Page 47 of Death is My Ride or Die

“Agreed,” I said.

“Never,” Death snarled at the same time.

Death’s face snapped in my direction, and he wore the most imperturbable mask. His jaw clenched tight as he turned back to Ace. “Two dates. We’re listening.”

“As we speak, Ahrimad is forming an army to retrieve theBook of the Dead,” Ace began. “An army of Forsaken.”

“What are Forsaken?” I asked.

“Lost souls,” Death said curtly, like the question irritated him. “Wandering, forgotten souls that abandon Limbo and stray into the realms of the Unknown. The magic that binds each realm together mutates their essence and turns them into . . . monsters.”

Holy shit.

“I don’t know if he’s creating new Forsaken or if he’s binding the existing ones to his command,” Ace continued, “but either way, I know what I saw. In about two weeks’ time, when the moon is full and the ripple between our world and others is at its weakest, Ahrimad will open a portal and return to the mortal realm. If you should fail to destroy him, I fear he will unleash this army of Forsaken onto the human realm and irreparably damage the balance between good and evil.”

“Ahrimad’s soul won’t be able to keep together much longer,” Death said. “He needs a new vessel. A powerful one. For that, he’ll need a forbidden spell.”

“Found only in theBook of the Dead,” Ace said. “Do you have possession of it?”

“No.” Death clasped his gloved hands behind his back, his jaw clenching. “We have a lead, though.”

“So, we find the book before he does,” I said, “draw Ahrimad out with it, take back the scythe, and say screw your solidifying spell. Problemo solved.”

“Stop with thewe,” Death grated between clenched fangs. “Youcan’t protect yourself. Therefore, there is nowe.”

“All the more reason to teach her,” Ace said, lifting a white brow. “I asked both of you here for a reason, Death. Not just because of our deal but because you were both in my vision and together at the portal where Ahrimad will return to the mortal realm. Telling you all of this is a risk, but the consequences of not telling you felt much more damaging.”

Death stared hard at Ace as if trying to determine if the warlock was being honest. And what he found made him slam any emotion behind a wall of wrath. “I will take your warning into consideration.”

“You do that. Our conversation is over now.” Ace’s violet gaze flickered with lightheartedness as he angled himself toward me. “I hope the atmosphere in Spades didn’t traumatize you too much,ma chérie?”

“Besides the frightening creatures and random naked people, it wasn’t too bad.”

“What did you expect at a demon club?” Death noisily unwrapped a piece of gum. “A cotton candy machine and a fucking ball pit?”

I tucked my tongue into my cheek.

“Do you kiss on the first date, Ace?” I asked with a wink to play along.

“Always.”

The temperature in the room plummeted.

The warlock laughed in a soft, amused way. “I will see you on our two dates,ma chérie. However, if you would like to see me sooner, please do not hesitate to call on me.” Ace made a small gesture with his hand, and a poker card was now wedged between my fingers. On one side of the card was the ace of spades, while the other readQui vivra verra.

“Qui vivra verra,”Ace said. “Who shall live shall see. It’s my lucky card.”

“As handsome as you are sweet . . . ” I looked pointedly at Death before stuffing the card in my pocket, but his attention was trained on the exit. Death shot toward the curtain back into the club, and I followed him with the strangest feeling that there was something Ace had left out of his vision.

When we got outside, it was drizzling. Droplets of rain cascaded down my face as I watched Death swing his leg over his motorcycle.

“You should listen to Ace,” I told him. “I sense he’s telling the truth about the vision.”

“Your sense is wrong.” Death turned his head toward me, and I could feel his glare beneath the tint of his helmet. “Never trust a man who doesn’t like cats.”

“And why’s that?”

“Dogs listen to their owners’ commands. Cats bow down to no one. Draw your own conclusion.”

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