Page 55 of The Unseen Hour

Seeming to decide, he put another hand on my arm and helped me to my feet.

“Come on. It will be all right.”

Even so, he stood between me and the advancing figure. I clutched his hand like a lifeline. His warmth spread to me, a familiar comfort even after such a short time. Albeit somewhat lessened by the looming figure that was getting closer and closer.

When the cloaked being drew to a stop in front of us, I craned my neck. The figure was just as tall as I remembered Charon being, even if it wasn’t him. As my shock wore off, my natural curiosity flooded back.

I slipped around Orion, now standing directly in front of the individual.

“Hello,” I said.

The figure reached up and pulled back the hood of the cloak. I froze.

The woman in front of me was ethereal. Her hair shone with a white light brighter than a star in the night sky. The skin on her exposed neck was the same ivory as bone. Her eyes still weren’t visible. Instead, a black silk mask covered them, along with a good portion of her cheekbones, with not even slits to see out of. It was a wonder she could get around at all, I thought. She looked like someone attending a masquerade ball.

Her head craned forward, and I sensed she was looking at me.

“Orion”—the woman’s voice was rich and full—“and who is this enticing creature?”

I recovered my manners enough to introduce myself.

“Celia Hipnosi. Charmed to meet you, er⁠—”

I extended a hand, unsure what else to do without knowing who I was addressing. The figure raised a palm, stepping back.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to keep this as a ‘look but don’t touch’ situation. At least if you’d like to stay alive,” the woman warned.

I gaped, but her voice held no venom.

Orion stepped up beside me, gesturing between me and the woman.

“Celia, allow me to introduce you to Death.”

CHAPTER 26

Death.

At least this deity was one I was familiar with. The other countries of Rayus had their own ideas as to how many deities there were and how they divided up tasks. I was kicking myself for not being more of a religious scholar, because then I’d be aware of particulars.

I knew I’d been wrong in regards to the number, but it was somehow reassuring to find out the god I’d been beseeching in my prayers was more than just a figment of my imagination, even if history had neglected to mention she was a goddess.

The people of Emrys had thought themselves cursed by Death, or abandoned by Death, but we’d all hoped we could also be saved by Day or Death.

Maybe that was still possible.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance.” I dipped into a curtsy, responding on impulse as the reality of what Orion had said hit me and trying to correct my earlier, more casual greeting.

The deity smiled at me with perfectly straight white teeth.

“I hope you don’t mind my barging in on what looks like a pleasant afternoon. I had some business with Charon and thought I’d stop by to see Orion. A living Shade is such an intriguing concept, after all.”

“I thought Orion said that you and Charon were at odds.”

There went my attempt at formality. I threw a hand over my mouth.

Death laughed, the sound musical like chimes in a garden.

“We certainly are that. The others and I are often at one another's throats. It would be more concerning if any of us could die. After all, among six deities there are bound to be occasional squabbles.”