt my face upward, groaning up at the dark sky. “ My cat is not going to like this.”

“You may be surprised.” Kohl’s gaze locks with mine the moment I lower my head. “Beautiful relationships can grow from the least likely circumstances.”

Warmth ripples through me. Foolishly. He’s talking about the cats, or maybe generalizing. Not referring to me—to us. Meeting twice in fifteen years is not a relationship. Even if it could become one, I wouldn’t let it.

What a day. And the sun’s not even up yet.

“Fine.” I heave a pained sigh. “I’ll connect with Lexi and arrange to get Cookie’s things from Minerva’s house. Until then, he’ll have to share Rune’s stuff. Based on his hefty physique, I assume he’s not a fussy eater.”

As if he understands every word, Cookie moves from sitting in front of Kohl to rubbing against my shins. Maybe he does understand what I’m saying—he is a familiar, after all. My familiar now.

Before I can speak a reassuring word to Rune, she comes from behind my legs, touches noses with the big ginger, then the two of them are off. Shoulder to shoulder, trotting off toward my little cottage like good old buddies. Seems like Kohl got that one right.

“Guess I’d better follow my cats , plural.” Rolling my eyes melodramatically doesn’t get me a laugh, but his full, pale lips curve upward. Just a little, but enough to ignite a new round of warm tingles low in my abdomen. “I’m glad I got to see you again. You know, before the next time I’m dead.” Waving, I walk away before I start rambling again. Not a problem I usually have. I’m always in control of my words. Of everything.

“Shay.”

Goddess, my name sounds delicious in his deep, smooth timbre. I stop on the spot, turning toward Kohl, who looks simultaneously ominous and enchanting in his dark, flowing cloak.

“I’ll see you soon.”

“Well, those aren’t good words to hear from a reaper. Are you taking over seer duty now? Giving me the heads-up that my clock’s ticking?”

“I’ll see you before you’re dead again,” he says, a smile in his voice to match the one on his face. Then he’s gone. No cloud of mist, no dramatic fading out. One second, he’s there, the next, he’s not. Poof. There’s just air where he stood.

But I know from experience, when Kohl is on this plane, he’s solid. As real as any living, flesh-and-blood man.

What is soon to a reaper who has existed for millennia?

Foolishly, pointlessly, I hope I won’t have to wait too long.