Page 56 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
“No?”Death’sfeatures shifted again.Asharper version ofThane. “Idon’t know ifIshould feel sorry for your father or be happy that he, too, was burdened with a brainless twit.”DeathlookedAuroraup and down.
“How long are you going to prattle on about nothing?”Aurorashot back.
“Was that supposed to hurt?”Deathput his hand to his chest.
“No, butIwould like an answer.”Aurorashrugged.ThankfullywhenDeathtook mortal form, it was easier to deal with him.Tosee a weakness. “Nowtell me what you want.”
“Agree.”Death’sfeatures shifted. “Thelonger you deny me whatIwant, the longerThanesuffers.Hemay think he is immortal, but each timeIrip his soul out,Itake a part of him.Bythe timeIam done, there will be nothing left of him but your memory.Sowhat will it be?”
“Fine,”Aurorayelled.Shehad no idea how long she had been in this place.HowlongThanehad been suffering. “Nowtell me what you want.”
“It’s simple, really.Iwill give you the names of six souls.Anyone of those souls could be the cause of heartbreak.Butyou will not know until the very last one has been reaped.”
“Fine.Nowgive me the names.”
“First, the price.Thereis always a price for making a deal with me.”Deathmoved aroundAurora, his features shifting and changing.Hiswords seemed to bounce off the space they were in.
“Isn’t the six souls enough?”Auroraturned to face him.
“That’s the task.Nowthe price for failure?—”
“Is the curse not enough payment?”Auroracut in.
“That isFate’sprice.Ihave my own.”Deathstood before her, his smile a bit too big for his face. “So?”
“I possess nothing you could possibly need.”Deathwas an old god.Hehad been around much longer.Heand her father were the two most powerful gods.
“Oh, but you do.”Death’ssmile was wicked and dark.Hiseyes burned gold like fire. “Iwant the secrets of the stars.”
“You knowIcannot give you that.”Unlikethe secrets of the sea, which could be plucked out with her eyes, the secrets of the stars were written on her bones.Theycould not be read without…Aurorahung her head.Withoutbreaking her.Inturn, breakingThane. “Whydo you hate him so?Heis your son.”
Death scoffed. “Thisis not aboutThane.”Deathstepped closer, examiningAurora. “Ican see your father in you.Ican read the plans ofLifein the freckles splashed across your face.Hearthe sound of hope in your voice.Youare your father’s daughter.Ishall keep you in a cage.Andmake your father watch asIyank each secret from your bones.Howmany do you thinkIcan see before he wants to make a deal?”
Aurora scoffed atDeaththis time. “Youmisjudge my father’s love for me.”
“And you, pet, misjudge your worth to your father.”Deathleaned in closer. “You, like my son, are just a means to an end.”
Aurora could feel the tears, damp on her cheek.Thishad never been aboutThaneand her.Itwas about her father and the stupid war he andDeathhad been waging sinceTimewas born.LifeandDeathwere always at odds.Alwaystrying to destroy the other.
“Oh, don’t cry about it.Itwas always meant to end this way.Whydo you thinkIsaddled myself withSorrowand boreThane?Fateis very bad at keeping secrets.EspeciallywhenLoveis involved.Butthat is a story for another time.”Deathstepped away fromAurora.Hisfeatures shifted again, and his eyes dulled to a soft gold. “Ishall deliver the first three names in three days.Youare to collect them alone.Thaneis not allowed to come with you or assist in any way.Ifhe does,Ishall slowly rip a lifetime away.Goodluck, daughter ofLife.”Deathsnapped his fingers.
Aurora sucked in the familiar air ofManereas theNothingnessfaded withDeath.Herleft arm felt as if it were on fire as six thin golden bracelets formed.Therewere no clasps, no way to slip them off.Theymade no noise when she moved her arm.
“You’re back.”
Aurora turned to seeCadelsitting next to her.Thanelay in a mess of vines and red flowers.Shesat up too quickly, causing the floor to tilt and shift.Auroragagged, fighting back the urge to vomit.
“Here.”Cadelhanded her a mug.
Aurora sipped the cool water.Thanehad not moved.Godsmight not die like mortals.Butthey could be stripped of lifetimes.Andwhen there were none left, the god would be empty. “Ishe…?”
“Dead?”Cadelshook his head. “No, but he’s going to be sore when he wakes.Areyou okay?”
Aurora looked down at her wrist.Sixsouls for one.Sheblinked back the tears. “Idon’t know.Imay have just doomed us all for him.”
CHAPTER27
AURORA
