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In that dry tone, he answered, "I’ this conversation with the Griot worse and worse, until

Both corners of his lips curled, alhter died I was starstruck "You should smile more often"

I looked at him, really looked at him, in a way I hadn’t allowed ed that Death was a gorgeous, educated, sophisticated knight as rich in luxuries Like me, he was an Arcana

But on occasion, I spied hints of the ht nohen he appeared uncomfortable under my scrutiny and a flush spread over his chiseled cheekbones I smiled when he pulled at his collar

I could finally adly attractive to s for Jack blunted by lies and betrayal, would this attraction grow? Especially since Death had stopped threatening to murder me all the time?

Matthew had told me to beware the Touch of Death Since contact with the Reaper’s skin didn’t har deeper--like involveerous What if Death’s power overinfatuation with him?

Clearing his throat, Death led another round I foundby rote I putmy chin on the back of my hand as I noted new details about him

The blond tips of his eyelashes The way the end of a rune peeked from his open collar The faint line in the center of his fuller bottom lip

Maybe I was just buzzed, but I didn’t think he’d ever looked an to wind alongcards, sifting through his pile "I’ve won the night then" He gave my arms a quizzical look "You can’t expect to defeat another Arcana if you allow yourself to get distracted, E "Maybe the Eet distracted than play at all"

He inclined his head, as if to say, "Touché"

But I’d spoken the truth I still had no interest in this Arcana contest and continued to believe that securing allies was key Why couldn’t Death beWhat if I could win hihts, creature"

"Haze fell to ht "There is one"

I heldhi "I believe I’ll save it for another tirows late"

"Late? So?" This was AF Did time really matter? Today the sun had risen for scanton the horizon "Do you have to be on Ash Ca Matters?"

He crossed to the study door, opening it forwhat to say Had a blast, Reap We’ll do this atwhen Death joined me in the hallway "I’ll escort you back"

"I do knoay"

"Indulge me"

I teased, "Chivalry never died for you, huh?"

"I arin

On the way up the stairs, I reether in the narrow stairwell, he didn’t show it His shirtsleeve brushed ain--

My breath hitched when skin touched skin Death had furtively shoved up his sleeve? Was that his cuff button pinging on a step?

With each contact, his lids seeone starry once more

Now that I was hyper-aware of the loneliness inside Death, I’d begun having this overriding urge to ease it To be fair, oman wouldn’t?

Yet at the door to my roo me off at the porch of Haven after a date

The spacious landing felt sht?"

He leaned his shoulder against the wall "Perhaps"

"If I’d won tonight, I was going to ask you to tell er to live?"

I shook ht of the landing, his gaze was so brilliant as he said, "Will I not?"

"I know you enjoyed tonight Why deprive yourself of me?"

With a perplexed expression, he turned toward the stairs But I thought I heard hi sarcastic, or asking hione, I floated intoat how ed into a nightgown, Matthew tentatively called for ood mood, I felt bulletproof I allowed him in What is it?

--The E in my chest shockedDidn’t ry--

You hurt me, Matthew And I wonder if you even care Maybe he was scheht now

--We need you We fall to ruin--

Fall to ruin J’toht at Finn’s place when he’d bared his soul to me

Or at least, select, edited parts of it

Jack and Mattheeren’t my responsibility anymore The two of the, Did you tell Jack what I learned? That I knew he’d helped my mother kill herself, then lied to me repeatedly?

Now that I was in a sosthat Jack would never have hurt ht not have been pure, but my fierce mother could bepersuasive