Dark Destiny (32 page)

She walked past several patrons. All paid the beautiful woman no mind, one man even stepping out of her way without looking at her. She saw Sebastian, sitting on a large wooden stump used as a barstool. Judging by the expression on his face, she could tell he was in a foul mood.

“Seat taken?” she asked.

His face lit with a warm smile when he saw her. “Ariel. My favorite Archangel!”

She returned the smile. “Death.”

He gestured meaningfully to her. “In human form today, I see.”

“Yes. I do this from time to time,” she said, shrugging nonchalantly.

Ariel took a seat on the wooden stump next to him and scanned the area. “Interesting place for you to be.”

“I’m working,” he told her, glancing over her shoulder.

She considered looking at the Soul that he was here to collect, but it was time for her to get to business and do the job she was to do. “I have a message for you.”

He took a drink from the mug in front of him.

“What message?” he asked, placing the mug on the bar.

She put her hand on top of his arm.

His dark brown eyes glowed burning white for an instant.

His face fell.

“No,” he murmured. “Not that. Anything but . . .”

The sad look on her face told him everything without her saying a word.

“So, what? That’s it?” he asked, grimacing. “No thank you? No job well done? After how many millennia?”

She knew no words could be found without getting into an argument. She got up and turned to leave.

“What about
us
?” he called out after her.

That question stopped her dead in her tracks. With a wistful sigh, she turned to face him. “I will always love you. Nothing can change that.”

She placed her hand on his face. “But, you’ve changed so much. I think it started with your mission in Egypt. The tenth plague with the first-borns? Your great light has dimmed, darkened with an icy fury. You’re walking a different path, and I cannot follow.”

He stood abruptly, pulling away from her. “They were just kids!
Children
! I murdered, I—I murdered . . .” His breath coming out ragged. “Why would He . . .”

Ariel lowered her gaze, her hair falling to shadow her face. The murmur of the crowd around them filled the silence. Sebastian took deep breaths, settling into the sounds of life and laughter.

“When you are reborn,” she said, “I will be there for you.”

Sebastian stared at her. “So, what? That’s it?”

“It is what it needs to be.”

“Oh, no you don’t. You don’t get to act casual. Like there is nothing between us. Not with me.”

Ariel bit her lip. “I am not acting casual. But we don’t know how long this could last.”

“When has time ever mattered for us?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“What did you mean then?”

Ariel sighed. “Let’s not fight on your last day here.” She took his hand and placed it on her chest, directly above her heart. In turn, she placed her hand on his. “You
know
how I feel about you.”

“I do,” he replied.

“Then you will find me when you awake if it’s truly meant to be. I will wait for you.”

“So your concern is that I’ll forget you? And you want to distance yourself from me?”

Ariel did not reply, only cast her gaze downward.

“Nothing can ever make me forget you. No power on earth, in the heavens, in all the realms can make me,” he said softly, brushing a strand of fallen hair out of her face.

“You can’t be sure of that.”

Sebastian gave her a confident smile and stepped toward her. “I am.” He leaned in close, his hot breath on her ear. “Obviously you have forgotten who I am.” He kissed her cheek gently. “Allow me to educate you.” He grazed her cheek with his lips, making his way to her mouth. She smiled softly as he kissed her, gently at first, then more insistently. She leaned into him, pressing against him.

He pulled away, inhaling deeply, the taste of her on his lips, the scent of her lingering in the air. She opened her eyes slowly, a deep heat smoldering in them. He smiled at the sight of her. “Like I said, I won’t forget.”

She returned his smile. “Till we meet again.”

He closed his eyes. When he opened them, she was gone. He turned away from the empty space and noticed Cole sitting on a barstool at the opposite end of the bar.

Cole had always thought
The Three Legged Dog
felt a lot larger on the inside than it looked on the outside, but tonight it was packed. The locals danced about, getting drunk as usual, carousing, being obnoxious. He was thankful for the bad lighting, and wore a dark brown cloak with a thick hood to further keep hidden. The hood almost covered his face, making it easier not to be noticed. Not by anyone, and certainly not by Taniel, Gavin’s boss.

Cole knew he should be gone, that they’d chase him again, but he had to be near her. Something about her presence comforted him.

He hadn’t expected the place to be full. The celebration he’d seen earlier had to be continuing in this tavern. He had no idea what the townspeople were celebrating and he didn’t care. The only thing he cared about was getting a glimpse of her, and the drink in front of him. He had a faint hope, however illogical, that getting drunk might help him make sense of what had happened earlier, of the strange boy who’d saved him from the thugs and then beat him bloody.

He looked around. No doubt she was working, slaving for these dirty ruffians. She deserved so much better than
The Three Legged Dog
, more than Taniel.

Cole had been staying here since he’d arrived in town a week before. He’d liked the name, figured whoever owned the place had a sense of humor. He appreciated that. It was the primary reason he chose it. Also, the rent here was cheap.

He’d seen her his very first night when he’d come down to get something to eat. He couldn’t imagine anyone more lovely, more utterly out of place in muddy, ugly Elton. His plan was to buy her something as beautiful as she was, but all he had left were two silver pieces. That equaled fifteen copper pieces. He had budgeted himself to a couple of copper pieces a night until he got himself a job.

“Can I get you anything to eat?”

Cole looked up, and there she stood. She wore the exact same thing as every other female bartender in this town; the only difference was that she wore it well.

She gave him a smile, her sparkling gray-blue eyes bright and friendly.

“Um, what would you recommend?” Cole asked shakily, his eyes devouring the creamy texture of her skin, the adorable tiny mole on her right cheek.

Her eyes narrowed as she studied his face. “Looks like you’ve had quite a night. Does it hurt?”

“Does what hurt?” He gazed at the turn of her nose. Perfect.

“Oh, yeah,” he said, remembering the face full of bruises he was carrying. “No, just—I mean, I can’t feel anything when you’re, er . . .”

Cole swallowed hard and their eyes met briefly, a moment of understanding passed between them.

Her eyes darted to a rowdy table in the center of the room. “Um, sorry, you wanted some food?”

“Food. Right. How about your favorite?” Cole said, finding confidence from the expression in her eye. There was interest there, he was sure of it.

She glanced down briefly, shyly, before looking back at him. “My favorite is our fine meat stew,” her voice softened slightly. “It’s a little expensive though. One silver piece.” Again, she cast a furtive glance toward the rowdy table. Cole knew who was there. He didn’t care. Taniel be damned. She was the only thing in the world right now.

“I’ll take two.”

“Two?”

“One for me and one for you.”

She smiled shyly. “I—I’m sorry, but I’m working.”

“Take it to go then. It’ll give you something to eat after you get off work.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

She pressed her lips together for a moment before giving a nod and turning to the kitchen. The way she moved was absolutely perfect. Why didn’t he just tell her? Oh, that’s right. Her temperamental boyfriend would probably try to have him killed again. He snuck a glance at the rowdy table. Sure enough, Taniel was there. He burrowed farther into his hood.

“You must have a death wish,” Cole heard from behind him. He would have known that dark voice if it had kicked him in the face. Cole spun around on his stool, panic in his eyes. Maybe he could make a run for it.

“Stop!” Sebastian demanded. “You’re a wormy little thing, aren’t you?”

Cole was stuck, unable to move a muscle. Who or what exactly was this kid? He attempted to say, “I can’t move,” but it came out, “I grr waaaa.”

Sebastian calmly walked around the ‘frozen’ Cole and took a seat next to him. “Relax, finish your drink. Remember, there is no place I can’t find you.”

As soon as Sebastian was done speaking, Cole found that the invisible vise that had gripped him had gone. There was no doubt in his mind that if he tried to run, the same thing would happen again. There truly was no getting away from this boy. He stared at Sebastian in awe and fear.

“You—you’re a demon?”

“No,” Sebastian answered.

“Th—then what,” Cole asked, trembling.

“Let me help you,” Sebastian said. With a wry smile, he put his hand on Cole’s shoulder. A shockwave of understanding washed through him.

Cole gasped. “You’re
—
”

“Yes.”

“Ar—Are you here for me?”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “Oh, please. Why would I waste my time with
you
?”

Cole turned white.

“What are you doing back here?” Sebastian asked, slightly annoyed at himself for being the least bit interested in this human’s affairs. “Isn’t this the place you were chased out of? You know if I hadn’t shown up, those guys would have killed you? Not that I would have cared.”

“I—I have my reasons,” Cole replied, his voice broken.

“You have me curious. What could possibly be worth your life?”

“Wh—What does it matter?”

“My curiosity? Very much when it comes to me. Answer me. Your life just might depend on it. Keep in mind what you tell me could be the last words that ever leave your mouth. No pressure.” Sebastian grinned. He loved letting these pathetic creatures know that their lives were his to control. The terror in Cole’s eyes almost brought tears to Sebastian’s. Tears of pride, for putting this lonely human in his place.

Sebastian arrogantly brought his chin up so that this human could admire the true face of Death.

Know your place, human
, he repeated several times in his head. Each time, with more conviction. It occurred to him that Cole was not looking at him, but
past
him.

Turning around to see who stood behind him, Sebastian saw an attractive human female, the barkeep. Of course it was her. What were the odds? The Soul he was here to collect.

He needed to verify. “Elder, death check.”

Imogen O’Sullivan. Age at death: 24. Time of death: Tonight, 3:15am.

With her attention directed at Cole she said, “You brought a friend. Your stew will be out in a few minutes. Is there anything else I can get you?”

Cole glanced at Sebastian for a second, then back at the beautiful bartender.
What the hell
, he thought.

“Your smile,” he said.

She giggled softly. “You’re sweet.”

Cole stood and gazed into her eyes.

“There it is,” he said brightly, not caring who noticed him. “This room is filled with something as bright as the sun, as beautiful as the moon, as warm as the new summer day, as soft as winter snow. If I were a sunset, I would be envious of your beauty.”

The tavern quieted, waiting for Cole to continue. He did, “I know you don’t know me, but if you give me a chance, every day with me will be as wonderful as a perfect spring morning. My name is Cole, and I fell in love with you from the first moment I saw you.”

Sebastian’s eyes widened. Very few things surprised him, but this wormy little human had done it twice in one evening: first by not being in the book, and second by this ridiculous outburst. He was actually curious about what would happen next. Lifting his gaze to Imogen, he awaited her reply.

 “I–I–I’m sorry. I’m with someone,” the stunned girl said. She swallowed hard before hurrying back into the kitchen. Conversations picked up in the tavern.

Sebastian scratched the back of his head. “Wow. Okay. I—Wow. That answers my question.”

“She turned me down,” Cole whispered.

Sebastian was quiet, letting the silence between them linger. He sighed deeply. Emotions were not something Death should have. However, in this case, compassion was something he could allow himself.

This one time.

“You gave it your all,” Sebastian said, shrugging. “Not a lot of humans could have done that. I commend you.”

Cole exhaled. “I’m pathetic.”

“That’s a bunch of rubbish, you wormy little human. I saw the way you looked at her. You were terrified. I told you to make your last moment count and you
did
,” Sebastian complimented. “You attempted to woo that beautiful woman, and had the presence of mind to do it while sitting next to
me
of all beings. That takes courage.”

“Are you still going to
—
”

“Meh,” Sebastian interrupted. “I’ll kill you later. How about you get me a drink.”

Cole’s attention was drawn to the center of the tavern. One of the men who’d chased him through the streets had come in and spoke to Taniel, their leader, and someone else Cole recognized. His clothes were normal, leather boots, long brown cloak, but the hat. Cole recognized that hat. Witch-hunter. That’s who he was. His name was Dalton. He had seen the guy in action once and that was all he needed.

Cole eyed Taniel’s ugly face and tried to erase the image he had in his brain of this disgusting being kissing Imogen. He couldn’t tear his eyes away. The thought of someone like Imogen being with a dimwit like Taniel was horrifying. Earlier in the evening Taniel had noticed Cole’s interest in Imogen and had ordered Cole to be beaten to death. Now, in a strange way, Cole took a bit of comfort in sitting next to the personification of Death. Still, he slunk his head farther into the hood of his cape. The last thing he needed was Taniel to notice him, especially after having poured his heart out to the brute’s girlfriend. As if reading his mind, Taniel turned and looked into Coles eyes.