The eldest Ker went for Ever, getting in within five feet before thrusting herself back with a powerful flap of her wings. The blade of the scythe screamed past her, narrowly missing her face.

  Ever! Death shouted. What are you doing? You cannot use the scythe as a weapon!

  “Looks like your slave is rebelling against you, brother.” The Ker crowed, a glint in her eye.

  “Ever!”

  The apprentice reaper spun around. Taylor was once again in the grips of the younger Keres. This time, one had sunk her talons into both of her forearms while the other did the same thing but digging deep into her back. She struggled mightily as they wrenched her further and further away from him.

  “Let her go!” He rushed at them, ignoring the fact that the shaft of the scythe was still squirming beneath his fingers. He swung vertically at the Keres on Taylor’s right, then grunted in surprise. The scythe slipped from his grasp, and he fell to his knees. What felt inexplicably like blood trickled down his back. He reached back and touched a fresh gash; ectoplasm shined silver on his finger tips.

  Do not attack him! Death shouted.

  “Then come up here and stop me, Thanatos!” The Ker squawked triumphantly. Silver residue from Ever’s body tinged the tips of her claws.

  Ever watched as the elder Keres stalked past him towards her prey, shoving him in the head with her foot. His vision blurred. The cackling of the Keres sounded like it was getting further and further away. Taylor wailed; he shook his head until he was fully present once more.

  He got up onto his haunches, spying the scythe on the slope of the dune. He knew it didn’t want to be involved in this, but it was his only chance at saving Taylor. He closed his eyes momentarily – then exploded forward.

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  “Scythe, to me!” Ever shouted.

  The elder Keres still hadn’t noticed.

  “Scythe, to me!” Ever implored once more.

  The younger Keres sisters noticed him and started to pull away.

  “Scythe!” The mystical instrument shuddered. “To me!” It flew across the sand, slapping into Ever’s hands. He raised the weapon over his head and swung down…

  …only for the Keres to all push themselves away, leaving Taylor horribly exposed.

  Ever’s eyes widened. The blade charged downward, like a guillotine. There was a scream that seemed to shatter the night sky itself, that came not from Taylor, but from the scythe as it cut through Taylor’s wrists before falling into the sand.

  The Keres screeched with mirth, revelling in the success of their little plan.

  “My…” Taylor stared at the stumps where her hands used to be. “My… hands…”

  Her friend's ensuing keen tore a wound into Ever deeper than the one inflicted by the Ker. Everything was red.

  He flew towards them, pulling the scythe, its shaft writhing in agony, out of the sand.

  Ever, no…

  He drew back the scythe, eyes locked in on the elder Ker.

  Ever, don’t…

  The elder Ker turned around just in time to see Ever slash clean through her midriff. Nothing happened at first. Indeed, the expression on the elder Ker’s face was one of annoyance. Gradually, her eyes opened too in surprise, becoming glassy moments later.

  “Sister!” One of the Keres keened, falling to her knees.

  “Murderer!” The other screeched.

  Ever… Death’s voice was as quiet as he’d ever heard it. What have you done?

  The elder Keres’ body started flaking, disintegrating into the air. The scythe, loose in Ever’s fingers, was now deathly still, as if it too had died. Without warning, it popped out of existence, leaving Ever clutching nothing but an aching void.