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"Everyone dies, Corine Soloiven to me to see the future, but I did knoould come to me in time"

That was a little better than the Christian version of this story, anyway At least he hadn’t knoould happen to Chance, when he lay doith Min in the orchard all those years ago I offered a watery sned

Instead of dead stubborn, which hat I’d always been

"It must’ve been hard to leave thereat deeds are done with purpose I will summon Daikokuten Please keep your conversation short, as reistful "People do not visit the shrines as they once did"

"I understand I’ll be brief"

What do I even say, I wondered I can’t let on, even to Chance No answers ca the river, his steps quickening as he glimpsed me He pushed into a run, and I met him His arms came aroundthe sweetness of blooentle hint of mist from the river It would’ve been perfect if I hadn’t kno the interlude ended I breathed hi to store up the ood, even in dreams

You have to do this, I told ive the ruse away and Ebisuhiot a lock on a solution There’s a weak spot between the realms I found out how my father passed into our world There’s a particular festival when--"

I couldn’t let him continue So I kissed hiy I employed often Fortunately, he fell into the kiss with a fierce hunger, tasting me as if I were a delectable treat he hadn’t enjoyed in h his hair, traced down his neck and shoulders My arht prove more than I could bear

Then I said the words, praying he believed theo down this road"

He reacted as if I’d punched hi? We can do this, I swear I don’t have the same juice my father has because he’s stored it up from the years of reverences, but I have a little residual power from the shrines I just need soh And unlike ain"

Ebisu appeared beside us then, his face stern "What he is not telling you, Corine Solo, he yields all claim to im ick No future"

"No future, except the one I choosewith her," Chance bit out, his eyes livid with rage "I already told you once, I’od I don’t want to be worshipped The whispers fro creepy"

"So you hear theood Now then" He turned to oand you will not be welcoain"

I opened my mouth to convince Ebisu I’d lost my resolve, but somehohat came out was: "I love you, Chance"

Please let that be enough Let him knoon’t stop until he’s back withdownsalt in the corners of my eyes I swiped my hands across my cheeks and rolled out of bed It was ridiculously early, considering what tiotten to sleep, but four-hour bursts had been the nor of Chance, I had nightmares about what happened in the de mess

Butch roused when I went into the kitchen to put on some coffee, so I let him out and he did his business in the backyard His nails clicked on the patio as he caate his dish, which I took the hint and filled, then freshened up his water I knelt to pet hile-minded in my intentions Ebisu had seemed so positive it was Chance’s destiny Would he be better off becood? Such an odd question But then Barachiel was certain I was destined to help hi

Maybe the dog has an opinion

"What do you think? Should I let Chance go?" I asked Butch

Obviously, I didn’t et oal But he tookhis breakfast, he trotted into the living rooe my purse I took that to ot them out, then plopped on the floor to watch hi theed:

chance doesnt want to be a god

"How do you know that?" I de huffed out a disgusted sigh, as if he couldn’t believe I’d ask that "How am I supposed to knohat you can do?" I hosts

Aha I did remember that Butch had warned us once via that same skill So that meant"You see Chance sometimes? He’s here I just can’t see or hear him"

That earned me the affirmative yap "Do you talk to him much?" He cocked his head, and I rephrased "Fine, do you hear him much?"

Affir to o for it"

he says please dont give up

That es So he was reduced to begging the dog to keep ardless of Ebisu’s convictions, only what Chance wanted mattered to me I’d push on, no lanced around, wishing I could see the world through Butch’s eyes

But I got the negatory yaps Then Butch trotted off to eat his breakfast, which I took to mean the conversation was over, so I scooped up the Scrabble tiles and put them away My head ached from the interrupted sleep The dreams, possibly because they were incredibly vivid, didn’t offer the saht literally be drawn from me to make such communication possible Certainly I felt ood sign, given everything I needed to accos since I was already up and had the coffee brewing By the time I put bread in the toaster, Chuch came into the kitchen, rumpled and in need of a shave He looked tired too, no surprise there Once again, I had dropped my problems in his lap and interrupted his peaceful life