Page 144 of Till Death

I saw the irony of asking them to lie for me to him, just as he’d asked them to do, and though I felt like a monster for it, I saw no other way. The only thing standing between Orin and an early grave was three women who loved him desperately and chains that I could only pray would hold me despite the guaranteed madness.

Chapter 54

Look at the door.

I squeezed my eyes shut, swallowing the voice that would eventually consume me until it was my own for the rest of my days. They were gone when I opened them again. The door sealed tight beyond whatever Thea had done to the door.

I willed my broken heart to calm, falling to the floor, head bowed as I prayed to whichever god might listen to hear my heart and free me from the magic coiling inside.

Pull.

The only thing I wanted was sleep, but each time I closed my eyes, I saw his face. A comfort and a deep level of torture as hours ticked by. Until they became days, the roots of the flourishing willow creeping along the walls, the marker of time passed.

My mind was a tempest, a chaotic storm of conflicting thoughts and emotions, of my strong will versus Death’s power. The magic within writhed like a serpent, taunting me with whispers of murder. It promised release from my chains, from the torment of my own mind, if only I would let it in.

“One, Anika Sariah Hark.”

My raspy words were sandpaper in my throat.

Orin Faber.

“Two. Garrit Faden.”

Orin Faber.

“Three. Marian Achlen.”

There is nothing more beautiful than a blade piercing smooth skin.

“Four,” I cried, trying to cover an ear with my shoulder as the chain weighed me down. “Leander Galen.”

Drip. Drip. See his blood fall upon this floor. Red. Beautiful. Scarlet.

“Five… Ave… Ave…”

Orin Faber.

“Orin Faber.”

Breathe.

Take a breath. His.

Focus. Spiral. Pull. The floor.

The cool stone floor. Slack waning. Lie down.

Stand up.

“Five. Aveline Elara.”

Orin Faber.

Strong jaw, hair as dark as night. Nightmare. Golden eyes, pouty lips.

“Pouty lips.”

Yes.