I stood on the balcony and stared out at the night, breathing in the air. The wards hummed with power. Dayna had done an amazing job of securing Summer Grove house.
The air shifted behind me, and tendrils of shadows curled around my legs.
“Why are you here? I have no time for dates and romance.”
“I hear you had a little family disagreement in town.”
I snorted and lifted my glass of apple juice and chugged it down before swiping my mouth with the back of my hand. I turned to face the god of death. “Like I said—no time.”
Donn tilted his head. “You have a plan to take her down.”
Not a question, but a statement. I shrugged. “There’s always a plan; they just keep failing.”
He smiled. “Not this time, though. It is make or break as the saying goes.”
“Indeed.”
“I’ve made a decision about our final date.”
“That you’ll take the rest of her power and accept an IOU?”
“No, I want to watch.”
“Watch what?”
I was too exhausted and drained for word games with an ancient being. A growl came from downstairs. Oh, great. My mate had sniffed death and was now on his way here to save me. Yippee.
“You become the woman you were always meant to be.”
“This isn’t a makeover montage. This is war, blood, and pain.”
He rubbed his hands together. “Perfect. Just send word of where and when, and I’ll consider our deal complete.”
This was too easy. It was never easy. What was I missing?
The door flew open and cracked against the wall.Ugh.
“You—get out,” Hudson roared.
I squeezed my eyes closed and massaged my temple.
“Gladly. See you on the battlefield, Cora. And be sure to wear black, since it’s the color of war and victory.”
Fashion advice from death? The world was ending, and I was happy to see it go.
I opened my eyes just in time to witness Hudson lunging for Donn, who disappeared. Hudson landed on the sofa in a crouch.
“I’m taking a shower.” Hudson turned to stare at me. “Alone,” I snapped as I swept into the bathroom and slammed the door closed behind me. I blew out a breath while staring at my reflection.
Cora Roberts—Daughter of death, mate, granddaughter, niece, choice maker...
None of them fit what I had to become.
Executioner.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Free will is not the freedom to rule. It is the obligation to answer for what you choose.
