“Then who are you?” I demanded again.
“The Goddess is Light and Life. I am Darkness and Death. Who do you think I am, Ember.”
“What the fuck?” I whispered. “You're a god?”
“I amtheGod. Did you really think there was a Goddess without a God? She is nothing without me. As I am nothing without her. We exist in harmony. Divine balance. And yet, none of you acknowledge me.”
“I didn't know you existed.”
“I like to keep a low profile.”
“Holy shit. Did you just make a joke?”
“What? A god can't have a sense of humor?”
“Uh. I have no idea. You're the first god I've spoken to.”
“Yes. That is the one thing that tips the scales in my favor. I am Death, so I may draw whomever I wish to me without risking their life. The Goddess, however, can only speak to you when you straddle Death and Life. And believe me, that annoys the fuck out of her.” He chuckled again.
“I don't want Death Magic,” I said abruptly.
“It is not evil, Ember.”
“The Corrupter is evil.”
“Is he? What makes him evil?”
“How about enslaving thousands of people and forcing them to kill others?”
“Your side enlists hundreds of men, gives them incredible power, and sends them out to kill. All that makes the Corrupter evil is your perspective.”
“The Wraith Lords don't kill unless they absolutely have to. They defend and free the Corrupted.”
“That is your perspective.”
“Right,” I muttered. “If you're a god, you know the truth.”
“Yes, I do.”
“So, tell me the truth, Death. Does the Corrupter really want to empower humans or does he just want to use them to bring down the Emperor and rule the world?”
“That is a truth you must learn for yourself.”
“Oh, that's a bunch of bullshit!” I shouted. “I don't know what you are, but I don't believe you're a god. And I'm done messing with you.” I crossed my arms. “I'll stand here all night if I have to, but I'm not speaking to you anymore.”
“You don't have to speak, Ember. You're in my domain. I know your heart's desire. And I can give it to you.”
As much as I wanted to tell him to fuck off, I pressed my lips together, knowing it was a ploy.
“What do you truly want?” Death—definitely not a god—asked.
Suddenly, my clothes transformed, becoming fine silk and buttery leather. I flinched, then ran my hands over my tunic and found jeweled rings on my fingers. The room shifted around me, pillars vanishing and walls forming. The dim light brightened and glinted off gold coins, precious objects, and jewels that overflowed open trunks, the treasure covering my fine boots.
“It can all be yours. You can be the Emperor. The richest man in the world.”
“Whoever the fuck you are, stop it,” I growled. Yes, he'd gotten me to speak, but there was no way I could remain silent through this bullshit.
The vision remained.
