Page 93 of Enchanted Kisses
“Sorry, that’s not possible.”
“Then you were behind it. With my dad out of the way, you could take me sooner.”
“Wrong again. I had nothing to do with your father’s death. I learned about it after you collapsed outside. I knew something had to have awakened the beast within you.”
“There’s no beast in me. You sick fu—” I clipped the word at his impressed expression, like he was getting off on my anger.
As I calmed my wild breathing, I wondered if he was right. Maybe I had unleashed a darker side of myself. Or maybe it was this place. I had to get a grip.
I turned away. “Just leave.”
He crossed in front of me. “My father was behind it. I didn’t know. I wouldn’t have done that to you. Whether you believe me or not, it is the truth.”
I shut my eyes. He couldn’t force me to look at him. At least, I didn’t think he could.
Cold fingers slid across my jawbone. “I am sorry for your pain.”
“But not my loss. Because, as Death, you wouldn’t know anything about that. It’s what you do.” I opened my eyes to glare, unaware of how close he’d moved.
He hooked his arm around my back and pulled me to him.
I pushed him away as hard as I could. Heat radiated at my fingertips, and he flew back farther than I thought possible. He righted quickly and the grin on his face said he was impressed.
“Where is my dad’s body?” I demanded.
“Do that again and I’ll—” He smashed his lips together, then continued in a calm voice, “If beating me will make you feel better, then have at it. It won’t change anything. I speak the truth. Your father’s body is not here. I checked. Nor was his soul delivered to Hell.”
My eyes closed briefly, and my rage withered. “Where is it, then?”
“I don’t know. We’re only in charge of the souls we take. Heaven-bound souls are retrieved by angels, but I checked, and he’s not there, either.”
“Well, how do we find his soul?” My voice shook, my body trembled, and tears threatened to spill. I was on the verge of a meltdown.
Dagan stepped close, examining me. He brushed cold fingers across my chin. “Shh. We’ll figure it out.” His voice was soft, hypnotic.
I chilled, then softened as soothing warmth thrummed over my skin.
“Perhaps he is a ghost.”
“A ghost?” Did they exist?
Dagan’s hand rested near my shoulder.
I didn’t move it away.
“If a soul doesn’t go to Heaven and we don’t send it to Hell, then it has no place to go and gets trapped on Earth.”
This gave me hope. Maybe I could summon him somehow. Maybe Dagan could help. In the last week, stranger things had happened.
Dagan kissed my hair.
I broke from my daze and moved away, on guard once again.
“Perhaps I should leave you to rest. I’ll have food sent up.” He headed for the door.
“Wait!” I spun around.
He stopped with his back to me.
