Page 19 of A Waltz with Lord Death
“Another favor? Death, interfering can tip the balance too far.”
“The scale is already tipped. Please.”
“Fine. But only in this clearing and nowhere else.”
Slowly, the snow melted around them. Instead of withered grass, bright, pink blooms shot up in their place as if spring had just begun. A sweet, flowery aroma filled the air. Warm air pushed out the cold. Her numb legs collapsed beneath her as disbelief stretched her eyes wide.
Magic. This had to be magic.
Betha gasped suddenly and touched his face where the red mark from Meira’s hand marred his cheek. “What happened? Did she hit you?”
A deep ache of guilt ascended on her heart. She shouldn’t have struck him. Yet, she couldn’t form the words to apologize when her teeth chattered so profusely.
He glanced her way before lowering his voice, but she still caught his words. “Meira doesn’t like the idea that I can’t interfere with mortals. She is angry with me for not saving those men.”
“To save one life, you must take another life.” Betha shook her head, worry bright in her eyes. Despite her earlier glare, she ignored her completely now. “She has hurt you twice already. First with the fire poker and now this. Find someone else, D. I scouted a potential Lord Life. Come tell me what you think.”
Don’t leave me,her eyes pleaded.I’m sorry.
After a few long moments of hesitation, Death nodded. He pulled out a tarnished dagger and placed it beside her, grimacing. “The blade looked nice when I picked it up. Hopefully it will be enough to protect you.”
Don’t go. I beg you.
More teeth chattering.
But when she dove deep within her throat to pull out the words, Death and Betha had gone, vanished in thin air, leaving her alone in the woods with dangerous men on the prowl.
Fear tore into her, and she gripped the handle of the dagger as hard as her icy fingers would allow.
Chapter 9
Traveling to other countries often left Death reeling for a few moments as he adjusted to his surroundings. Instead of snow stretching endlessly across the landscape, tall, green grass rippled through rolling hills, moving fluidly with the breeze. Instead of frosty air, warm sunshine stroked his face.
Yet, the air wasn’t fresh as he breathed it in. The stale air reeked of death and decay. His hounds wagged their tails excitedly as he viewed the rows of bodies covered in white sheets lying outside the perimeter of the town.
The plague.
“Betha, is the man we’re seeking dead?”
Time bit her lip, her eyebrows furrowed with worry. “I found him yesterday. I can’t see death dates like you. I surely hope he’s still alive.”
“Me too.”
The silence of mourning descended upon the town and thickened the air with uncomfortable dread. They traversed the rows of bodies before entering the town. Businesses had closed, building shutters shut tight. A lone boy ran down the length of the dirt road, but he quickly darted into his home and slammed the door closed behind him. Muffled weeping came from more than one direction.
Betha threaded her arm through his and tightened her grip. Sadness filled her eyes. He had seen death so often that it no longer affected him. But he supposed she wasn’t exposed to it quite as much.
“He lives this way,” she whispered, pulling him along.
They entered a deeper part of town, the stench stronger with each second. Groans of pain grew louder as they approached a large building. Powers of Life thickened, making the air heavy around him. But the power wasn’t right. Something was very, very wrong within the building.
“Stay here,” he ordered, but when he tried to pry her off him, she clung tighter.
“I’m coming with you.”
“I fear it might be dangerous. At the very least, whatever is inside will make you retch.”
Determination filled her eyes, and she held even tighter onto his arm. For a moment, she reminded him of Meira. She wouldn’t have stayed behind either. And then he remembered the woman he cared for cold, wet, and in danger. He needed to hurry back to her.
