Chapter 63

*Dante* I walked past the huge gate and headed for the columbarium, pushing the door open, and stepping into the cool, quiet space. The walls were lined with niches; each holding the remains of someone gone. I didn't need to look at the names etched into the stone to know who belonged where. My eyes went straight to the small urn on the shelf, the one with the chipped corner, the one that held her. Stella. I took a slow breath, trying to steady myself, though I knew it wouldn’t do much good. My guilt and grief doubled on days like this when I had to pay her a visit. Her urn rested next to a small, fading vase. A few dried petals still clung to the stem of a wilting flower. I didn't need to guess; this one had come from me, too.