Page 16

The Prey in the Dark

Grace

It’s been two weeks of hiding in Tai’s bedroom, and I’m beyond crazy now, crazier than Kai. With each passing day, I feel my sanity slip away. It leaves me piece by piece, like sand flowing through an hourglass. In the morning, I wake to see Kai crouched next to me, watching me sleep. He brings me breakfast, which Tai finally had to tell him did not consist of cake and cookies. Then, he brings me into the art room and paints my portrait, which always comes out as anything other than my actual portrait. Some of them are quite beautiful, actually; he is a wonderful artist. I then go take a bath in Tai’s amazing bathhouse, taking my time to soak in the steamy hot spring, but thoughts of Fallon sneak into my head, and I have to rush out. If I stay still too long, grief and anger creep in. Tai says I need to face them, but it will be a cold, cold day in the Infernals before I do that. That’s why I love hanging out with Kai so much, he keeps me constantly busy with his crazy antics, and he never expects me to have to face reality. He doesn’t even live in reality.

After my bath, I come out and Kai always has a book ready for me. I don’t know where he’s getting them, there’s no bookshelf in here. They honestly look like very expensive antiques. I don’t even think he’s properly reading them. They’re always crazy stories. One time, he read me a story of a sad little boy who lost his apple and ended up getting eaten by a dog. The man brings so much chaos into my life, but it’s good chaos. Plus, he’s so hot, I don’t really care what he reads if I get to listen to his deep voice. After the book, Tai usually comes in, and I grumble my way to bed while he tries to talk to me about feelings. Ugh, no thanks, and goodnight.

And then I wake up and start again.

I woke up today, fully rested. These Gods have great beds. I wiggle my feet in Tai’s silky sheets, embracing the smooth cold, and smile. Except, my smile falters when last night’s dream comes creeping in. I’ve been having this recurring dream, yet it feels more like a nightmare. It’s always dark, I’m embraced by shadows. Their cool wisps are always welcoming me, tempting me to explore. They push me forward, every time, and I’m always happy. Until a creature appears, vibrating the world with its footsteps. I feel fear rush in that shakes me to the core. I never run, I just cower in the darkness. Then I hear a voice, and it’s always the same man. He oozes dark velvet and pushes me out of the dream, waking me up.

Except, last night was different. There was a second man.

The dark man was trying to wake me from the dream, just like usual, but this time he sounded frightened. I stayed in the dream, longer than I ever do, and I heard him.

Little creature.

His deep voice was gravel, demanding and strong against the shadows. I was frozen, in a mix of fear and attraction. I wanted to see the beast that clutches my heart every night in the darkness. But I was thrown out of the dream, almost like someone gripped my soul and physically pulled me out.

I don’t understand what they mean. Inhaling a deep breath, I stretch, ready to forget the nightmare, and start my daily routine with Kai again. “Kai, can we stay in bed today? I’m feeling lazy, and these sheets are beckoning me to stay.”

I yawn, opening groggy eyes and turning over to find no Kai by the bed. “Kai?” I call out. Where is he? I look around the room with sleepy eyes. The fire is going, its sounds crackling in the stone pit.

I get up slowly, my bare feet hitting the cool ground. I move my way around, checking to see if anyone is sleeping on the couch, but it’s bare. Is he already getting the paints ready for my portrait? I crack open the studio and see no easel set or paints out. Only a small trickle of water sounds in the corner of the empty room. I close the door and go to check the bathhouse. I open the heavy door to find steam saturating the air, but no one is inside.

I guess I’m alone.

I don’t like it.

Unwanted memories start to flood in, drowning my body in unease. Thoughts of Fallon spark in my head; his goofy smile and the crinkles in his eyes when he laughed at his own jokes. I remember the sparkle on his face when he had a ridiculous idea. An idea like healing the sick and hopeless. The same idea that turned his beautiful sparkle into ashes. I remember the sound the sword made when it speared his body, covering the dirt road in blood. I saw the anguish in his eyes. He will never smile again.

Yeah. I’m not doing this.

I eye the front door. What are the chances of running into anyone? I slowly open the wooden door and peek outside. It’s dim and the corridor runs a ways down, lined with various doors. The hall is dark, with a torch lit every now and then, making shadows swim across the walls. I go for it, making a dash out of the confines of Tai’s room.

I prowl carefully, the floor is freezing under my feet as I tiptoe across the icy stone. My pants drag as I feel a draft breezing across my arms, pebbling my skin. I shiver as I sneak down the hallway, starting to hear strange sounds the further I go. A rumble deep in the walls shakes my feet underneath me. I pause as a muted roar comes to life around me. A clash of swords clings loudly to my right, and I jump back, hugging the wall behind me. My eyes dash around the hall frantically, looking for the source of the sound, but there is nothing there. The sound vanishes as quickly as it came to life. My heart is pounding, and my breathing fast. I know I heard something there.

My fingers scratch on the stone barrier behind me as I glance up and down the walls. I should go back, I need to go back. Yet I am still here, frozen in the shadows. I take a deep, shuddering breath and peer through the corridor. I am not going back to that room by myself.

I regain my composure, and I keep creeping forward, walking further as more sounds go off to my left; men roaring, fading into nothing as fast as they came. I flinch, but I continue down the hall as I hear more sounds. What is going on? Horses neigh, and men scream in pain. Weapons clash, and the roar of thousands of men fills the space.

I realize it is the sounds of war. I wonder what is behind these corridor doors? I don’t think I want to know.

I finally reach the end and come to the massive black marble stairway. If I remember correctly, straight across will lead me to Kai’s room. So up, must be Death. I decide I’m not ready to meet Death and walk down the steps, going further into the black fortress. It’s extravagant here, elegant carvings and beautiful paintings. I walk down the halls. All I hear are my footsteps echoing into the darkness. I pass by an entrance to a large hallway and pause, staring down the corridor. Something about the pass calls me down it, like a sad beautiful song. It’s almost familiar. I’m drawn to it like a moth to a flickering flame.

Before I know it, I’m walking down the dark hallway. The art decorating these walls are different. They’re portraits, but there’s a melancholy to them that I’m mesmerized by. It carries such a sadness, my heart aches looking up at the beautiful pictures. I stop in front of a rather large painting, the artwork making me pause. It’s a portrayal of an elegant woman, reaching to a man longingly. But the man’s flesh is being ripped off, revealing a skeleton beneath him as he is being pulled backward into darkness. He reaches his hand to his living lover, grasping at her fingers. I gaze at the hauntingly beautiful portrait, reaching my own fingers up to the man. My head turns to the end of the hallway, as I breathe heavily. My sight landing on a set of large stone double doors.

The doors have carvings on them; they look to be some kind of ancient symbols. They stand out against all the elegant statues of the castle. I tiptoe closer while light streaks through the bottom cracks of the pitch-black doors, playing with the shadows on the ground.

I take a deep breath, reaching out to touch the doorknob, slowly heaving open the door. I peek through to see a massive study. Books litter the walls along black wood shelves, and there’s a large ebony desk atop a single stair. I hear a fire crackle, and my gaze moves to the large, marbled fireplace. A towering, winged figure stands firm in front of it. Tremendous onyx wings drag along the dark ground. The silky feathers shine with a silver gleam decorating the tips. A large, tattooed hand holds a crystal cup of amber liquid, sharp black claws extending from each finger.

The dark man’s head turns to me slowly, his broad body following, and I catch a glimpse of his face. He’s striking . There is no doubt he is a God. Jet-black hair cascades down his back in waves, framing a face cut from marble. The black markings on his hands travel up his arms, disappearing under his billowing tunic and peeking out onto his neck.

The God’s cold eyes regard me. One is sterling silver, while the other holds a pitch-black depth that quickens my heart. They hold an air of indifference as they study me. His stunning feathered wings flare and tuck themselves behind his back.

The dark God gives me a sly smirk. “Hello, little creature.” His melodic, deep voice rumbles across the room, filling my gut with fire.

Mine .

I take a sure step forward, only to get grabbed by someone behind me and jerked out of the room. Next thing I know, I’m thrown over a shoulder, and my captor is sprinting with me out of the room and back up the stairs.

“Wait! Take me back,” I shout to my captor, pounding fists against their back.

I receive a harsh and swift slap to my ass.

“Asshole!” I scream.

They run me down Tai’s corridor. His bedroom door is thrown open and slammed behind us. I’m launched onto the soft bed, my head landing on a feather pillow. The air puffs out in a sudden rush as I settle into the blankets. I land next to a smiling Kai, propped up on his elbow. “You’re in trouble, baby bug.” He snickers.

“What the fuck were you thinking!” screams Tai. “We’re gone for five fucking minutes, Grace. Five minutes. And you walk into his fucking den?” Oh, I thought he was angry before. We’re on another level now. I think his head might explode. “Have you no self-preservation skills? Did we not tell you to stay inside? You need to stop this self-destructive vendetta you’ve got going on, kid. Everyone fucking saw you sneaking around the halls.”

“Wait, what? What do you mean everyone?” I ask, dumbfounded.

Tai stares at me with molten fire in his eyes. “Everyone. Saw. You.”

Are they both crazy? I start shifting uncomfortably. Where the fuck am I? Is this some kind of trauma-induced illusion? Am I dead and in the Infernals with two crazy brothers? I look between him and Kai .

Kai looks at me and starts cracking up. “She thinks you’re crazy, too, doesn’t she?” He laughs hard, slapping his leg.

Tai sighs. “You can’t see them, they’re dead. Only a God will be able to see them. It doesn’t mean the palace isn’t full of them. Laundresses, cooks, servants, they’re all here.”

“Here.” Kai bites into his wrist, his teeth cutting through the flesh with ease, drawing blood. “Try this, if you have my blood in you, maybe you can see them.” He brings his bloody wrist to my mouth.

“What? No!” I start to push it away, disgusted, but Tai grabs my hands and pinches my nose.

“Drink up, baby bird!” sings Kai, shoving his bloody wrist into my mouth and forcing me to drink.

I thrash under them, trying to get free and away from the insane Gods making me drink blood, but then I get a drop on my tongue. I freeze and moan, ripping my arms out of Tai’s grip and grabbing onto Kai’s wrist, drinking deeply. My body relaxes and becomes flush with heat, the taste of sweet gold with a kick of spice darkens my tongue and runs down my throat.

Kai leans in close to me and whispers in my ear, his voice deep and dark, “You like my taste, sweetheart?” He licks along my jaw, into my neck. “Fuck, I wish I could taste you,” he growls.

“Rein it in, Kai,” Tai warns.

“Oh, come on, brother. A little taste wouldn’t hurt,” purrs Kai, nibbling on my neck.

Usually, I would welcome this attention from Chaos. He gives me the promise of fun and pain. I would welcome anything to distract me from reality. But my thoughts drift back to the man in the study. The beautiful, cold man with massive, feathered wings. Death . I know that had to be him. I crave him. I want to taste him and make him groan in pleasure. I want to touch his body and run my fingers through his silky feathers. I want his attention however I can get it. And, right now, I want him on my neck, not Chaos.

Tai chuckles. “You’re crazier than my brother.” He pulls his brother’s wrist from my clutches and yanks Kai off of my neck, pushing him backward into the bed. “She doesn’t want you, brother. I believe she’s gotten a taste of something darker.”

Kai growls in protest, furrowing his brows and staring daggers into me.

“Kai, when was the last time you let Chaos out?” Tai asks sternly.

He doesn’t remove his stare off me. “He’s fine,” Kai says through gritted teeth.

“He’s not; he’s overpowering you, I can see it. You’ve been spending a lot of time with Grace. I think you should take a break.” Tai’s words sound like a suggestion, but his tone implies it’s an order. Kai lurches off the bed in an instant, not looking back to either of us as he practically runs out of the door.

Tai’s eyes slowly move to me, bringing his hand to rub at his chin. “You got a glimpse of my brother. You humans aren’t usually so attracted to him. First, it’s Chaos and now you moved up to Death. Do you really wish to die so badly?”

Is he mocking me?

“Yes, a little. But I also am a bit curious. Have you always had such an attraction for Death?” he stares at me intently, waiting for my answer.

“Your brother is hot. Why is this a big deal?” I’m getting annoyed. He’s damn beautiful, why is it such a big deal to be attracted to him?

“It’s a big deal because no one ever has been attracted to him like you are. Every other mortal can feel him for what he is. Death . When mortals are around him, they have uncontrollable emotions. They start to cry and scream, in fear and in grief. They usually will freeze in fear or try to outrun him, always trying to stay as far away from him as possible. He gives off a sort of dark presence, one that reminds you of your mortality. Even Gods are afraid of Ro, he is the only one with the power to completely kill a God.” He pauses, looking me up and down. “I have never met anyone with such a craving for him.”

Never? How could that be possible? I got a mere glimpse of him and want him so entirely. I would love nothing more than to go down there to him again. If that means he kills me, so be it.

“First, we really need to discuss this destructive path you’re trying to go down. We are going to talk about your trauma so you can begin to heal and stop enticing my dangerous brothers. Secondly, you won’t get what you want from him,” Tai interrupts my thoughts. “Ro is built differently. He doesn’t crave touch and emotions like everyone else. He analyzes your soul and decides if he’ll reap it, that’s all. He’s completely detached from any sort of personal connection. The only emotion I’ve seen him display is anger, and that’s usually because Kai is pissing him off.”

Interesting. So, the only emotion I’ll get from him is anger. I guess if I’m only going to get anger out of him, I’m going to have to piss him off. Which means, I’ll have to get close to him again. How should I make him mad first? Excitement stirs in my body at the prospect of being close to him.

Tai closes his eyes and sighs. “Ymir’s bones, I don’t know how to handle you. You don’t act like a normal human. I cannot stress enough, do not go with that plan.”

I smile at him sweetly. I’m definitely doing it.

“Why are you the way that you are?” Tai sighs again. “Ok, no Kai today means I’m sleeping in here, and you’re going to be completely quiet. You’re not leaving the room and you’re going to sit there and behave. You’re going to get a handle on your swinging emotions and silence your thoughts. Understood?”

I furrow my brows. He has got to be kidding me. There is no way I can sit here in silence doing nothing while he sleeps. Those thoughts I’ve been trying to avoid will creep in and completely take over. I cannot think of him and his anguish. My mind drifts to the way blood poured out of his mouth while he said his last word.

Run .

I start to hyperventilate, my breathing is short and rapid. My chest feels tight as I try to get air into my lungs. I can’t do this.

“Fucking bless me, kid. Ok, this isn’t going to work. Stay here, I’ll be back in a bit,” Tai says as he hurries out of the room.

“Wait. Where are you going?” I yell after him nervously. No, no, no. He left. He left me here by myself. I grab my knees and bring them to my chest. I rock myself back and forth while trying to keep my thoughts from going to a dark place.

I never got to apologize to Evie. We had fought before we left that day, and I was so furious at her. But she still sacrificed herself to give us time to get away. She was a lethal fighter, but there were so many guards. She had no chance against all of them. How many times did a sword drive through her body before she died? And it was all for nothing. Fallon still died, and I was forced through the Veil.

A cold revelation washes over me. I will never be able to heal from this. I will never be able to be alone or live my life without thinking of him lying lifeless in a puddle of blood. I am so tired of feeling like this. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I can’t live. No, I would rather die than keep doing this.

I let out a shuddering breath.

It’s decided. I’m tired of trying to live like this, and I know one person in this upside-down place that will give me sweet relief. I get up and leave the room. I don’t stay to hear the door shut. I sprint down War’s hallway and get to the stairs. What I see before me makes me stop in my tracks.

People . They’re everywhere. They’re all dressed in grey uniforms, some carrying linens and others baskets of food. I see a maid dusting the furniture and another dusting the paintings. They were right, servants are everywhere doing their jobs. A young woman, with her brown hair up in a neat bun, notices me while coming down the stairs. She carries what looks to be old, black towels. She must’ve been in Death’s room. Jealousy rears its way up, and I cannot believe I’m jealous of a maid getting to clean his bathroom. I don’t even know the man.

“Hi, miss,” she says. “Are you lost?”

“No, I was just …” I pause, maybe I shouldn’t tell her I’m trying to see Death. “I’m going to see Kai,” I say quietly.

“I will walk you.” She smiles. “I’m Yara.”

“I’m Grace.” I smile at her as she walks me slowly across the expansive stairway.

“I’ve seen you a couple of times, but Lord War said to leave you be,” she mentions quietly.

“Oh.” I watch her carefully as we near Kai’s corridor. She seems nice, but didn’t they say the servants are all dead? Why are they here and not in the Blessed Isles? Did she do something bad? We continue walking in silence until we reach the large hallway.

“Well, this is as far as I go.” She stops and smiles at me.

“But Kai’s room is down toward the end.” I glance between her and the hallway.

“Women aren’t allowed in Lord Chaos’s hallway,” she says sheepishly. “But if you ever want some company, I’ll be around. Bye.” She curtsies politely and waves at me as she goes, heading toward the stairs.

Why wouldn’t women be allowed down here? I spent a whole week in Kai’s room, and it was fine. I start my way down Kai’s room, and I realize I haven’t walked down here by myself. I hope I remember his door. As I go, I start to hear faint laughter echoing through the halls. My steps slow as I hold my arms to myself. The laughter becomes more crazed and frenzied, rushing past my ears. Screams go off to my left and right, clawing their way out of the walls.

I pick up my pace as fear grips my chest. I watch in terror as the end of the hallway starts to look like it’s stretching, twisting, and turning like a snake suffocating its prey. I turn around, back the way I came, but the hallway is mirrored. This was a bad idea. It’s Kai’s closet all over again, but worse.

I keep walking, but in which direction, I no longer know. Screams and crazed laughter bounce off the walls, mixing together. My heart is pounding, and my breathing is rapid. I have a horrible feeling in my gut, like someone opened me up and stuffed a rabid rat in my stomach. I stop, closing my eyes, trying to squeeze out the noises. What am I doing here? I’m lost in a crazy never-ending hallway just because I didn’t want to be alone. I crouch on the ground, feeling tears well in my eyes. I hug myself as I try to shut everything out. The screams come closer, attacking me. Their voices ring in my ears. Words start to form in their shrieking cries.

Coward!

Traitor!

Worthless!

I grip my hair, crazed. Their screeches pound closer and closer, scratching at the walls and hammering in my heart. Closer and closer, until I feel their cold breath against my face, blowing tendrils of my hair against my nose. They’re lethal predators, coming in for the kill.

“Leave me alone!” I scream into the crowded hallway, tears spilling over onto my cheeks. I start to cry, hugging myself as I droop onto the cold floor. “Just leave me alone.”

At once, the haunting noises vanish into the background. What was once screaming insults are now eerie whispers, slowly dissipating. I keep my eyes screwed shut and breathe heavily. Are they gone? Truly?

Slowly, I calm my breath and raise my head. I open my watery eyes to see a wooden door in front of me. Bewildered, I stand up shakily. I inspect it closely, coming to realize this is Kai’s bedroom door. I found it. I open the door quickly, desperate to get away from the chaotic hallway. I rush in, turning the cool knob and slamming the door behind me. I rest my head against the chill wood panel, and I breathe a sigh of relief, my body suddenly feeling heavy.

A woman’s sharp scream pierces the room, startling me. Her voice cascades through the space in painful ripples. I shoot off the door in panic and look around, searching for the woman, but there is no one here. Another scream cleaves through the otherwise quiet room, her lilt in pure agony. I carefully walk around as it continues echoing around me, bouncing off the red walls. She cries and begs. Her wails pierce my soul. It’s not until I approach Kai’s crimson door, the one that remains locked, that I realize she’s inside. My body seizes in place before the door. Every part of me screaming to run, but I cannot make myself walk away. I stare transfixed on the ornate red knob. My hand shakily reaches out, grabbing the handle and twisting. It clicks silently as the knob turns in my hand.

It’s unlocked.

A cool breeze stirs my hair as I push it open, walking in slowly. The scent of blood immediately overwhelms me, invading my senses as I find the girl. Her long body is hanging, bound by her wrists. She is soaked in deep red blood with numerous gashes covering her once-tan body. Brown hair is stuck to her face, by blood and by tears. Her screams pierce the air while a naked Kai bores into her relentlessly with his cock. He uses a large hand to grip her waist painfully hard while the other carves into her back with a silver dagger. The gleam of metal covered in sticky blood. He licks up her back, lapping her up as a primal groan escapes his throat. Kai’s body is covered in the girl’s blood, painting him into a deranged portrait fit for the walls of the dark castle. The sight throws me as my heart shakes like the warning rattle of a venomous snake.

I swallow past the knot in my throat, taking me great effort. Kai stops instantly as his head whips to me, locking onto me with crazed eyes. He grins, completely unhinged. Kai lets go of the sobbing girl and takes a step toward me, blood dripping off his face.

“Hello, little pet, come to play?” he purrs, his voice is deep and distorted.

This is not Kai. He wouldn’t do this. I refuse to believe it. I take a shaky breath as he looks at me, cocking his head playfully. I take a slow step back, but he takes two steps forward.

“Where are you going? I can take care of the girl quickly, and we can play.” He stares at me with a crazed look while his voice carries gently across the dark space.

This is not Kai.

This is not Kai.

This is not Kai.

He takes another sure step toward me, his large legs bringing him closer.

“Kai, I—” A growl, low in his chest, cuts me off.

This is not Kai—this is the God of Chaos.

“Chaos,” I whisper, the hush words echo into the silence of the room.

He gives me a bloody, deranged smile. I glance at the sharp dagger he still carries; it drips with the girl’s blood. Chaos takes my distraction as a chance to take two more steps, eating the rest of the space between us. I freeze as he comes to stand before me, breathing me in. Chaos brings his red-stained dagger close to my face and inspects me closely with his matching eyes.

“I love this look of fear on you, it really brings out your eyes. I think I will let you keep them.” He chuckles darkly.

“Chaos,” I whisper, fear squeezing my heart.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart? You wanted to play before.” He acts confused, but his voice is amused.

I glance to the woman hanging by her wrists, mangled in agony. “I don’t want to play anymore.”

Anger flashes to the surface, distorting his face before a slippery hand lashes out to my throat. “I had you first. If you think you get to throw me away for my brother, you are very wrong. You are my pet, and we are going to play.” Chaos brings the bloody dagger and presses it into my cheek.

My breath hitches as I stare into his crimson eyes. “Kai, please help me,” I whimper.

Chaos simply laughs before smiling sinfully, shaking his head. His bloody hand releases my throat and comes to my chin. “Don’t worry, you don’t understand now, but I know you. We are made from the same substance you and I, Grace. I will be your pleasure. I will be your pain. I will be your God.”

Fear overruns me, telling me to bolt. I force a step back quickly and slam into something hard. A heavily tattooed hand lashes out and grabs Chaos’s wrist, forcing him to drop the dagger.

“You are trying to steal what is mine,” a deep velvet voice rumbles behind me. “If anyone is going to kill her, it will be me.”

Chaos looks at me with furrowed brows, not acknowledging the fact that his wrist is being bent into an angle it should not be in. My hands roam behind me, clutching onto my savior’s leather pants. I see Chaos thinking behind his frantic eyes. He’s lost his catch, and he’s trying to calculate if he can get it back from the man behind me. I lean backward into the warm body behind me. I feel so safe already, but I won’t chance a look at the man until Chaos is out of my face.

“Go play with the present I got for you,” rumbles the hard voice.

“She is almost dead,” Chaos spits with venom, finally breaking free from his trance. His towering body straightens and looks up at the man. “I want this one, I had her before you. ”

“No,” the man commands sternly.

Chaos bares his teeth at him defiantly, showing his pronounced canines. The stain of blood is still evident on his teeth. He leans in with fists balled in anger.

“You forget your place, Chaos. Perhaps you would like if I didn’t give you any more gifts?” the man warns, and fear flashes across Chaos’s face.

Chaos takes a step back with wide, mad eyes. He glances at me and back at the bloody girl. She swings there now from her wrists. The only sound she’s making is from the drips of her life seeping from her wounds, dropping off her toes and into the crimson puddles.

He grumbles, “You distracted me and now she’s dead. They aren’t as fun dead.”

There’s a tsking sound behind me. “You played too fast. Kai really needs to let you out more often, so this doesn’t keep happening. If you promise to stay away from the human girl, I’ll give you a new one.” He sounds like a tired parent talking to a child that broke a toy, and not a psychotic God that killed a person.

“Fine, but I want a white-haired girl like her,” Chaos mutters as he nods in my direction.

“Alright, brother, I’ll see what souls come through,” the man says empathetically as he grabs the back of my neck firmly and directs me out of the door. The touch sends electricity down my body and warmth into my stomach. I almost moan from his clasp.

Brother . It was Death behind me all along, and he saved me. I thought he wanted to kill me. Death throws me into the room, and I catapult into the hard floor with a smack. I grunt, looking behind me with my mouth agape. He did not just throw me onto the ground. My brows furrow as he stands there watching me, an air of authority and annoyance exude off him.

“I found you, little creature. Now, what shall I do with you?” Death purrs as he rubs his chin.