“If memory serves, you’re already in my debt in that regard.” He’d restored Tod’s afterlife after I’d died. “And did I mention that you don’t have an appointment?”

“She’s not even a reaper,” one of the men at my back said.

Levi crossed tiny arms over his little-boy chest, half covering the Gap Kids logo. “I’m aware, David.”

“What is she?” the other reaper asked.

“Out of line. That’s what she is.” Levi planted both palms on his desk and glared up at me. It was like being scolded by a kindergartner. A kindergartner with an old soul and a corpse’s eyes. “Kaylee, see my assistant and make an appointment. I think I have an opening around noon tomorrow.”

“This can’t wait. Please, Levi. I need help.” I clutched the vial in my pocket and held his gaze, letting desperation show in mine, even though he probably couldn’t see the motion in my irises. “Five minutes, max. I swear.” That’s more than I could afford to spend there anyway.

Finally he exhaled and looked past me to the other reapers. “Wait in the hall.”

When they filed out the door without arguing, I realized that Tod was probably the least compliant employee Levi had—much like me in Madeline’s service.

The door clicked closed at my back. Levi gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk, and I sat. “Is this about Tod?”

“No. Not directly, anyway.” My feet bounced on the floor, and I couldn’t make them stop.

“Good, because he’s used all the favors he’s going to get—most of them on your behalf—and he’s been dead less than three years.”

I swallowed a lump of guilt over that. But if this went well, he wouldn’t have to worry about me getting Tod in trouble anymore.

“So, what can I do for you, Kaylee?”

I took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. “I need you to tell a lie.”

Levi frowned with pouty child’s lips, and his freckled forehead wrinkled below a mop of bright red hair. “Maybe you better start from the beginning.”

It took almost five minutes for me to explain what I needed and why, and another two minutes to persuade him that my lie was necessary, and that he had to be the one to tell it. I then spent one more precious minute convincing him that I hadn’t lost my mind and that I would actually go through with my part of the plan.

By the time I shook Levi’s hand, unsettled more by the grim respect in his gaze than I was by the reality of what I was planning, I was seven minutes late to meet Tod, and he’d texted twice.

And I still had to pick up the drinks.

While I waited for our cherry limeades, I texted Tod to tell him I was on my way. Then I practiced controlling my pulse and slowing my heartbeat. Letting my true fear show in my eyes while hiding my guilt overwhat I was about to do.

This is about the war, not the battle,  Kaylee. Sacrifices had to be made.

When I blinked into his room, Tod was squatting in front of the minifridge that served as his nightstand. When he saw me, he stood with the small carton of ice cream we’d opened the day before.

“No, thanks.” I set the limeades on top of the fridge and held his gaze. “I’m not here for the ice cream.”

His eyes widened. “I may not be the sharpest scythe in the shed, but even I can read those signals.” He kissed me, and I nearly forgot my own name.

“Mmm...” I said, when his mouth trailed over my chin and down my neck.

“Why do you taste so good?” he mumbled against my skin.

“Cherry limeade.” I reached back to hand him his. I’d gotten us each a small, because I needed him to drink as much of his as possible.

Tod took a long drink, then set his cup down. “I love those.”

“I know.” I slid my hands beneath his shirt, running my fingers over his stomach, then higher.

“I love you more.”

“More than processed sugar and fresh-squeezed citrus? You flatter me....”

I leaned into him until he had to take a step back, and then I leaned a little more. He lost his balance and had to sit on the edge of the bed, staring up at me in surprise. I climbed into his lap, then I kissed Tod like I might never see him again. Like the promise of eternity was a cruel joke and the truth was that we might not live to see dawn.

When that kiss finally ended, Tod leaned back a little so he could focus on my face. “Not that I’m complaining—and let me emphasize that I’m  truly not complaining—but is something wrong, Kaylee? I mean, other than the missing parents/demonic evil thing?” He reached for his cup again, and relief and guilt churned within me, one fading into the other until they were indistinguishable.

“Does something have to be wrong for me to want to spend time alone with my boyfriend?”

His eyes narrowed as he sipped from his straw. “A smarter reaper than I might notice that you’re playing the same implication game Avari plays when he doesn’t want to admit something.”

“I don’t want a smarter reaper. I want you.”

“Ha ha.” He took another drink, then set the cup down again. “Kay...?” He knew me too well to fall for my avoidance game, and he loved me too much not to push for the truth when something was obviously wrong.

“I’m just...scared. I’m scared, Tod.” I slumped beneath the weight of that admission, and his hands slid up my back, over my shirt. “I’m more scared now than I’ve ever been in my life. Or my afterlife.” That was true. In fact, that was the truest thing I could possibly have told him.