Page 11 of Touch of Death
“No,” he says as our eyes meet. “I could spend a thousand lifetimes with you, and it would never be enough. I am here,becauseI cannot bear to live another day withoutyou, Hazel.”
Hazel.
I gasp, stumbling forward into Death, as the fog breaks in my mind and memories flood in to replace it at the sound of my name on his lips. Memories of his palace, my studio, Knax, and … of course,him.
“Sydian?” I whisper so that only he can hear before realizing I should probably not speak my name for him here.
Death stiffens for a moment before his arms wrap around me, anchoring me to him.
“Yes, little one, I am here.”
My chest tightens as I struggle to catch my breath amidst the cascade of emotions that well up within me. My heart breaks, tears spilling from me as I am forced to come to terms with everything that’s happened.
The deal … Father.
I pull back, blinking up at Death as he watches me from behind his mask. My emotions war within me, but it’s worry and wariness that beat their way to the forefront as I glance around.
“Our deal,” I whisper, “did it work? Was my father’s life spared?”
“Yes.”
I frown as confusion seeps into my thoughts.
“Then how do you plan to bring me home?” I ask. “If I’m dead, then is this not my home now?”
Death lets out a small sigh at this.
“I do not yet know how,” he admits, “but I promise that I will do everything in my power to save you from this fate. I will not rest until I have found a way to make you safe and happy once more.”
I smile up at him just as his eyes lift to look behind me. The next thing I know, Death has pulled me behind him, putting himself in the way of Cerberus’ snapping jaws.
“No!”
The scream tears its way out of my throat as Cerberus latches on to Death’s arm. Death lets out a moan of pain so visceral that it has me stumbling back in shock, my stomach knotting in terror.
And then, just as quickly, it’s all over.
Cerberus releases his arm and steps back like nothing happened. I frown in confusion until Death turns to look back at me, cradling his arm, and I see the fear in his eyes.
“No, Hazel,” Death shouts, glancing from me to Cerberus as he leaps past him to lunge at me. Shadows explode around Death to rush toward me, and the next thing I know, I’m hit by an inky wave of darkness that thrusts me out of Cerberus’ path.
I roll to the ground, just barely looking up in time, as Cerberus yelps out in pain. A heavy chain has wrapped around his neck, Death pulling on it from the other side to force Cerberus away from me.
The massive wolf howls in frustration, tearing at the chain as Death uses Cerberus’ distraction to throw himself against the closing gates. By the time the beast has torn the chain from his neck, Death has already shoved his way through with the help of his shadows.
“Try that again,” Death says to Cerberus, his chest heaving as the gates swing shut behind him, “and I will tear the eyes from your head so that you may never look upon another soul again, let alone your master’s face.”
“Death,” I sigh in relief as he steps over to offer me his hand and help me up onto my feet, “I almost thought I’d lost you.”
“I cannot be parted that easily from you. Not unless you wish it,” he says. “Now, tell me, are you hurt, little one?”
“No,” I answer with a shake of my head before realizing he’s still cradling his other arm. “Are you?”
“It will pass.”
“I can look at it for you. I’ve had to tend to my brother’s wounds before.”
“Your brother?”
