Page 24 of Death

Chapter 5

The doorbell rings at six o’clock sharp.

I haven’t spoken to my parents since I came home, despite their frequent attempts to lull me out of my room. I’m not sure what else I would say to them if I did open that door. I’m literally speechless. You hear that expression tossed around a lot but I can genuinely say this is the first time in my life I’ve ever sincerely felt what it means to be speechless.

I stare at myself in the mirror, scanning my outfit from head-to-toe. What the hell does a girl even wear on a date with a god?

Well, it’s too late to change it now. A blue sundress and hemp sandals will just have to do.

As I step out into the hallway, I hear the front door open downstairs. Voices murmur from the foyer and I focus my hearing to try and make out the words.

“Hello, Mr. Mackenzie,” Ari greets my father. “It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it has,”he replies. “Come on in.”

“Thank you.”

His voice feels like nails down my back. The reaper’s come to claim his prey.

Just three dates and it’s all over.

I silently move down the hall and linger at the top of the stairs as I see my mother joining them by the door.

“Ari, it’s nice to see you,” she says, churning my stomach. “Again, I mean.”

Ari smiles. He stands in a black suit with his hands folded politely in front of him like a gentleman. “It’s nice to see you, too, Moira. You’re looking well.”

“I’m sure Tannis will be right down.”

His eyes flick in my direction and I twitch. “I have all the time in the world,” he says.

Nope. Wrong.

You’ve got three days.

I begin my descent down the stairs and my parents finally notice I’m here.

“See, there she is!” Dad says, gesturing at me.

My mother’s head tilts slightly as she admires my outfit. “Oh, you look beautiful, honey,” she says.

I reach the bottom. “It’s just my blue dress, Mom,” I say.

“Well, it looks great,” she says, giving me a purposeful stare.

“It does,” Ari agrees. “You look amazing, Tannis.”

I don’t say a word. I just look at them — all of them. My parents and the god they sold me to.

Supernormal.

“Ari.” Dad clears his throat. “Would you like to stay a bit for a drink?”

“Not tonight, sir,” Ari says, keeping one eye on me. “I’m afraid we’ll have to leave soon if we expect to be on time.”

“Well, you better get going, then.” My mother shifts toward the closet and grabs my jacket. “Have fun, Tannis.”

I take it from her with a glare. My parents are becoming harder and harder to read. Are they acting so accommodating because they’re happy? Or scared?

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