Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
THANATOS
“You cannot linger here any longer, Brother.” Hypnos stood over me as I lay on the floor next to the hearth in my home.
Echo lay by my side, curled into a little ball. I ran my fingers over her soft golden fur. “I miss her too, buddy.”
“And yet . . .” Hypos dropped into the chair beside me, crossed his ankle over his knee, then pulled the sleeve of his coat straight, “. . . you dwell here feeling sorry for yourself.”
“You love Anastasia as much as I.” Echo picked up her head at the sound of Anastasia’s name. It’d been too long since Echo had seen her, and now it could very well be forever.
“No, Brother, I love her as a sister. You love her in a far more intimate way.”
I sat up straighter. “She is my dearest friend.”
He gave a heavy sigh and shook his head. “You cannot be this obtuse.”
“What?” I rose to my feet and paced from one side of the living room to the other. “I’m not obtuse.”
“You are.” He cleared his throat. “You have stolen Anastasia’s soul, risking harsh punishments from the fates, returned her back to the world of the living, which no one is allowed to do, and now you’re mourning her before she even dies . . . again.”
I groaned. “I am mourning her. I do not believe she has done enough in her life to earn her way into Elysium. And that is where she must go, Brother.”
“Why?”
“So she can have an afterlife.”
“Why?”
I made a sound of frustration in the back of my throat. “So I may see her as often as I wish.”
“Why?” he persisted, driving my annoyance even higher.
“Because I enjoy her company.” I continued my pacing.
“You aren’t making this easy.” He sat forward and steepled his fingers. “Why?”
“Stop asking me why.” I stopped pacing to scowl at him.
“Perhaps you need to ask yourself why, out of all the souls you have ever encountered, did Anastasia catch your eye? Why can’t you give her up?
And why are you willing to risk the anger of Hades and the fates to save her?
She is nothing more than a human, so why is a little human so important to you . . . a god?”
“How dare you call her just a human.” Power moved up and down my arms in an array of blue and black sparks.
“Are you annoyed with me . . . Brother?” Though Hypnos looked so much like me, I never wanted to punch a face more. His lips pulled up in a cocky grin, and he wagged his eyebrows at me.
“Very.”
Hypnos rose to his feet and buttoned his formal jacket. “Then think on that as well.”
The familiar pull of my duty called to me, and my stomach twisted into knots. I bent down low and petted the space between Echo’s ears. “I will be back, and we will have her one way or another.”
“Such vows you make.” Hypnos chuckled. “You should—”
“I know,” I interrupted. “I should think on that too.”
My duty called and it would not be denied.
It pulled deep in the pit of my stomach, and I went invisible, moving through space, following the dark-red lifeline.
It was too familiar and the feel of it twisted something deep within me.
Anastasia was not long for the mortal world, and something like grief filled my veins.
Long ago I thought it might’ve been kind to tell a human before they passed unto the Underworld.
But now I knew it was torture, because knowing Anastasia was going to die and I would not see her again brought pain to my chest and a lump to my throat.
As I drifted to a stop at my destination, I found Anastasia back on the island of Gallowsbay.
But it was not part of the island I’d ever seen before.
We were high in the hills that overlooked the pirate village, with dazzling views of the island and the blue sea beyond.
A large white building was nestled between two of the mountains and surrounded by lush, tropical foliage, with gently swaying palm trees, colorful flowers, and thick bushes.
Birds sang in the trees and moved about with other hidden wildlife.
The building was pristine, with wooden shutters and colorful flowers planted around the front of it.
A sign above the door read, ‘Gallows Haven Home’.
My brow furrowed as realization hit me. This was a home for orphans from the island.
The sound of children laughing and playing drifted from the windows, and I moved through the wall into one of the empty classrooms.
When I got to the door of the classroom, I peered out into a large courtyard.
The grass was a rich green, and dozens of children ran around playing with new toys.
They wore fine new clothing and appeared to be well cared for.
Their skin glowed with youth and vibrance.
Each one had a bright golden lifeline stretched above them.
I’d never seen so many happy, healthy children so close to a pirate cove.
But here they all were, and there was Ana standing off to the side of the courtyard, guiding her men to carry heavy boxes into the back of the orphanage.
A woman in a long white robe moved closer to her and Anastasia gave her a warm smile.
The robes reminded me of those Anastasia wore long ago when she was a priestess in Aphrodite’s temple.
The women grabbed both of Ana’s hands and squeezed them.
She smiled warmly up at Ana, and from this far away, I could tell she was thanking her.
I would wager those boxes were full of treasure.
Ana motioned to something behind her and Jack walked in with three more pirates.
Their arms were weighed down with more bags and boxes.
Jack stopped in the middle of the courtyard and dropped one of the bags sending balls scattering over the grass.
They rolled in all different directions and the children descended upon them.
It was chaotic and more laughter came. They handed out dolls, clothing, and more toys.
It was like a holiday for them all, and Anastasia watched with content eyes.
Yet that line above her head grew dimmer by the moment.
Something fell onto my cheek, and I flinched back and pressed my hand to it, then held my fingers out, examining what hit me, but all that was there was a drop of water.
I glanced up at the ceiling, found no leaks, then turned toward the window.
It was a perfectly blue sky. Where had the water come from?
Another hit my face, and I pressed my hand there once more.
The ball in my throat gripped my breath and then it hit me: these were . . . tears.
In all my centuries of seeing the end of life, I’d never wept.
Yet knowing that Anastasia would soon die brought tears to my eyes.
They trickled over my cheeks. She deserved so much more.
I tried to save her by blocking the sword at her neck and the dagger at her chest, but there were only so many times I could intervene before catching the unwanted attention of the fates.
Those three women would make my existence a living hell if I ruined their plans.
But I wasn’t concerned for myself, no, it was Anastasia I worried for.
A god might stand a chance, but a human soul would only suffer under their unspeakable power. I refused to expose her to that.
Anastasia smiled at the women in robes and waved to the children.
They all called out to her, waving and smiling.
Anastasia turned for the door and a small girl in a white dress ran after her.
She wrapped her arms around Ana’s legs, stopping her from leaving.
Ana turned and gave her a small hug. The girl ran away and Anastasia smirked to herself as she moved toward the door.
She walked out of the courtyard and through the doors leading to the side of the building.
I moved through the walls of the school and walked around the side of the building to find her walking toward me on a small path between the orphanage and thick foliage. Her lips curled into that devastating smile. “I thought you might’ve left me for good.”
“I shall never leave you.” It was a promise I would forever keep.
“How will I be known as the deathless if I am lingering with death?” She chuckled and I wanted to return her good humor, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
Her smile faltered. “Wha—”
The trees rustled and a large shadow lunged at her. Anastasia leapt back but it was too late. A dagger pierced her abdomen. I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. If she had to live this, then so would I. She gasped for air and looked down at herself as blood spread from her wound.
“Barr.” She spoke between gritted teeth. Her eyes wide with shock. “How?”
Captain Barr grabbed the end of the blade and yanked it from her stomach.
She screamed and staggered into the side of the building.
She pressed her hand to the wall to steady herself.
Her bloody handprint was stark against its pure white.
Barr hovered over her, looking ragged as ever.
His clothing was torn, and he was thin and gaunt.
The line above his head turned from gold to red in a flash, and I smirked, relishing what would come next.
“I stowed away with your ship and made my way back with my treasure.” He grabbed her shirt and curled the fabric around his fist. He dragged her closer to him and shoved the blade into her once more.
Anastasia sucked in a pained gasp. A moment later, Barr’s body jerked and his eyes went wide.
With her last bit of strength, she jerked her hand down, slicing Barr from his stomach down toward his waist. He dropped to his knees and Anastasia staggered back holding her own dagger in her hand.
I moved to her side and brushed the hair from her face.
She smiled up at me and a trickle of blood fell from her lip. “You are so beautiful.”
“NO! ANA!” Jack and the rest of her crew came running from the orphanage.
He passed through me and dropped to his knees beside Ana. He scooped her body into his arms and pulled her onto his lap. Tears rolled down his face, and he held her close to him. “No, Ana, stay. Stay with us.”
Her head lulled to the side and her eyes landed on Captain Barr. “I . . . win.”
Barr was already gone. His soul stood beside me now. I rose to my feet and narrowed my eyes at him. He glanced around at the scene, watching as Ana’s crew clung to her. He turned toward me. “Who the devil are you?”
“I am Death.” I sneered down at him. “And I have a friend who will be very interested in meeting you.”
“And who’s that?” Ever the cocky bastard, he put his hands on his hips and held his chin high.
“Megaera.”
“Who?”
“A fury.” I flicked my hand and covered him in bright sparks. He bellowed and his soul convulsed before disappearing from my view.
I turned back toward Anastasia as she drew her last breaths. Jack rocked her back and forth. “No, you’ll be fine. You are deathless.”
She coughed and blood sprayed from her lips. “And now I will walk with him.”
Her last breath left her lips and her eyes grew sightless.
Her chest stilled and Jack let out a roar of pain while the other pirates dropped to their knees around her.
Jack’s eyes snapped up toward me as if he could see me, but I knew he couldn’t.
They bore into the spot I stood. “Death has taken our captain on this very night.”
“Thanatos.” Anastasia’s gentle voice called out my name, and I turned toward her.
She stood just beside me, looking as beautiful as she had in all my memories.
Gone was her pirate clothing, and in its place was her gold and white robes.
Her hair was loose and flowing down her back.
Her eyes locked on Jack, and she gave a heavy sigh.
I offered her my hand, and she placed her fingers against my palm.
I brushed my thumb over her knucks. “Come now, love. It’s time to leave. ”