Page 54 of Shadow of Death

A couple of people glanced my way, but I tried to keep my focus on the body. They couldn’t know I had anything to do with this. All signs were that he’d choked. They’d even found a piece of meat lodged in his throat. The wolf had been nothing but my imagination running wild.

An imagination that didn’t seem to want to take a break, as I felt its fur brush against my hand as it took a seat beside me.

Not a single person glanced at it. It was in my head. I was truly losing it.

Although, if I’d killed Dicon, why hadn’t I heard Death’s booming steps? I never heard them when I was the one who killed.

Kicks, standing beside me, kept shifting his gaze to me. Apparently I wasn’t the only one afraid I was cracking.

People slowly started wandering away, no one caring enough to dedicate too much time to a man they hadn’t liked.

“I’ve got to go run and help them repair some of the cottages on the outskirts,” Kicks said.

“I’ll be good,” I said.

He nodded, looking like he wasn’t quite sure. It took another few minutes before he left, and even then he kept glancing back at me.

My wolf had disappeared again as I headed inside, ignoring the looks I got as I did. I climbed the stairs to the roof, feeling like I was trying to climb out of the pits of purgatory. This place was poison.

If there was any chance for Kicks and me, we had to get out of here. This place would destroy anyone who stayed. Maybe that’s how Kicks’ mother had felt? Why she’d left. I definitely felt that way. Any sane person would.

As soon as I got to the roof, I called, “Death?”

After days of ignoring me, she appeared. She didn’t say anything, but at least she showed up.

“Are you getting us out of here or not?”

Not,she said.

“He’s dead. I killed him. How much more do you want from me? I think I’ve delivered enough vengeance for you,” I said, my voice rising. I didn’t even care who heard me, if they thought I was crazy. I was at my limit. No, beyond it.

You were supposed to give a warning to all, and then I wanted him to suffer. He. Didn’t. Suffer.Her voice grew louder as she spoke, becoming almost painful.He didn’t even know itwas coming. You gave him a clean death. An easy death. That was notvengeance.

“How many more until this deal is paid? How many?” I said. I could feel my pulse hammering in my ears. “I want an answer.”

Undecided,she replied, her tone cold as the air grew even more frigid.You will know when I decide you need to.

It would never end. It wasn’t “just get this last time over with.” She’d find other targets. She didn’t want to stop. I’d never be rid of her.

“What if I can’t keep going?” I said, afraid that at some point I’d crack. I’d gone from fearing the darkness inside, to fearing for my sanity, period.

We both know that will never happen, and we both know why.

Kicks. She’d kill him.

I was trapped, bound by a bargain to save him that she’d use against me for the rest of my life.

She disappeared, knowing she’d gotten her point across.

I swallowed hard. She had taken control of my life, my choices, my very existence.

I made my way back to the bedroom, not caring about putting on a show of dusting or any other act. All I wanted was to sit alone in peace for a few minutes, hide away from all the stares that followed me around this place.

I’d barely shut the door and walked to the window when it became clear I wasn’t going to be alone here either. That feeling of standing next to the abyss filled me. Charon was here. I didn’t turn to look at him immediately, but there was no reason to delay. He wasn’t going to disappear.

I turned, and then waited for him to say whatever it was he’d come for.

“We’ve discussed your situation and come to a decision of sorts.” He then went silent, as if he had all the time in the world.

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