Page 3 of Until Death
But deep down, I know he’s not.
I cannot feel him near me. The darkness doesn’t hold the same inkiness to them that his shadows do.
There’s no chill in the air to reassure me that he’s watching, and it’s all my fault.
I hate the doubt that creeps into the back of my mind. Perhaps I made a mistake sending him away.
Perhaps …
I shake my head as I am reminded of my father. Of seeing him here in the Underworld, lost and confused, even after I gave my very soul to save him.
No, I was right to tell Death to stay away.
For what is a man, god or otherwise, worth who cannot keep his word?
Nothing.
At the very least, he is not one I want to be bound to.
If Death cannot prove that he kept our deal, then I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to trust him again.
After all, he lied about finding my book … If he is that jealous of another man’s love for me, and myfather’sat that, why should I believe he’s not lying about our deal, too?
It would do me well to rememberthat, instead of longing for him.
I try my best to let my heart harden against Death. I have tried, for my mother’s sake, to remain soft, but where has that led me?
To death.
I will not let love be my downfall, but even as I think this, I know my heart will not listen. I love Death, and I cannot help but hope that he proves me wrong.
Turning, I find Eros’ watching me, concern clear on his face, and force a small smile to my lips.
“Thank you for walking with me,” I tell him. “I’m not sure I trust these trees.”
“And you would be wise not to, they have a way of leading souls astray.”
I frown at this.
“And the white creature I saw you transform from, was that a trick of the forest’s, too?”
“No,” Eros says, nervously clearing his throat. “That was all me, I am afraid.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it is one of my many forms,” he says, giving me a half-grin. “I thought it would be the fastest way to catch up with you, but I had no intention of startling you into the grasp of the forest.”
“How many forms do you have?”
“Ah, now you are finally asking the interesting questions,” he says with a delighted laugh. “My dear mortal, I am limitless in what I can become. In fact, I can take on just about any form you desire to see me in.”
“Anyform?”
I try to keep surprise from slipping into my tone as I try to imagine Eros as anything other than himself … let alone that fearsome beast. Though I suppose at this point, nothing should surprise me.
After all, I am dead ... Little more than a wandering soul myself. One who once kissed Death himself.
“What do you have in mind?”
