Thana had a quest. She’d been at the Academy for two hours and she already had a quest. The problem was, she had no idea where to start.

Amy’s prophecy didn’t give her any idea as to a location. But it did say she was going to lose someone.

Abigail and Oliver aren’t my siblings. She reminded herself. I don’t have any.

But what if I do. She countered herself. If Thanatos had other children, then they were her siblings.

She stopped walking once she was out of the enchanted woods. What if the prophecy was for one of them? What if I’m the sister who’ll be lost?

She shook her head to clear the thought. There was no point worrying about it now. If she was supposed to die, then she’d die. For now, she needed a plan.

Her apartment was only a few blocks away. She could get a coffee and untangle her thoughts. She set off for home, but something stopped her at the entrance to a city park.

A young woman, clearly pregnant, was struggling by a bench. At first, Thana thought she was trying to sit down, then she saw a book on the ground. The woman had probably dropped it and couldn’t pick it up. Thana watched, a sour look on her face, as other pedestrians ignored the girl.

“Need any help?” She called.

The woman looked up at her and smiled thankfully. “Is it that obvious?”

Thana returned the smile and walked over. The book was about single-motherhood, which pulled a few sad cords in her heart. “No father?”

The woman bit her lip. She was clearly defensive about that topic. “Not… not really.”

Thana couldn’t help her professional mind from kicking in. The girl’s response brought a clear scenario to mind. There had been a father, but they’d fought and broken up. Now she was all alone to raise their child.

“You have options.” Thana said without thinking as she handed back the book.

“I think I’m past abortion by a few months.” The woman laughed it off. “Besides, I want my baby.” Sadness clouded her eyes. “Even if I won’t be there for him or her.”

Red light flared above the girl’s head and Thana looked up. 24:00:00. She watched the first few seconds tick away before she realized what she was looking at. “24 hours.” She murmured. “Just one day.”

When she realized she’d said the words out loud, she expected the woman to back away slowly. But she just looked up, as if she could see the numbers. “I am past due.” She looked back at Thana and smiled. “I’m guessing you’re his child, then?”

“His?”

“Death.” The woman caressed her belly. “Thanatos is the father.”

She sat on the bench and patted the seat beside her. Thana joined her and they sat in silence for a while. As her death timer ticked past ten minutes, the girl looked over.

“I’m Ella.” She introduced herself. “Ella Barrow. I’m an accountant.”

Thana wasn’t sure why she was telling her this. They were strangers. Then it clicked. Thana was her child’s older sister. They were like family.

“Thana Tossa.” She said it too quickly, making it sound like her father’s name. Ella laughed. “I’m a social worker. Foster care services.”

Ella’s eyes lit up and she took Thana’s hands in her own. “This is perfect. When I die, will you take my baby? Only another child of Thanatos can understand. Please, tell them I love them. I love them more than my own life.”

Thana could feel the emotions wafting off Ella. She was desperate for someone to understand. This is how my mom felt. Thana realized. She knew she’d die, but she wanted me.

“Thanatos always tells the mother.” She repeated what Zain had told her. “You had a choice.”

“And I don’t regret it.” Ella said adamantly. “My only regret is that my child won’t know the truth.”

Thana nodded. “My aunt blamed me. She said it was my fault my mother died.”

Ella wrinkled her nose. “My sister will probably say something similar. A perfectly healthy 22 year old woman, dies suddenly after giving birth. It’s a normal conclusion.”

Thana laughed. “22? I’m 23.”

“Gods, am I right?” They laughed together, probably drawing weird looks for others, but they didn’t care.