Realm of Mirrors (The DeathSpeaker Codex Book 3) (30 page)

“You got it,” I said. “Thanks for not giving up on me.”

“Never.”

I walked Abe to the door, and he handed me my keys before he left. Then I turned to Taeral and Sadie, who’d waited for me in the lobby. “Is it bedtime now?” I said.

Sadie laughed. “Oh, yeah. I can’t wait to sleep on something that’s off the ground.”

“Aye,” Taeral said. “If there’s one thing I appreciate in the human realm, it is a proper bed.”

“Is that all?” Sadie asked.

“No. I can think of many more things to appreciate,” he said huskily.

“Okay. Category of things I don’t want to think about.” I managed a grin. For some reason, I wasn’t as jealous as I would’ve been before—I was kind of happy for them, and hoped they’d be able to have something more than the sort-of relationship that wasn’t enough for either of them. Even if they were both too stubborn to admit it. “Listen, I’m probably going to take a quick nap, but there’s something I have to do before I hit the hay too hard,” I said. “So don’t worry if I’m not here. I won’t be gone long.”

Taeral frowned. “What is it? If you need help, I’ll—”

“No. I have to do this on my own,” I said. “It’s not dangerous. I promise.”

“All right. If you’re certain…”

I waved a hand at them. “Go on. Honestly, I’m fine.”

They walked toward the stairs, and I waited until they were out of sight to slip through the door. I’d grab a nap in my van, for old time’s sake. But not because I had to.

Being home would never scare me again.

I wore my best suit for the occasion.

Okay, it was my only suit. But I felt pretty good in the clothes the mirror mender made for me—like I was something more than what I’d believed myself to be most of my life. Worthless, pointless, human waste who didn’t matter to anyone. Someone who could drop dead at any time, and not one thing in the world would change.

That wasn’t me anymore. I knew what family meant now, and I had one of my own. One I truly belonged to.

That was what this trip was about.

I parked the van by the open gates and went in. It was late enough, or early enough, to have the place to myself. By now I had no problem finding the right spot, and I walked there slowly, my mind whirling with anticipation…and maybe a little concern.

Would she know me? What would she think of me now?

I slowed even more as my destination came into view. I had to force myself the last few steps, and then I sat cross-legged on the ground, just staring at the inscription.

JESSAMYN ROSE HADLEY

“All right,” I murmured aloud. “Stop stalling.”

I closed my eyes and reached down without moving. Felt the sensation of cool earth, then polished wood, rotting material, and finally bone. The unseen rubber band snapped back. My head throbbed, and I focused on the gravestone in front of me until it shifted and became a woman.

She was just as beautiful as I’d imagined.

My throat seized, and I couldn’t say a word. Her face was so smooth, so pure. And her smile was everything.

“
Gideon. Oh, my sweet boy. I never imagined I’d be able to see you.
”

I smiled as a warm tear tracked down my face. And I finally found my voice.

“Hello…Mom.”

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