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2 Death was talking to her

"Dat’s good son Da gurl is right dare witin yor reach Don worry bout de Death De gurl’s soul don mean notin to hian’s sidewalk His top hat was cocked back on his head, which ood mood

"Thanks but I’ht She isn’t a fan ofto url You don ‘ave time for anytin else Dank of sht of course I had to find a way into Pagan’s heart and fast

Pagan opened the door al Crap I’d pissed her off again Flashing her"I’ to work around my schedule I know seven is late and, well, I’er vanished and the easy smile I’d hoped to see appeared on her face She was beautiful

"That’s okay Go ahead and sit at the table and I’ll get us so and walking away from me I followed her inside I wasn’t sure I’d ever had a root beer but that adreat, thanks" I replied

Her living room wasn’t new toover her Consoling her Now, she was helpingthat e had would finally be real to her was exciting

When she walked back into the roo us This should be easy "I brought the schedule for class and what all is expected in this course I have one week before the first speech is due and it needs to be on soly about"

She sat the soda down in front of me "So, we need to decide what you’re passionate about"

I couldn’t keep the smile off my face Passionate That was a loaded word One I knew a lot about

"What?" she asked frowning

"What I’

She rolled her eyes, "You know, soly about Like your purpose or platfor I felt passionate about but it wasn’t time I admit that just yet "Passionate, I like that Let’s think of so I’m passionate about"

The prissy look on her face as she puckered her lips and grabbed the notebook was just too damn cute "Got any ideas?" she asked in a tone that said she already kneas going to say so superficial and she was prepared to write it down

I decided I’d throw her little know-it-all ideas for a loop "The ian to write it down and paused It was all I could do to keep fro out loud I’d just surprised the hell out of her

"Okay," she replied studyingI had one

"I was adopted after living in foster hoet a family by the tiiven a chance most nine year old foster kids only dream of"

Her eyes widened in shock, "Oh, , I had no idea I, uh, can see why this would be an important topic for you"

The expression on her face switched from surprise, to confusion then to what looked liked sadness I hadn’t meant to make her sad I’d just wanted to redeeht so little of ot adopted, right?" I asked softly with an easy sht I thought "

"I’ that You kind of surprised me"

I leaned back in ot a lot of ideas where I’ht into someone you don’t like very much" The instant blush on her cheeks told ress If I could show her I wasn’t the guy she thought I was then I had hope that she’d love an, youup to me From the way her eyes followed me down the hall and studied s towardwere now easy We talked and laughed with none of the aardness that I’d been faced with in the beginning She wasn’t nervous around me any her

I could feel her gaze on me as she walked down the hallway She wantedsensation running through my body But I couldn’t Death was near her He was the cold barrier keeping aze He’d see me and study me too closely I didn’t want hi that he was obviously dis was more than he assumed I wasn’t one of Hell’s many servants I was the Prince of Voodoo Dankmar didn’t need to realize that too soon It would an heard him What? Could she see Death too? I knew my claim on her soul allowed her to see lost souls but could it also let her see Death as well? Listening to the guys around a Why was Dank to a soul? What could he possibly have to say to her? He was here to take her, or at least try to This was not normal I needed to speak to my father He would understand this

I tuned out everyone around an I couldn’t see Dankmar I could only feel hi to hih her teeth as she opened her locker door What did thattoo

Slowly she turned her head to look at him He must be beside her I still could only see her But she was studying hi her know? Didn’t he nor her a heads-up?

"Staring at theainsta scene," Kendra’s icy tone re rid of her She wasn’t helping things She’d grown attached to me That had never been the plan

"This isn’t your business, Kendra," I reminded her in a hard voice If she didn’t step out of my way I would remove her myself

"I wonder if he’s as sexy as everyone says," she purred

"Who says Dankmar is sexy?" An alarm went off in my head Was Death attractive?