All up, it took three days to clear Taylor’s name; it had been relatively easy to prove that she had been in Mexico just to study. After overcoming their shock, her tutors were more than happy to provide character references, calling her ‘studious but chirpy.’

  Logan was also right: money did talk. It spoke much clearer than his broken Spanish did, at any rate. By making it clear that he was willing to pay, the release of Taylor’s body was expedited; she would be back home before the end of the week.

  “...coming back with us?”

  “Hmm?” Ever tore his eyes away from the trees he had been staring at just outside the cathedral. They looked normal enough, but there was something that felt deeply wrong about them, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

  “I was just asking if you were coming back with us,” Logan said. “I’m happy to pay for your ticket.”

  He knew that Zoe would be worried, but Ever had delayed contacting her. He didn't want to face her without getting reassurance from Chronos that he could grant another blessing to help her Ascend.

  “Uh, you just flew from Australia yourself to Mexico, didn’t you?” Taylor asked.

  “Yep,” Ever replied.

  “So that was yes, you’re OK with me paying for a ticket?” Logan queried.

  “No Unc,” Taylor replied, forgetting he couldn’t hear her. “He’s talking to me.” She floated right in front of Ever, who was staring at the floor. “Dude, you don’t have a passport. You can’t fly home in a plane.”

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  “Sorry,” Ever said, shaking his head, mainly to clear his brain fog. “I think I might stay in Mexico a bit longer.”

  “Oh OK,” Logan said. “Well, I plan to have Taylor’s funeral as soon as possible after we get back, so…”

  “Sure.” Ever nodded, half-glancing at his ex-boss.

  The two men sat silently for a minute before the older one stood up, pulling out a cigarette and lighter and walking away.

  “Are you going to stay here?” Ever murmured.

  “Hell no,” Taylor responded. “I was ready to come back to Melbourne. You think being dead changes that? Besides, how often can someone actually witness their own funeral?”

  Ever grunted in acknowledgement. “I guess I’ll go into reaper mode and fly back to–”

  ∞Ever.∞

  His mind had been free of telepathic communication so long that the sudden connection made his head lurch.

  *Chaos?*

  Taylor tilted her head, floating horizontally while looking at him curiously.

  ∞You are being summoned to explain your actions.∞ Chaos had always spoken with authority and this time was no exception, but Ever felt that he could detect a hint of what sounded like regret in his voice. ∞Step into the cathedral at once.∞

  “Wait,” Taylor said, watching Ever stand up. “Where are you going?”

  “I have been summoned by Chaos.”

  “What?” Taylor spluttered. “Chaos? The guy who worked with us over the summer?”

  “Yeah,” Ever said, walking towards the ancient building. “He’s one of the first gods of existence.”

  “Get out of here!”

  “I am.”

  “No I mean…” she tailed him, like an unruly shadow that decided it wanted to cooperate. “Wait, I’m coming with you.”