Endless Knight (The Arcana Chronicles #2)(75)

“Creature, I know what you plan. You intend to win my trust so I’ll remove the cilice. Once I’ve unleashed your powers, you’ll bide your time until I’ve let down my guard, then strike.”

“Death, wait.” I took a step forward.

He took one back. “And all the while, you’re intending to return to him. I wonder what your precious mortal would think about your actions today.” His fists clenched.

With jealousy.

There was no longer any denying it. This was more than an opposites-attract interest on his part, more than his need to touch. I recalled how he’d reacted the night I’d been with Jack, the rage in Death’s tone. Something deeper was at work here.

How far had things gone between us in my past lives? Needing to know the truth, I said, “I dreamed that you wanted to take me to bed. Long ago. Did you succeed?”

“If you want to know, then remember.” With a forbidding look, he said, “You will not seduce me, Empress. Cease trying.” He strode away.

Didn’t matter. I would still go to his study tonight.





32

There was no answer when I knocked on his door. Death was gone.

I sought out Lark, finding her in the den watching a movie. “Where is he?”

She pushed pause on the remote. “Away on business. He said he’d be back before dinner in two nights.”

“He left to go make a kill?”

“Maybe not. He travels a lot to source things for us.” She popped a handful of popcorn in her mouth, chewing loudly. “Hell, he could’ve been trying to get away—from you. For gods’ sakes, Evie, you wet-T-shirted him. I’ve never seen him so rattled.”

I felt a little thrill at the idea that I’d managed to rattle an ancient immortal, but it was immediately doused. Death would be gone for two days. Which meant more nights separated from Jack and my friends.

Jack, who could be out right now, risking his life to hunt Arcana.

How much longer could I remain here? Despite having more time on my hands than I’d ever had in my life, the days seemed to fly by, as if on fast-forward.

As if I were trapped in the Castle of Lost Time.

Feeling the pressure, I said, “Where’s the garden, Lark?” I knew she was loyal to Death, but to what degree? I’d have to risk it. “Help me get my powers back, and we could take this freaking manor from Death and Ogen. Your animals would be safe. You’d have all the comforts here, and you’d get to live past your teens.”

If she was tempted, she didn’t show it.

“I could send for my friends to help us. You could see Finn. We’d be an alliance again.”

“Nah, I’m good here.”

Squeezing my temples, I sank down on the couch opposite her. “Why this loyalty to Death?”

She set her popcorn bowl to the side. “He’s not like you think he is.”

“So you’re saying he’s not a stone-cold killer?”

With reluctance, she admitted, “No, he is. But he’s not like the Lovers, or the Hierophant.”

“We use them for comparison now?”

She shrugged. “Try to put yourself in his shoes. The only girl in the world he can touch has vowed to kill him.”

I almost yelled, He started it! Even before the Flash, he’d threatened me. “I just wanted to live on my farm and mind my own business. He was the one who terrorized me, telling me he’d drink my blood from his sword and such. How was I supposed to react?”

“Have you asked yourself why he’d do that?”

“Oh, I have. And I’ve asked Matthew. And even Death himself! Do you know?”

“If I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”

“Speaking of fauna—you’re being pigheaded. You are stubbornly sticking to a path that leads to one outcome, and it’s the worst possible.”

“I’d say that’s debatable. You forget, I’ve seen the inside of a cannibal pantry.”

“Have you and Death worked out a system for your execution? Will he tell you when you’ve got a year left? A week? It’s sick what he’s doing to you. Why would you tolerate it?”

She shrugged again, tinkering with the remote.

“I wonder what will happen to your pets once you’re buried. Or do you think Death will let Ogen feast on your bones?” Out of patience, I stood. “When the Reaper’s sword is at your neck, I want you to remember this night. Remember that you could’ve changed your future. . . .” I trailed off when the mountain rumbled. A quake? We’d had them at Haven, an additional A.F. perk.

Outside in the wet night, Ogen responded with a bloodcurdling roar.

Lark met my gaze, suddenly looking very young. “The Devil you know.”

Done with her, I made my way back to my room, flagging with each step up. Groundhog Days were exhausting.

When I reached my bed, I fell back, passing out.



Later that night, I shot awake with a strangled cry.

I’d dreamed of Death again, but this time it was no memory of a past life. This was my mind betraying me, because I’d dreamed he’d taken me into his arms, kissing me out in the rain—and I’d loved it.

In the chill downpour, his lips had been hot on mine, as hot as they’d been when he’d breathed air into my lungs, bringing me back from the dead.