Page 81 of Touch of Death
“Hazel, please let me explain,” I turn to find Death slowly approaching with his hands held to either side.
My heart aches, and I realize how foolish I have been … and how foolish I would be not to at least let him try. Just as I open my mouth to agree, an enormous white creature suddenly leaps up behind him.
A scream tears from my throat as I take in its huge claws and fangs, and I stumble backward into the trees just as Death glances over his shoulder.
And the next second, I’m lost.
Alone with nothing around me but trees.
No white beast.
No Death.
Blinking, I stumble forward another step before screaming out for Death.
For anyone.
There’s no answer.
Panic begins to claw up my throat as I turn, taking in the endless expanse of forest around me. Again, I shout for Death.
Nothing.
Turning back, I dart off into the trees. Surely, he was just behind me. I can find him again.
It’s not until I hear a terrifying growl that I switch to run in the opposite direction. I refuse to allow this place or these creatures to claim me.
Not without a fight.
34
Eros
Ishift back to my human form as Death turns toward me. Fury rolls off of him in powerful waves as he begins to curse at me.
“Damn you, Eros. I curse you to high heaven and hell; you should have known better than to ever suggest trying to seduce Hades!”
My own anger matches his as I step toward him, meeting him with my own harsh words.
“Me? Fuck you! What the hell were you thinking,” I demand as I do my best to get a grip on myself, “stealing Hazel away like that?!”
“This has gone too far, Eros,” Death replies.
We are nearly toe to toe at this point, each of us dragging in deep angry breaths. For a moment, I wait for Hazel to interrupt. To push between us as she normally would to separate us.
But no one says anything or stops us from lashing out at one another.
Frowning, I glance about only to realize Hazel is not here.
My anger melts away as fear begins to replace it.
“Where is Hazel?” I ask.
“She is …” Death starts as he glances about, suddenly realizing that she is not here with us. “She was right in front of me. You scared her off, you fool!”
When he glances at me, the anger in his eyes has been replaced with fear. Fear as terrible as my own. I have never seen Death look so terrified as he does now, and I cannot even enjoy it.
Not when that fear could mean Hazel’s life.
