Predestined (Existence Trilogy #2)(55)

“May, dat is sumtin to see is it not,” Ghede called out as he walked into the large foyer. He was once again in a top hat, black sunglasses, and a tuxedo with tails.

“Don’t make her uncomfortable, Father,” Leif pleaded.

“Who me?” he asked in an amused voice. I watched as he lifted his hand and placed two cigarettes in his mouth and then turned his attention to the activities going on outside. I’d seen this once and I didn’t want to watch again.

Wyatt walked into the room flanked on either side by practically naked women. Which wasn’t surprising; I was beginning to think every female down here but me liked to wear as little as possible.

One of the women ran a long red fingernail down the middle of Wyatt’s shirt and then continued on down over his zipper. He didn’t flinch but I could see the tension in his face.

“Please make them stop,” I whispered to Leif who followed my gaze.

He shook his head and leaned down to me, “If I make a scene Father will then make it much worse. If you don’t want to see one of those two mount Wyatt right here then don’t say a word. Wyatt knows this. That’s why he’s so still.”

Swallowing the bile in my throat burned and I had to turn my eyes away from them and pray the transporter wasn’t late.

The streets outside suddenly became vacant and quiet.

“Ah, Death draws near. The fallen have run to hide,” Ghede drawled and pulled the two cigarettes from his mouth to exhale small rings of smoke before placing them right back in.

“What does he mean?,” I asked Leif

“Dank is close. The souls of the people in the streets felt him and ran. Unlike you most humans don’t cling to Death when he’s in his true form. Sure, they like the singer Dank Walker but when he’s truly in Death’s form they hide.”

I watched as the dark streets grew brighter. Whispers and giggles behind me had me wanting to run out in the road away from all this but Wyatt stirred to my left and I remembered why I was doing this. He gave me a sad smile and then Ghede beckoned him forward.

Dank, along with more transporters than I’d ever seen, filled the street in front of the doors. Gee was directly beside him. Her fierce expression scanned the crowd inside and immediately found me. I shook my head at her letting her know I couldn’t come to them. If they’d brought all these transporters to take me then they were out of luck because I wasn’t going. I couldn’t.

“Well, well, well, Dankmar and pals. To wat do we owe dis honor?” Ghede asked in a loud amused voice.

“You know why I’m here, Ghede,” Dank replied, locking his expression on me. The hard cold determination in his eyes transformed to fury as his gaze took in my dress.

“Tsk tsk tsk, I don know whut you mean. You said to let her choose,” Ghede announced brightly waving his hand in my direction. “She did.”

Gee took a step toward me and Dank’s arm shot out and held her back. He understood. She didn’t but he did.

“No. You forced her choice. That wasn’t part of the deal,” Dank replied. The venom in his voice caused me to shiver. I’d never heard him sound quite so sinister.

“Here’s the soul you came for,” Ghede pushed Wyatt toward Dank and Wyatt gladly went. A transporter stepped forward and instantly she and Wyatt’s soul were gone.

“Now is dat all you want or would you lak to axe her yourself?” Ghede turned and beckoned me forward, “Come here Pagan,” he coaxed.

Lief squeezed my arm and pushed me gently toward his father. I tried to remind myself that if I acted in any way like I was scared Dank would take me and be done with it. Then I’d lose someone else. I had to remain calm.

“Axe her Dankmar,” Ghede goaded pushing me in front of him.

Dank’s eyes bore into mine. He was trying to tell me something but I wasn’t sure what. Instead, I closed my eyes tightly and fought for strength then opened them and stared straight at him. “I want--”

“I didn’t ask you anything just yet Pagan. Hold onto that thought just a moment more,” he cut me off. His hard glare drilled into Ghede who stood behind me.

“You’ve messed with the wrong guy this time Ghede. You like your entertainment but I was never one to entertain.”

Transporters began to shift off to the sides covering the streets as massive men with actual swords hanging from their waists filled the street behind and beside Dank. Gasps and screeches and other horrified sounds came from behind me but I stood in amazement as the army around Dank grew.

“You brought de warriors for a gurl?” Ghede’s voice sounded incredulous.

“Yes,” was Dank’s only reply. He took a step forward and held out his hand to me. I wanted to grab it and run to him but I shook my head as tears filling my eyes. “I can’t,” I choked.

“Trust me,” he replied. I’d heard those exact same words from Leif so many times over the past few weeks but nothing he’d done had been trustworthy. Dank was different. He was Death. He knew the reasons why I was scared to leave. But his “trust me” was enough. I stepped forward and placed my hand in his. He pulled me up against his side.

“Bad choice leetle gurl,” Ghede hissed from the other side of the door.

“No, Ghede. You’re the only one who made the bad choice. You don’t take what’s mine.”