“It’s okay.”
“Did you have something for me?”
“It’s nothing. I’ll open a portal.” Kiki left, and Kris felt he’d frustrated the one brother willing to help him.
Instead of following, Kris dwelt a moment longer on Death’s words. He hadn’t realized Katie was dead because of him. He hadn’t believed her death inevitable, and only bought contracts on those he perceived as potential threats. He had every right to feel vindicated after losing his own potential mate and son so long ago. As much as he’d loved Lilith, Andre had told him she wasn’t meant to be his mate and encouraged him to focus on his duty rather than the woman.
Kris’s memories stirred stronger than he liked. He remembered Lilith, a beautiful Immortal whose laugh had filled him with happiness. Their love had been intense and brief, lasting less than a human year in total. One day, she was just … gone. Slaughtered by Rhyn, who had taken her head the same way his brothers took the head of Rhyn’s demoness mother.
Even if Lilith wasn’t meant to be his mate, she didn’t deserve such a brutal death. She didn’t deserve death at all. Instead of mourning a son, Kris could’ve spent the past few thousand years raising a successor.
Yet he didn’t feel vindicated. He’d unknowingly killed a woman and her child. Was this what Death meant about doing evil for the greater good? It couldn’t be. Katie had stabilized Rhyn, allowed the half-demon to use his power and join the rest of the Immortals. Without her, Rhyn was a hazard to everything and everyone. Maybe Death meant he would have to kill Rhyn to keep the peace. Not attacking one of their brothers had been Andre’s sacred rule. Perhaps this had been the evil of which Death spoke.
The alternative – that Death might see Rhyn as a viable leader for the Council – was inconceivable. No self-serving, reckless, half-evil being could be entrusted with the fate of humanity!
Baffled by the deity’s bizarre visit, Kris pushed the memories out of his mind. He had to find Rhyn. He picked up his rucksack and joined Kiki outside the tent. Kiki stood before a portal on the dark beach. Of all the things Death had told Kris, she hadn’t seemed in the least concerned about trespassers in her domain.