I placed my hand over hers and gently pulled it away from my face before leaning forward and kissing her. I kissed her again and again as my hand travelled down her back. I felt her body responding to my touch and for a while our problems disappeared from our minds as we thought of nothing but each other.
“Does Famine know do you think?” she asked later as we lay in each other’s arms.
“No. She would have told me. Of that I have no doubt.”
“She knew I had feelings for you, even before I realised it. Looking back, the way she questioned my reaction to finding out who you really are makes it obvious.”
“She always has been a shrewd woman.”
“And your father? Did he and your mother know?”
I shook my head. “No way. Had they known, the moment they found out how I felt about you they would have come here and confronted Death. They asked me about my intentions toward you as soon as they got me alone. Ankou had forewarned them of my feelings and I dreaded my sisters saying something to you. Didn’t you wonder why you were being treated as part of the family whereas Rob was just a guest?”
“That explains why your sisters bombarded me with so many questions. They were making sure I was good enough for you.”
“They like you, by the way. A lot.”
“What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know.” I kissed the top of her head. ‘But I will think of something, I promise.”
Goodbye
I got very little sleep that night. Rachel was exhausted and soon dropped off, but I lay awake for hours, holding her and watching her slowly breathe in and out. I had no idea how I was going to accomplish it, but I could not give her up for Ankou. I must have dozed off at some point, but it was still dark when I opened my eyes.
Rachel was still sleeping soundly, so I slipped out of bed and silently got dressed. I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “I will be back soon,” I whispered. She would not hear me, but it felt wrong to leave her without saying something.
I made my way to Ankou’s room and knocked on the door. He immediately called out for me to enter.
I walked in and he looked surprised to see me. “I thought you were my father,” he said. He looked like he had gotten even less sleep than I had. “We have had a slight disagreement.”
“I heard.”
“How are you?” he asked. He was not just being polite; he was genuinely worried about me.
“Not good. I’ve decide to go where I always go when I need help.”
“Fam.” It was a statement, not a question. I nodded my head. “You know I will do anything I can to help.”
“That is why I am here. I don’t know how long I will be gone so can you look after Rachel for me until I get back?”
I expected him to make some smutty comment about exactly how he would look after her, but he didn’t.
“She will be safe with me,” he said.
I thanked him, then disappeared, materialising outside of Fam’s cottage. I could have gone straight in, but it felt rude to do so. It was bad enough that I was waking her up before dawn.
I raised my fist to knock on the door, but it opened before my knuckles could make contact.
“What’s happened?” Fam asked the moment she set eyes on me. She did not seem surprised to see me.
“I need your help.”
“I know,” she said, taking me in her arms and hugging me tight. “I just don’t know the details.”
She dragged me into the kitchen and made coffee while I explained all that had happened.
“You have got to me kidding me,” she said when I had finished. “I know my brother is a stickler for following the rules, but this is going a little too far.”
“A little?” I asked, eyebrows raised.
“You go and get your dad. I will collect Len and meet you at Death’s. Between us we should be able to talk him round.”
I nodded my head and was about to disappear when she grabbed my arm to stop me. “Kris,” she said. “I’m pleased that you and Rachel got together. She will make you very happy.”
I smiled then vanished.
There was no sound of movement in the house when I materialised in my bedroom. I went straight to my parent’s room, pausing outside the door when I heard snoring coming from inside. My father is very grumpy when woken up, but it could not be helped. I knocked loudly, entering only when I heard my mother call out her permission.
“This looks serious,” she said the moment she saw my face.
She shook my father awake and watched me pacing the room as I told them everything.
“I love her. I cannot lose her. Fam is collecting Len. Will you come with me and speak to Death?”
“Speak to him,” my father said. “I’ll knock his bloody head off.”
“We will all come,” my mother said. “Get yourself some breakfast while we get dressed and wake your sisters.”
I shook my head. “I’m really not hungry.”
The look on her face told me that she wanted to argue, but she didn’t. Less than half an hour later my family were ready and we transported ourselves to Death’s throne room.
Fam and Len were already there, as was my grandfather.
“I thought he may be needed,” Fam said as she approached.
Moments later the door burst open and Death strode in. “What is the meaning of this intrusion?” he yelled. He must have sensed our presence.
“We are only here to talk to you,” Famine said.
“Like hell we are,” I heard my father mutter. The fact that he used the word ‘hell’ indicated how upset he was with his brother.
“There is nothing to talk about,” Death said. “I made a bargain and I intend to honour it. What sort of monster would I be if I reneged on my promises whenever I felt like it?”
“There are extenuating circumstances,” my mother said
“None that matter,” Death said. “You should be having this argument with Rob, not me. He’s the one who is making the exchange; I am merely agreeing to it.”
At that moment the man in question walked in, his arm around a young lady I assumed to be Tammara. Everyone ignored him and he moved to a corner, hoping not to catch anyone’s attention.
“Don’t try to wheedle your way out of this,” dad shouted. “This is your fault and you know it. Making Rob bring a sacrifice with him was vile and despicable. And now you are talking about ruining my son’s life for a principle.”
As Death moved further into the room, stopping once he reached his throne, I noticed Ankou in the doorway. My heart leaped when I saw he had Rachel with him.
“How was I supposed to know he would bring someone Kris would fall for?” Death yelled. “And it is hardly my fault that he then seduced her.”
“Seduced her?” Dad’s face was red with rage and he was spitting as he spoke. “My son has never seduced anyone in his life. Your son, however, is another matter.”
“Leave Ankou out of this,” Death said through clenched teeth.
“Leave him out of it? This is all about him.”
“Calm down,” Famine said, trying to intervene before the fight became physical. “I’m sure between us we can sort this out.” I glanced toward Len, wondering if he was going to join in, but the grin on his face suggested he was quite happy to be just a bystander. He looked like he was enjoying himself.
Rachel walked up to me and silently slipped her hand into mine. “Are you okay?” I asked her.
“No,” she replied. I wanted to take her in my arms and disappear with her, but it would only delay the inevitable.
Mom placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Do not worry. My husband will find a way to get through to Death.” I wish I was as confident as she seemed to be.
Spatha and Katana moved to either side of us. We may have our disagreements, but when it really matters I know my sisters will always be on my side. Ankou joined us, winking at Katana as he did so. “Hi,” he said, making her face go scarlet
. Under normal circumstance I would have told him to stop teasing her, but these were not normal circumstances and my mind was too engrossed on the argument taking place for me to do more than frown at him.
Death and my father continued to scream at each other.
“You have no right to do this to my son.”
“I’m not doing anything to your son. Who invited you here anyway? This is my house and I will not be dictated to by the likes of you.”
“I will never forgive you for this,” dad snarled.
“He’s right you know,” Famine said to Death. “You are out of order. Find someone else for Ankou. There are plenty of other women out there.”
“Mind your own business.”
“That is enough,” grandfather’s voice echoed around the room. “If you two cannot sort this out for yourselves, I will do it for you. Now give me the full details.” My father and uncle both started to talk at once. “One at a time,” grandfather instructed, holding up his hand to silence them.
Between them, Death, Rob, Len, Fam and dad told their sides of the story. Grandfather already knew most of what Death had done, but it seems he wanted to know everything. His face grew graver the more he heard.
The terms of the agreement between Death and Rob were discussed, followed by the challenges Rob had been faced with. Everyone agreed that each one had been successfully met. When they all eventually fell silent I slipped my arm around Rachel and waited for grandfather to deliver his verdict.
His words made me go cold as he turned to address my father. “I’m sorry son, there is nothing I can do. I cannot help you.”
“Well I can,” a voice called out as its owner strode into the room. I gasped in astonishment as great-grandmother walked up to her son and glared at him. “You have a lot to answer for.”
“Me?” he asked in surprise. “What have I done?”
“You have let your children do whatever they like for far too long and now my great-grandson is paying the price. I will not have it, do you hear?”
“But what can I do about it?” he asked. “You of all people should know that even we are bound by the terms, just like everyone else.”
She clicked her tongue at him in disgust. “You always were the problem child.” She turned her attention to Death. “What were the exact terms of the deal?”
“Grandmother, what are you doing here?” he asked, ignoring the question.
“Attempting to undo your mistake,” she replied.
“But how do you even know about the deal?” Death continued.
“I’m your grandmother,” she said. “I know everything. You yourself told us that Rob would be coming to visit to reclaim his girlfriend. The moment he entered my abode I knew his intentions. I asked him if he really intended to hand Rachel over in exchange and he confirmed he did.”
Well that explained Rob’s odd behaviour when he returned from having spoken to her; he was worried that she would say something to Rachel. Either that or he actually felt bad about what he was about to do, but I couldn’t bring myself to give him that much credit.
Great-grandmother then glanced toward Rachel and smiled. “I asked Rachel what she desired most. Without thinking she said Kris. I think she was more surprised than I was.”
I pulled her tighter toward me and couldn’t keep the smile from my face as great-grandmother continued. “I asked Kris about his intentions toward Rachel and he said he was planning on finding a way to get her to stay. That told me all I needed to know. I knew I had to do everything within my power to stop Rob from destroying this young girl’s life. So I ask again, what are the exact terms of the agreement?”
“I provide a suitable replacement and Death releases Tammara,” Rob snarled at her. “I have kept my side of the bargain so your grandson has to keep his and there is nothing you can do about it old woman.”
I tensed and a number of my family inhaled sharply. “Show my mother respect or you will regret it,” grandfather said.
She walked up to Rob and stood facing him when she spoke again. “You pathetic little man. You are undeserving of a friend like Rachel. Or a girlfriend like Tammara,” she added. “The pact was for a ‘suitable’ replacement was it not?” Rob nodded. “Then you have failed. Rachel is not ‘suitable’.”
“And why the hell not?” I winced, both at the word he used and at his tone.
“She is in love with another man therefore she will not make a suitable wife.”
“But she wasn’t when I brought her down here,” Rob said.
“That’s your problem, not mine.” Great-grandmother turned her attention to everyone else in the room, looking at each one for a moment before turning her gaze to the next. “That is my assessment of the situation. Does anyone disagree?” The silence was deafening.
“This is unfair,” Rob said. “You are changing the terms of the bargain. You cannot do that once everyone has agreed to them.”
Then Tammara took us all by surprise by joining in the conversation. “Well I didn’t agree and nor did Rachel.” She moved away from Rob, her face full of disgust. “What sort of man are you? Rachel is your best friend. You have known her for most of your life. How could you even think about doing this to her?”
Rob looked stricken. “I did it for you. I would do anything to get you back.”
“You are not the man I fell in love with. He wouldn’t betray his friends, no matter what the reason. I don’t know you anymore. I would rather stay in Hell than go back with you.” I felt like cheering.
“You can’t mean that,” Rob said in a broken voice. “I have given up everything for you.”
“I can and I do.” Tammara turned her back on Rob and addressed Death. “Can I go back to my room now? I would rather not be in his company any longer.”
“Not yet,” great-grandmother said. “There is one more thing that we need to discuss. The deal you made with Death. What were those terms?”
“I really don’t think we need to discuss that,” my uncle said. Was it my imagination or did he look embarrassed and was refusing to meet great-grandmother’s eye? Almost as if he had been caught out doing something he wasn’t supposed to.
“It was perfectly fair,” Tammara said. “My life in exchange for my father’s. I didn’t realise that Death meant immediately, but knowing would not have made any difference.”
Great-grandmother eyed her grandson suspiciously. “You haven’t told her, have you?”
“Told me what?” Tammara asked.
“Death didn’t save your father.” Rob sounded pleased with himself, though I have no idea why. “He was already cured by the time you made your bargain with Death. Looks like I’m not the only one who doesn’t tell the full story around here doesn’t it?”
Tammara didn’t say a word. She just calmly walked up to Death and slapped him round the face. The sound echoed around the room and I noticed that Len was struggling not to laugh. Then she turned to great-grandmother. “I presume that this means I don’t have to stay.”
“Of course not my dear. You have been conned. Death did not keep his end of your arrangement so therefore you do not need to.”
“Then can I please go home. I want to see my father.”
“In a moment. There are just one or two things I need to get sorted first. War, Death,” great-grandmother continued, “you will shake hands and apologise to each other.” Both did as asked. “Kris, Ankou, your turn.”
“Good luck in your search for a wife,” I whispered into his ear as we hugged each other.
“And you look after Rachel, because if you don’t I may well take her away from you.” As if that was ever going to happen.
“This has been a nice family gathering,” great-grandmother said, without any trace of sarcasm. “But I have to be leaving.” She turned to go, then stopped and looked back at Death.
“One last thing. If I ever hear of you making a deal with a mortal when they do not really understand what they are getting themselves into you will have me to answer
to. Understand?”
“Yes grandmother,” was Death’s sullen reply.
“Now it is time for you three to go,” she said, looking over at Rob, Tammara and Rachel.
“What do you mean?” Rachel asked.
“Leave. Return home,” great-grandmother said. Whether she actually misunderstood what Rachel was asking or whether she thought she was being funny I don’t know, but I know that I for one was not amused. Either way, Rachel ignored the comment.
“I’m staying here. With Kris.” I slipped my hand into hers as she spoke and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
“No, you are not. You’ve known each other for all of five minutes. That is not long enough to make such big decisions about your lives.” I couldn’t believe I was hearing this. What did my great-grandmother think she was playing at? The look she gave Rachel can only be described as sympathetic. “You cannot possibly know that you want to be together for all eternity. Once you move down here you cannot go back, at least not for any length of time. There is no concept of time in the underworld. We do not age down here. Only when we go to the mortal world does time have any effect on our bodies. If you stay here you will have to turn your back on everyone and everything you know.”
“I am prepared to do that,” Rachel said.
“Well I am not prepared to let you. My great-grandson means a lot to me, all of my family do, and you will need to prove your dedication to him before I will allow you to stay with him.”
“That’s unfair,” I said. “Surely this is my decision.”
“It’s okay,” Rachel said gently, placing her hand on my chest as I moved toward great-grandmother. Admittedly I probably looked a little threatening so I can understand why she did it. “I will do anything she asks.”
“Good. Return to your own world and should you remain faithful to Kris you can come back here via the same route you used this time at the next solar eclipse.”
My mouth went dry. I felt sick. I struggled to breathe as Rachel said, “Alright. When is the next eclipse?” Did she know what she was agreeing to?
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