Protect what’s left of good in the world.
Rhyn gripped and released the dagger, struggling between the tiny voice that reminded him of his promise to Katie and the vision before him. If he took back his mate and child, there would be nowhere safe for them to go. But he didn’t want to live eternity without her.
“Rhyn … “ Kris murmured. “You have a duty to protect all mortals, not just one.”
“Will you take my soul in exchange for Katie’s?” Rhyn asked.
“If she were alive, that might work. Once I claim a soul, the price climbs. And in this case, the price is beyond my control,” Death answered.
Rhyn stared at the scenes playing out in Death’s outstretched hands. His heart grew heavy as he watched demons kill humans by the hundreds. The promise he’d made to keep Katie happy made him feel sick, and duty would never fill the hollow part of him that would remain during a lifetime without his mate.
“Choose, demon,” Death ordered him. “Your mate or the fate of humanity.”
Maybe Katie had known this was how it would end when they’d last met in his dream. Maybe this was his penance for being what he was. Rhyn didn’t know, but he knew he couldn’t choose his own interests over those of humanity.
“Is she safe and happy?” he asked.
“She is,” Death answered. “I made certain of that.”
“As much as I love her, I can’t condemn her kind to the demons.”
Death lowered the hand displaying the end of the world scenario. The images of Gabe fighting demons switched to those of Katie on the beach under the moonlight. Rhyn’s breath caught at the sight of her. She appeared exhausted, tattered, and drenched from the underworld rain. She’d never looked as beautiful as she did, even if she looked as if she’d just left the underworld. Toby was with her, pulling her from the beach towards the Sanctuary.
“What the fuck is this?” he demanded.
“You let her go?” Gabe asked in surprise.
“You were right, Gabe,” Death said. “You’ll never hear those words again.”
“She’s not dead-dead,” Rhyn said, afraid to believe the images he saw. He searched Death’s impassive features.