Page 78 of In Between Death and the Devil

I whirled to face her. “What?”

“Don’t play dumb, Maeve. It’s beneath you.” The usual placid veneer was gone from her face, and in its place was the look of a woman who was both irritated and resigned. An utterly human expression. “You’re a Successor, after all.”

My cheeks flamed. I felt so stupid. She’d known all this time what I was. That was why she’d hired Colt. That was why she wanted me to sacrifice myself to rebalance the In Between, why it had to be me. Because there could only be one Death in the In Between.

I needed to get out of here.

“That’s why you need my soul as anchor,” I said as I took a small step to one side.

“It has to be you.”

“Because you don’t want to move on.” I took a larger step to the side.

“I don’t need to move on. I’m exactly where I need to be.” She shifted, turning in place to face me

“The In Between doesn’t seem to agree. If it wanted you here it wouldn’t be out of balance.”

Her expression shifted from resigned to furious in a blink. “It does need me. I’m the only one who knows what it needs.”

“Then why am I here?” Another slow step to the side. A couple more and I’d have a clear shot at the door.

“For this purpose. Why else would you be the only Successor to show up in hundreds of years? You’re meant to rebalance the In Between by surrendering your soul. Acting as the anchor.”

“I won’t do it.”

“After everything I’ve done for you? Taking you under my wing. Offering you the thing you came here for.” She gestured to Colt. “If you want to do this the hard way, so be it.”

Her hands started to glow, and I plunged into the Death Chord, grabbing whatever I could. My power rose fast and hot, and light burst from my hands, sending Death flying to the side.

Without looking to see if she was down, I took off running. Bursting through the door, I mowed down two people standing guard outside. We were in some sort of antechamber, but I could see the hallway just outside and I ran for it before they could find their feet.

Shouts and the pounding of feet followed me as I made for the nearest set of stairs. Chancing a glance behind me, I took stock. Four pursuers. Closing fast.

I never was much of a runner.

Giving in to my instincts, I raised my hands to the sides, aiming for the statues that lined the hall. My power responded at the slightest thought. Bolts of light leapt from my hands into the walls and statues, sending them toppling as I ran past. I’d always thought it was weird for Death to fill the castle with so many statues of herself, but right now I was grateful.

Another glance behind me and I watched three of my pursuers pull up short to avoid getting crushed. One wasn’t so lucky. The crunch of bone was audible. I ignored it and pushed on, bringing down a couple more statues before hanging a hard right and hurtling down the stairs.

Death’s rooms were on the third floor of the castle, in one of the far corners. Which meant two sets of stairs and a handful of hallways stood between me and the only place I could go where Death couldn’t get to me. Fen’s castle.

CHAPTER 22

The halls of the second floor were more crowded than the third. I shoved my way through, disregarding the objections people shouted. Thankfully, no one tried to interfere, despite my pursuers screaming for someone to grab me. But the crowd slowed me down and the distance I’d gained by knocking over statues started to close.

I didn’t want to use my powers here. Knowing firsthand how easily Death had dispatched the Wraith, I didn’t want to chance hurting someone, which left me with few options to keep from getting caught. I ran past the stairs, as if I meant to bypass them, and then at the last minute I threw myself sideways, trying to keep my balance as I slipped and slid down the steps. I made it halfway down before my feet went out from under me, sliding the rest of the way on my ass.

At least my feint made my pursuers overshoot.

Hauling myself to my feet and ignoring the shooting pain in my lower back, I took off running again. The bridge was halfway down the next hallway, and I pushed myself to go faster. The Judges chasing me were gaining on me, but all I needed was to make it across.

I skidded round the corner. “Move.” My shout bounced off the walls, getting the attention of the gaggle of people crossing from one castle to the other.

People scrambled to the side, clearing a path.

I could hear footsteps pounding closer behind me, but I focused on the entrance to Fen’s castle.

Titus stood nearby talking to a group of Tempters. His eyes widened when he saw me, and he let out a piercing whistle and started barking orders. They lined up at the entrance, forming a barrier with an open space just wide enough for me to fit through.