Page 37 of Death is My Ride or Die

“You’re very brave.”

I blinked, regarding Leo with surprise. His golden eyes had softened with empathy, and he offered a small smile. It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough. Enough to keep me together.

When we got into New York City, it started to rain. We didn’t hit a single red light, and every car in front of usmagicallygot out of our way, which is how we managed to get to the tower in record time. Leo parked at the curb and tossed another man his keys to park the vehicle.

Standing on the sidewalk in front of the tower, my stomach twisted.Here we go again.

I tilted my head up toward the rain. How had I not seen it before I’d met Death? How the infamous tower’s matte-black exterior and tinted windows gave it a menacing appeal that practically screamed,Run away!Like everyone else, I’d been brainwashed by the Stars.

I tried to stay calm as I rode the elevator up to the top floor, but my legs were shaking so intensely that I had to press my knees together to keep myself upright. Leo walked ahead of me like a soldier with long, assertive strides. The hallway closed in like a tunnel with no way out but toward the monster.

“Faith Williams, my lord,” Leo said, and then I was striding into Devin Star’s office.

Star’s spacious office was dimly lit, and he sat in the throne-like chair behind his desk, facing the windows. The panes weren’t tinted like Death’s office, but there wasn’t much light anyway as the storm raged outside. I could see the tops of Star’s shoes resting on a filing cabinet, the rest of him blanketed in shadow. As I waited for him to speak, mute lightning crackled outside, angry fissures breaking apart the sky.

“I know we didn’t end things on the best note,” I began as I hugged my upper body tightly, “but I need your help—”

Devin lifted a hand to cut me off. Silence blanketed the room. That shadowed hand turned over in a casual manner, two fingers beckoning me closer. I swallowed down the wedge of fear in my throat and stepped forward.

“Groveling,” he said. “It’s seductive, is it not?”

I stiffened at the deep, cultured, accented voice.

Little prickles of ice shimmied down my spine.No.

The chair spun around, and I swear my heart was visibly pounding through my chest. The man sitting on Devin Star’s throne sat halfway in the shadows, his face concealed by darkness. Apart from a small, malevolent grin.

“Welcome back to Hell,” Death purred.“Cupcake.”

XIII

Blood pulsed in my ears as Death crinkled a candy wrapper in his hand, drawing my attention to the sharp points of his talons straining against black leather gloves. Broad shoulders and sinewy muscle filled out a lethal leather jacket. Beneath it, he wore a plain black T-shirt. His long, powerful legs were clad in dark jeans with heavy combat boots planted firmly on the ground.

Even dressed casually, he intimidated.

“I know what happened with your friend,” Death said, tossing the candy into his mouth. “Leo informed me—”

“I’m not doing this again,” I said, keeping my voice as steady as possible. “I’m here for Devin, not you.”

Shadows shifted over the upper portion of Death’s wicked features, revealing those sharp teeth again in an unfriendly smile. “I’m afraid myfathertook a jet to Japan earlier this morning.” A strong sense of déjà vu overcame me. He’d recited nearly the exact same words that “David Star” once had. “Meanwhile, he’s put me in charge. Why don’t you tell me more about this ‘help’ you seek?”

“Please, don’t do this. Marcy’s life has nothing to do with us—”

Death cut me off with a raised hand. “Agreed. Which is why I’m certain Malphas will be lenient with your insignificant friend’s life. He was, after all, sogenerouswith Thomas Gregory, no?”

I took a step forward, forcing myself to be strong. “Calling on Malphas was a mistake. I have no connection to him. Marcy being kidnapped proves that.”

“All it proves is you failed him,” Death said, his voice low and cold. “You failed to stab me and paralyze me at the Halloween ball, and Malphas failed at getting theBook of the Deadfor Ahrimad. Now he’s retaliated to weaken your will. The way I see it, this is a lesson learned.”

“You can’t possibly be this heartless.”

The vicious grin that sliced across his face said otherwise.

“Don’t do this, Death. Don’t let her die because you hate me. She’s my best friend. Mysister.”

“You want my help, Faith?” His deep, velvety voice had slipped into a predatory growl. “Then I’m afraid you’re going to have to beg. Fall to your knees and get those tears going. I do revel in a mortal’s desperate cry.”

Pain radiated in my jaw from clenching my teeth. He was using this opportunity to hurt me again, toying with me like I was his plaything. I couldn’t hold back.

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