Page 41 of A Waltz with Lord Death
More tears slipped down her face as she gazed down at her friend. If she just had Life’s power, she could heal Elise.
Her heart gave a start when she realized she could fix this. She could save Elise. Where was Death? She needed to find him.
After calling out for him several times without an answer, she glanced back at Elise one last time, hope blooming in her chest. She would find Death, and then she would fix this.
Chapter 17
Death waited patiently in the hallway until every last person left Elise’s room, including Meira. He watched as she ran past him where he stood in the shadows, now wearing his regular garb. He didn’t conceal himself from her, though he partially wondered if she would still be able to see him if he cloaked himself.
She hurried in the direction of the ballroom, all while calling for him again and again under her breath.
He ignored her summons. Even she could not alter what was meant to happen tonight.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, he entered Elise’s room. The candle lights flickered toward him in greeting. As if feeling cool relief on her nearly sprouted wings, Elise moaned. Her eyelids fluttered open, and her gaze met his across the room. Many people on their deathbed became more lucid moments before they passed to the other side.
He took careful steps toward her, each footfall slow and drawn out.
The woman did not look away from him. Not once.
“What Meira said was true.” Her face contorted with pain, her breaths becoming raspier by the moment. “She called you Death.”
“Yes.” His deep voice rumbled throughout the room as his power carried the word from one wall to the other.
“You have come to collect me then.”
No fear laced her words as he so often heard from people on their deathbeds. She didn’t tremble in his presence. She didn’t scream and curse. She gazed calmly at him, accepting her fate.
“Your body can no longer sustain your soul.”
Elise nodded, or at least she tried to, but only ended up wincing. “Tell me, Death. Is the afterlife a happy place? Or will I be tied to my husband forever?”
“Your vows were until death do you part, no? It is your choice. If you wish to court again, if you wish to marry another, you have the choice to do so. The afterlife is as happy as you choose to make it.”
Several pained tears fell from the corners of her eyes. “I am ready. Thank you, Death.”
His power was still coming back to him in degrees, a muted version of what was normally all-encompassing. A calmness washed over him as he touched a hand to her head. She didn’t immediately succumb to his power, but rather it waited for his lead. He reveled in the muted power, in the momentary control.
Only a few seconds ticked down on her lifespan. She closed her eyes against his touch, and then he coaxed her soul from her body. The white wisps of soul followed the movement of his hand until a wispy, glowing orb settled an inch above his fingers. The breath left Elise’s body, her body relaxing while her soul thrummed alive.
He was about to transport when he heard a gasp behind him. He slowly turned to find Meira in the doorway, her eyes wide as she looked from him to the glowing orb and back to him.
“Death, no!” She held her hand up toward him as if he were a horse that might spook. “Put her soul back.”
“You would have me put it back in that?” He motioned to her bruised and battered body, the one now void of life.
“Give me Life’s power. I can save her.”
With a shake of his head, he watched her closely, taking in her wide, determined eyes, the slow movement of her feet. She was demanding the power from himnow? Only when it pleased her to save a life she cared about? What about countless others who have already died?
“Meira, there are people even Life cannot save. Many people do not want to be saved, either. Elise was one of them.”
Anger flared in her eyes, defiance staring back at him in the form of fuming tears. “I don’t believe you. Put her soul back, Death.”
“I will not. To put it back would be to doom her to great suffering.”
But it was as if she didn’t hear a single word he said. Tears streamed ceaselessly down her cheeks, and she raised her voice at him. “I cannot lose her! Don’t you dare take one step out of this room.”
“Meira—”
