Page 78 of Until Death
Only he closes his hand before I can grab it, catching me in his grip. I glare up at up.
“What kind of trick is this?”
“It is no trick,” he rushes to say. “I will give you the note, but I would like to ask your forgiveness for not doing a better job of protecting you.”
I blink at him in surprise.
“I do not think this is an appropriate time to be having this conversation.”
His gaze drops, and I almost think that I see a single tear slip down his cheek. Frowning, I shift closer but when he meets my gaze, I swear his cheeks are dry.
“You are right, of course,” he says, releasing his hold on me.
The parchment in hand, I turn my back to the door.
Opening the note, I inhale sharply at the small illustrated page that was torn out of the book Cyprian gave me … and on it, in Cyprian’s own handwriting is one word.
Nightshade.
I stare at the word for a long moment, my mind spinning. Then, with horror, I stumble back. The pungent scent that filled Father’s room when he lay ill.
It hits me all at once, nearly choking the air from me. The memory is so strong, I swear I almost find myself standing back in his room that day.
Of course, at the time, it had been masked by so many other scents that I hadn’t immediately been able to pinpoint it.
But now, it’s clear as day.
The smell that haunts me slowly dissipates as I realize what it means.
Father was poisoned.
Is this Death’s way of proving to me that someone else killed my father?
If so, then it means that despite my best efforts, even our deal would not have saved him from an untimely death.
Not if his murderer still lived.
Whirling, I turn back to Cerberus, questions at the ready. Only the space beyond the bars is empty.
I open my mouth, not sure if I can summon him back or not, but a startled sound comes out instead just as the groan of metal grinding together fills the small space.
Turning to look at the far wall, I watch as it slowly gives way to the arena floor beyond. Blinking, I stare out at the space just as my name is called.
Taking a deep breath, I clutch the note in the palm of my hand … and then step toward the arena and whatever trail awaits me within.
31
Death
Imake my way into the arena, my guard on high as I pause before the large gate that leads to the main area.
My eyes move about as I take it in. A simple open space, meant for soldiers to show off their fighting skills.
Above it, a crowd of gods and monsters have already filled the stands, watching and waiting for the trial to begin.
Though I know what is to be tested, I have no idea how I will be tested. That alone is enough to have me on edge. I cannot begin to imagine what Hazel must be thinking and feeling right now as she faces this. Alone and unprepared.
Setting my jaw, I step into the arena.
