Ever stared at Taylor… or who he thought was Taylor. Of course he knew it was her, sitting right there in front of him. But she had on her face an expression that he’d not seen once since he met her all those months ago.

  Behind her wide eyes, he could see a desperate hope that she had allowed herself to feel. Her slightly furrowed eyebrows showed that she kept her abrasiveness within arm’s reach, not because she wanted to be mean, but as a shield to protect herself. She had laid herself open, allowing Ever to see her - really see her - and what she had been hiding for the gods know how long.

  Ever, Death said. His tone was enough to confirm his suspicions. Her parents passed to the Underworld not long after the accident.

  *You reaped them, Mentor?*

  Of course I did, who else could it have been?

  “You’re talking to him now, aren’t you?” Taylor asked. She put her fists on the table, bumping her empty tea cup. “Death? Can you get him to check? Please?”

  Ever kept his eyes on her, brow slightly furrowed.

  *Albert’s ghosts waited years - decades - for him to pass and join them. Why didn’t Taylor’s parents wait just a bit longer?*

  They were around long enough to see that Logan loved and cared for her as if she were his own daughter.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  *What options did you choose from the scythe?*

  I don’t know how this is going to help–

  *Just tell me, Mentor.*

  Anyone passing by their table would have thought Ever and Taylor were having the most intense staring contest.

  I chose ‘Touch’ so both of them could kiss her and ‘Smell’ because they wanted to breathe in her scent one more time.

  Ever cradled his face in both hands; this was not going to be easy. He pushed the plate to the side, leaned forward and offered his palms to Taylor. Something shifted in her expression.

  “Just tell me, Ever.”

  He sighed, withdrawing his hands. “Your parents are in the Underworld. They have been for decades now.”

  “Yeah, so?” Taylor said. “So were you.”

  “And I can’t remember anything about my past life.” Not only that, he couldn’t really remember much about what the Underworld was like either. This life he was living now was the only one he had as far as he was concerned.

  “So what are you–”

  “Your parents loved you, Taylor. They kissed you and breathed in your scent before they said goodbye.”

  “They’ve left me.” Taylor’s voice was achingly small.

  “They left you knowing you were looked after by Logan.”

  “Logan is not my parent!” Taylor shouted. “Parents wouldn’t leave their kids behind while they flew around the world, raking in money then blowing it on hookers.”

  Ever sat back in his chair. Taylor had looked away, shoulders slumped. Abruptly, she snatched up her bag, pushed the chair back and rushed off.

  “Taylor!”

  Ever extended a hand in her direction. She disappeared from view, walking quickly down the escalators.