The Empty Grave (Lockwood & Co., #5)

by Jonathan Stroud

That was where he always was—at the forefront of the group, standing between us and the darkness.

His presence gave me courage, even in a place like this. I smiled at him. He couldn’t see me, of course. It didn’t matter.

“Move fast,” I told him. He smiled at me. “Always.”

I felt comfortable in his presence, and he in mine; it was clear to both of us, I think, that we found greater peace and pleasure in each other than in anyone else.

“I was just stepping out, Lucy. I wondered if you’d like to come along.”

Leaves merged; our hands stayed together. I didn’t say anything.

Another scream made us all jump. It was higher and shriller than Holly’s, so we knew that it was Kipps.

IM SO WEAKKKKK

He will sacrifice his life for you.

That made me mad. How dare he go with her?

And it had tried to take Lockwood from me.

I like to think it was the sound of my name that brought him back.

Intelligence came with it; intelligence and recognition—and something more than that. He smiled at me. “Hey, Luce…”

I’d never punched an old lady before; I didn’t have any problem doing so now.

“No. It’ll be all right. It will be all right, Lucy. You have to trust me.”

My dad gave it to her soon after they met. It was a symbol of his undying devotion.”

I pulled my rapier from my belt, went to stand with Lockwood, side by side.

I was full of love and gratitude to Lockwood and to all my friends—between us, we’d come through.

Lockwood had fought his way up here to save me, past all the ghosts downstairs, and he had arrived at the perfect moment. I understood all that as I sat against the wall, bloodied and defenseless, and I loved him for it. My heart sang.

A world without him. I couldn’t run. “No,” I whispered. “I’ll stay with you.”

It was as if all the light and love it had gathered in the past was shining out on me.