Page 135

“NO!”

Filippa and I cry out together, panicked, and Death glances back at us, a sinister smile touching his lips as he lifts his finger from her face. Her heart stutters once more. Twice, thrice, four times. Filippa—who has taken a hasty step toward us—freezes at the sound of it, as do I; as does the entire grotto, all of us listening and counting each beat. “Unless...” Death draws out the word in obvious glee. “Someone else would like to take her place? I am not unreasonable, after all. If there is another you’d prefer to use in her stead, I’d be happy to spare your mother. She’ll become a Bride, just like you, but otherwise no worse for wear—perhaps even better. Certainly healthier.” That evil smile grows, nearly splitting his face in two. “What say you, Célie? Who shall it be?”

Just like that, the situation goes from bad to impossibly worse.

Filippa’s eyes lock on mine across the grotto, burning with fierce promise. I have known her too long and too well to misunderstand that expression—she wants me to pick someone else,anyoneelse, in order to save our mother. And there are plenty of loved ones here from whom to choose: Lou and Reid, Jean Luc, Odessa... and Michal. His fingers tighten in the damp fabric of his mother’s gown—the most exceptional gown I’ve ever worn, yet ruined like all the others. Despite all my efforts, I could not save it.

And I cannot save my mother either. I cannot save anyone.

Savage anger flares inside my chest, blistering, consuming—burning away all fear and rationality as I force myself between her and Death, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Bring it down, then. Bring the veil down, so you can rule over a kingdom ofpeople whohateyou. You think they’ll accept you? All those souls you’ve claimed? At best, you’ll be dragging those at peace from their rest, and at worst, you’ll be unleashing hell on earth. Either way, they will not revere you; they will notloveyou, and you will be exactly as you are now. Miserable and alone.”

Death’s smile vanishes instantly, leaving an ugly expression in its wake. “The clock is ticking, Célie. Make your choice.”

I glare at him, refusing to answer. Refusing tochoose, even as my mother’s heart weakens, each beat punctuating her last seconds.

We all go to the clock room eventually.

Death clicks his tongue impatiently.

Tick.

But I cannot do it.

Tock.

I cannot kill my own mother.

Michal walks slowly to Death’s side. “Célie,” he says in a soft voice. “Take me instead.”

And that idea I sensed earlier—his hardening resolve—unfurls fully formed down the bond.Take me instead.Instantly, my mind rejects the possibility, and I shake my head before he can suggest anything else. Because I can’t—hecan’t— “Absolutely not.” My head continues to shake even as he steps around Death, who grins anew and plucks my mother from my arms, spinning her toward Odessa.Clearing the stage, I realize with a distant sense of foreboding.

Tick tock tick tock tick tock—

“This is what he wanted,” I hiss to Michal, treacherous tears pricking my eyes. “I will not do it. I cannot lose you.”

Michal pulls me into his arms. “We’ll see each other again.”

“No.” I push him away again, vision blurring, but he refuses to let me go. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know where togo. Michal, it’s just—it’s too risky, and—and the bond.” I seize on the excuse like a lifeline; I seize onto his shirt too. “If you die, I die, and I won’t—I won’t be able to bringanyoneback.”

Please stay.

His plea from so long ago reverberates back to me, and I repeat it now like a prayer.Please stay, please stay, please stay.

Death caresses both of our faces, entirely too close for comfort—so close I can see my reflection in the maniacal gleam of his eyes. “Oh, you needn’t worry about that, darling. IamDeath, after all. I can slow whatever effects breaking this wretched bond entails.”

Michal shoves Death away before cradling my face in his hands. To my surprise, I feel no fear in the bond, only a steady warmth and—incredibly—a sense of gratitude. Of reverence. My chin quivers. “Do you trust me?” he asks.

And I want to say no. I want to say nosobadly, but— “Yes,” I breathe.

“You can do this.” He brushes a kiss against my lips before stepping away, and I feel his absence like the loss of a limb, my hands reaching out for him still. “I’ll wait until you find me. I willalwayswait for you.”

He turns toward Death as the tears spill helplessly down my cheeks, and I cannot stop shaking my head. I cannot stop clinging to the bond—the closest I can get to Michal now. Despite his imminent demise, he sends wave after wave of reassurance through it, of comfort andlove. And I love him. I love him so much. It should never have been like this. We only just found each other;we should’ve had more time together—an eternity. And I finally wanted it. Despite the darkness of this life, I wanted to spend eternity with him—withhim—and now I must let him go.

Odessa weeps quietly behind them.

“Get it over with,” Michal says.

Death shakes his head, however, pulling a thin silver dagger from his cloak. “Now where would the fun be in that?” Leaning around Michal, he tips the dagger toward me. “I said I was reasonable, not benevolent. Though your paramour here has been a thorn in my side for centuries, I thinkyoushould do the honors.”