fluttering open. My back ached and I felt

red my body, velvet-soft, shielding me from the wind. The air smelled like musty books and he

came flooding back to me- the horse and it

he

ding the wooden frame of the vehicle and

e the death

ed by a fiend!' At least that's what I assume you think me, unless you fainted bec

close to me. “Where are you?” I de

sses. Because so far, you've proven to be quite boring, little mortal. I've had better t

me, scare me senseless, and now you expect me to entertain you? I may not know who the hell you a

angry. It's like watching a mouse trying to take on a lion: ill-equip

at the shadows around me. Cool hands grabbe

don't have the good sense young women are supposed to, wandering through the woods in the dead

etons, however, are stripped bare to the bone, prim and clean; they're much easier on the eye. Beautiful, even.” His grip around me

when my death is imminent? W

ompany? What if I just dropped by to say hello, only to have you faint before I could introduce myself

nd the swish of liquid. “And what do I get fo

ying you've done me a favor, and I should be gratef

alevolence. Fine, I'll just drink

do you kn

ed him grin. He sipped l

through the woods? Track down my personal information? Is this some supernatural identi

hy would I want to be you, w

if you were Lord

who's to say I don't reign

. 'Cause from what I've seen so far,

ou? I always forget, human eyes are so weak...” A pair of

d blanket enveloped me, gleaming in the crimson light that poured from the lamps. Encased i

ed awe. He shifted closer, tendrils of darkness snaking from his cloak across the velvet seat.

owner seemed to have taste beyond his apparent affection for burgundy wine. He held the crystal-cut glass wit

allie Parker. What heart

a deranged one. And wait

strange things you've witnessed tonight, the one that disturbs you most is the irrelevant

cting defens

I took the time out of my busy night to make sure you were safe, not lying dead in

sts round the fabric. “I wouldn't h

, forgotten places my home, yet you roam through them like they belong to you. You gave offerings to the crow, my sacred bird, and sought out places where only the dead should linger. Te

e. Baffled, I looked down at the scratch

idiotic things? Shrinks would ha

explain i

I might be eclectic, but I wasn't insane.

bowed in the wind, ringing the ghostly lake I'd spent so many summer nights swimming in. The grassy banks were littered with leaves and a rotting do

ly with effortless grace. He offered a gloved hand.

arms in defiance. “I didn't call you, and I

do you think this forest belongs? Because it certainly isn'

don't know who the hell

ng up at the moon. “I have as many names as

“Sam? I expected something mor

efarious? I me

llious thud. “Sorry, but I'm having trouble

ly and bringing his face into the light. The grinning skull shook with laughter. “Do I scare you, Callie Parker? Because underneath that pretty f

Yeah. Creepy

ntoned: “In its archaic usage, it referred to pagan priests who wore mask

eled backwards, crashing onto the

, lo

Grim Reaper,

ly!” he exclaim