Page 116 of Woven Souls

Without a word, I pop open the top of the decanter and pour myself a glass of whatever poison Death keeps on hand. I half expect it to smell like acetone or bleach. But lifting the glass to my nose, I find it smells like nothing.

“Pour me a glass too, Theodon,” Kwil says, coming over to my side.

I hand him my glass and pour myself another. When I look up, Viktor has joined us and is holding out his hand. My heart races as I press the glass into his hand. I have kept these men alive as long as I could. Now here I am, getting ready to end their existence. When I empty the rest of the contents within the decanter into the final glass, I raise it in a salute.

“I have never been more certain about a decision in my life than I am right now,” I tell them softly. “Thank you for allowing me to lead us through the dangers presented in the Third Realm and trusting me up until this point. It has been a pleasure serving by your side in this lifetime. To our next adventure.”

I lift my glass to eye level. The dark liquid swooshes back and forth gently.

“To our next adventure,” Viktor mumbles, lifting his glass as well.

“To Willow, our biggest adventure yet,” Kwil grumbles. Without another word, he throws his drink back.

I follow suit, and Viktor joins us.

Death left us whiskey. The finest whiskey I have ever tasted. My brows rise in surprise as I pull away the empty glass and stare at the decanter. As the liquid rolls down my throat, it warms my body, removing any of the chill Death brought with him. I look at the others, who look just as surprised that their drink isn’t bitter.

“How long do you think it takes?” Viktor asks, placing the glass down on the end table. I take Kwil’s glass from him and place both of ours down, too.

“Hopefully, not too long,” I mutter as I move around them to take a seat on the couch.

The others move to sit down, too. For a while we’re silent, lost in our own thoughts. It’s a wonder that I’m not scared. I suppose part of it can be attributed to the fact that I have faced death in a variety of different forms throughout my many years. This is just another one of those forms. But I think the biggest factor is the motivation driving this decision that keeps the fear at bay. Willow is worth this. I would cross a thousand different realms, die a thousand different ways, if I knew it would lead to her.

Are you ready?

We all jump at the sound of Death’s voice as he drifts back into the room.

“Whatever you gave us hasn’t kicked in yet.” Clearly, he would know that, right?

Hasn’t it?

I stand and turn to look at the imposing shadowy entity, ready to assure him I am very much alive and well. As I get to my feet, however, something catches my attention. There, on the couch, where I was just sitting, is my body. My head is lolled back, and the color is already draining from my face. With my eyes closed, it almost looks like I fell asleep. I turn around to check on the others. Both Kwil and Viktor stand, frowning.

Well, theirsoulsstand up.

I stare at them in wonder. Their bodies, like mine, remain seated. How hadn’t we noticed our own deaths? Or each other’s?

It’s something to ponder at a later date.

“Let’s get out of here. Willow needs us.” Kwil moves towards Death at once.

With a smile at Viktor who smirks back at me, I follow Kwil. Our lives may be over, but our deaths are just the beginning of a new chapter in our story.

Hang on Willow, we’re coming for you.