It was strange to run without a burning sensation in his legs, strange to feel no fatigue as he cut his way through townsfolk and undead sentinels. Sikras dodged a swinging sword, laughing, throwing his hands skyward. “The Cat’s Eye is back, old friend! You’ll have to try harder than—”
An arrow through his forehead silenced him instantly.
Sikras’s vision immediately shifted from snow-covered terrain to the nebulous plane of Enos, with its sprawling garden that stretched on for eternity. Misty ambiguous shapes of once-living beings, reduced to nothing more than essence, floated weightlessly through the wafting, shifting colors, and the ghostly illusion of Sikras’s physical body frowned when Death appeared before him.
She held up seven skeletal fingers. “One down, seven to go.”
“Blood and bone,” Sikras muttered, unimpressed. “I thought time would be my only enemy.”
“You’re surrounded by a sea of adversaries, and you thought time would be your only obstacle?” came Death’s calm, echoing voice.
Sikras rolled the illusion of his eyes. “Point taken. I’ll probably see you more times than I care to admit before this is over.”
“Yes.” Death nodded. “You will.”
Refocusing on the mortal plane, Sikras blinked out of Enos and back into his body. The Cat’s Eye took over, dominating his mind, and ripped the arrow shaft from his forehead before sealing the wound. Restored to his former glory, the presence of the Cat’s Eye faded to the background, relinquishing control to Sikras once more.
“Okay,” he said, dusting himself off. “Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
Flanked by enemies on all sides, he gritted his teeth.
Easier said than done.
Chapter Twenty
Helspira
THEY SEEMED SO FARaway, townsfolk and undead sentinels, but Helspira knew they would be upon her any moment. She glimpsed Ben’s bones, nestled inside the pooling fabric of his dark red cloak and scarlet scarf. His lute and sword lay beside him. What she wouldn’t give to hear one last song strummed on those strings.
“I got you, Ben. This won’t be how it ends.You’lldecide when you go. But I’m going to need to borrow this.” She scooped up his sword and planted her feet, chest swelling with a deep breath.
The bodies came at her, as if in slow motion. With less than a minute left to prepare for their arrival, Helspira’s gaze flitted to Sikras’s note.
Saelihn,
If you’re reading this; surprise! I'm finally dead. Sincerest apologies that it took this long to get my shit together. The sale of the mansion should cover my outstanding debts. There isn’t enough ink in this pot to cover all the sorrys I owe, but kindly issue one to Rowan for me should he survive. Also, do ensure Nyllmas remains Helspira’s home. I know I’m in no position to beg favors, but you wouldn’t deny a man his dying wish, would you? Should you refuse, I’ll spend eternity figuring out how to crawl out of Enos—and Saelihn—Iwillhaunt you.
