Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 63565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
I drop the gun and scurry towards him, immediately regretful.
I press my hands to his bloodied chest as his eyes glaze over. He tries to focus on me, but there is blood flowing from the sides of his mouth and he’s fading quickly.
“I’m sorry,” I say, my voice breaking. “Death, I’m sorry.”
Raising a hand, he places it over mine. “You made me proud, child.”
Then, I watch as the light disappears from his eyes.
Clapping sounds from behind me have me turning with bloodied hands and tear-streaked cheeks to see Marek and a few of his men standing at the door. The triumphant smile on Marek’s face is the last thing I expected to see. He walks in closer, glancing down at Death, and then looking back to me. “I wasn’t sure you had it in you, but he was.”
Shaking my head, I look to him in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“I had a feeling you would try and find a way to save him, so, I came to him first. I told him what I had instructed you to do, and I gave him the choice, either he dies, or you do. I knew what he would pick, but I wasn’t going to let him die at my hand. Oh no, I told him that if I were to grant you freedom, it had to be at your hand. It was the only way.”
I shake my head, not believing the words he’s saying.
“Either way, we both knew he was going to die – the man was never going to let me take over. He didn’t want you to live with the guilt of killing him, but he wanted your freedom, so he agreed to let you do it but only if he could make it seem like he truly hated you. He wanted you to feel less pain. If you thought he was horrible and never cared, then it wouldn’t bother you as much.”
No.
No.
No.
“The hilarious thing is, he knew you killed your mother. He knew and he never told you. He was going to let you get away with it, just like that. Must have cared about you or something,” Marek shrugs, “Either way, he gave up his life to save yours and grant you your freedom. I didn’t tell him that I was going to tell you the truth after he was gone, he might have wanted you to live guilt free, but I relish in the pain of others.”
No.
Death.
I press a hand to my heart and look down at the man who now lies dead on the ground. He chose to give up his life for me. He chose to leave this world, so I could be free. Tears come hot and heavy now, and it doesn’t matter what I do, nothing will stop them. I bring my knees to my chest, not feeling an ounce of pain for my foot, and I cry. I cry so hard my body shakes.
“Enjoy your freedom, Acacia,” Marek murmurs. “I know I’ve enjoyed the ride.”
With that, he turns and leaves.
I throw my head back and scream, but no amount of screaming will ease the pain.
My heart is forever wounded.
LAUGHING IN THE FACE of my pain, my mother crosses her arms in front of me and stares at me as though I’m nothing. To her, I guess I am nothing. She only keeps me alive because she has to, because she thinks it’s her duty. She failed the part where she is meant to take care of me, show me love and affection, and not completely destroy my life.
“You won’t do it, Acacia. We’ve been here before. Put the gun down.”
I hold the gun out, and my eyes never leave hers.
“I’ve grown up, mother. I’m not a weak child any longer. It’s hilarious that you think I don’t have it in me to take your life, considering it was you who raised me.”
Her eyes flicker with uncertainty. “I’m your mother.”
“Are you? You’ve never once done a single thing to show that title means anything to you.”
“You’re alive, aren’t you?”
“How lucky for me,” I mutter.
“Put the gun down, now. So help me, I will not tolerate your insubordination right now. You’re playing with fire.”
“I like fire.”
“Put it down,” she warns again, “we both know you’re not here to take my life.”
“But I am,” I tell her, “I set it up so you’d end up here. I made sure nobody would know where you are. Right now, everyone thinks you’re doing a deal somewhere else. No one so much as suspects you’re with me, not even Death. You’re exactly where I want you to be.”
Now she looks slightly concerned.
“What is your plan? You’re going to kill me. Then what? You’ll go on to take over my world and be the next queen. You’ll never be able to do it, Acacia. You’re too weak. Marek would have you killed, and if he didn’t, Death would.”