Page 65 of Shadow of Death

“Unless youwantto accompany me?” I added, trying to clean up my misstep.

Samson’s front lip rose as if I’d coughed phlegm all over him. He turned and walked away.

I didn’t bother looking back at Athena. I’d had enough of her squinty looks for the day.

I made my way upstairs, glad Kicks was otherwise occupied somewhere else, even if it was calculated by Varic. Every day there seemed to be somewhere else he had to be.

Varic’s door was already open, and he looked up as I walked in.

“I need to go visit a nearby pack tomorrow. You’re going to come with me. It’s a few hours’ ride there and then back. You’ll return before dinner.” He smiled as if his decree were law.

“Why would you want me to go on business?” I said, because he was right. I was screwed. Right now, Varic was the biggest threat to Kicks—which said something, considering I had Death and Charon visiting me regularly.

“Because they’ll have heard of you, and I might want to give them a show.” He smiled. It was almost as bad as watching Death smile or try to make human movements. “One of those stun jobs you gave Kicks might be useful.”

“Why do you trust me to do anything for you?”

“Because as we’ve talked about, I’ve got leverage. You won’t risk their lives.” His smile grew wider, and even more revolting.

And I was going to treat him like he was yummier than warm apple pie on a chilly fall day. I smiled, hoping I didn’t look like a jackal while doing it. I’d have to hope his bloodthirsty ego was so desperate to be propped up that he’d believe my act.

“I’m actually glad you called me. I wanted to have a chat with you—alone.” I walked over, forcing myself to get closer than I’d ever want to, all the way to behind his desk, sitting on the corner of it. I crossed my legs, letting the hem of my skirt rise, showing considerable leg.

His eyes warmed just as I’d hoped.

“And why is that? What did you want to talk about?” He eyed me up like a hyena with a hank of raw meat in front of him.

“I feel like we don’t need to be in such an adversarial relationship. That maybe we could even be friendly?”

“And how is that when you killed my father?” He was still smiling as he asked.

He hadn’t mourned his father for a second. He’d been put out over the shock that I’d done it so effortlessly, but mad? He might’ve been secretly happy. He hadn’t wasted any time in moving into his father’s quarters and seemed to relish taking up the mantle of his control. I’d mourned enough people in my life to see the signs of someone devoid of feelings, even if they were good at locking them down.

So if his reason for mentioning it wasn’t anger, the only reason he’d bring it up was leverage. That might’ve worked ifIfelt bad. I refused to hold on to any guilt over ending the life of the man who’d been behind the death of most of the world. I certainly wouldn’t feel bad for his son, who didn’t care.

“I didn’t want to kill your father. Death was acting through me. I’m as much a victim of that situation as you,” I said, trying to sound pouty. It wasn’t a tone I typically employed.

“What kind of friendlier relationship did you imagine we could have?” He raised his hand and trailed a finger from my ankle up to my knee, nausea swelling.

“Maybe what you want aligns with what Death wants? I could see if something can be worked out.” I shifted, leaning a bit to the side, watching his eyes take in my every move.

“You think you could arrange something like that?” he asked, his eyes glued to me.

“I can’t make any promises, but I’d be willing to try.”

The men in the hall approached, saving me from having to extricate myself.

“You’re about to get company.” I jerked my head toward the noise. “But we’ll have time to talk soon?”

He smiled and nodded.

I made my way upstairs to my bedroom, afraid even the roof might be occupied. My plan of being alone didn’t last long.

You disappeared again last night,Death said.

“Did I?” I didn’t even turn around to greet her, but stared out the window, looking at the rolling hills. At least the view was beautiful.

I know where you went. Don’t cross me. You won’t like what happens.