Wave of Fires

Chapter Two

Confronted By Death, Day 142 After Flood

Interest danced in Death's light eyes. He scanned me up and down as if trying to read an answer etched across my body. "And what have you decided?"

Again my voice dried away, a flow of words receding from my throat to feed the swelling flood of tears. There was no right answer. Either way I lost. Either way I doomed someone I cared about.

I looked at Tybira at my side, waiting for me to deny the vile Arcana, then at poor Enki, crippled and inconsolable, staring at his decimated wrist while his lips moved rapidly. How could I sacrifice them to Death? Tybira had been by my side even longer than Cyprian, and Enki was broken on the ground. Gabriel and Lotan could escape to the skies, so their lives weren't at stake, but my oldest allies, Tybira and Enki, depended on my choice.

There was only one correct decision.

A tear escaped my grip, a traitor escaping his confines. Death must have noticed; his lips tightened with a suppressed grin. I hated him more than Amire and the Lovers combined. How dare he force me to choose between my friends and Cyprian?

But what choice did I really have?

Cursing my tear for revealing such pathetic weakness, I forced my voice forth. Through a crackling gasp I managed to whisper, "Alright." Wrong answer.

At my side, Tybira stifled a growel. I was as surprised as she was. And guilty. 

Death raised an eyebrow. "Alright? You've accepted then?"

It was too late to backtrack, and I doubted I'd let myself if I could. I was incapable of forsaking Cyprian. I could only nod, words failing me.

Something of a smile crossed Death's fine features. Probably a snarl like the predator he was. "Then we have a deal. I thank you for welcoming me to your alliance, and I await the day I shall ask for my prize."

Prize? I almost gagged, revolted by this man who took such pleasure in our terror. Revolted by myself for letting him stay. Death sat himself on a rock several paces away, ever watchful.

"Alright. So, we off, Gabe?" Lotan put a hand on the angel's shoulder. "Best not be anywhere nearby when we're asked to murder each other for a lunatic's entertainment."

"Hold on." Gabriel took his hand, but turned back to me. "I understand our arrangement, but I swore loyalty to The Hanged Man. I accept your blame for his loss, and so I leave it to you. I am willing to face Death by your side, or, if you so desire, Lotan and I will be gone."

"So I don't have a say in this?" Lotan argued. "I don't owe these fools anything."

"Yes you do. I'd never have been able to rescue you, never would have escaped Aphrodisia in the first place without them." But Judgement's eyes softened. "But if you really want us to leave, we'll leave. It's not my choice to make for the both of us, and I won't just leave you."

The human seemed unconvinced, staring down his winged friend. Finally, he snorted through his nose, squeezing Gabriel's hand. "Fine. If they're really that important to you."

Gabriel's wings fluttered in response, Lotan smoothing the feathers down for him. The angel nodded at me. "Then, it's up to you, Empress. We're at your disposal."

Another decision? I wanted to vomit already, or at least run away from Tybira's disapproving glares. Now, I had to decide whether or not to welcome the Arcana who'd caused Cyprian's disappearance and the human he'd traded my beloved for. I watched their casual intimacy, Lotan's hand still on Gabriel's wing and Gabriel seemingly unaware of the contact. I was almost envious. Cyprian and I had never been so comfortable, one touch giving me shivers, frequent arguments, and certainly not such a gentle, silent communication. And yet I'd been willing to doom my alliance, my closest friends, for Cyp. How could I truly hate Gabriel for accidentally sacrificing a stranger for Lotan? I wasn't ready to forgive him for his blackmail, but, "I trust you far more than I trust Death. We'll need all the help we can get."