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560 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 2021
"I am death," he translates, "an end to all beginnings, a beginning to all ends. I am the one who can take the living and raise the dead. The one who can resurrect souls."
"Go ahead then, leave. I'll simply hunt you down again," I vow. "And when I find you, I will stop you."
He laughs, turning around once more.
"I am one of the few things that cannot be stopped, Lazarus. Nevertheless, I look forword to seeing you try."
I think that's the end of the conversation, but instead he approaches me once more.
He pauses, then kneels back down at my side.
My brows furrow together, and I rear back a little. "What are you doing?"
His eyes gleam in the darkness. "Getting a head start."
And then for the second time that day, the fucker reaches out and snaps my neck.
"I'm going to keep you here, where you cannot destroy any more towns."
"So then we are to live here?" he asks, glancing around at our surroundings. "Together?"
I frown at him. "That's not how this situation works."
"Then how does it work?"
"If you move, I attack."
He flashes me a sly glance, then leans to the left.
"I'm moving," he taunts.
"Don't be childish," I say.
"I wouldn't know how to be childish," he counters, "I've never been a child."
I narrow my eyes at him again.
He leans right. "Still moving."
Oh, for fuck's sake.
"You are exquisite," he says. He leans forward and kisses the pulse at my neck, his dark hair tickling my skin. "Exquisite and troublesome and curious and alive."
"I thought you didn't like the fact that I was alive." He gives me a soft smile.
"Even angels can be wrong."
War reaches out for the boy, but Ben rears back a little.
"Move away brother," Famine says, strolling over, carrying one of those pale purple flowers, "the kid has actual taste."
As Famine walks off with Ben, I hear him say, "I can make you more flowers," Famine says, "but if you shit on me, deal's off."
Famine turns to me, his eyes stony. "Lazarus," he says softly. "Don't forget your end of the deal." His words are laced with menace. "Suck him, fuck him, do whatever shit gets that brother of mine off, but remember that everything is resting on you now. Everything."
Rather than telling a joke, he takes my hand and tries another bite of the bread–and proceeds to gag again.
"I can't–eat this," he admits. "It's ... atrocious."
He grabs the wine his skeletal servant poured for him, presumably to wash the taste out, but it's wine he's drinking, not water, and this too, is an acquired taste.
Thanatos nearly spits the liquid out, only stopping himself by pressing his fist to his mouth. Behind that fist, his face looks sickly.
I’m alone, I’m always alone, and everyone I love leaves me, and I shouldn't be jealous of that.My heart broke for her multiple times throughout the book. She was so real and raw as a protagonist.
“I just went down on Death himself.”
He glowers at me. “Just when I was starting to like humans, I have to go and meet you.”
“Fuck you,” I hiss.
“Hard pass on the offer, but consider me flattered.”
“Move away brother,” Famine says, strolling over, carrying one of those pale purple flowers, “the kid has actual taste.”
“Hate is such a gentle word for what I feel for the horseman. And yet the sight of him makes me ache inside. He’s beautiful and terrible and more than just a little mythical as he rides down the highway.”
“You were designed to be mine. And it’s time I claimed you.”
(Need to re-read the whole series to name a winner for the other categories I can think of 🙈)
“Death and life, caught in an eternal embrace,” he explains.
“They look like lovers,” I whisper.
“They are lovers.” His eyes find mine, and I swear they can see straight to my soul.
“I find myself longing for another reason to hold you close.���
She can withstand death, which means …
She’s creation. Life
“My love for you is eternal and unfaltering, Lazarus. Do not doubt that. Stars will form and die, and what I feel for you will remain undimmed.”
“You snatched my loneliness from me,” he breathes, “and I hope you never give it back.”
“I want to see the expression your face makes when it’s happy. I don’t know why, but I do. I have seen you angry and hateful and disappointed and sad—so sad—Lazarus. I want to see what stokes the fire in that soul of yours and lights you up from within.”
Even if it takes centuries, even if you and I are the last creatures in existence, I vow to you this: I will get you to love me—mind, body, and heart.