Page 64 of Death

Chapter 15

Islide backward, wincing as my head nearly slams into the headboard behind me.

“Die?” I repeat.

Ari stares at me, his eyes twinging with confusion as he rises to his knees. “I thought you understood,” he says.

I choke on my words. “I guess not. Die? I don’t want to die.”

“You have to.”

“Says who?”

He stiffens. “Says the deal I made for your soul,” he says.

I shudder with dread as I look around. “But I thought... I’m not dead now, right?”

“You’re not.”

“Then why can’t I just be here like this?” I ask.

“It doesn’t work like that,” he says. “Once you let go of my hand, you’ll go right back. This is only temporary.”

“Then, temporary it is.”

“Tannis—”

“I don’t want to die for you!”

I feel awful the moment the words leave my lips. Ari bites down, making his sharp cheekbones poke out even farther.

“You have no choice,” he finally says.

My mouth sags. “But I do,” I say. “You gave me three dates, remember? Three dates to get you to change my mind or I could go free. That’s what we agreed to.”

“It is.” He nods once. “But I’m owed a great debt. Twenty years for a soul. If not yours, then someone must die in your place.”

I shake my head in disgust. “No.”

“Your father. Your mother.” He makes his suggestions and I cringe. “A stranger on the street.”

“No!”

“The scales must be balanced,” he says. “There are rules in this world, Tannis. Your parents knew that when they shook my hand.”

“Well, I didn’t!” I try to peel my hand from his grasp but he holds on. A tear rolls down my cheek. “If I had known how much of a monster you really were, then I wouldn’t have...”

A sob clenches my throat.

Ari withdraws, noticeably stabbed by the word but his eyes bleed sympathy. “Tannis...” He shifts closer.

I push backward. “Stay away from me!”

“You have to make a choice,” he says, keeping his hold on my hand. “I’ve shown you a fraction of the life I can provide for you and now you’ve seen the alternative.”

I think about those cold, dead faces and instantly regret it.

“But I swear...” His eyes soften even more. “Your soul will be taken care of no matter what you choose.”