Page 86 of Make Me A Sinner
“No! He’s mine! I won’t let you have him!” I scream, maddened with pain. Set wanted me to be strong for myself. Now I’m strong for him, and I’ll fight Death itself if that means I get to keep him.
At least I’ve got Thanatos’ attention now. He turns to look at me, intrigued that a mortal dares to challenge him.
“She’s maddened with grief,” Draco explains, trying to push me out of the room while I claw at him to stay.
“Let her,” Thanatos says, his dark eyes fixed on me. “Fascinating,” he chants, gazing at me from head to toe. “Youtwo. Out.” he gestures at Draco and Whiro, and my blood freezes as I can see Whiro step in front of me.
“I won’t let you harm her,” he growls, a dangerous note in his voice.
“You couldn’t stop me if I wanted to.” Thanatos grunts. “But to ease your mind, I won’t. Now get the fuck out.” He snarls like it’s a final threat, and Whiro backs off, even if I know he’s burning inside.
I don’t think anyone talks to Whiro like that.Ever!
“You’re afraid I’ll take him, aren’t you?” Thanatos asks as soon as we’re alone in the room.
“Isn’t that why you’re here?” I fire back, louder than I mean.
“I haven’t made up my mind,” he says. “Gods don’t operate on human timelines. I don’t know when they’re supposed to be gone... or not.”
“So it’s up to you?” My voice is quivering, giving my anxiety away.
“He’s hanging by a thread, so I’d say yes, it’s up to me in a way.” He says, but his words are too calculated, too placed there with intention, as if he’s waiting for something.
“Then please let him stay,” I beg of him.
For a few seconds, he says nothing, and the silence is like punishment.
“You know I've always seen mortals love gods. That’s human nature. But a god truly loving a mortal. That’s pretty rare.”
“How do you know he—” I don’t get to finish my question before Thanatos cuts in.
“Loves you?” he finishes for me. “Our family would never have let you in here if he didn’t.” He chants, and I realize why he calls them family—he’s one of them. He’s an entity as well. “I find it fascinating. Something to stop the loneliness... How is that even possible?” There’s a hint of sadness in his voice, like he’s felt it too—this craving to belong.
Strands of jet black hair fall over his eyes, a stark contrast to his pale complexion. He’s beautiful in a way that feels untouched, unreachable, and I can’t help but wonder... how it is that he didn’t find this until now? What Set and I have.
“It must be hard...” I murmur. “Only taking, never giving. That could change a person.”
“I’m not a person,” he replies, looking at me with strange curiosity, like part of him believes there’s some truth to my words.
“Okay... it might even change an entity.” I didn’t expect to feel sorry for him, but I do. Because no matter how powerful Set or his brothers are, none of them carry the weight Death does.
“So you’re saying I shouldtakenow?” he asks, glancing at Set.
“No, please!” I beg, stepping closer to the bed. “I’ll give you anything.”
He almost smiles, slightly amused, and I could swear there is a certain envy in his eyes as he looks at Set and then at me.“That’s not a smart idea... to promise ME anything.”
“You said he’s family. Maybe take that into account,” I offer, playing a different card.
“I can’t choose between family and who I am. That’s not how it works,” he trails off with a deadly stillness. “But you’re brave. I’ll give you that. Or maybe just reckless, I haven’t decided yet,” he adds, taking a step toward Set.
“No,” I cry out, hoping he’ll have mercy on me.
“Death waits for no man,” he says, the words drifting into the air. “But he’s no man, is he?” he lets out a faint smile, then turns and walks to the door—not before saying something I have a feeling will mark our existence. “You both owe me now.”
The second Thanatos is gone, I wrap my arms around Set, and curse myself for letting go of him earlier. I won’t sleep. Won’t eat. Won’t drink until I know he’s safe.
Only a moment passes until Whiro bursts in, probably to check if I’m still alive. Draco also follows close behind.
