Chapter 17
Nina’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up–straight into a pair of jet–black eyes.
In that instant, she knew. This man… he knew the soul inside this body was hers.
Her fingers curled slightly. “How do you know it’s me? And what exactly am I supposed to be thanking you for? Who are you?”
The man gave her a cool glance. “You always ask too many questions.”
Nina pressed her lips together. “Just trying to figure out what I’m thanking you for.”
Outside the window, the wind rustled the leaves. The mortician had long since fled. Only the two of them remained in the cold, sterile
room.
The man held her gaze. For a while, it seemed like he wouldn’t respond.
Then, finally, he spoke, “Lysander.”
His voice was low and crisp–like winter wind across a frozen lake.
Nina blinked. “What?”
“My name,” he said simply, eyes cold as ever. “And your new… superior.”
She stared. “Sorry, but I’m really not into that kind of dynamic.”
“Neither am I.”
“Then what do you mean?”
Lysander’s tone was flat. “You were brought back on one condition. You work for me. I need your help with something.”
The refusal hovered on her tongue. But really–who says no to a second chance at life?
Still…
“What about the original owner of this body?”
“She’s dead.”
Nina’s eyes flicked up to the ceiling. “Will she turn into a spirit, too?”
“If she had unfinished business or a desire that strong, maybe,” Lysander said. “But most people… they just fade.”
Unfinished business.
That’s why she had stayed behind after death, right? She must’ve had something she needed to do.
But what exactly…?
She tried to think deeper–only for a sharp pain to stab through her head. Her memory was blank.
Nina winced, then exhaled. “So… what exactly do you want me to do?”
Lysander studied her for a moment before lifting his hand.
She felt the brush of his fingers under her chin, lifting it just slightly. His cold, unreadable eyes locked onto hers.
And then–he smiled. It wasn’t warm. It wasn’t kind. It was curious. Icy.
“I want you to stay by my side. Let me study you.”
“Only those with an unshakable will get the chance to come back. So what was it, Nina? What desire burned so fiercely inside you… that
even death couldn’t snuff it out?”
She stilled.
Something flickered in her mind–but just as quickly, it vanished again.
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She gave a dry little laugh. “You’re not the only one who wants to know.”
The woman whose body she now inhabited had no parents, no family. According to records, her only known contact was her boss-
Lysander.
He took her out of the crematorium that very day.
She stared out the window as the city slid past, scenery unfamiliar and strange. “It’s all changed so much.”
“You’ve been dead for three years.”
Nina’s heart dropped.
Three years?
She’d been gone that long? Then… what about Julian? Did he go back to Aspenridge?
The thought made her fists clench.
The car didn’t head toward any residential neighborhood. Instead, it pulled up in front of a sleek downtown hotel.
Nina frowned. “Aren’t we
going home?”
Lysander shot her a cold glance. “There’s a function tonight.“.
She looked him over–dark suit, cufflinks, every detail perfect.
Then looked down at herself. A button–up and slacks. Office clothes.
She let out a short laugh, shaking her head. ‘Seriously? I should’ve known. I thought the old owner was a workaholic. Turns out it was him all along–my boss, the walking labor law violation.”
She crossed her arms. “I just came back from the dead. I’m not going to your party.”
She didn’t expect him to agree.
But he simply nodded and pulled the car over.
She blinked. That… was easy?
Hand on the door, she started to step out.
And froze.
His voice, low and even, came from behind her.
“The business partner I’m meeting tonight is Julian Ford.”
Nina’s breath caught.
She turned, stunned, as Lysander tilted his head just slightly, his sharp eyes glinting under the streetlights.
“This might be your last chance to see him. You sure you’re sitting this one out?”
Chapter 17
