Chapter Twenty-One

The next morning, we had to go back to doing Death's bidding. I had promised to go out and hunt for new victims, and the horrible thing was that I didn't regret that promise once Death was back. I wanted to go. But Death hesitated.

"I don't think you're ready for that, Ember," Death said as Ara and I looked through his spellbook.

"I am," I assured him. "And we need to make some progress."

"There are plenty of people here to experiment on, but I don't think that's necessary right now. I want you to study my book instead. Aranren will be your teacher. He will guide you through the spells and help you become the mage you are meant to be."

Power. Yes, I liked that idea. "All right," I said.

"Aranren, start with the basics," Death said.

"Very well." Aranren slid the book my way and opened it to one of the first pages. "Death is many things, but we must start with its simplest form."

I looked down at the page and read, "Death. The spell is Death?"

"Yes. You can kill with magic. Although, it doesn't work on Wraith Lords. They are immune to Death Magic because of the Spirit Magic inside them."

"If only that were different," Death muttered.

"Yes, I know about Spirit Magic and its protective nature," I said. "But I didn't know you could use Death to kill so easily."

"It's not easy," Aranren said. "It is for me now. But only because I've mastered it. At first, it was difficult." His elegant hand reached up and pushed back my hair. "You will master it too. Probably faster than I. Death says you are an incredible student."

Ara and I had decided to continue the ruse of our attraction since it was working so well. So, I leaned into his touch and smiled. And with my actions, I felt Death's pleasure.

"Wait. Are you feeling him touching me?" I asked Death.

"Yes. I live through the two of you. I can feel both his touch and the delight that touching you gives Aranren."

I blinked, then looked at Ara. He blushed as he looked away.

"Why are you surprised?" Death asked me. "Surely you know he wants you?"

"Yes, of course." I cleared my throat. "I just thought our relationship was new."

"It is, but his desire for you is not. Aranren has wanted you for a very long time. And now, you want him in return. This is wonderful!" Death sounded like someone else, his elation lightening his voice.

But I knew the source of his pleasure. Death was excited that his slaves were on the verge of becoming even stronger, making him stronger.

"What shall I cast the spell upon?" I asked.

Death's pleasure grew. He didn't answer, but a knock came at the door.

"Enter," Aranren called out.

One of the Corrupted stepped into the workroom, his stare locked straight ahead. I didn't recognize him, and a small part of me was grateful for that. But the larger part of me, the part controlled by Death, was eager to see what I could do.

Luckily, I wasn't very good at it.

I tried the spell a few times, but each attempt only made the man stagger, not die. I grew frustrated.

"Why can't I kill him?!" I screeched. "I'm competent with Death Magic."

"You are competent with a version of Death Magic," Death said. "I never fully revealed it to you."

"What?" I growled. "Then what did I move that tree with? What did I use to sense the heartbeat of that bird?"

"The tree was moved with Earth Magic and you sensed the bird through Spirit," Death said. "Your power to combine magic allowed me to give you a mere touch of Death so that it would alter the elements slightly. More importantly, it opened you to me without scaring you with the coldness of my magic. Every spell you cast made you more vulnerable to me."

"But you still needed my permission to take control," I said.

"Will is the greatest power of all. I wore you down until your willpower wavered and you accepted me. Once you lowered your inner wards, you were mine."

"I see." I crossed my arms. "So I know nothing of Death Magic? It was all lies? All that stuff about death being integral to life?"

"No, of course not. That was the truth. Truth works so much better in a deception."

"I want to be angry with you, but I'm too impressed by your cunning," I said.

Death chortled. "Thank you, Ember. Now, I think that's enough for today. You can study the book tomorrow. I think I rushed things. You need to acquaint yourself with my magic before you use it."

"Yeah, all right," I grumbled.

"Don't be so impatient," Death said. "True power takes time."