Page 17 of A Vow of Shadows

Seemingly satisfied with my complacency, he rattled off a series of commands in a clipped tone. “No leaving the grounds. Should you decide to annul our agreement, you may go at any time, but my protection extends only to the gate. Stay out of my way. I have no interest in small talk or braiding each other’s hair. You may move about the manor as you wish so long as you do not interfere with my work. You will not accompany me on any other missions.”

“I can’t come with you? What about Death? What if he comes for me when you’re not here?” I looked around as though I could conjure him by name alone.

“You are at best a distraction, at worst a liability. Death has no reason to come here, other than to see me. Since he knows when I am away, he will have no cause for being here when I am not.”

“He can’t… sense me?”

“He can sense you in the way that he can sense all that are mortal. Your impending demise would call to him like a siren song, but here you are no closer to death than I. Your soul is in stasis.”

“But I’m marked by Death. Surely, that means he has some awareness of me.”

“To my knowledge, you are the only person Death has ever marked. I don’t know what cause he had to single out someone like you.”

I heard all the words he didn’t say. Someoneordinary.Someoneunremarkable.I’d wondered the same thing.Why me?

It would seem the Ferrier was as confused as me.

“Until we know more about his motives for marking you, it is best that you remain atTyr Anigh.” The foreign words rolled off his tongue. “Do you have any questions?”

“What am I to call you?” I crossed my arms over my chest and stared right into the depths of his hood.

He seemed to hold my gaze, though I could see nothing of the eyes I stared toward. When he spoke, his voice had lost its fire. “I am the Ferrier of Souls, Master of Shadows, Right Hand of Death. You may refer to me by any of those titles.”

I cocked a brow. “Truly?”

“Have I given you any indication that I am a jester, Miss Fil’Owen?”

I seethed at his persistent use of my surname but held my tongue. We still had three hundred and sixty-five days to spend together. It seemed pertinent to avoid any unnecessary strain on this tenuous partnership. One wrong move and the Ferrier might decide to renege on our deal and send me packing. I had no idea how binding his promise to me was. For all I knew, he had summoned his shadows to twine our hands together for show.

Until I could trust his word, I would have to be on my best behavior.

“Oh, Mighty Hand of Death! Wouldst thou be so magnanimous as to show this lowly mortal to their room?” So much for my best behavior.

As the Ferrier turned away, I tried to picture him fighting back a smile under all that darkness, but his voice betrayed no hint of amusement.

“Most of the living quarters are on the third floor. You’re welcome to choose any that suit your needs.”

“And where is your room?” The question was out before I could think better of it, but I didn’t dare try to take it back.

“Why? Planning to drop by for a visit?” he purred.

“Of course not,” I sputtered, cheeks heating at the insinuation. “I simply wanted to make sure I didn’t choose yours by mistake.”

“Mine will be the one that is locked.” He turned, effectively dismissing me as he strode toward the next room.

Chapter 14

The Ferrier

This was a mistake.

Already, I regretted agreeing to the entitled brat’s terms. An entire year of this for a bit of gold? Fine, a lot of gold. Almost one hundred years as the Ferrier and I was no closer to paying off my debt to Death. A couple silvers for every passing was nothing compared to the worth of a soul, but four thousand gold coins? That would help, and if it didn’t, perhaps Death would trade her soul for mine.

That’s if he even remembered the girl. I couldn’t see what he would want her for. Sure, she was pleasing enough to look at, but Death only suffered those who followed orders. Miss Fil’Owen didn’t seem to fit the bill.

I walked with no destination in mind other than putting distance between me and the girl. The shadows I’d left in my wake would watch over her and report back to me. Already those nearest to me whispered of her movements.

She was climbing the stairs.