At length, Mariana finally had to urge the reapers along. “Shenado...” ‘ I know ,’ the reaper said, turning heavily toward her. ‘ We are ou...

“And don’t you dare blame Marcos for my death,” Mariana went on. “And don’t let him blame himself. None of this is his fault.” Emiliana fro...

The Rainlords dispersed, but no one left the castle just yet. Everyone promised to call around for any available reapers. Mariana almost tol...

‘ Alright, then, who here has a reaper for her son? ’ Mevox looked across the room at everyone present. Cortes, Garza, Delaguna, Merlo, Redw...

“Let us see,” said Octavia. She reached toward the middle of the broad table and lifted the receiver on the conference phone there. She put ...

‘ If it’s only a single general and his underlings we have to worry about, then I’m not too concerned ,’ said Mevox. ‘ Problem is, you Vangu...

‘ The Vanguard sent seven servants to our house ,’ said Shenado. ‘ They claimed they only wanted to “escort” us safely to Lagemoor, but when...

Octavia showed them into a vast, windowless chamber with a high ceiling. Beds sat on either side of the room, each one neatly made. Octavia ...

Mariana had to turn away as she listened. There was truth in Shenado’s words. She knew there was. And it gave her pause. The choice in her h...

Red Lake Castle was a hulking, crimson structure with a tower on its northwestern corner that rose much higher than any of its others. The c...

Shenado looked like she had something to say, but she remained quiet. Mariana made a few more calls. She tried Zeff and Francisco without s...

“I am aware,” said Mariana. “I was hoping you would have someone already nearby.” <“I’m sorry. Several candidates come to mind, but I do...

Mariana’s expression softened. “Don’t apologize, mijara . You didn’t do anything wrong. Is Octavia there right now?” <“Y-yes...”> “L...

In this area, the waters often receded enough to reveal the bare ground, and the boathouse was designed with that in mind, bearing a foundat...

By the time they saw the gray sky again, Marcos had died. And the clock was ticking. Mariana had about eighteen hours to find the boy a reap...

Emiliana stood to her feet. She went straight for the first question she could think of. “Are you Alicia’s grandmother?” “I am indeed,” the...

Her parents. Emiliana remembered. Where were they? She wanted to yell at them. And cry at them. Most of all, she wanted to stop worrying...

Hesitant, Emiliana opened her eyes. The first thing she noticed was that the vision in her left eye was dimmer. Cloudier and darker, and the...