Read Online His Soul to Take by C.M. Torrens - Free Book Online Page B

let Robert do it. Whatever was on the other side had to be better than this.
    He stepped off the bus several stops later, drawn to the next soul bound for the other side.
    * * * *
    Simon slipped into the apartment just after mid-day. The scent of pine cleaner filled the air, and he peeked around the corner into the small kitchen. Robert sat at the kitchen table with his bare back to him, flipping through a magazine.
    He watched Robert, just enjoying the moment. The firm muscles of his back and broad shoulders. An ache grew in his chest and he pulled his eyes away. Reaper had said three days. Was there so little time left? He considered looking but couldn't bear the thought of him being right. Three days was just so little time.
    "When did you get home?"
    Simon jerked his attention back to Robert. Home. He had said home. Was this his home too? Did he have a home here?
    "Just now."
    "When do you have to work again?"
    "I never know. I just go when they call."
    Robert smirked. “Like living with a doctor."
    "Maybe so. I wouldn't know.” He sighed heavily. So little time left.
    "Are you okay? Bad day?"
    Simon forced a smile and moved to greet him. “Just thinking."
    He found Robert's lips and let thought drift away. They needed to talk, but right now he just wanted to be near him.
    "I know you aren't hungry, but we could go out or something."
    Simon wrapped his arms around behind him. “Only if you want to. They won't see me. They never do."
    "But you taste the food. We could share."
    "I'd rather taste you."
    Robert chuckled. “You like the taste of me?"
    "I love the taste of you,” Simon corrected and kissed his neck.
    Robert burst into laughter.
    "Did I say something funny?” Simon blinked with surprise, enjoying the sound of his laughter.
    "If you weren't so serious, it'd be hilarious."
    Simon pulled away. His thoughts kept turning to Robert's request.
    "What's wrong?” Concern filled Robert's face and blue eyes sparkled with worry.
    Simon winced. Time. There was just so little of it left. He didn't think he could bear to lose Robert now. Not now. Gods, why so soon? If he could keep him here without the curse, he'd do it in a heartbeat.
    "You have to take it back,” Simon said.
    "Take what back?"
    "Your request."
    Robert shook his head. “Just forget I asked."
    "That's not the same thing."
    Robert wrapped his arms around him and kissed his lips and neck. For a moment Simon let himself forget the conversation. The sweet tingle that swept through him battled against the need to put things to rest.
    Simon pulled away after a moment and took a deep breath. “I'm serious. We need to talk about this."
    Robert sighed heavily and leaned across the kitchen counter. “No one wants to die, Simon."
    "That's not true."
    "Oh, yeah, and as Death, you go around asking people, ‘Hey, you ready to die today?’”
    Simon shot him a dark look. “Their time is already up. I can't stop that from happening. I just sever the ties between body and soul and show them the way. I don't make people cross over. It's their choice."
    "Then why are you so hung up on this request?” Robert asked. “There's a loop hole, isn't there?"
    Simon pulled away from his embrace. “I'm trying to protect you."
    "From what?"
    "From becoming me!” Simon snapped, putting some distance between them.
    He felt Robert's eyes on him, burning into the back of his neck. He ignored him and paced the small kitchen. Memories of the past that he'd long tried to forget hit him with a rush.
    A Death stared down at his broken body as he bled over the dark battlefield. The insane fear in his chest that he would go to some torturous realm of Hades's making. He had begged to live on, and Death had no choice but to grant his request and remake him.
    Not dead, not alive, but Death.
    He had seen kingdoms fall and armies crumble. He had walked through illness and despair. So much death, and never once allowed to see beyond the portal. The portal he had feared and now wished