New Moon
Nerivayn and Thaloryn
December 18th, 3025
The lake lay still as polished obsidian under the new moon, only the faintest dusting of snow drifting from a sky scrubbed clean of cloud. The sisters reclined on their favorite shelf of black sand, limbs entwined, cerulean hair spread like spilled ink across bare skin. A single lantern of foxfire floated above them, casting soft blue light that made their pale skin glow.
They sang.
No words, only a melody: low, liquid notes that curled through the air like smoke, rising into a soaring, ecstatic lament and then falling again into a slow, satisfied sigh.
Snowflakes melted on their lips as they smiled.
Footsteps on water: calm, unhurried.
Mei Shadowsoul walked across the mirrored surface, funeral gown trailing ripples. Her red eyes glowed in the mist surrounding her.
The sisters rose in perfect synchrony, water streaming from their skin, and opened their arms.
“Our favorite artist,” Nerivayn purred, voice honey over broken glass.
“Finally come to collect her masterpiece,” Thaloryn rumbled, warm and terrible.
They stepped forward together, bare feet leaving no prints.
“Every death this week was exquisite,” Nerivayn sighed, tracing a finger down Mei’s cheek. “Zindzi’s sacrifice. Evelyn’s game. Clara’s locked office. Lily’s desperate resolve. Lunara’s unyielding duty, Sylvara’s poison, Ilshavara’s sheer Will! All…” The shiver. “Exquisite.”
Thaloryn leaned in, breath warm against Mei’s ear. “Thank you for coming to us near the end. It was a pleasure to watch you work.”
Nerivayn cupped Mei’s face. “You are a bit of a role model for us.”
Thaloryn pressed her lips to the other side. “Our hero!”
They kissed her at the same moment.
The Reaper’s eyes widened. A faint flush rose beneath porcelain skin.
The sisters stepped back, smiling, and dissolved into twin columns of water that sighed into the lake without a splash.
Mei stood alone under the foxfire lantern, lips tingling, tails flicking in flustered arcs.
She touched her mouth once, almost shyly, then vanished with an indignant huff that scattered the lantern’s flame into a thousand blue sparks.