Existence (Existence Trilogy #1)(56)

“You didn’t tell me who he is,” I said, backing away from her.

“What is he? You still don’t know? And here I thought I’d made it all very clear,” she taunted, stopping right in front of me to run a red fingernail down my face. I shivered at the familiar, icy touch. The blond who had tried to drown me had felt like her.

“You tried to drown me,” I said hoarsely, searching for some resemblance to the blond I’d thought Dank killed.

She grinned and shook her head, “No, Peggy Ann, that wasn’t me. Ky was another transporter who your lover boy annihilated. You can see now why I’m not real fond of the job that has been entrusted to me. He isn’t going to be happy with me. I don’t want his anger directed my way when I snuff out his precious one. After all, who wants to f**k with Death.” I swallowed against a sudden knot of fear in my throat.

“Death,” I managed to whisper.

“Let her go.” Dank’s voice filled the clearing and Gee stiffened. Her grip went lax before it tightened again, this time with more intent. Breathing was now impossible.

“NO!” Dank’s voice broke into the darkness. Gee’s grip released as her body slammed flat against the ground. I gasped for air, staring down at her as she glared up at Dank with a mixture of fear and hate.

“It is time. I have been sent. You cannot break the rules.

She is a soul that will be given another life. You can find her again. End this,” Gee begged, glaring up at Dank. He stepped over her and reached a hand out to touch my neck. The warmth soothed the burning pain Gee’s icy grip had left.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered as he gazed down into my eyes.

I nodded not sure what he was apologizing for, but I knew I would forgive him for anything. The wild cackle from behind him caused his dark blue eyes to transform into glowing sapphires. He turned and glared back at Gee. “Leave and I’ll let you exist.” His hard, cold demand penetrated the darkness.

Gee stood, watching him fearfully. “I can’t leave until you do your job and I leave with that soul.” Dank shook his head and his eyes seemed to cause her pain. She grimaced and stepped back. “Listen, I didn’t ask to be the one who had to piss off Death. They sent me. I had no choice.” She pointed at me. “I like her. I get what you see in her but she has to die. It is appointed.”

Dank turned completely around and stalked toward her.

“NOOOOO,” he roared. Gee backed away with a terrified expression. I reached for Dank, grabbing his arm.

“No, Dank, please,” I begged. He stopped and turned back at me.

“Do you understand what she wants? She isn’t your friend, Pagan, although she played a very good role.” I stepped closer to him. “You’re Death and I am supposed to die.” I tore my eyes from his and looked at Gee. “And she is going to transport me.”

Dank shook his head and glared back at Gee’s relieved smile. “You made it sound that simple? You made her think she could just die and float away and have another life?” A growl rippled from his chest and Gee stepped farther away, her body visibly trembling. “It doesn’t work that way, now does it, Gee?” he snarled, and I felt the muscles in his arms bulge under my touch.

“I’m here to right a wrong. You broke a rule that can’t be broken. You can’t keep her, Death. She’s not a pet to play with. She’s a soul and your only claim to a soul is the fact you take the body it lives in when the time is appointed. You do not own the souls.”

“I will NOT take her soul. She’s going to live. Her death did not happen.”

Gee threw her hands up in exasperation. “Yes, we know that. Because YOU stopped it! She was supposed to be crushed in that car. You were to take her soul from her body.

Ky was to take her up. BUT, NO! You took her body out and saved it.”

My legs gave out as the truth of Gee’s words hit me. The little girl from the hospital’s words came rushing back to me.

“Don’t look so sad. He said this body I have is sick and once I die I will get a new body and a new life. Souls aren’t forced to wander the earth. Only those that are too scared to go on are left here to wander. If you chose to leave the earth you will return in a new body and a new life. Your soul will, however, be the same. He told me that the man who wrote my favorite books, The Chronicles of Narnia, said that, ‘You are not a body. You have a body. You are a Soul.’” Dank reached for me before I sank to the ground. I gazed up at him. “I met a little girl in the hospital. She had met you.

She was sick and she was going to die and you told her that her body was sick and not to be afraid because she would get a new body.”

Dank shook his head with a tormented expression. “I know what you’re thinking and no.”

I stared over at Gee and she glanced away from me. There was something I didn’t know and it was important. I gazed back up at Dank. “What are you not telling me, Dank? Why can’t you take my body and let me live life again? I can be with you then once my life isn’t appointed to die and you aren’t breaking a rule.”

Gee shook her head and turned her back to me.

Dank closed his eyes tightly. “You won’t come back,” he said in a hoarse whisper.

“Why? You told the little girl she would. Gee said I would get another body and I would go on living; that is what souls do.” Dank reached out and cupped my face with his hands.