Authors: C.M. Torrens
"I can do that?"
"Yes."
Emotions flickered across Robert's face.
Simon stroked his cheek, the electric buzz of his soul seemed to make things so much more final. He took a ragged breath and led Robert down to the waiting room. Robert grabbed his arm, as if trying to brace himself before stepping inside the waiting room.
Mr. Lasker looked across the room at Jerry. “Hear anything from the doctors yet?"
Jerry shook his head. “The doctors won't speak to me. I'm not family."
"You live with him, don't you?"
"No."
"Oh, I thought—” Mr. Lasker shook his head. “Never mind."
Jerry cleared his throat. “Look, Mr. Lasker. I'm not sure what you know about Robert, but he is a good guy and a good friend. I don't know all the trouble between you two, he didn't like to talk about it. I just thought you might want to know that he had his shit together. His own apartment, a job... stuff like that."
Robert touched his elbow. “Can I tell him I love him? Will he hear me?"
Simon shook his head. “I don't know, love."
Robert released his arm and went to stand beside his father. He whispered into the older man's ear and stroked his cheek. Mr. Lasker buried his face in his hands and his chest heaved as if holding back emotion.
The doctor stepped into the room. His words rang hollow as he delivered the news of Robert's death. Simon cringed as the older man dropped into a nearby chair and Jerry wept. Simon bit back his own tears and led Robert from the waiting room and to a more private corner of the hospital. An empty suite, well away from the crowds and bustle.
Robert looked up at him and forced a smile. “You know I love you, right?"
Simon's heart broke, shattering, scattering into a million pieces that he was sure he'd never find again. Like shards of glass the pieces tore at his soul leaving only blinding pain in their wake. Tears streamed down his face and blurred his vision. He pulled Robert close and kissed his lips. The kiss wasn't the same, less real, less here. His scent was gone.
Robert stroked his cheek. “I can't feel you anymore. Not like before."
Simon fought to regain his composure, willing the pain to ease. “It's okay, love. It's time to go."
They both jumped as Reaper stepped into the room, a smile on his face. “Well? Did I miss anything? You said you had a request?"
Simon winced. “Robert, please don't."
Robert wiped the tears from his eyes and kissed his lips. “It's okay, lover. I know what I'm doing."
Simon shook his head but said nothing. This was Robert's decision to make.
Robert turned to look at Reaper and took a deep breath. “I want nothing and everything.” He moved to stand in front of Simon. “I want you. Come with me, Simon."
Simon shook his head. “I can't, love. I can't. You know I can't."
Simon heard the portal open with a soft hum and Robert took his hand.
"Yes, you can. I know it. I can feel it,” Robert said. “It's over for you, Simon. Come with me. Don't you want to come with me?"
"More than anything.” His voice cracked and he looked down as Robert gave his hand a squeeze.
Robert pulled him back toward the portal and Simon hesitated at the threshold. He stared into the swirling abyss. The gray swirl of the portal began to fade and colors took their place. A rainbow of life and sounds rippled from the other side. A song, both sad and rejoicing called out to him, beckoning him closer.
Was he really hearing them now?
His heart swelled and he felt the chains binding him shatter. He gasped as if taking his first breath. A huge weight fell away. He looked down at his hand, no longer flesh, but glowing like spirit. The song filled his soul and mended his breaking heart. A voice in the old tongue he had thought lost and forgotten called him by name.
Simoen
.
He turned back to his lover. Robert smiled up at him, that bright smile he'd fallen in love with. That smile just for him.
Holding on to Robert's hand tightly, he took a deep breath and together they stepped forward. Simon braced for a barrier, but none came as they fell through into the other side.
Reaper watched them go and sighed. About damn time. Those two were about as sappy as they come. Oh well. One more Death down, about a couple thousand to go. He had time. He had all the time in the world.
He smirked at the scent of chaos in the air. The sound of screaming souls vibrated in his bone.
What a rush.
Everyone always wanted what they couldn't have. Not him. He had plans, big plans. It was all just a matter of time.
C.M. Torrens lives in the Midwest with her wonderful family, two furry canines who think they're human, and a pet snake who wishes he was human. The warm chaos of her house not only keeps her on her toes, but often reminds her of a zoo at feeding time.
She spends her days torn between chaining her muse to her desk and wanting to beat him for his lack of cooperation when she needs him most. She enjoys the quiet mornings when it's still dark with a hot cup of coffee and her dogs cuddled at her feet like a giant fuzzy blanket. Those quiet mornings give her time to dwell on the dark worlds and passionate characters drifting in her head.
You can find her tweeting at twitter.com/CMTorrens and can be reached at [email protected].
His Soul to Take (C)Copyright C.M. Torrens, 2011
Published by
Dreamspinner Press
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the
authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead,
business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover Art by Catt Ford
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Released in the United States of America
April 2011
eBook Edition
eBook ISBN: 978-1-61581-890-7