Lexi

“You again?”

I broke away from Leo holding my body to find a hooded figure standing with a giant scythe in hand and looking down at a… clipboard?

“Hello?” I said apprehensively, unsure of how to respond.

“I told them no more favours, no more deals,” he said furiously, flipping through pages, “Yet here you are some five months late to your death. You are not in Whitby, and this paperwork lacks details!”

He dropped the papers in frustration, but they never hit the ground. Instead, it disappeared into thin air.

“Damn fates. So,” he rolled his shoulders back and calmly flipped his hood down, “Who did you make a deal with? Because my paperwork is missing several things.”

I don’t know if I was taken aback by his question of a deal or the unexpected appearance of the figure of death.

“Dad?” I asked, doubtful.

“Ah, sorry. It helps people to see a familiar face waiting for them…”

He clicked his fingers, and a shimmer mimicking water poured over him. He changed from the familiar face of my green-eyed father to a more timeless one.

His expression was apathetic and calm. Only greying silver hair gave away his countless aeons of guiding souls to their afterlives. His skin appeared ageless, with dark eyes reflecting the voids of darkness, yet his beauty was otherworldly.

His cloak flowed around his grey choice of robes with otherworldly grace, only one skeletal hand extended from billowing sleeve clasping the large black scythe, and a crown of gold gilded leaves sat upon his head.

I was stunned to speak.

I glanced at Leo almost as if to reassure myself, but he was still sitting at the tree's base, holding me with eyes cast down.

I looked around and passed Death to look for Grandma Langton or another familiar face.

A quiet sigh left the ethereal god as he moved calmly towards me. I did not feel threatened once bit by this god. His aura was calm and serene.

He reached out a skeletal hand and touched my shoulder in a kind and understanding manner.

“Let’s start again. I am Thanatos. You may know me as Death itself or the Grim Reaper. Normally, I take souls to their chosen afterlife. Well, myself and other gods of death you may know of… It’s a big job, as you can understand.”

“You said… normally?” I ventured, a little braver.

“Yes. Except, when a deal has been struck, your soul will belong to the God or Goddess you took a deal with.”

“A deal? What kind of deal?”

“Life,” he stated bluntly, “You know them as miracles. Everything comes at a price.”

I looked down at the frozen earth with furrowed brows. His answer only raised more questions, and his riddle-like sentences were not helping.

‘A deal of life…’

He leaned against his scythe to see my face, “That face tells me you have no idea what I am talking about.”

I looked back up and admitted, “I don’t. I’m sorry.”

He smiled lightly and held out a hand, “It happens more often than you think. The deal will be written somewhere. Well, shall we find out?”

“No need, Thanatos.” A female voice called out from the depths of the dark trees, “This one is mine.”

“Yours?” Thanatos turned my view of the goddess still obscured, “Unbelievable. You know how many souls I deal with; I need complete records!”

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“It slipped my mind.”

The air crackled with energy as she stepped into view, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. She was draped in robes that seemed to be woven from the night itself as she moved. She stood tall and regal in her movements. A cascade of long black curls reflected moonlight despite the new moon, giving her another worldly beauty with sharp and striking features.

I was not on the mortal plane anymore.

A pale hand shuffled tamed curls back as she stepped closer to me.

“You can continue your duties. I will take this one,” her voice resonated like a chime of distant bells.

Thanatos signed gently, “Gladly. Take care, Hecate.”

“You too, Thanatos.”

I stared impolitely in awe. This was Hecate, the Goddess of magic and witchcraft.

A gentle smile appeared on her timeless face, “You probably have many questions.”

I nodded sheepishly, making her laugh lightly.

“Come. There is much to talk about.”

She reached across, putting an arm around my shoulder and gently ushering me into the darkness of the trees. Unknowingly, I dragged my heels; something didn’t feel right…

I peered over my shoulder at Leo. He seemed frozen in time. My heart yearned.

I couldn’t leave.

Hecate instantly noticed my hesitation; she stopped her gentle probing. With a sad sigh, she slowly made her way over to him.

Crouching down, she hovered over him and leaned over to whisper into his ear. The wind picked up the goddess's whispers, and Leo seemed to respond.

“Take her home.”

Leo’s hand touched my face, stroking the hair back as she stood.

“Come. He will be fine,” she reassured.

My consciousness eased a little as he stood carefully. Hecate put her arm around me once more but waited for me to take the first step.

I watched him leave first before I started my journey with the goddess.

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Leo

The forest turned silent as the darkness settled in. It was like the world was morning with him. Once a place of magical wonder, it seemed oppressive and foreboding. Shadows stretched long and dark, and the wind whistled almost mournfully through the trees. Leo sat slumped against the tree, cradling Lexi’s lifeless body in his arms. His tears had long since dried, but the hollow ache in his chest was all too familiar.

He knew he couldn’t stay here forever, though every fibre of his being wanted to sit there, holding her and let the world move on without him.

He couldn’t help but remember Anna being carried home by Edward. Now, Leo had to face the same grief that would be in Isobelle’s eyes. Thinking about it was almost unbearable, but the mother needed her daughter to mourn.

The wind picked up as Leo gently brushed the stray hair from Lexi’s pale face with a deep, shuddering breath. He couldn’t stop his fingers from trembling. She looked like she was sleeping, like at Whitby Hospital. Was she truly gone?

“Home,” he whispered, his voice breaking and his throat sore from his harrowing cries. Let’s go home.”

He forced himself to move. He was careful not to jostle her as he got to his feet. The weight of her body was both a physical and emotional burden. It pressed down on him with every inch he moved.

Leo adjusted Lexi in his arms, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible, even in death. The thought sent a fresh wave of sorrow over him. He swallowed thickly, pushing his emotions away to focus on the task.

He didn’t look around once, keeping his eyes trained on the ground, stepping over the tricky roots and dodging the low-hanging branches. He couldn’t let anything disturb her during the long path back.

Leo’s resolve never wavered, but as he trudged on, memories of Lexi flashed through his mind: Her teasing laugh, bright smile, and stubbornness. She made him feel alive. The knife-like pain twisted deeper with every step.

He passed the small stream and admired its ability to remain steady, calm and unchanging. The coven visited this stream many times to relax after a circle. It was a constant in their lives… more memories of Lexi flooded his mind. They never stopped as he continued.

He didn’t hear the shouts or murmurs from the council lackeys around him. They blurred into the trees, their whispers blending with the whistling trees. People stepped aside, their expressions a mix of sorrow and respect.

They had found the missing two, but Lexi's death told them they had failed their mission. Leo kept his eyes forward, focusing only on putting one step before the other and not jostling his precious cargo.

After an eternity, the forest's edge came into view. He paused momentarily, looking up at the back of her house.

The house that was usually so warm and welcoming now felt like a looming presence. Taking a deep breath and tightened his grip on Lexi before moving to the back porch.

He was halfway down the garden path, and the door was ripped open.

Isobelle leaned against the doorframe, shaking her head in disbelief.

“No,” she whispered.

Seeing her daughter made it all too real.

“No! Goddess, why?” She collapsed to the floor with an anguished cry.

Keiron appeared behind her with wide eyes. Leo took a shattered breath as he ascended the few stairs.

Keiron gathered the broken mother from the entrance and let Leo pass with Lexi.

Hysterical crying overtook the tiny house.

Leo paused at the small door under the stairs, taking a moment to summon his little strength. He pushed open the door and walked the final steps to the table in the centre.

He gently laid her down on the cold, bare wood, cradling her head. He could not let the harsh oak make her uncomfortable, so he procured a small pillow and placed it beneath her head.

The cries became louder as Lexi’s family huddled around her. Their small coven following. Isobelle reached out, touching Lexi’s face with trembling hands.

Leo’s heart broke all over again.

“Thank you,” Isobelle muttered, reaching for Leo’s forearm.

The sudden touch made him look into her eyes.

“Thank you for bringing her back to me,” she finished, her voice no more than a whisper.

He nodded, with eyes watering with fresh tears. His legs trembled, threatening to give way. He has done what he needed to, but the pain of his loss and the weight of grief was too much to bear. He turned away and took a few paces before sinking to his knees.

Lexi was home.