Page 136 of Cursed Lifeline

“It doesn’t have to be this way.”

His eyes raise and the violet of his irises glows deep as his jaw sets sternly in place.

“There is no other way,” he adamantly states.

Shaking my head, I close my eyes as my thoughts are pulled to another life. They circle around a truth he’s not telling me. But before I can remember what it is, the recollection leaves just as quickly as it came.

“Our only hope is to break the curse,” he whispers sadly.

“Don’t you think I should be the one to decide which way I want to die this time, Felix,” I argue.

He shakes his head and places his other hand on the glass. Holding my shaking palms against his, I cry, “There’s something you’re not telling me. I know it.”

“Let me in, Esme,” he growls.

I shake my head no. Even though I’ve longed for this meeting over the months he has spent stalking me, I won’t bend and do as he says so easily. Not without answers. Eyes cast down at my feet, I cry, “I don’t want to die again.”

“I’m doing my best to protect you in this life like I haven’t in our others. Why else do you think I’ve stayed away?”

Bitterly, my gaze snaps up to his.

“I won’t break my vow again to keep you safe.”

“There is a way, Felix.” He violently shakes his head no as puzzle pieces click into place in the deep recess of my memory. A dais. An evil witch. A secret revealed that would stop all of this once and for all. “There is a way we can finally be together forever. I remember now.”

“I won’t do it, and no other of my kind will either, unless it is over my dead body.”

My heart breaks. A desperate sob shakes my frame as I say, “If it were reversed, I’d do anything to keep us together. Why won’t you do the same?”

Instead of answering me, Felix demands, “Let me in, Esme.”.

Holding my palms against his, the glass starts to warm from our touch.

“I’ve let you in before, Felix. Twice. It didn’t help. In fact, it made things worse.”

“This time will be different.”

“For who? Me? The only way you can make this life any different from my last is if youchangeme.”

“Not going to fucking happen, Esme. Now, let. Me. In.”

I shake my head at him in disbelief. If he genuinely wanted us to be together, why wouldn’t he do this?

“Esme,” he growls. “I won’t ask again.”

“You have to help me defeat them this time, Felix,” I cry.

His jaw sets harshly.

“I’ve never promised you anything less before. Hell, I’ve spent two hundred years in between your lives trying to find a way to win. I’m always trying, always thinking of ways I can keep you safe. And just so we’re clear, none of those ways include changing you. So get that out of your stubborn head and let me in, damn it.”

I shake my head no.

“I think you should leave.”

Hurt fills his eyes. He leans away, but doesn’t take his hands off the glass.

“Let me in, baby,” he softly cries, sensing my heart closing off from his.

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