Black Bird of the Gallows(89)

“I would be pleased to,” Rafette replies. “But as you can see, you must offer me something in order for her release.”

“And what’s that?”

“You must accept my queen bee into yourself,” Rafette says. “I will be free.”

“You’re delusional if you think that would work,” Reece sneers.

“It will work. One of the ancient Strawmen gave me the secret.” The Beekeeper presses a finger to his temple. “He put it all right in here, without saying a word.”

This sounds like made up nonsense to me, but Reece visibly pales. His entire body deflates. When I first met Reece, I remember glimpses of profound grief. Desolation so deep it made me shudder. It eased as we spent more time together, but I see it now, stripped down and exposed, in the lines of his face, the curve of his body. He hunches with the weight of loss. The burden of every death and horror he’s witnessed. With the truth in the Beekeeper’s words and the magnitude of the choice before him.

I sit straight up, fingers digging into the soggy earth. The bees drone in disapproval. Another stinger sinks into my flesh, making my ankle jerk. “Don’t even think of it, Reece.”

Reece does not look away from the Beekeeper. His lips thin, then turn down at the edges.

“Thank you, harbinger,” Rafette says gently. “After a millennia of this torment, I will finally be allowed to die.”

My heart smashes against my ribs. The bees buzz faster in distress, but I don’t care what they do. I’m already stung. Their venom is moving through my tissues, sending it deeper, to my bones. Soon, to my mind. “Not him!” I beg Rafette. “Don’t do this to him.”

Rafette finally turns to me. He has the nerve to look apologetic. “But it must be him. Only another creature of the lost magic can accept the curse. I’ve waited a very long time to find a harbinger with something to lose.” He turns knowing eyes to Reece. “He wouldn’t walk away now, even if I begged him. Isn’t that right, scavenger?”

Reece stares at the thick red welt on my wrist. He shakes his head.

“Do not become one of them for me,” I say, willing him to listen to me. “I’m not worth losing your soul over.”

Reece’s gaze turns to me, all blazing eyes and determination. “You’re worth all that and more.”

“No!” Tears streak from my eyes. What is wrong with him? “Do not do this. Please.”

“I can’t let you die, Angie.”

“He’s going to kill me with these bees either way,” I shoot back. “He told me so.”

It’s a total lie and I feel zero guilt about it. I will say anything, at this point, to get him to leave.

The Beekeeper raises his brows. “My word is true, and he knows it.” He turns to Reece. “Now, harbinger, shall we get on with it?”





40-the queen


Reece and Rafette exchange a look that sends blood pounding in my ears.

It’s done. Decided. If his soul wasn’t about to be forfeited, I’d be flattered that this didn’t appear to be a difficult decision. He may think he’s saving me from death, but I don’t think he’s considered what his choice will do to my soul. I won’t just get on with my life as if nothing happened. I won’t be able to live with this.

“Let’s get this over with,” Reece says roughly, walking toward us. “Before I’m too late to save her.”

Rafette smiles, wide and pleased. “A wise decision.”

“No!” I surge to my feet and lunge for the side of the monkey bars. Reece stands on the other side. “You can’t. I won’t let you!”

Eyes wide, Rafette holds out a hand. “No, don’t—!”

The stingers of a hundred bees pierce my skin, release their venom. Pain pours over and through me like liquid fire. White and hot and engulfing me in an unnamable agony. Breathing is out of the question. I drop to my knees in a gasp.

“Angie!” Reece is at my side, kneeling down next to me. “What have you done?”

His eyes are gentle and worried. And any remaining conflict about his decision is gone. He brushes a hand over my face, brushing off a few bees. “You can call the rest back now, Rafette,” he says quietly.

The Beekeeper stares at me in open astonishment. The few bees who didn’t just kill themselves stinging me fly off me and return to his mouth. Revulsion squeezes my heart. Reece can’t become this. Not because of me.

Reece’s trembling fingers curl around mine. His palm, despite being so hot, is clammy.

“Don’t do this, Reece,” I plead. “Please. This will destroy me, too.”

“No,” he whispers into my hair. “You’ll go on and live your life. You’ll find a guy who can be with you. Who can give you everything you deserve.”

Everything I deserve. What is that, exactly? And who gets to decide? Not him, I think.

“It’s time.” Rafette’s voice quavers with eagerness, but with a touch of fear, too. He wasn’t expecting this. “Open your mouth, harbinger.”

Reece looks up at him. I can see the whites of his eyes and the stark paleness of his skin. I can feel the trembles going through him. The effort of swallowing makes his Adam’s apple bob dramatically. He’s scared. No, he’s terrified beyond belief.