“Bring her back, or I will use it on you.”
Death flashed his teeth in a damning smirk. “Roccurem was right about you two and the desperate love between you. They should have tried harder to keep the two of you apart. You really could not live without her, could you? The great and powerful Samkiel has fallen to a mere woman.”
“Dianna is more than that to me, and you know it. You brought me back because of her. Now, do it again. Take my soul if you must, but bring her back.”
“She is my favorite part of the universe,” Death said, his arrogant smirk never wavering.
“Watch what you say,” I damn near growled.
“Do you want to know why?” Death asked, fearlessly leaning hard on my blade. “Because she makes you controllable. Like a hound come to heel, you will do what I wish without hesitation.”
I stare at him, my jaw clenching. I could continue to rage, but the cold, hard truth was that Death had power over me. No matter my strength, or gods, even Oblivion, I could not resurrect the dead. My worst nightmare had finally come to life. I glanced at the ash-covered floor where she’d stood, and my chest heaved. I lowered my dagger, and with all the willpower I had, I called it back.
“What do you want?” I asked, my words short and clipped.
“I need them, and I can’t have you constantly disrupting my plans. So either they all live, or they all die. The choice is yours, none other. This is my gift to you,” he said, brushing a stray piece of ash from my shirt.
“Gift?” I snarled. “You tie the love of my life to them and expect me to do what? Be grateful?”
“No, but I expect you, like your brother, to do what I ask.”
I gripped the front of his shirt and pulled his face to mine, ignoring the disorientation of staring into my own eyes. “If you don’t bring her back to me, there will be nothing stopping me from finding a way to destroy you,” I growled.
Death chuckled, shaking his head. “Such hubris. All you gods are the same. Thinking you have power over me and my kin. It’s bothersome. Do you know how you’ll die, oh noble son of Unir? Your true death? I do. I’ve seen Dianna’s as well. What you two will live for, die for. It’s not here, but it can be.” I growled, furious that he dared speak her name, but Death did not fear me. Instead, he smiled, his serrated teeth visible beneath his translucent skin. Even without his power, his solid black eyes proved he was a formless one spawned from the edge of time.
Death knew he had me by the balls, and I could do nothing about it. As long as she lived, so would they. He knew what I would choose.
I shook my head and pushed him away from me. “You are cruel to tie them to her.”
“Cruel or intelligent?”
If looks could kill, Death would have an even bigger dagger through his skull.
Completely unconcerned, Death rocked back on his heels, his hands buried in his pockets. “It is the perfect plan. If you kill them, she dies, and we both know you would never hurt your precious akrai.”
My shoulders slumped in defeat as I turned towards that ashen pile where my heart and soul once stood. He was right. Gods above, he was right. I’d turn my blade on myself if it meant saving Dianna. Burn worlds to ash if they threatened her. Gods, I had taken heads off in her name for hurting her before we were ever together. It was more than love I harbored for her. She was my everything. I knew no limits when it came to her.
“To what end?” I asked, my gaze flicking back to him.
He wagged a finger at me. “Now you’re asking the right questions. There is a witch carrying a medallion that your sister is desperately hunting. The one protecting her is very good at hiding her. So much so that I cannot find them, but I think all of you working together shall.”
“And why would I want to do that? Any of us?”
“Because that medallion she has is nothing to be trifled with, and if your sister gets hold of it, it could open these realms to wars on a galactic scale. The death toll would be immeasurable.”
I took a shuddering breath. “And that’s all you want? Then she will be free?”
Death shrugged one shoulder. “More or less.”
“What does that mean?” I all but snarled.
“There is an old mortal saying I have heard men speak to themselves, one I like.” Death smiled, his jagged teeth visible beneath his translucent skin. “Those who seek vengeance should dig two graves. In your case, I’d make it three. Find that medallion or get to digging.”
My lungs seized up, everything in me repudiating her tie to the man who had nearly destroyed her, but I knew I had no choice.
“And how would I find it?” I asked through gritted teeth.
Death checked his nails once before saying, “I’d start with the Otherworld.”
