Okami is suddenly right above me. Like a mother cradling her child, her hands are on either side of my face.
Goodnight, Kaya, she whispers, her grip on my neck tightening.
No, wait
This can’t be it.
These can’t be my last moments.
Sweet dreams, says the Wolf.
I love you, Veah. I’m so sorry I never got to tell you.
And as if she knows what I am thinking, Okami smiles.
Right before she snaps my neck.
Am I in Heaven ?
The moment I wake up, there are a thousand questions on my tongue. But the sight of Veah in front of me, doused in bright morning sun, is enough for me to really believe it. Heaven.
The edge of Veah’s mouth curls into a smirk. You know, I think I’m getting a little deja vu.
My mind flashes back to the warehouse, when Veah carried me away from the burning building.
I had asked, Am I in Heaven ?
She had replied, No, but if you want to be inside of me, that can be arranged.
I trace the edge of her jaw with one fingertip. Tentatively. As though she is a mirage, and with a ripple of light, she could vanish.
But her skin is soft, and when I touch the outline of her luscious, pink mouth, I know I really am dead.
I made it to heaven after all.
Thank you, God, I whisper, closing my eyes.
Veah catches my hand. Kaya, you’re not dead.
It’s okay, I breathe. I just wish I could have said goodbye to Cassie. I wish I could have told her I would be looking out for her. I’m okay. If this is heaven
Honestly, I’m offended. I thought we were planning to go to hell together.
The gay party. Rainbow strobelights. I smile as I lean forward, and her lips against mine are paradise with a hint of cherry. It’s not hell if I have you.
Veah blinks, and I think I see the faintest trace of a gleam in her silver eyes. I thought I lost you.
Panic seizes me. But if I’m dead, does that mean you’re
From in another room, I hear a muffled voice say, You’re not dead, you idiot !
Veah narrows her eyes at the closed door. Are you eavesdropping on us ? she calls back.
Voices that sound suspiciously like Maiko and Ren start to grumble, and then I know we truly are alone.
Listen, I’m not going to freak out. It’s okay if I’m dead. It’s just
Kiss me, she says suddenly, so low I can barely hear her. I must be hallucinating.
What ?
Her eyebrows pull together. What did I say ?
Kiss me
I’d love to, she says, a sinful grin curving her heavenly mouth. And she leans forward, letting me taste her. Cherry blossoms and sweet rain.
She stole my trick, I think.
Suddenly, I don’t want to be dead. I want to kiss her, over and over again, for the rest of my life.
Is there any chance you can bring me back to life ?
Veah tucks back a strand of my hair. You’re not dead.
But Okami . . . she let me live ?
We found you unconscious on the floor. I should have told you she was part of the Hattori Guild. But never mind thatit doesn’t matter. You’re alive, and I’m getting you the hell out of here.
A shudder runs through me. I heard my neck snap, I
Veah’s hand cups one side of my face. I lean into her touch.
You’re okay, Kaya. You’re alive.
A slow smile spreads on my face. You mean, we both survived to see today ?
That’s right.
And it’s morning ?
I know she knows what I’m thinking. The marriage. The annulment. We’ve been married for a whole night, and nobody knows.
Actually . . . the memory of swinging a wooden chair leg jumps back to me.
Except Maiko.
You owe one hell of an apology to Mai, Veah warns me. She was pissed. You knocked her out with a chair, for God’s sake. How did you think that would go ?
I had to stop Okami
That was one hell of a dangerous stunt you pulled, by the way. You could have died. You were so close to it, and I . . . I don’t know why Okami even let you live. Veah hesitates. What did she say to you ?