Ever lay on the floor of his living room, hands folded across his chest, his head in Nyx’s lap. He would have been staring straight up at the cobwebbed ceiling were it not for the goddess’ silky hem of her star-scattered dress swishing back and forth across his face as she affectionately stroked his hair.

  “Thank you for looking after Mimi while I was at the hospital, Mother.”

  “It was no trouble at all, Son.”

  Mimi’s gentle snores rose from the crook of Nyx’s crossed legs, where she cradled the sausage dog in the gossamer soft webbing of her dress. Ever could have lain like this until the morning; he didn’t realise how weary he was until he came back home. Nyx was already there and despite his initial hesitance, laying on her lap turned out to be just what he needed.

  He felt a familiar, boney connection open up in his mind.

  “Mentor,” Ever said, rising off his mother’s thigh, “I’ll–”

  Just stay put, young soul, Death said. If you won’t make it weird, I won’t make it weird either.

  Seeing the encouraging warmth in Nyx’s eyes, Ever slowly lowered himself back down.

  “That’s very mature of you, Thanatos,” the goddess said.

  Yeah well… my loss for not being smushy and accepting of your love initially, right?

  “Seems like I spoke too soon.”

  But enough about me! Death said, almost barking. It is your adopted son who needs support now.

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  “Yes, you are right,” Nyx said. “Ever, do you want to talk?”

  Ever chewed the inside of his cheek, letting the silence percolate. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “How do you feel?”

  Now, he did focus on the cobwebs on the ceiling as he took inventory of his emotions. “I’m sad. I’m overwhelmed. I’m tired. I feel powerless.”

  Nyx resumed stroking his hair.

  Spoken like a true human! Death said. Nyx made a reproachful look into empty space. What? It’s true. Humans are great at surrendering their own sense of agency.

  “What Thanatos is trying to say is that what you’re feeling is normal given the circumstances. It’s overwhelming to find out that you’re going to be a parent. And of course you would feel sad if you knew someone’s days were limited.”

  “I’ll keep reaping, don’t worry Mentor,” Ever said. “I haven’t forgotten the reason why you brought me here. But as Zoe gets closer to her final days, I might want to spend more time with her. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Of course, Death said, though Ever did pick up the slightest bit of hesitation in his voice.

  Ever furrowed his brow. “Mentor, do you have a way of tracking which humans are about to die?”

  No, Death responded. That’s never been my jurisdiction.

  “Whose is it then?” Ever asked. “Is there someone who counts down how many days someone has left?”

  “That would be Thanatos’ sisters,” Nyx said.

  “The Keres?” Ever said, sitting up in alarm. “The ones who consume souls that have suffered violent deaths?”

  Ugh, no, Death responded. Not those sisters. My other ones, the Moirai.

  “You have a lot of sisters, Mentor.”

  Thank my Mother.

  Ever grinned, grateful for the brief levity. “Is there a way to speak with them?”

  Nyx smiled enigmatically. “Only if they wish to speak with you.”