Page 77 of A Vow of Shadows

In less than a year, Evander and I could both be free, both bealive.

“I tire of these games, Katrin. Do we have a deal or not?”

A sour taste filled my mouth. All I knew of Death were his deceptions, and there, I had my answer.

The shadows tugged again, and this time, I submitted to the pull. As they gathered me into their cool embrace, Behryn’s expression morphed into one of pure fury, brows furrowed and lips pulled back in a snarl. The world began to fade, and I conveyed the order to collect Evander as well. Darkness engulfed me, and a pale hand punched through.

I screamed as Death clawed his way into my shadows, tearing through them like bits of paper. His fingers grazed my bareskin, and he flew back as if pushed away by invisible hands. He grunted as he collided with the wall.

Redoubling their efforts, the shadows swirled around me. They plucked me from where I stood rooted to the floor and launched me into motion. Again, Death grabbed me from midair, and again, he was blasted by some unknown force.

I dropped to the floor, and strong hands lifted me back up. I whirled to find Evander, upright and furious, Death’s control having slipped in the fray. He urged me behind him, turning to face Behryn where he dusted fallen plaster from his clothes.

The king straightened, heat rippling from him in waves. “You have twenty-four hours to consider my offer.”

I debated telling him where he could shove his offer, but with a burst of flame, he was gone.

Evander faced me, mouth set in a grim line. I didn’t give him the chance to speak before I fell into his arms and wept.

Chapter 47

The Ferrier

At the sight of her tears, I wished I were a different man—a better man—someone who knew all the right answers, someone who could take away the hurt.

There was something to be said for enduring so much so young. When all was said and done, you’d be left somehow older than your years, as though you’d lived more lives than one in the same span of time.

She’d been so brave, so strong for so long, but no more.

I had failed. Death had found her. And now, her greatest fear was coming with the next dawn. Of course, he would come for her when I was weakest. Of course, he would tempt and tease her with false hope. I should have prepared her for this, forhim.

Katrin inhaled a shuddering breath, exhaling slowly. She repeated this several times as though willing herself to calm, but I could still feel the thundering beat of her heart in her chest.

All the while, I held her, not knowing if it would be my last chance to do so.

She lifted her head, not quite pulling away, but making enough space between us that I could meet her red-rimmed eyes. Salt tracks lined her cheeks, more visible against her shadowed skin.

“Tell me not to accept his deal.” Her voice, pitched high with emotion, floundered over the words.

Taking her by the shoulders, I willed her to see the truth in my eyes. “Never accept any kind of bargain proposed by Death. He serves only himself.”

She nodded like she’d already guessed as much. Her shoulders curled inward. “Then if neither of us are to be free, I think we should consider extending our current agreement.”

I tensed. “For how long?”

Seeming to gird herself, she took another deep breath in and lifted her chin. “Indefinitely.”

My hands dropped from her shoulders. Taking first one step back, then another, I pushed my fingers through my hair, tugging gently like it could wake me from this dream—this nightmare where Katrin asked to stay with me, and I had to refuse.

“No.” The single syllable sounded cruel even to my own ears.

“Evander—” She stepped toward me, and I lifted my hands to ward her off. The hurt that flashed across her face nearly crumbled my resolve. “You saw what happened. My touch repelled him.Our vowrepelled him.”

“No!” I said more forcefully. “This is not a life.” I waved my arms at the evidence around us. The crumbling manor, the hazy daylight, the demonic shadow creatures that cowered in corners.

Katrin’s gaze swept the space, her expression thoughtful. “Death is not life either, Evander.”

“You don’t know that. The Afterworld is—”