by K. Anne
“What happens now?” I asked before I could stop myself.
Death was silent for a moment as he took a step toward me. My fear made me want to turn and run, but I knew it was pointless. I was facing Death. I couldn’t escape him—not now, not ever. He was the one being that every single mortal had to meet.
“Now, I give you my gift, daughter,” his voice whispered in my mind.
“What?” I gasped. “Daughter?”
“And there shall be only one, touched by Death, born of Death, who will end the war. Armed with her father’s last gift, she will end the war between Heaven and Hell with the Touch of Death.” His voice was almost musical, maybe even trancelike.
It lulled me into a peaceful part of myself, a part that didn’t even care when he reached out to touch me.
When his fingers wrapped around my wrist, I snapped out of it. I tried to pull my arm free of his grip as a cold so bitter that it was almost unbearable flooded me. No matter how hard I tugged, I couldn’t break his grip on my arm. As I desperately struggled against him, the cold intensified until I could no longer bear it. I gasped when my knees suddenly gave out. Instead of falling as I’d expected, Death held me up.
“Do not fear me. You will be stronger than anything they’ve ever seen. This is the gift I give you.”
He was telling me not to fear him? You’re out of your mind, I thought as my body continued to weaken.
Unable to struggle anymore, I finally stilled and waited for him to rip my soul from my body. The cold intensified until it was the only thing I could think about. My eyes slid shut as every ounce of energy left my body. When I was sure I could take no more, the cold slowly started to change to warmth. It began where Death touched me and spread up my arm and across the rest of my body.
Images of life and death suddenly started flashing behind my eyelids, showing me the story of mankind’s rise and fall. In a matter of moments, I watched every soul’s death since the beginning of time. It shocked me to see that in each and every single one, Death was not feared but embraced. He was gentle and kind as he took their souls and released them to the angels and demons. I felt the love and affection pouring from the souls and into Death.
Death was not the enemy. He was a friend.
As soon as it’d started, it was over. Death released me, and I slumped to the ground. It took more strength than I would have thought possible to open my eyes and look up at him.
“What have you done to me?” I finally managed to whisper.
“I have given you my one and only gift—the Touch of Death. You and you alone can end this war and bring peace to the souls. You must choose wisely, daughter. Once your decision is made, it cannot be undone.”
“Why do you keep calling me daughter?” I asked.
“I will come for you in three days. Your decision must be made by then.”
Before I could utter a word, he was gone. The chill followed him, leaving me in a room that suddenly felt sweltering. My eyes slid shut, and I lay there, shaking, trying to remember how to breathe. I felt different, but I wasn’t sure why or how.
I swore, I could hear someone calling my name from far away, but I couldn’t bring myself to force my eyes back open. Darkness finally settled over me, and thankfully, I passed out.
When I opened my eyes again, sunlight filtered through my window, lighting up my room. I slowly sat up, testing my body. I felt fine—no, better than fine. I felt excellent. The odd sensations I’d felt the night before were nowhere to be seen. Also, I realized I was no longer on the floor. Someone had put me in my bed.
“Glad to see you’re finally awake.”
I jerked my head toward the voice.
Cain and Asher sat side by side on the floor, their backs pressed up against my bedroom wall.
“What happened?” I asked.
“We were hoping you could tell us,” Cain said.
He and Asher stood. They walked over to my bed and sat down on opposite sides.
“We thought you were dead. Imagine our surprise when the barrier went down, and we rushed over here to find you alive.”
“He didn’t want to kill me,” I said after a moment. “All those times he tried to reach me, he never wanted me dead.”
I wasn’t sure who my answer surprised more—the brothers or me.
“Then, what did he want?” Asher spoke up for the first time.
“He gave me a gift,” I said. It sounded crazy even to my own ears, but I knew it was true.
“What sort of gift?” Cain asked. “Candy and flowers? Maybe he decided to bring you a puppy?”
“The Touch of Death,” I said.
Every muscle in Cain’s and Asher’s bodies instantly tensed up. Apparently, I’d said the magic words. Now, the angel’s and demon’s feathers were ruffled.
“That’s impossible,” Asher said. “We lifted you onto your bed. If you possessed the Touch of Death—”
“We’d both be dead right now,” Cain finished for him. “Unless it only works once she’s truly no longer a part of this realm. That would explain why we can touch her without being blasted into oblivion.”
“I don’t know what to tell you guys, but I know what he said and what he did. He gave me this gift to end the war you two are fighting in,” I told them.
“I don’t understand,” Asher whispered. “She wasn’t supposed to have the gift until after she died. The prophecy—”
“Was never very clear. Come on, Asher. We both know how touchy and vague those things are,” Cain said. “Obviously, we’re still alive, so the whole anyone-the-soul-with-the-Touch-of- Death-touches-will-die isn’t true either. Or maybe it is, and like I said, it only works after she dies.”
“I love how you’re standing there, calmly discussing my untimely demise,” I told Cain, my annoyance evident in my voice.
“Did Death say anything else to you, Ella?” Asher asked, the uncertainty in his voice clear. He seemed to be having a harder time grasping all of this than Cain.
“He told me I had three days to decide which team I’m going to play for.” I snorted. “No pressure or anything. I just have to decide if I’m going to destroy the ruler of Heaven or Hell without knowing a thing about them, except for what you two have told me. No offense, but from what I’ve heard, both Heaven and Hell seem to be full of assholes.”
“If you think that, then we’ve failed,” Asher said.
I looked over at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Asher and I weren’t sent here to look after you—well, not at first. We were sent because we knew who you were from the beginning. It was our job to convince you to pick one of us over the other,” Cain admitted.
“Knew who I was?” I asked.
“The prophecy, remember? We always knew you would be the one to end the battle. Heaven and Hell sent us because…well, we look like a teenage girl’s wet dream. Plus, we’re the best of the best. Both sides seemed to have the same idea. We had no idea that we would be up against each other until we arrived.”
“So, befriending me, spending time with me…it was all a lie to convince me to choose one of you over the other.” I looked at Asher. “That’s why you kept warning me away from Cain in the beginning. The things you said to me last night…they were just to screw with my head.”
“At first, yes, it was just a job to us, but things have changed, Ella. We’ve both grown attached to you,” Asher said. “Things have become far more complicated than anyone thought possible.”
“Angels and demons with real feelings. Who would’ve thought?” I muttered.
Inside, I was hurt even though I shouldn’t be. I’d known right from the start that Cain’s and Asher’s attention wasn’t normal. This proved it. Still, I’d grown to care for both of them.
“When the time comes…when I die, I have to decide which of you to go with, don’t I?” I asked. “It has to be one of you.”
Cain nodded. “It does. Whoever you pick will take you to his realm. The other will go hom
e empty-handed.”
“And probably end up punished,” I added. When neither denied it, I sighed. “I really do hate both realms—or, at least, I hate their leaders.”
“Don’t,” Cain said.
I was surprised that it was him that spoke up instead of Asher.
“Hating both sides will do you no good, Ella. You must pick one,” Cain said.
“How?” I demanded. “I know nothing of what is really happening in either.” A crazy thought popped into my head. “Wait.”
“What?” Asher asked.
“Is there a way you could take me to the realms before I die?” I winced as I mentioned my own death. “That way, I could truly see what I’m up against.”
“Are you insane?” Asher demanded.
“No mortal has ever been in a realm before their death, Ella. I’m not sure it’s even possible,” Cain chimed in.
“It’s worth a try, isn’t it?” I asked.
“It couldn’t hurt,” Cain said.
“Seriously?” Asher looked at him. “You’re both mental.”
Cain shrugged. “What? I say, we each take her to a portal and see if she can pass through. If she can’t, no harm done. If she can, then she can have a look around to see what she’s getting herself into.”
“This is insane,” Asher muttered. “She can’t just waltz right into Heaven and Hell. It’s…it’s unheard of! And the fact that you’re even entertaining this idea of hers, Cain—”
“What’s wrong, brother? Are you afraid she’ll see something she doesn’t like in Heaven?” Cain’s tone was arrogant, but the fire in his eyes surprised me.
“Of course not,” Asher said after a moment.
“Then, it’s settled.” I threw my legs over the side of the bed and stood. “Let me get ready, and we’ll go.”
“What’s the hurry?” Cain joked.
I glared at him. “Three days to live, remember?”
“Oh, that.” He grinned. “Time moves slower in Heaven and Hell. A day here is like a week there.”
“So, you mean to tell me that if this works, I have weeks instead of days to live?” I asked.
“Pretty much,” Cain answered.
Surprised and even a little bit hopeful over the fact I could live a little longer than anticipated, I hurried over to my closet and pulled out a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. After grabbing undergarments, I sprinted across the hall to the bathroom and showered quickly. I pulled my still wet hair back into a bun, brushed my teeth, and pulled on my clothes.
Less than five minutes later, I was back in my room, listening to Cain and Asher bicker over whether or not to let me try my plan.
When I couldn’t stand to hear any more, I spoke up, “Let’s go.”
“Go where?” Cain asked. “You haven’t told us which realm you want to visit first.”
“Take me to Hell.” I didn’t hesitate with my answer. I knew that going to Hell first was the right decision. Plus, I wouldn’t have Asher fighting me every step of the way. “Wow, I never thought I’d say those words.”
“If this works, I’ll be waiting for you here when you return. Please, be careful,” Asher said as he stood and walked over to me. “I can’t believe I’m actually going to let you do this.”
“Can’t you come with me?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Only Cain can enter Hell. When it’s time for you to see Heaven, he’ll be the one left behind, if you can even get in.”
“Oh,” I said, surprised at how sad it made me to realize I was leaving Asher behind. I leaned forward and tightly wrapped my arms around him. “You be careful, too. If they lay a hand on you, I’ll kill them. And when I say it this time, I actually mean it. I can kill them.” I just don’t know how it works.
“Be safe, Ella,” Asher said as he hugged me back. After a moment, he released me and pulled away.
“You sure about this?” Cain asked as he stood and walked over to me.
“Yes,” I said. I wasn’t, but I didn’t have any other option.
If Death and the brothers were right, then I was the one who would change everything. I needed as much information as I could get even if that meant personally going to Hell and Heaven to get it.
He nodded as he reached out and took my hand in his. Instantly, my room disappeared as he transported us away. I’d managed to catch a final glimpse of Asher. He’d looked sad and maybe even a little bit angry. I hoped that by the time I made it back from Hell, he would forgive me.
I blinked, and when I opened my eyes, we were standing in a forest. Sweltering heat and humidity pressed down around us, almost suffocating me. I pulled my hand away from Cain as I looked around.
“This is Hell?” I watched a group of monkeys up in a tree. “It’s not what I was expecting.”
Cain laughed. “No, this is the Amazon. I took you to the nearest portal.”
“I don’t see anything,” I said, feeling like a moron.
“Take my hand again,” Cain instructed.
I did as he’d said. “Now what?”
“Turn around.”
Suddenly nervous, I turned. Before me stood two black doors at least fifty feet tall, and each one had a golden handle shaped like flames.
“Wow,” I mumbled.
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Cain said as we started walking toward the doors. “Are you ready?”
Every fiber of my being demanded that I turn and run away, but I forced myself to stay where I was. From this moment on, I was no longer the timid and scared little girl who felt cheated because of the things fate had done to her. No, there was no place in my world for that little girl anymore. Fate had laid out a plan for me, a crazy plan, but no matter how scary it got, it was time that I took control. I had to be brave.
“As I’ll ever be,” I finally said.
Cain reached out and pushed the doors open. “Let’s do this.”
Then, I walked into Hell.
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K.A. Robinson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over fifteen books. She lives in West Virginia with her husband and son. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading and drinking far too much coffee and Diet Pepsi.
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