Page 57 of Death

I can go anywhere in the world I want.

But, strangely, that’s not my first choice.

“You’ll take me anywhere in this world?” I ask. “Or yours?”

His breath hitches. “Mine?”

“I mean...” I tug a stray thread on my sleeve. “You said you wanted me to be queen, right? Shouldn’t I have some idea of what exactly I’m to be queen of?”

Ari flexes his jaw. “You make a good point.”

“And...” I pause, sensing a heavy weight on my tongue, “I want to know what you do. You said you’re an escort. I want to know what that means.”

Ari stares at me with a new level of fascination. “I offer you the world for a day and you choose to spend it in mine?” he asks.

I nod. “Yes.”

His head tilts. “Are you sure?”

A rock forms in my gut.

AmI sure?

Here I stand; Dorothy in front of the wizard. Am I sure I want to see what’s behind the curtain?

“Yes,” I answer. “I already know what it’s like to live in the dark. I want to know what it’s like to... know.”

Ari’s face softens, showing a hint of understanding. “As you wish, then,” he says.

He extends his hand to me and a cool chill travels down my spine.

“Take my hand. Close your eyes.” He locks on me with a piercing gaze. “Don’t let go.”

My stomach flutters, once again weighed down by the heavy rock taking hold of me but my curiosity instantly wins out.

I take his hand.

I close my eyes.

And we fall.