ã€ŠSigned: The Death Kingã€‹


 Prologue

    Maliah didn¡¯t know how long she had been staring up at the ceiling before her dark chocolate eyes blinked. Awareness began to seep into her body making her realize she was currently lying down.

    She also didn¡¯t know how long it took before thoughts started pouring into her empty mind like tea in a teacup.

    Maliah couldn¡¯t escape the feeling that something had happened. But what?

    What?

    With a blink, she sat up. Looking around she realized that she recognized the room as her bedroom and that she had been laying on top of her bed. With a furrowed brow she looked down at her herself. She wasn¡¯t dressed for bed, instead she was fully dressed for being outside with faded blue jeans and a blue shirt with a huge flower pattern on it. She was even wearing her blue sweater tied around her waist. Instinctively she looked around, her small backpack that operated as a purse laid on her desk.

    Further observing led to her twitching.

    She still even had her tennis shoes on.

    She never walked around with her outside shoes inside her apartment.

    With a mutter she reached down and pulled them off. Such a small motion had a small groan escaping from her full lips. Why did her body ache as if she had been hit? She straightened before standing, shifting her weight first on her right leg and then on her left.

    Maliah gazed down at the carpet, her socked toes wiggling unconsciously. She hefted a sigh as her twitch came back. She would have to spray her carpet to get the outside dirt cleaned.

    With a cock of her head another thought came to her¡­..she didn¡¯t even remember walking or stumbling into her apartment to bed.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    In fact she didn¡¯t even remember arriving back at her house at all!

    Shoes in hand, she looked at her bedroom door that stood wide open. Slowly she crept to the door and gingerly poked her head out looking left and then right. After a moment she stepped out and began walking down the short hallway. Passing the bathroom, she pushed the cracked door open with a pointed index finger that revealed no one. Continuing she eased down the hallway before stopping. Once again she gingerly poked her head out and looked to the left and right.

    No one.

    Maliah let out a soft sigh before she walked brazenly into her living room, her gaze sweeping over to the kitchen she could see clearly from her vantage point. She couldn¡¯t tell if she was relieved or disappointed. At least if someone was in her house, she might be able to explain her strange situation.

    All the blinds in her house were closed though she just realized that it was mid-day based on the light that came through the blinds. She had closed them when she went on her weekend trip but oddly still she couldn¡¯t remember returning back here.

    Deep in thought she walked over to the front door and put her shoes on the mat before walking to the closet and opening it. She untied the sweater from around her waist and hung it up. Then she closed the closet door and turned back to face her living room, arms crossed still deep in thought.

    Almost absently she walked over and opened the blinds in her living room before walking to the island of her kitchen with only her socks.

    It was quiet.

    Just the way she liked it but she still couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something happened.

    She just couldn¡¯t figure out what¡­.

    With a sigh, leaned on the island of her kitchen, figuring she should just forget about it or at least figure it out later. Right now she was going to spray her floor for her own peace of mind. She bent down to the island cabinet taking out the spray bottle.

    Closing the cabinet she stood intending to turn away but her hand caught her eye. An odd gold spiral-like symbol lightly pulsed on the back of her hand. She lifted and watched as it faded away almost as if it had never been.

    Hold on¡­.

    Didn¡¯t she see this symbol before?

    And then suddenly, it all came back to her¡­¡­...

 Chapter 1

    This was going to be the perfect end to her weekend trip.

    Although this was the 4th, 6th time? Maliah didn¡¯t keep count. Let¡¯s just call it the 6th. Although this was the 6th time she was getting some bubble tea at this cafe, Maliah couldn¡¯t contain her excitement. She lightly rocked on her toes as she waited for her number to be called.

    Maliah had been tracking where to find a cafe that had a selection of tea in America where she lived for quite some time. It had been hard on her part.

    1st¡­.finding a cafe that was not Tim Hortons or Starbucks.

    2nd....finding a cafe that was not Tim Hortons or Starbucks that wasn¡¯t just a coffee shop that had a few tea drinks on the side.

    3rd¡­...finding a cafe that was not Tim Hortons or Starbucks that wasn¡¯t just a coffee shop that had a few tea drinks on the side but instead was an ambient place that handled mostly different variations of tea that wasn¡¯t just Lipton.

    Google Search finally told her that there was such a cafe that existed but it was further up north from where she lived.

    For her that meant¡­.. road trip!!!

    Bypassing the numerous Starbucks and Tim Hortons made her all too happy.

    All too happy!

    Maybe if they ever had any decent tea she might but if their tea tasted anything like their coffee¡­..A shudder ran through her in memory.

    But Maliah wasn¡¯t a coffee drinker by nature anyway so whatever. She was more interested in tea. Herbal tea, Bubble tea, Jasmine tea¡­.didn¡¯t matter.

    As long as it was tea, she was a very happy woman.

    Very happy woman indeed.

    She had planned a weekend trip around this cafe. For the past two days, she had eaten at various restaurants that weren¡¯t available in her city, did a little mall shopping, and hung out at her high rise hotel room to take in the sights. She even came frequently to this little cafe to drink tea and enjoy the ambience.

    And now it was a warm July Sunday late afternoon and this would be the last tea she would drink for a while, so she decided to get some matcha bubble tea. She didn¡¯t have to hurry home as it was only a two hour drive back to her city.

    Maliah finally allowed herself a small smile and a firm nod, making her long tassel earrings hit against her mocha cheek. Arriving back at her table she secured next to a window in the corner of the room, she carefully set her tea down next to the notebook that was open. Scribbles as well as doodles that made no sense to anyone but her could be seen. Absently she reached up to smooth down the bangs of her short permed hair that framed her oval face as she took in her surroundings. From her vantage point she could people watch both indoors and outdoors comfortably.

    Picking up her pencil, she plugged in her earphones before she continued her work enjoying the soft music that played and the aroma of her tea.

    ----

    Abioye glanced at the ornate gold clock that sat on his long and wide oak wood desk.

    2 hours and 7 minutes until the accident that is scheduled to happen. It was going to be a big one and Abioye was not looking forward to having to process all the souls that were going to come through.

    ¡°2 million dollars!¡±

    Such a soul was in his room.

    Abioye¡¯s grey eyes leisurely shifted back to the short roundtund man that stood before him, his grey hair fading on top of his head. He wore a pristine suit, one that his fellow humans would covet in the mortal world. However it¡¯s so called designer style didn¡¯t mean a thing as he stood before Abioye.

    John Thompson¡¯s voice projected control but Abioye could clearly hear the shake within it. Here was a man that was used to bargaining and bartering his way through life but this was a situation where his negotiating skills fail him.

    Here was once one of the richest men in the world who thought that death didn¡¯t apply to him. Only to wake up one day and find that he was dead. He spent most of his life being greedy for more riches he didn¡¯t need and couldn¡¯t spend. He was so eccentric that in the later days of his life with death came knocking on his door, he began to spend money to figure out how to beat death.

    Clearly he thought that Death played games.

    But John Thompson would find that this Death Prince was not one to play games.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Abioye stared unblinkingly at the former CEO who finally switched his two fingers he was holding up to all ten as he cried, ¡°10 million dollars...max!¡±

    Another moment passed, where only the ticking of the clock sounded. John Thompson lowered his hands and lifted his head with a small smirk, ¡°You like that don¡¯t you? 10 million dollars is a very generous offer.¡±

    John wouldn¡¯t show it but this man with the gold eyes unsettled him greatly. Since arriving at this office Abioye barely said a word, allowing him to make a case for himself. And make a case he did. A man of his stature was used to getting anything he wanted in life. All he had to do was pay and he got what he wanted. Asking was merely a formality.

    But this was the first time that his money wasn¡¯t breaking through as he hoped. He couldn¡¯t read this man behind this oak desk who looked at him as if he, John Thompson, a former CEO, was beneath him.

    As such John couldn¡¯t help but to feel as though he was being tolerated and it grated on his nerves. He never was just tolerated. When he walked into a room, everyone and their mother sat up and took notice.

    Yet this was the first time since being in this room for the last five minutes that Abioye even looked directly at him. John had spoken eloquently on why his death was a waste for the Earth and why he deserved to go back. Yet, Abioye barely looked at him, flipping through a thick file, that he managed to glimpse his name on.

    Finally Abioye stirred as he eased back in his chair and asked his eyes, never leaving John''s, ¡°Do I look like I need your money?¡±

    Abioye couldn¡¯t help the roll of his eyes when John Thompson took another gaunder about his massive office. He saw the former CEO¡¯s mouth slant down as his eyes rove around the room, lingering. Abioye sat at his desk in front of a ceiling to the wall windows behind him which entered into a garden. A lone chair sat before the desk which John opted not to use. The only other piece of furniture in the room was a bookshelf with black files on it.

    When John entered he was unsettled by this black decor room. Literally everything in the room was some shade of black. Only the gold clock was the only shade of color. And it looked to be real gold!! It took a moment for John to realize that there was someone in the room, for even he was wearing all black. His outfit looked expensive to John¡¯s Thompson¡¯s eye.

    John had surreptitiously touched Abioye¡¯s desk and it felt and looked like a real pure oak desk, that was deep mahogany that looked almost black. On his desk were stacks of black files and a black feathered pen that was currently sitting up in its stand.

    And as leisurely as the man before the desk acted, John Thompson couldn¡¯t help but feel the golden clock was there for his benefit and not the man. That at the end of the day, the clock was really just for show.

    But how had this man managed to come by such things? He knew he needed to be careful and make him an offer that he couldn¡¯t refuse. He had to gain his interest somehow.

    John Thompson took a deep breath his eyes snapping back to Abioye¡¯s disinterested ones,

    ¡°I understand. You are a man used to the finest, so I won¡¯t insult you. 20 mill...no 50 million dollars!!¡± the man said holding up his hand in the number five. He gave a self assured grin. No one would shoot down that much money.

    Abioye didn¡¯t even blink at the amount, only gave a sigh, as his fingers began to drum on the desk. The sound seemed extraordinarily loud in John¡¯s ears as his eyes darted towards them. Just by the few minutes of interacting with this man, Abioye knew if his heart was weighed it would be found lacking.

    ¡°Your existence is an insult to me.¡± Here Abioye stopped drumming and John didn¡¯t know why he broke out into a cold sweat as Abioye cocked his head and spoke, ¡°You clearly like making deals. Alright¡­.what if I ask you to give me all of your money, all of your riches in exchange for your life?¡±

    John paled at his words and sputtered, ¡°I...I¡­I can¡¯t do that!! I will have nothing to return back too! I¡¯d become a laughing stock!¡±

    ¡°Money is all you ever thought about in your life isn¡¯t it? I don¡¯t need to read your file to figure that out. Money is how you governed your entire life isn¡¯t it?¡±

    John swallowed.

    Abioye continued each word slicing deeply into John¡¯s heart, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t even be able to handle such a deal even if you chose it. To give up everything in exchange for life? You wouldn¡¯t even give up your riches for your wife.¡±

    Still holding his eyes, Abioye flipped to a page in the folder but he didn¡¯t look down at the page, ¡°You could have saved your wife but you refused to spend anymore money that was necessary when she was in a coma. Had you, she would have awoken a few months later. But it wasn¡¯t¡­.how did you say¡­.¡±

    John couldn¡¯t help but to think that Abioye glanced at the page just for show, ¡°...cost effective. And you wonder why, your own children didn¡¯t even try to fight for your life. Just pulled the plug a week after you descended.¡±

    John heard an air of finality as Abioye shut the folder, ¡°The answer is no. You have no case. Go and seek your judgement.¡±

    He tossed the folder aside onto a larger pile of folders when John finally found his voice. Sputtering he said, ¡°You...You can¡¯t do that!! Do you know who I am?¡±

    Abioye picked up another folder, not even looking at John anymore, ¡°No one cares who you are. Least of all me.¡±

    Abioye wasn¡¯t even looking at him anymore. John felt a keen sense of disrespect which suddenly translated into anger. In a fit of rage, the man lunged across the desk but it was too wide and his stomach made him bounce off. Abioye didn¡¯t even look up or acknowledge the movement.

    And before John could get a hint to try to go around the desk, two tall guards burst in and picked him up easily. His feet kept swinging wildly in the air as he screamed, ¡°Put me down!! You can¡¯t do this to me!! I¡¯m John Thompson!! I demand to return to life! I will sue you for this!!¡± he raged as the guards carried him out, neither of them phased by his outburst.

    When the last note of that man¡¯s voice disappeared Abioye finally looked with a growl. He shut his eyes and rubbed his temples, his spacious office suddenly restricting. He stood his long legs crossing the room before yanking the door open.

    A guard who had raised his hand to knock, pulled a soul out of Aboiye¡¯s way. Aboiye held up his hand before the guard even opened his mouth, ¡°Don¡¯t bother! I¡¯m on break!¡±

    Abioye didn¡¯t even spare the new human a glance. A scowl etched his face as he stalked down the hallway. He figured perhaps soul processing would be easier for a while. At least at the stage of early death a soul wasn¡¯t even conscious making them easier to deal with.

    Abioye stopped in the middle of the hallway and pulled out his gold pocket watch from his pocket,

    So 1 hours and 35 minutes¡­

    Nice to know.

 Chapter 2

    Ahh, it was time for her to hit the highway.

    Maliah gave a deep pout, her full bottom lip jutting out. She was still working on her matcha bubble tea, having nursed it the past hour. She just really didn¡¯t want to let it go. She was glad that she had an early dinner, this tea was her desert.

    Maliah was walking towards down the street intending to make her way to her parked car and was passing a bus stop when it happened.

    Her eyes lowered as she took a sip of her bubble tea. To this day, she would never know how it happened but in a blink of an eye she realized she had ran into someone. Even looking back she would swear it was like he appeared out of nowhere. One minute there was no one in front of her and the next¡­.there was. Her half filled bubble tea spilled, dumping to the ground in a clack before she was even aware of exactly what had happened.

    When she began to look up she realized that bubble tea was oozing down the front of a black shirt making her stare at it. That¡¯s when her brain caught up to what happened.

    ¡°Oh my gosh!! I¡¯m so sorry!! I¡¯m so sorry¡± she apologized, unable to tear her eyes away from the greenish stain.

    Maliah realized her prized calm was nowhere to be found as she yanked off her backpack and ripped it open eyes still on the oozing tea.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry!! It¡¯s my fault. I should have been watching where I was going. Oh¡­.I think I have some tissue you can use to dry off.¡± she said rummaging in her bag.

    Some distance part of her was aware of the fact that she was babbling. This encounter was going to use the rest of her inner battery for the day. So embarrassed she was, that she was talking more than she usually talked to someone, let alone a stranger.

    Abioye blinked once.

    Was this human talking to him?

    Needing a break, Abioye decided to go to one of his favorite cafes. When he needed to, he tended to go to various cafes around the world. As long as it had some kind of tea, he could be content. It had the ability to calm him down in a way that nothing else ever did. This time he stopped in the small cafe and pondered for a moment. Mango or passion fruit? He ended up swiping him a passion fruit bubble tea, leaving the money in the cash register.

    Abioye relished in no one being able to see him. He walked through the counter, the wall, people, anything and everything without bumping into anything. Walking down the street, he didn¡¯t pay attention to his surroundings, sipping his passion fruit bubble tea contentedly as everyone and everything passed through him.

    Then suddenly he was bumped into. He took a step back, steadying himself. His drink fell but he plucked it out of thin air before realizing that the front of his shirt had what looked to be¡­.well, it smelled similar to his drink. Was it bubble tea also?

    He twitched. He loved tea, but he didn¡¯t ask for it to be on him. His content mood disappeared as quickly as it came and he found a sense of annoyance well up. Just what underling decided not to watch where they were going? If they had urgent business, fine! That did not warrant them slamming into him.

    Babbling eventually entered his ears making Abioye look up intending to set this underling straight when he realized it was a woman.

    A mortal.

    A human female.

    Abioye blinked.

    Hold on. How? And what?

    Never did a mortal see him unless he wanted to be seen and trust me, this wasn¡¯t the time. But this human woman could see and talk to him. Abioye was still back on the fact that she, a young human female, bumped into him. He studied her bent head as she rummaged in her backpack while mumbling.

    Suddenly, Abioye¡¯s memory darted all the way across the millennia to a deep voice. For the second time in all his life, Abioye lost his composure, his fingers slacking around his cup almost making him drop it as he stood there stunned.

    Oh duh no!

    Maliah gave an ah-ha as she came up with the tissue. When she looked up was the first time she could see exactly who she had bumped into.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    And she was momentarily stunned.

    He towered over her 5¡¯7 thick frame by at least a good 4-5 inches. He was dressed in all black, except the designs of his shirt were in gold. In fact, Maliah recognized that he seemed to be wearing a type of menswear that Maliah had seen Nigeran men wear. What was it called? She had looked it up before¡­.a senator style, she thought? The one hanging gold ankh-like earring in one ear and a small hoop in the other, offset his umber skin quite nicely.

    But it was his pure gold eyes that captured her. Right now, they were slightly wide, his full lips parted as he stared down at her. He looked at her as if he was seeing something from a distance, approaching that should not be.

    Embarrassment welled up once again as she looked at his shocked face. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry!!¡± Maliah apologized. She extended the tissue, ¡°I don¡¯t know how much it will cost to get this dry-cleaned or washed but I will pay it.¡±

    Abioye breathed as his shock wore off. In an instant that Maliah looked away once again, he swept his hand over the spot and the bubble tea disappeared. He reclaimed his calm, although his heart raced at the implications of why she could see him. Why she could even bump into him in the first place. He couldn¡¯t deal with this today. Of all days, this was not the day that he could deal with this. He needed to sit down and think this through.

    So when Maliah looked back intending to apologize and offer the tissue once more, her gaze caught his shirt and realized there was no bubble tea oozing down. She blinked slowly at first and then rapidly. It wasn¡¯t a trick of the eye right? She just saw it just a minute ago, didn¡¯t she? As if to reassure herself she took a peek at the ground where her bubble tea was slowly drying up a fast death.

    Abioye reached up and dusted himself off over the supposed dark stain, speaking for the first time, ¡°You needn¡¯t trouble yourself.¡±

    Maliah pointed at the front of his perfectly black with gold designs and more importantly dry tunic. Finally she found her voice as her eyes traveled back up to his face, ¡°Wait, but¡­.I clearly spilled the tea on you.¡±

    Casually Abioye took a sip of his own bubble tea, ¡°Did you?¡±

    Maliah¡¯s eyes narrowed. Someone was playing her for a fool, ¡°Mister, I know what happened. I¡¯m not stupid.¡±

    Abioye¡¯s corner of his mouth quirked a bit then, ¡°And yet the evidence speaks for itself¡­.What do you say about that?¡± he asked as he gave a sweeping gesture of a hand over his chest.

    He couldn''t help that he was a bit curious to see what she would say? Even this small deception would send an ordinary human questioning their ever loving mind. He couldn¡¯t help but to smirk. If it made her question her mind all the way to the mental house, he would count it towards not having to deal with this pressing matter.

    Surely, she was not¡­

    Abioye shook himself. He refused then and he refused now. His hand slipped into the pockets of his black pants, ¡°Since you clearly didn¡¯t spill anything on me, you clearly do not owe me.¡±

    It sounds reasonable. Except for the fact she was still trying to figure out how it was possible. Did she make a mistake? No, she clearly saw the stain. She did. She wasn¡¯t crazy, she just looked this way.

    ¡°Miss...miss¡­.¡±

    It took a moment to realize that an older lady was waving her down trying to speak to her. She turned to the elderly lady with a small smile, ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am?¡±

    The wrinkles in her face deepened as she shifted her eyes to the left and right looking up at Maliah, ¡°Are you¡­. okay?¡±

    Abioye glanced at the old woman as he took another sip of his tea. He had quite forgotten that no one else could see him. No one else but Maliah.

    Now, he was interested.

    Maliah nodded, ¡°Yes ma¡¯am, we¡¯re fine, thank you. Just a little snap-fu¡­..¡±

    The older woman looked around before looking back at her, ¡°We? Who else is we, dear?¡±

    Maliah only smiled politely and gestured discreetly to the man in front of her. The elder woman looked at the tall man for a long moment before looking back at her. Maliah glanced at him who had not said anything. Finally the older woman¡¯s eyes shifted back to Maliah and she saw a hint of pity begin to creep in them.

    For what reason, Maliah didn¡¯t know.

    Just then, long blonde hair came ripping into Maliah¡¯s face as a younger woman rushed over and took the older woman¡¯s arm. She began to manveer her away from Maliah and the tall man but before she left Maliah heard her hiss, ¡°Grandmother¡­.don¡¯t speak to the crazies.¡±

    Maliah blinked and spoke before she could register it, ¡°Wait, what is that supposed to mean?¡±

    The younger woman turned, her hair whipping behind her with a snap, ¡°Look if you are high, go be high somewhere else!¡±

    Aboiye¡¯s gold eyes shifted from the woman to Maliah, still absently sipping his passion fruit bubble tea.

    Maliah breathed as her right eye twitched but she kept her voice calm. Yet when she spoke everyone could hear the sharpening edge of her words, ¡°Excuse me miss. I have never been high in my life unless it was watching a drama. Now, kindly explain what is the problem and if there is none then please leave me alone. I¡¯m not bothering you.¡±

    The corner of Abioye¡¯s mouth quirked up slightly as he found that he was¡­.impressed.

    It took skill to be both cutting and polite with words. He didn¡¯t remember the last time he felt that way.

    And he hated it.

    As quick as the feeling of being impressed came it went followed by annoyance.

    The younger woman only harrumphed before she turned away clearly not going to continue. Her grandmother kept muttering to her and the younger woman kept waving away her words.

    Finally, Maliah looked back at the man and realized he was frowning around the straw in his mouth. She opened her mouth to speak but suddenly she felt some heat creep upon her back and turned and looked over her shoulder surreptitiously. Her head drew back once she noticed the other patrons around the bus stop looking at her as if she had lost it. Some even shuffled away from her and the man. Maliah swallowed. There was way too much attention she was having now. She felt her mouth go dry with all the eyes on her.

    ¡°You really need help¡±, one murmured loud enough for her to hear.

    But when she collected herself and looked back, the tall man dressed in all black was nowhere to be found.

 Chapter 3

    Abioye sat at his make-shift desk on the side of the highway as the cars zoomed by. Even at 75 miles per hour, not one piece of clothing or paper so much as stirred on him. However, Abioye sat eyes unfocused as he thought about that human woman. While her attention was briefly taken by the bus patrons he used the time to teleport out of her eyesight onto the roof of the building.

    Still sucking his tea, he watched her look around confused. She stood there a few moments before she finally decided to leave but turned back at the last moment to pick up the cup. Her spilled bubble tea was drying up as she left. Abioye clearly saw the confusion on her face.

    However, that was not his problem.

    He refused to address what it meant that, she of all people, could see him. He looked at the golden ring on his finger. It obviously worked as no one else could see him but not for her.

    He scowled. He had no patience to deal with this today so he teleported to the scene of the accident and set up his desk. However he still had about an hour to kill which made him think. And all he could think about was the woman.

    Speaking of, who was that woman?

    He didn¡¯t even know her name.

    No, he shouldn¡¯t even be thinking about that.

    ¡°Am I late?¡±

    Abioye lifted his pocket watch and reported, ¡°Three minutes, Amondi.¡±

    Amondi clapped once, ¡°Great. I¡¯m glad I could get away. I heard this is going to be huge.¡±

    Abioye looked up at a woman who looked remarkably like him. Her eyes were flinty almost as if she was in a perpetual glare. Her mouth was shaped like a heart. Despite looking like an angel, he knew that his older sister could be a devil if she wanted to be. Like him, she had tightly curled dark hair, that she kept short. Aboiye could tell that Amondi had gotten dressed for this event, opting out of her dress she wore when she was in judgement and instead wore a black business suit, wide brimmed hat with combat boots. Also like him, she wore a gold septum piercing as well as huge golden hoop earrings.

    Amondi grinned at him, a slight mania in her face as she rubbed her black gloved hands together, ¡°I can hardly wait. The catastrophe and mayhem....¡±

    ¡°And I suppose helping me didn¡¯t even cross your mind, huh?¡± Abioye inquired.

    She waved her hand, ¡°Not even in the slightest.¡±

    Abioye rolled his eyes. He never understood why his sister revelled in the chaos that was human lives as if it was her own personal soap opera. If there was a big catosphotric event in the human world, she would be there. Not to help process souls but to watch.

    Just then they heard a rumble of a truck over all the other rumbles. Abioye looked at his watch noting that it was right on time when she squealed, ¡°Is that it? Are we starting?¡± she asked, taking a step forward.

    ¡°Hold on, I gotta get a better look¡±, she said and disappeared.

    Abioye sighed unsurprised to see that his sister was riding next to the man. She waved her hand in his face. His eyes were drooping as the driver fought to keep them open. He shifted in his seat and blinked hard.

    ¡°Nighty-night¡­¡± she waved just as his eyes closed. He leaned over, turning the steering wheel, hitting the first car.

    This impact jolted him awake as he struggled to control the truck but it was too late. It slammed into the highway divider and tipped over sliding a few feet taking cars with it, bursting into flames. The flames caught the tail of other cars on the other side of the highway sliding back and forth, crashing into each other.

    Abioye watched expressionless as this chaos happened. A portal opened, people dressed in simple black dress suits with black hats began to pour out. He waved them towards the accident as he opened the book that sat before him.

    And Aper brought the first man, the truck driver who looked dazed, over to Abioye¡¯s desk.

    Eerily, Abioye stared at him a moment before looking down and writing his name down with his feathered pen that was lying inside the book. ¡°Joe Smith.¡±

    Without a glance up, he waved him off and the Aper took him to the portal. Joe Smith stepped over into the blue swirling portal before the Aper returned to the scene for another soul.

    ¡°Woot! Did you see that? What a ride!¡± Amondi laughed standing on top of the truck that was in flames. But the flames did not touch her much less not burn her.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    Abioye didn¡¯t answer as another underling brought another soul. A nice line was beginning to form now and sirens could be heard in the distance. Thankfully it was quiet to Abioye as the souls were still dazed. This was common. Right after dying, souls were usually in a daze for a little while. Most of them didn¡¯t begin to wake up until they were on the River of Remembrance. By that time, it wouldn¡¯t be Abioye¡¯s problem but Ayinde¡¯s and his crew.

    He looked up and for the third time in his life, he was startled. That woman from the cafe was standing before him in a daze.

    She died in this accident?

    ¡°Sir, are you okay?¡± an Aper asked just as Amondi wandered back over. The fun of the chaos was gone now as far as she was concerned.

    Amondi was intending on entering the portal herself, going back home, but the Apers'' question gave her pause. With a raised eyebrow her gold eyes looked at Abioye pointedly, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, little brother?¡±

    It was then she followed Abioye¡¯s dazed look to the woman before him. She lifted her nose once before snapped her fingers in front of Abioye¡¯s face making him snap out of his shock.

    Let¡¯s just continue his job. It wasn¡¯t his problem. Shaking himself once, he gazed at her before writing down her name, ¡°Maliah Anderson.¡±

    Abioye waved his hand away and the Aper went to pull her to the portal but suddenly Maliah blinked as his soft murmur reached her ears. She absently began to move, rubbing her temples.

    Amondi almost jumped a foot in the air, ¡°How the devil¡­?¡±

    Aboiye was able to control his shock this time. How was this soul able to wake up? This has never happened before. He watched her shake her head and finally looked at him. Her eyebrows furrowed as everyone was dumbfounded by her actions. Murmurs were beginning to be passed around the Apers.

    ¡°Do I know you?¡± she finally asked, gesturing to Abioye. Maliah couldn¡¯t think at the moment but something teased her mind. But when she tried to chase it, it ran away.

    Abioye turned away gesturing again, ¡°Next¡­¡±

    Maliah leaned forward trying to see his face, pressing her palms into the table, ¡°I do know you.¡±

    Abioye growled and barked, ¡°I said next!¡±

    The Aper finally moved, taking Maliah by the arm. She pulled away her eyes still on Abioye.

    Amondi finally snapped out of it and looked at Maliah with narrow eyes. Maliah felt her stare and looked at her. The two women ended up glaring back at each other, sizing each other up.

    Amondi finally sneered,¡°And how do you know my brother, little mortal?¡±

    ¡°Mortal?¡± Maliah blinked at the tall woman¡¯s choice of words.

    ¡°Don¡¯t change the subject!! Answer my question. What makes you think you know him?¡± Amondi asked jutting her chin towards Abioye who was steadily looking at the book in front of him.

    Maliah opened her mouth but no sound came out. She furrowed her eyebrows making Amondi snort, ¡°You claim you know him, yet you can¡¯t tell me where you met? How did you meet? When did you meet?¡±

    Maliah raised a hand to her temple, suddenly feeling dizzy at the woman¡¯s rapid fire questions.

    ¡°Little mortal, trust me.¡± Amondi waved at her, ¡°You are mistaken. Someone like you would never meet someone like us, unless it¡¯s your time to go. Which...it clearly is.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Maliah asked, feeling confused. Her head was beginning to pound.

    ¡°You don¡¯t even know where you are yet and you want to claim to know my little brother? Mortal, please. I know your kind is crazy but you are taking the cake right now.¡±

    Abioye had enough and stood up and gave her a pointed look, ¡°Amondi¡­.¡±

    Amondi glared, ¡°What? Nothing I said was a lie. Little mortal thinking that she knows you. That¡¯s impossible. She shouldn¡¯t even be awake right now!¡± she growled stabbing a finger at Maliah, ¡°No mortal can see us like this. In fact that only way that would even be a conversation if you¡­.¡±

    Amondi trailed off suddenly her face going slack. ¡°If you¡­¡± she said dazedly looking back at Maliah.

    Maliah swayed and suddenly found herself being held upright. She shook her head trying to clear the fog. Abioye mentally berated himself. Why did he catch her before she fell? Any of the Apers could have caught her. So why did he move fast enough around the desk only to have Maliah¡¯s lean into his chest. His arm automatically came around around her and he glared at his arm as if it had done him wrong.

    Maliah shook her head and looked up realizing she was leaning into something. Gold eyes bore down at her. And once again she couldn¡¯t help but to be captured by his eyes even as his face was expressionless.

    Amondi stumbled back once, ¡°Not possible. She can¡¯t be¡­.your¡­..your¡­..¡±

    Abioye quietly handed Maliah off to an Aper and waved his hand. Wordlessly, the underling took her through the portal. Maliah was too unsteady to question it.

    Abioye finally turned to his big sister, ¡°She¡¯s not.¡±

    And for the first time in many millennia, Amondi began to look panicked. She waved her hand in a manner that was undignified for her, ¡°What other option is there! Has the contract appeared yet?¡±

    Abioye gave a shrug, ¡°I haven¡¯t gone back to Mi¡¯ol yet. I don¡¯t know.¡±

    Amondi was almost wringing her hands now, ¡°Baba, was actually serious? Is he really going to do this to us?¡±

    Abioye calmly took a seat, ¡°Why are you concerned? I¡¯m the one that has this mess to deal with.¡±

    ¡°Forget about you! What about me or Alimayu? You might be able to deal with it but not us. And now that you have found her, there is not telling when we will. Duh, no. I ain¡¯t gonna have it!¡±

    Abioye was a bit happy that Amondi was beginning to revert to anger rather than this panicness that she was displaying. He wasn¡¯t quite sure what to do with a panicked sister.

    However Abioye was getting annoyed with it all, ¡°You think I am? Look, I still have souls to process and you aren¡¯t helping me! And then I still have cases to deal with in my office that never ends. You honestly think I have time to deal with this crisis, much yours that hasn¡¯t even happened yet!¡±

    Amondi raised her hand a little at him, ¡°Boy, don¡¯t you raise your voice at me¡±, she snapped her fingers towards the book, ¡°Finish processing! If you find a contract then let me know! I want to see it!¡±

    ¡°My contract doesn¡¯t work for you. You haven¡¯t even found yours yet.¡± Abioye said.

    Amondi snorted, ¡°Well, I can start planning before I do. You know that I would kill that boy if he ever appears in my sight.

    And Alimayu? He would just toss her into the River of Remembrance and be done with it.

    You know he would.¡±

 Chapter 4

    Ayinde studied Maliah as she bent over hugging her knees, rubbing her head. Despite standing and rowing the long boat, he had been doing it so long he didn''t need to look where he was going. He could row to the other side with his eyes closed. No, the real mystery was this young mortal before him.

    It was the first time he had seen a mortal awake before being rowed across the River of Remembrance. He found it curious and wanted to know why.

    The only other time that he remembered a young mortal waking up before getting on the boat was¡­.

    Ayinde¡¯s gold eyes widen.

    ¡­..when he met his wife. She had died and was in a daze but as an Aper was maneuvering her onto his boat, he spoke. And when Aylinde did, she began to wake up, snapping to quite suddenly.

    If this young mortal had already been awake before getting onto his boat, naturally that meant that she had met Abioye. Who else could it be? Their older brother was in seclusion as he had been for centuries. Abioye was the only other one left. So did the contract appear? He hadn¡¯t heard about the contract since his older half siblings were called by their father millennia ago. He and his twin siblings had to deal with their anger for decades afterwards.

    Ayinde was deep in thought until he realized the young mortal had spoken to him. He looked up to see that she was looking at him curiously. To Maliah, this man looked a little like the one dressed in black from before. However, his gold eyes seemed kinder. He was completely bald and dressed only in a black wrap around his waist, with hanging earrings. The earrings look to be some kind of shell.

    He finally gave a small smile and said, " Ahh, you''re awake?"

    Maliah furrowed her eyebrows, "Why wouldn''t I be awake?"

    She frowned before really taking in her surroundings. It was twilight, not fully dark but not fully light either. Looking up at the sky there was no sun or moon. The stars looked different here, closer as if she could reach up to touch the galaxy. Maliah craned her neck behind her and let out a gasp. A pyramid sat in the distance, a yellow-white beam of light shooting up from it. They were rowing to the other side, approaching a city that seemed to be surrounded by nothing but sand, making it look as if it was plopped down in the middle of a desert.

    She looked back at the man who was quietly rowing, ¡°Um, where am I?"

    Ayinde looked at her curiously before asking, "Where do you think this place is?"

    "Well we''re not in Kansas anymore", Maliah said wryly looking around.

    Ayinde couldn''t help the chuckle. If she had this much spirit, she might be okay. Maliah looked back at him. It was still bothering her that he looked quite like the other guy. She wondered if they knew each other.

    "Um, excuse me, sir¡­." Maliah started.

    "Ayinde. My name is Ayinde", he said, surprising his own self by giving her his name. Usually the passengers he carried never inquired his name and he never gave it. It wasn¡¯t like any of them was ever awake like this so it was probably moot point. But if his suspicions were true, this was not going to be the last time he saw her.

    "Ayinde?"

    Ayinde nodded.

    "Okay Ayinde, do you know I saw a guy that looked like you?"

    Ayinde¡¯s eyes widened slightly. Even though he had his suspicions, he was still shocked to hear it confirmed, "Abioye? You saw my older brother? Where?"Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Maliah frowned, ¡°He was sitting at this small desk a few minutes ago but I seem to remember seeing him before that. But I just can¡¯t remember where¡­.¡±

    Maliah rubbed her hand as Ayinde stopped rowing momentarily, the oar in his hand going slack. "Are¡­.are you certain?"

    Maliah folded her arms and gave a deep frown. But slowly she nodded.

    Ayinde continued rowing.

    Then it was beginning then.

    If Abioye found his fated one then it was a matter of time before Amondi and Alimayu did. This was going to be simultaneously fun and horrific to watch. Ayinda pitied the fated ones of Amondi and Alimayu more than Abioye¡¯s.

    Maliah gazed at Ayinde and felt he knew more than he was saying. She looked over the side of the boat to the river. It rippled lazily and seemed to glitter at her. But the longer she looked, the more it seemed that it¡¯s depths took on a greyish blue color. Maliah shivered. She couldn''t help but to feel as though something was hiding in its depths.

    But she also couldn¡¯t help but to lean closer.

    ¡°Maliah Anderson¡­.¡±

    Malian felt herself being pulled. And for the first time Ayinde couldn''t feel the usual sense of detachment he usually did. He knew this was something he shouldn''t interfere in. Although Abioye wasn''t as cruel as their oldest brother Alimayu, he wasn''t sure if Abioye would feel grateful if she was dragged down to the depths.

    He tried again, " Maliah, you must fight it."

    He glanced ahead to see how far they were away from shore and for the first time, the shore looked far away. Unconsciously he sped up his rowing slightly,

    Maliah gave a long blink, as her hand lifted. The blue-grey waters began to swirl and parted until a skeletal hand extended.

    Distantly in her mind, Maliah screamed trying to pull away but seemed unable to break through. Closer and closer her hand got to grasp the skeleton''s hand. Ayinde watched with bated breath as he continued rowing. The skeletal hand just floated, keeping up the pace of the boat.

    Then two lights on the water appeared, the empty eyes of a skull. The slight glow got bigger and bigger, almost blinding Maliah, throwing her back to the accident.

    She was coming the opposite way from the truck and suddenly it veered off the road toward the divider slamming through it. She tried to stop, watching the car in front of her slamming into it before catching on fire. She stomped on the brakes, but her car slid into the crash pile. She heard a pop and knew no more until she heard a deep voice jolting her awake.

    Chest heaving Maliah snatched herself away from the edge slumping back. Her eyes shut tightly as she gasped, shaking from so many sensations hitting her at once. Especially that of the accident.

    That happened?

    It did. She couldn''t have made that up. The terror of it all. Shaking she peeled open her eyes, that leaked a few stray tears and held up her hand. They trembled harshly and she swallowed.

    But one thought kept running through her head and she looked up to see Ayinde eyeing her compassionately.

    It took her a few moments of looking like a drowning mackerel before she could force the words from her throat, "Did...did I die?"

    She kept her eyes on Ayinde who finally gave a slow nod, "So you are fully awake then."

    "Awake?" She swallowed and looking around again

    Then she looked back at Ayinde, really seeing him for the first time. And then she was suddenly hit with the mythology of a boatman ferrying souls.

    A shiver travelled down her spine,"Is this...the afterlife?"

    Before Ayinde could answer a loud shriek and a splash could be heard, making Maliah snap her head up. A young woman was screaming as she floundered in the water. Maliah watched in horror as skeletal hands started crawling all over her body, stripping her skin off the bones. As her flesh hit the water it began to melt until she was nothing but a skeleton herself.

    All through this, Ayinde didn¡¯t even blink or look, continuing to row on quietly. Tears glittered in Maliah¡¯s eyes as the river stilled as if nothing had happened it¡¯s glitter returning. The rower of the other boat was beginning to turn back around, to go back to the shore from where they came.

    Tears began to stream down Maliah¡¯s face, "What happened to her?"

    Ayinde didn¡¯t look at Maliah as he answered, "It depends. Some mortals awake up and cannot deal with the reality of their deaths. Others believe this is only a dream and you''ll die if you wake up, so they throw themselves overboard in an attempt to wake up. Some cannot beat the dark enchantment of the river, allowing the souls in the water to have a meal."

    Maliah held herself not wanting to look at water, "Souls? In the river?"

    Ayinde nodded, "They are forever trapped here. Their soul¡¯s dead. They have no judgement, only an eternity of nonexisting."

    Maliah¡¯s voice was small as she felt her throat go dry, "Will¡­.will I become like that?"

    This time Ayinde looked down at her. He gave a small smile, his gold eyes softening, "You are not a nonexistent soul that threw away everything.

    Your kind is taken across the River of Remembrance to be processed to see where you will be sent next."

    He paused before cocking his head once, "However, something tells me you are a special case¡­."

 Chapter 5

    In a black alabaster room with tall columns was a hole in the center with a glittering yellow-white pillar of light shooting upwards. It went through a hole in in the clear glass ceiling allowing you to see the swirling purple, pink and blue sky. If you looked closely you could also see that it was shooting downwards into the ground as well. The light seemed to have no clear beginning or end. The glittering light bounced off the walls illuminating the room. It was neither warm nor cold but a hushed revered silence permeated the room.

    Three figures sat on their knees before the tall figure whose hair was silver going to white, hands clasped behind his back as he stood looking at the shooting glittering light. He stood back towards them and hadn¡¯t said a word as Alimayu, Amondi and Abioye entered. The silvered-haired man wore all black, with black side cape, hanging over his shoulder and absent of shoes. As were they all. Shoes were not permitted in this place.

    The three siblings exchanged glances. It was rare that their father would invite them all into the Spiral Room. The room where eternity began and ended.

    They had been kneeling for a long time. But time didn''t matter to anyone in that room but their father''s silence did. They knew not to speak before he did for despite his calm demeanor a breath of Febreeze could quickly set off a bomb.

    The Death King finally stirred and slowly turned around. The yellow-white light illuminated his white mustache and eyebrows. His once gold eyes had faded and were almost white. So white that it was beginning to blend into his irises. Yet the three siblings could feel the heat of their father¡¯s stare.

    Finally a deep rumble spoke without preamble, "In the future, all of you will be fated to a human."

    No sound could be heard.

    Abioye looked stunned, his lips parting from each other as he almost fell over to the ground. His older sister, Amondi had an identical look, both of them looking like gaping fish. However the oldest of them, Alimayu was slowly absently shaking his head. The more his head swung the deeper his nose began to scrunch up.

    Until finally he was the first one to respond, his head snapping up towards their fathers, "Baba, you cannot be serious?"

    The Death King only elegantly raised an white eyebrow.

    Amondi spoke next, "Baba! A human? You want us to stomach a human?"

    Alimayu balled his fist and lifted his chin, a perfect mirror of his father, "I refuse."

    Abioye only nodded, not daring to speak but agreeing with his older brother¡¯s words.

    The Death King''s eyes narrowed, "I have already made my decision."

    Alimayu''s nose widened and Abioye was afraid that he might stand up and challenge their father, "Just because you decided to mate a human doesn''t mean I have to! After what they did to our mother, you wrote away her memory for some mortal woman¡­."

    Alimayu found himself flying backwards, yet the Death King didn''t move so much as a muscle. Abioye and Amondi called out their brother¡¯s name but didn''t move from their spot.

    They didn¡¯t dare.

    "Do you not think I wished that I could bring your mother back?¡± There was a deep pain in the Death King¡¯s voice, ¡°But she can never exist again...."

    Abioye¡¯s breath hitched. He had never known his mother. She had died before he had become aware of his being. He only knew her from stories and a painting that the Death King had painted from memory after her death. He did not have the length of memories his siblings did but he felt her lost just as keenly. He gazed at his father, balling his hands into fists. How could he do this to them? They hated humans and would for all eternity.

    Alimayu righted himself on his knees and dared to growl,"It¡¯s because of humans that our mother is no longer here! Yet you mated one and now expect us to do the same?"

    "Alimayu¡­.", Amondi snapped scared that her brother may push their father too far.

    Alimayu continued, looking his father in the eye, "I don''t care if you yourself presented me with some mortal woman, I would not accept her. I''d kill her, mark my words, Baba. All you would do is sign her death warrant."

    Death King merely whipped his hand up and suddenly three white pieces of paper floated in his hand, "Then you mark mine, my children."

    Abioye squinted his eyes but he could not read it from his vantage point.

    "One day when you meet your fated one you will receive this contract. However I can tell you it will be millennia before you do. You have time and a half to get used to the idea¡­"

    And that was the last time that Abioye saw the contact¡­.until now.

    Abioye stood before his desk stunned at the black folder. Instinctively he knew it was no ordinary file. Yellow-white light admitted quietly from it. No one had been to his office as he checked to see who brought it. It just appeared on his desk apparently under the guidance of the Spiral no doubt. Abioye inhaled a trembling breath and reached out with shaking hands to pick it up. Gingerly he did, cradling it in his hands. Now that it was finally here, reality was finally catching up to him.

    Before he could summon his courage to open it, his door slammed open. He turned and looked at his older sister who was stalking towards him, her black dress flowing behind her, "Where is it?"

    Twins followed leisurely in, a man and woman, both of them hair shorned so close they were practically bald. The woman had large hoop earrings while the man had small hoop earrings in his ear. They were wearing the same kind of black outfit. The black folder with the gold Spiral symbol was yanked out of his hands. Yet it did nothing to soothe his heart. Amondi snatched open the folder and Abioye couldn¡¯t help but to watch his sister¡¯s reaction.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Her eyebrow furrowed, ¡°Excuse me! What is this?¡±

    Each twin was on opposite sides of their older sister, peering around her shoulders to look at it.

    ¡°This is the contract?¡± Amondi huffed, eyeing it critically, ¡°It¡¯s half filled out.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Abioye asked.

    Amondi huffed again and flipped it around so he could see it. Abioye blinked. She was right, it was half filled out. Or rather it looked liked 90% of it was redacted. Abioye took the contract to study it.

    The fact that it started with ¡°Congratulations Maliah Anderson¡±, let him know that it was indeed the infamous contract. However other than that, the only other information he could glean was that it said on the next line, ¡°You are fated to the 2nd Death Prince, 3rd child of the Death King, Abioye.¡±

    Abioye couldn¡¯t help the roll of his eyes. He knew who he was. Further scanning, he saw the number 110. 110 what? And the word soul. Not much for him to go by.

    His gold eyes took in the next available information. He paused and read it. Then he reread it. A sense of hope blossomed in his chest.

    ¡°You may choose to reject this contract.¡±

    The ending was pretty free and read:

    ¡°This contract has been written and what is written shall be.

    Signed,

    The Death King

    Upon acceptance of this contract, sign your full name. This contract will stand until the end of time.

    Upon rejection of this contract, sign your name followed by three X¡¯s. This contract cannot be revisited at a later date and there is no refund.

    I hereby accept/reject this contract: ____________________¡±

    Distancely Abioye was aware that his father had already signed his name in his grandiose script. But what really got him thinking was the line for a signature. Could it be?

    Abioye let the paper/folder fall to his desk as he reached over and snatched a feathered pen. The twins watched curiously, as Abioye leaned over and signed his name: Abioye 2nd Death Prince XXX

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Amondi asked, crossing the rest of the distance to look.

    However no sooner than he wrote his name and three X¡¯s, the letters slowly began to disappear letter by letter, backwards.

    ¡°Oh my¡­.¡± Abioye heard the voice of his twin half sister, Ayana murmured.

    Abioye wrote his name once more and they watched as the letters disappeared backwards once more. Abioye closed his eyes, taking a long exhale his fingers tightened around the feather pen.

    ¡°That was kind of cool actually!¡± his twin half brother, Ajani muttered.

    Snap.

    The twins exchanged a glance around Abioye, as they watched the pieces of the pen fall from his hand.

    This was ridiculous.

    ¡°Leave it to Baba to be through. What is that line for anyway? You rejected it. You signed it and it doesn¡¯t even work?!¡± Amondi snapped before pointing a golden colored nail at the folder.

    Not waiting for an answer, her eyes blazed as she raged on, ¡°It¡¯s half redacted, Abioye!! I can''t believe that Baba is really going to do this to us!"

    "It may not be that bad¡­." Ajani started.

    His older twin sister shot him a look a moment too late as Amondi growled at him, "Then you take her then! You already have the blood of a mortal flowing through your veins."

    Unfettered by Amondi¡¯s words, Ajani gave a large grin, "Can''t. I''m taken¡­" He raised a hand to show his ring.

    Amondi snorted as Ayana spoke, "Why are you so upset? Your contract hasn''t appeared yet. This is Abioye¡¯s."

    Amondi rolled her eyes, "I know you are too young to understand but since his appeared, it is now open season. There is no telling when mine and Alimayu¡¯s will appear."

    "You would think presiding over the judgement of humans would give you a better opinion of them", mused Ayana.

    "How so?"

    Ayana answered, "There are good humans who die and get to pass into the Spiral. Some exceptions are even allowed another lifetime to live if they choose. You weigh their soul against a feather and found it so pure that it was lighter than a feather. That does not move you?"

    Amondi tilted her head back as if she was gaining a headache, "I don''t care how light and pure their souls are. All human souls have darkness lurking within it no matter how pure it is and that is not something they can hide or change. It''s the soul of a human that destroyed our mother."

    Ajani was serious as he spoke, "But there are many humans who choose not to engage their dark sides. Besides, all of those involved are dead, not even allowed to have descendents. Baba made sure of that."

    Amondi growled, "And it cost him making a Death King in charge of seeing to humans souls."

    "Until he met our mother." both twins chorus.

    Amondi gave a shrug, "You said it best. Your mother. Both of you and your older brother Ayinde. I, Abioye and Alimayu have nothing to do with that and refuse to."

    She spun around to Aboiye who had made his way to sit in his chair, "When she gets here do yourself a favor and throw her into the River of Remembrance!! Though¡­" she eyed the contract, "...there might be better to find a way to destroy it."

    Ayana lifted her head up, arms crossed, "Our Baba is no fool. You honestly think it would be that easy? Besides it''s made of Eternity. Such a thing is impossible to be broken."

    "I''ve been here longer than you.¡± Amondi responded haughtily, ¡°Trust me, there is always room for negotiation."

    With that she spun on her heel, her flowing dress snapping behind her as she walked out. The door slammed behind her.

    Ayana turned to Abioye, " Don''t be stupid, big brother. If you try to break it, you will have disastrous consequences."

    When Abioye said nothing Ayana leaned on his desk and whined, "Come on!! Why can''t you give her a chance. You might like her?"

    Abioye rolled his eyes, "Just because both of you are mated to humans doesn¡¯t mean I want to be."

    "Married. It''s called marriage!" Ayana replied, holding up her hand to flash her own ring.

    Abioye waved his hand once, "A mortal term. The point is that you and Ajani do not have contracts so why should me and my siblings have them?"

    Both rolled their eyes. Hard.

    Ajani spoke then, "Isn¡¯t it obvious? You all would never come off your chariots long enough to meet a human much less to find one to love."

    Ayana eyed her older brother meaningfully, "You don''t want you and your siblings to be alone forever do you?"

    Abioye glared up at them, "We are fine. And besides we don¡¯t need humans."

    Ajani nudged his sister and gave a sly look back at Abioye, "Don''t be too hard on brother. You gotta give him time to think and room to breathe. He probably hasn''t even gotten her name yet."

    "Maliah Anderson¡­" Abioye said absently as he had taken to looking at the contract again.

    When it was silent a moment too long he looked up to see identical wide grins.

    Abioye slammed his hand on his desk once and snapped his finger, "Eh, it¡¯s written on the contract!!¡±

    Ajani nodded solemnly though his gold eyes twinkled, ¡°Sure, like we haven¡¯t heard from Amondi that you saw her while processing souls.¡±

    ¡°Well, she was dead. I read her soul to record it."

    ¡°The longer you argue, the more you look guilty¡­.¡±

    Both gave solemn nods making Abioye scowl, "That''s not the point. The point is there is a way out of this in the contract itself.¡±

    Here he turned the contract so that the twins could read it and pointed to the last paragraph.

    Abioye continued, ¡°Why else would it say, ¡°You may choose to reject this contract. Amondi must have completely missed that point. Surely there is a way to force a rejection. I just have to find it."

    The twins read it and then looked at each other. Then they put their heads closer together and read it again, both blinking in tantum. Finally they looked up to a smirking Abioye.

    It was rare for Abioye to have such a devious smirk.

    Ayana and Ajani looked at each other and sighed.

 Chapter 6

    Maliah will never complain about waiting at the Secretary of State office again. Yes, she was actively ignoring the fact that she may never see one again, as she was pretty sure they didn''t have them in the afterlife.

    She had no idea exactly how long she had been waiting in a line that seemed to stretch on for miles over the hills. Twilight was perpetual as if eternity froze here.

    When Ayinde dropped her at the shore, a young woman in a black dress suit and wide brimmed hat escorted her to her place in line. But not before Ayinde had pulled her aside and spoke to her for a few minutes. Maliah was curious as to what was said but the young woman gave a strong nod and promised she would.

    Ayinde smiled at her and told her to go with this Aper. Maliah was a bit reluctant at first only because Ayinde was the first one that seemed safe in this strange situation. Like a child parting from his mother, she couldn¡¯t help but to look over her shoulder at him. He still smiled at her and even gave her a wave, which she shyly returned.

    The Aper pulled out a clipboard from seemingly nowhere and took great time to insert Maliah in line before disappearing off in the distance. Apparently they were in line according to the time they died. And the order wasn¡¯t just where you died but within the timeframe of the total deaths in the world. Which meant they had the death time down to a millisecond. It made Maliah¡¯s head spin to think about it.

    Maliah saw people from all walks of life standing in line. In front of her was an elderly Asian man and behind her was a young girl from India. She had tried to talk to them but they both spoke in their native language so that Maliah did not understand it. After awhile Maliah thought, perhaps since this was the afterlife, everyone that worked here could understand anyone that came through. There were people dressed in black dress suits with wide brim hats that milled around. They frequently interacted with any kind of person from anywhere in the world and it seemed to Maliah that they understood anyone that talked to them.

    It seemed rather peaceful usually, except the time that it seemed two people got into a fight who were further up in the line. They escalated from a verbal match to literally throwing fists. It disrupted the line so that it seemed the Aspers hanging around was having trouble settling them. Maliah watched as suddenly two big men that would rival any NFL player appeared. She couldn''t help but to think they looked like Egyptian guards. Their stoic faces did not change a wink, as they each plucked up one of the people that were in the fight. Even with them flailing trying to get to the other, they did not not even seem to phase these Egyptian like guards. As quietly as they came they came, they disappeared with the two fighters in tow.

    The line simmered down and there wasn¡¯t anything else of interest as it slowly moved forward. Maliah was never one that could stand long but so found that she didn¡¯t get tired nor did she feel hungry. She tried not to think about it very much but there seemed to be too much time to think.

    So she had no idea how much time passed before she was close enough to see the looming city. And then eventually she was close enough that she saw what she thought might be the end of the line.

    A bunch of people also dressed in black sat at desks in front of a large ornate door. Maliah couldn¡¯t help but to be reminded of a convention check in. Over the ornate door was a sign in a language that Maliah didn¡¯t recognize. Maliah realized underneath that symbols were moving. The longer she looked at it the more it solidified into something she could read. ¡°Judgment Palace.¡±

    Maliah swallowed. This was really real? Was she really dead? This was it?

    Finally she was directed by the same Aper who had placed her in line, to a woman who looked a few years older than her. Maliah liked her hair. It was braided back halfway to her head before letting it go as a wild puff in the back. Maliah thought she saw something familiar in the cowrie shells braided in her hair. She gave Maliah a huge smile, that flashed her dimples. When Maliah saw that she felt some tension leave her.

    ¡°It seems my husband wanted me to check you in personally¡±, she said with preamble pulling a black folder from the huge pile besides her.

    She flipped it open and scanned it. Maliah stayed silent, not sure if she should say anything. However her statement finally landed. Husband? Who was that? Did she know him?Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    "Maliah Anderson¡­" the woman finally drawled.

    She stopped suddenly and blinked rather comically. Then she picked up the folder and brought it closer to her face as if that was going to help her in reading it. Then she looked up at Maliah really looking at her.

    ¡°Oh¡­.my¡­.¡± she said before shooting up out of her seat. She gave a reassuring smile before taking the folder and flagging down two other people. Maliah thought they were looked to be twins, a man and woman, both with the tips of their hair dyed purple.

    Then suddenly she had both of them in her face as they leaned over the desk.

    ¡°Maliah Anderson?¡± they both chorus.

    She leaned back a little from the two tall, lanky figures that were gazing at her.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe she finally appeared!!¡± the man spoke in awe of her.

    ¡°I know right!¡± the woman said equally in awe.

    Maliah would have laughed when they were suddenly both knocked upside the head by the one checking her in. Although she was shorter and rounder than the twins, the two only sheepishly inclined their head and stepped back, both voicing an apology.

    The woman spoked, ¡°Forgive these two. They forget their manners. Now I see why my husband wanted me to personally process you.¡±

    Maliah found her voice then, ¡°Who...is your husband may I ask? I don¡¯t know anyone here. I don¡¯t think.¡±

    ¡°Surely the ferryman told you his name, Ayinde.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry¡±, Maliah could have slapped herself, ¡°Right.¡±

    There was way too much going on yet Maliah felt a sense of embarrassment. The older woman waved her hand, ¡°Do not concern yourself. You are a special case.¡±

    ¡°Special case?¡± Maliah echoed.

    The woman gave a firm nod, ¡°Yes, you have nothing to fear, These two will calmly¡­..¡± she glared at the twins in warning before smiling at Maliah, ¡°...take you to the Debate Palace to see him. I will forward your file.¡± she tapped on it once.

    Him?

    Maliah looked confused but the older woman didn¡¯t elaborate. It was besides the point as she found herself on either side of the tall twins, both of them hooking their arm around hers.

    ¡°This way, Big Sister!¡± they chorus.

    ¡°Wait what?¡± she muttered.

    Maliah forgot the whirlwind of whatever was happening when she saw the dark purple almost black carriage that would be pulled by a black stallion. Maliah couldn¡¯t help but to stare. ¡°Pretty?¡± the twins chorus.

    ¡°Uh, yes. Very.¡± She said as the young man released her to open the door.

    He gestured for her to climb in. Maliah pointed to herself and he nodded. It took a moment but just before she did, the horse looked over his shoulder and Maliah swore that his eyes were gold. His sister scrambled in after Maliah, giving a big grin as she sat besides her.

    Maliah turned and looked at the man before her who had an identical grin. Then she finally looked out the window only to be taken by the view. It was gorgeous if Maliah stopped and thought about it. They passed many sprawling buildings. It looked like not many buildings were above about four levels. The pyramid loomed closer to her than when she was on the boat and she was mesmerized by the yellow white glitter glow that shot out of the top of it.

    If Ancient Egyptian decor met gothic was the sum total of what she was seeing in her estimation.

    It wasn¡¯t until she was in front of a large palace-like house that the carriage finally stopped. The twin brother got out before Maliah before helping her and his sister down. Maliah saw a similar sign as of the Judgement Palace. The longer she looked at the moving symbols the finally came together into something she could read. This one read ¡°Debate Palace.¡±

    Once again the twins were on either side of her, arms hooked around hers as they entered into the palace. Maliah had to take two steps for their one as they twisted and turned through the hallway. She had long since lost the way back to the door. It wasn¡¯t until they turned the corner that they came across another set of twins. Suddenly, there was a lot of talking over each other and together at times, that made Maliah lose the thread of whatever was being said completely.

    It wasn¡¯t until the practically shorn twin finally raised her hand did it quiet down. She was being back hugged by the blue tipped haired male twin.

    ¡°We are alarming the poor soul.¡±, she said softly.

    Maliah would have found it funny that all four of them turned to her and said sorry at the exact same time, if she hadn¡¯t been thoroughly overwhelmed by now.

    She just blinked stupidly.

    Ayana peeled off her husband¡¯s hands. The longer Maliah stood the more her breathing began to quicken. Ayana shot her husband, brother and brother¡¯s wife a meaningful look before taking Maliah and leading her away from them.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Just breathe.¡± Ayana spoke softly arm around Maliah¡¯s shoulders, ¡°You are okay.¡±

    Maliah reached out her hand to find a grip on the wall as her world spun once, ¡°Where...where am I? What¡¯s going on? I want to go home.¡±

    ¡°Miss¡­¡± Ayana knew her name but was concerned if Maliah knew that she might not be able to take it, ¡°...this will be explained. I promise. Just come with me.¡±

    Maliah knocked Ayana¡¯s arm from around her and glared, ¡°Who are you?¡±

    ¡°My name is Ayana. I¡¯m sorry about that. We got a little over zealous.¡±

    ¡°Where am I?¡±

    It really wasn¡¯t Ayana¡¯s place to say, so she kept quiet as she took Maliah¡¯s arm and guided her down the hallway. Maliah followed her.

    ¡°Am I really dead?¡± Maliah asked after a moment.

    ¡°Miss¡­.¡±

    ¡°A simple yes or no will suffice.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­.¡± Maliah licked her lips, ¡°What happens to me now?¡±

    ¡°My brother will explain that to you.¡±

    ¡°Brother?¡±

 Chapter 7

    They had arrived at the door. Ayana knocked once, twice. Maliah heard someone bid entrance before she opened it.

    The room smelled herbal, a pleasant smell that seemed to instantly relax Maliah. Ayana walked her up to the lone chair in front of the desk and placed her in it. Once Maliah was situated Ayana leaned on the desk and glared at Abioye, ¡°Brother, she has arrived. Please be gentle with her.¡±

    Abioye only glared back at Ayana but didn¡¯t say anything. Ayana lifted an index finger and pointed it in warning. Abioye still looked unimpressed.

    Then Ayana turned to Maliah and gave a reassuring smile, ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay.¡±

    ¡°Thank you¡­.¡±, Maliah couldn¡¯t help but to say.

    Ayana shook her head once, hoop earrings tapping against her cheek, before shooting a final warning glare to Abioye once more before turning on her heel and walking out. The door shut gently behind her but Maliah couldn¡¯t help but to feel a sense of finality.

    It wasn¡¯t until after that, did Maliah finally look up at the man sitting on the other side of the desk. Then she did a double take. It was the same man from before. The pleasant herbal smell was going a long way to calming her but still they stared at each other for a long moment.

    Maliah broke eye contact first as her eyes swept over his desk. She noticed a light yellow-white glow that was hard pressed to being smothered even under the black folder on top of it. Then she realized the black folder had writing. It took her a moment but reading upside down told her that it was her own name on it. Maliah glanced under her eyebrows up at him.

    ¡°Finally Abioye spoke, ¡°Do you know why you are?¡±

    Maliah shook her head.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°I¡¯m assuming you have already realized you are dead.¡±

    Maliah swallowed and gave a nod.

    ¡°Good¡±, Abioye gave a delicate sniff as he tapped the black folder with her name on it, ¡°Mortals have to come to terms at some point.¡±

    He flipped it open with a flourish but she noticed he barely looked at it as his gold eyes bore into hers. She was right, Ayinde¡¯s was kinder. This man¡¯s gold eyes seem to be distant and aloof,

    ¡°Maliah Anderson, current age: 28 years, single child of ¡­....¡±

    As he rattled off some more facts, barely looking at the folder as if he had memorized it. Maliah slowly leaned forward trying to read it upside down. ¡°Is that a file on me?¡±

    Abioye lifted the side of his nose, ¡°Lady, I have a file on everyone that comes through that door. But this is not the pressing issue. As you know you are dead and now we must discuss the next steps¡­.¡±

    ¡°Next step?¡± Maliah echoed.

    Abioye gave a long sigh, ¡°It seems Maliah, that you are a special case. A special case of a special case.¡±

    That is what that dimple smiled lady said.

    ¡°What does that mean?¡± she asked.

    His gold eyes pierced into her and she couldn¡¯t help but to squirm. Finally he blinked and slowly moved the black folder away to reveal another with a gold spiral like symbol on the front. The yellow-white light became far more blinding making Maliah blink a few times to adjust. As if he didn¡¯t want to touch it, Abioye barely flipped it open with a mere fingernail to reveal a one page white paper. Then he quickly took the whole folder and flipped it around so that she could read it properly.

    ¡°This is what we must discuss.¡±

    Maliah frowned. It looked half redacted to her. She really couldn¡¯t make any sense of what they needed to discuss.

    Abioye continued, ¡°As you can read, all we know is that ¡®You are fated to the 2nd Death Prince, 3rd child of the Death King, Abioye¡¯ and that ¡¯You may choose to reject this contract.¡¯ That is what we will focus on.¡±

    ¡°Contract? What contract?¡± Maliah asked.

    Abioye pointed down at it, ¡°This one.¡±

    ¡°But what is it?¡±

    Abioye¡¯s full lips thinned out, ¡°I am Abioye and as for being fated¡­.it means¡­.¡± here he stalled and looked away.

    ¡°Means¡­.¡± Maliah prompted after a few minutes of silence.

    Abioye shot her a deep glare. The longer it took for Abioye to respond the more Maliah couldn¡¯t help but to think he might have been embarrassed.

    Finally after an eternity Abioye spoke:

    ¡°In human terms it means that¡­..you will¡­..eventually¡­¡­. become¡­.my wife.¡±

 Chapter 8

    Maliah blinked at Abioye who was still looking away from her. She opened her mouth once, closed it. Twice. By the fourth time she managed to speak, ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    Abioye waved his hand once.

    Then Maliah laughed once, ¡°Hold on, I don¡¯t even remember being asked on a date much less being proposed to.¡±

    Abioye growled as he turned back to look at her, ¡°Do you think I want this either? Which is why we need focus on the second part. Apparently there is a way to reject this contract.¡±

    ¡°Then the devil you¡¯re waiting for, reject it already. I reject it! There! It¡¯s rejected!¡± Maliah cried, waving her hands as if she was flicking off water.

    Abioye rolled his eyes, ¡°Apparently it¡¯s not that easy.¡±

    ¡°So what do we do? I don¡¯t know you like that!!¡±

    ¡°That is immaterial.¡±, Abioye said, ¡°I however know all I need to know with your file.¡±

    He tapped on the close black folder with her name on it next to him, ¡°But that there is only one thing that I know that I don¡¯t like about you.¡±

    Maliah forked an eyebrow, ¡°Which is?¡±

    Abioye bared his teeth to her, ¡°The fact that you are human. I hate humans.¡±

    Maliah straightened and looked thoughtful, ¡°Well¡­... I can¡¯t hate on that.¡±

    Abioye eyes widen, ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    Maliah shrugged, ¡°There are so many bad humans it makes the good ones look non-existence. I ain¡¯t particular about humans either, so I understand.¡±

    Abioye¡¯s mouth was parted a little as his gaze dropped downwards. Was she serious?

    Maliah crossed her arms, ¡°But be that as it may, that doesn¡¯t have to do with me. I didn¡¯t ask to marry you. I don¡¯t want to marry you. As I said, I don¡¯t know you.¡±

    Here Abioye composed himself, ¡°Then you agree. We need to find a way to get out of this.¡±

    Maliah began to pick up the folder, ¡°Let me see. Is this real?¡±

    Abioye nodded and handed it to her, ¡°Very real.¡±

    As soon as Maliah touched the contract, the paper glowed a bright yellow, making them both shut their eyes. When it faded, Maliah cracked her eyes open and gasped. The black boxes were gone and the entire contract could be read.

    Abioye shot to his feet, ¡°How?¡± He growled snatching it back from her. He read it quickly before slamming it down on the desk and spinning around, back to her.

    He was seething! How could he have known that her touching it would make the rest of the contract readable. How can Baba force this on them like this? The least he could have done would be to warn them.

    With trembling fingers Maliah picked up the contract and began to read:

    Congratulations Maliah Anderson,

    You are fated to the 2nd Death Prince, 3rd child of the Death King, Abioye. You are hereby granted 110 years of life upon acceptance of this contract.

    Your greatest wish can be granted but be warned that the answers may not be exactly as you want. However upon acceptance of this contract, not only will your wish be granted but also an automatic guarantee of 110 years of life, pending soul bonding.

    Soul bonding with the Death Prince Abioye is to be done once a week until your 110th birthday. Failure to do so will result in a premature death, making 110 years of life null and void. If you die prematurely, because of failure to soul bond, your soul will cease to exist. By soul bonding you can bypass your original 1st death date (Whether you have reached it already or will reach it in the future) as a permanent bond with a mortal will take until their 110th year of life. However, the day after your 110th birthday you will die and automatically become permanently bonded to the Death Prince Abioye.

    You may choose to reject this contract. Rejection of this contract will make this bond null and void as well as your wish and 110 years of life will not be guaranteed to be fulfilled.

    This contract has been written and what is written shall be.

    Signed,

    The Death King

    Upon acceptance of this contract, sign your full name. This contract will stand until the end of time.

    Upon rejection of this contract, sign your name followed by three X¡¯s. This contract cannot be revisited at a later date and there is no refund.

    I hereby accept/reject this contract: ____________________

    Maliah had to sit with this for awhile. Time never moved, yet finally Maliah looked up and opened her mouth. Abioye still had his back to her.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    ¡°Soooo¡­.if I do this soul bonding, I get to live until I¡¯m 110 years old and my wish is fulfilled. But if this soul bonding is broken the whole deal falls through and I don¡¯t exist anymore, nor do I get to 110 year of life and my wish may or may not be fulfilled.¡± Maliah summarized.

    Abioye gave an absent nod.

    ¡°I¡¯m assuming if I stay dead then we aren¡¯t fated anymore?¡± Maliah inquired.

    ¡°That is my understanding as well. You can reject the contract which means we will not be fated anymore.¡±

    ¡°Then what happens to me? I don¡¯t cease to exist do I?¡± Maliah asked with horror.

    Abioye turned around to look at her, ¡°No. That¡¯s only if soul-bonding is broken. If you don¡¯t agree to the contract then you continue on, getting processed like everyone else and eventually being judged.¡±

    Abioye didn¡¯t tell her if her soul was weighed and found lacking, she would cease to exist.

    ¡°What is the soul-bonding thing?¡± Maliah asked, pointing to the words.

    ¡°Accepting the contract means we are now pre-bonded and I have to nurture your spirit every week until you are 110 years old. If your spirit isn¡¯t nurtured then you will die. If you die that way, you will cease to exist period. At the end of 110 years, you will die and the result is that we will be fully bonded. As you can see, it¡¯s best for you to stay dead.¡±

    Maliah gave him a look, ¡°How do you know that? I¡¯m only 28 years old. My parents would be devastated if I die now. I also have things I want to do.¡±

    Abioye retook his seat, his eyes becoming hooded, ¡°Death has no respect for age.¡±

    Maliah looked at Abioye as if seeing him for the first time. She took a few moments to study him before looking back at the contract, ¡° Death Prince¡­¡± she looked up at him, ¡°So are you like¡­.like¡­..¡­.the Grim Reaper?¡±

    Abioye frowned and seemed to sink in his chair a bit. It occurred to Maliah that he might have been pouting as his bottom full lip poked out, ¡°I suppose that¡¯s what you mortals would call it.¡±

    Maliah surveyed him once more. He didn¡¯t look anything like the depictions she saw of a Grim Reaper. Other than dressed in black, he was not wearing a robe. Right now she was wearing another black senator-style outfit. He didn¡¯t even look like a skeleton. She looked at his face. Other than his gold eyes, he didn¡¯t look any different from any other man.

    ¡°Where is your scythe?¡± she blurted out after a few moments.

    His elbow slid across the table a fraction before he caught himself, his right eye twitching, ¡°What is with you humans? You think so little of us that you think we need to take a scythe and harvest you with it?

    Here he snorted, ¡°All Baba has to do is speak a whisper and your souls come here. A scythe? Woman, please.¡±

    ¡°Baba¡­.you mean your Father?¡±

    Abioye smirked then, ¡°The Death King himself.¡±

    Maliah glanced down at the contract, ¡°And you are his child? A Death Prince?¡±

    ¡°One of them, yes.¡±

    She was silent for a long moment before looking up at him, ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Why? Why what?¡±

    ¡°Why me?¡± she asked.

    Abioye waved his hand, ¡°Who knows the mind of the Death King?¡±

    Maliah was silent a beat before her nose scrunched and she asked, ¡°If I come back to life, will I be a zombie?¡±

    Abioye blanced, ¡°Zombies? That¡¯s another thing I don¡¯t understand about you mortals. Why do you think the undead are just brain sucking leeches? Your brains come up with more nonsense than I know what to do with.¡±

    Maliah snorted, ¡°So I won¡¯t be eating brains? Thank you!! I hate zombie movies actually.¡±

    Abioye sniffed, ¡°They are undignified. No, if you accept, you will live as you have normally for until you are 110 years old. In your case you have 82 years to live. The only difference is the pre-bond and the nurturing of your spirit.¡±

    ¡°About this nurturing of my spirit. What is that?¡± Maliah asked wearily.

    Abioye leaned his head in his hand. He was silent so long that Maliah repeated her question. He finally looked at her, ¡°Don¡¯t know the particulars exactly. I just know that in order to keep you alive as it is going against nature we will have to nurture your spirit.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if I want to go against nature¡±, Maliah murmured. Every single movie she ever watched played in her head. Messing with fate never ended well.

    Abioye was silent, surprise lurking in mind. The young woman before him was concerned about going against fate? He knew that humans talked about fate but at the end of the day if their selfish wishes were fulfilled they wouldn¡¯t hesitate. Yet, here she was clearly conflicted about it.

    ¡°This contract mentions a wish, my wish¡­.¡± Maliah murmured. She looked up at him expectedly.

    Abioye shrugged, ¡°I¡¯m not a genie. I have no means to know what that is.¡±

    ¡°Does the wish get fulfilled now?¡± asked Maliah.

    Abioye replied testily, ¡°I don¡¯t even know what your wish is much less if it can be fulfilled now.¡±

    Maliah pressed on, ¡°Be that as it may, would my coming back to life, count as my wish?¡±

    Abioye blinked. He was not as far seeing as his father was, ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t know.¡±

    Maliah was silent as she sat back in her chair turning slightly to the side, ¡°I have to think this through¡­.¡±

    Abioye shrugged before pulling one of the neverending black folders off a stack before opening it. He still had paperwork to fill out from those that stepped in his office for debates. He was halfway through one pile when he was jolted out by Maliah¡¯s wry voice,

    ¡°A Death Prince has paperwork?¡±

    He looked up to see her with a small smirk. He felt surprised at how long they had been sitting there in silence before she spoke. And then he became annoyed at how he felt that it was a comfortable silence.

    Abioye silently cleared his throat, ¡°You will find a remarkable amount of paperwork is needed for Death processing.¡±

    ¡°I want to return to life.¡± Maliah said without preamble.

    The feathered pen in Abioye¡¯s hand loosened. Maliah saw the gold eyes stare at her but she could not figure out any sense of emotion behind it.

    Maliah continued, ¡°I¡¯m not sure if it counts as my wish but I want to return to life. I still have my family and things I want to do. I suppose if I¡¯m given the chance though non-underhanded means, I suppose I should take it.¡±

    ¡°When you die next time, we will be bonded, for eternity¡±, Abioye reminded her.

    Maliah bobbed her head once, ¡°Honestly, I can¡¯t think that far. What would you do in my situation? I can¡¯t and don¡¯t want to stay dead.¡±

    ¡°What human would?¡±

    ¡°All the more reason for you to understand.¡±

    Abioye scoffed, letting his feather pen drop to the desk before sitting back folding his arms. Maliah reached over cautiously and dragged the feather pen towards her.

    ¡°It seems you can always count on human selfishness. Why Baba would cosign us to this fate is beyond me. And why I have zero say is also beyond me.¡±

    The Death Prince¡¯s words gave Maliah pause as she took the pen in her hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure we can think of some compromise. It¡¯s clear neither of us want this.¡±

    ¡°Compromise?¡±

    She nodded enthusiastically, her tassel earrings slapping against her check.

    Abioye thought about that. A kind of compromise? What would that even be? Right now Abioye just wanted her gone.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to sign now¡±, Maliah said pointing at the line.

    ¡°I clearly have no power to stop you¡±, Abioye stated.

    Maliah gave an apologetic smile before carefully signing her name before laying the pen down. The contract glowed before, the folder shut itself and rose up. It became a ball of light that split into two and went towards the heart of Abioye and Maliah. Both of them clutched her chest when it disappeared.

    Maliah shook her head to clear the cobwebs that were forming in her brain. She wasn¡¯t sure if she asked Abioye what was going on. Did she utter a sound? She was getting sleepier and sleepier until finally her eyes shut and her own body shimmered until it was a ball of light. Abioye watched as it shot through the roof disappearing as a star in the twilight.

    Abioye stood and looked out the window still absently rubbing his chest.

    It seems Maliah Anderson¡¯s 82 years to her 110th year will start now.

 Chapter 9

    Maliah stood in the kitchen as the memories came back to her, one by one. She shook her head to clear the cobwebs, sitting down hard before she fell. Breathing, just breathing, was all she did as she got her thoughts in order. So she was back. Alive and well. All at once she shot to her feet and patted herself down before diving for the phone pressing speed dial.

    It was only a ring or two before her mother¡¯s voice answered, ¡°Hey baby¡­.you make it back okay huh?¡±

    ¡°Hey, mama¡­¡± she hoped her voice wasn¡¯t shaky. Was it the same day? The day she was supposed to be back from her trip? Thoughts whirled in her head. It felt like weeks since that trip.

    But unfortunately her mother picked up on the subtle change of Maliah¡¯s voice, ¡°You alright?¡±

    Maliah cleared her throat, ¡°I¡¯m fine , mama. You and pops okay?¡±

    ¡°Yea, why wouldn''t we be? Maliah, are you sure you are okay? You are sounding a little strange. What¡¯s wrong? Something go wrong on your trip?¡±

    Maliah¡¯s mother was becoming more and more demanding and Maliah had to giggle as tears pierced her eyes. No matter what happened next, she knew she made the right choice to come back.

    Then she heard her father in the background, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? The child okay? She¡¯s back isn¡¯t she?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but she¡¯s acting funny!¡± Maliah¡¯s mother cried, pulling the phone a little ways from her mouth.

    ¡°But I¡¯m fine, ma!¡± Maliah giggled again.

    ¡°You sure?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°You sure, you sure?¡±

    Maliah wiped her eyes all of a sudden feeling like she needed a nap, ¡°Mm-mm¡­just tired from my trip is all, I guess.¡±

    ¡°Well alright then¡­.¡± Maliah¡¯s mother drawled, ¡°Long as you sure.¡±

    ¡°Is Maliah okay? Who I gotta straighten out now?¡± she heard her father asked. He must have been closer to the phone because he was louder and more clear.

    ¡°Maliah¡¯s fine. She¡¯s just tired. Quit flipping out!¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t. You were flipping out.¡±

    Maliah heard her mother tsk at her father before turning to the conversation, ¡°Ok, did you enjoy your trip?¡±

    Maliah conversed with her mother for awhile, all while trying to figure out the timeline of what happened. After she hung up from the phone call she went in search of her cell phone, which was in her backpack purse in her room. She took it out and nervously waited for it to turn on. Once it did, the date stared at her.

    It was the same day that she was supposed to be home. 6:45pm. That was about the time it would take for her to get home. So did the accident even happen?

    Suddenly her home phone went off once again. Absently, she walked back to the phone and picked up.

    ¡°Maliah!! The Lord is good!!¡± Her mother¡¯s voice came practically shouting over the phone. She didn¡¯t even wait for her to say anything as she continued, ¡°You may not have heard since you just got back but there was a bad accident on the highway that you were on. Had you left a moment earlier, you might have been in that accident.¡±

    Maliah sat hard on her couch.

    So it really did happen.

    It was almost too much to process. Her mother thought she had missed the accident but she didn¡¯t know that Maliah actually had died. Because she was fated to a Death Prince she was allowed to use it as her wish to come back to life. And because of that contract, it brought her unbeknownst to her family, back to them.

    In the following week, Maliah would slowly swear that it had to be all a dream. It had to be! It was too fantastical for it to have happened. That was what she told herself anyway as she continued her normal life, returning to her to her regular job working for the state.

    On Saturday when Maliah woke up, she felt cold. There was no reason she should feel cold in the middle of July but the longer the day wore on the colder she felt. By the afternoon, she couldn¡¯t take it anymore and turned up her heat before going to do her laundry in her apartment basement. She had gotten through half her four loads when she suddenly felt a small jolt to her heart. She reached up and massaged it with a small frown. Maybe she ate too much spicy food yesterday. Her tolerance for spicy food was pretty high. Oh well, whatever.

    Maliah really needed to get back upstairs where it was warm. Why did it seem colder in the basement? Maliah picked up her laundry basket and almost dropped it when she was hit with another jolt. When she regained herself she realized that her laundry didn¡¯t spill on the ground.

    Looking up she saw Abioye looking down at her, his face unreadable. ¡°Abioye?¡± she murmured.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a week¡±, he said without preamble.

    It was interesting that the weight in her chest lightened suddenly.

    ¡°Come on¡±, Abioye said, carrying her laundry basket. She stood surprised and by the time he got to the door, she could feel a sense of heaviness returning.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Maliah¡±, Abioye hissed.

    Maliah moved then jogging to catch up with him. It was silent as they walked up the stairs and she opened the door with her key. Once inside, he sat her basket down and calmly kicked off his shoes, placing them on the mat next her hers before walking over to her couch and sitting down. She stood shocked staring at his shoes for a long moment before following to sit down next to him. She blinked at him. She was so surprised he took off his shoes she couldn''t feel negative that he walked up into her apartment without invitation.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    They sat in silence for a long moment before Abioye spoke, ¡°I think I figured out what this nurturing of the spirit is supposed to be.¡±

    She looked up at him, ¡°What is that?¡±

    He looked down at her, ¡°It seems that we will have to spend the day together. You felt a heaviness in your chest, yes?¡±

    Maliah nodded.

    ¡°And now you don¡¯t?¡±

    Maliah shook her head.

    ¡°What is the common denominator?¡±

    Maliah blinked.

    Abioye sighed, ¡°I think simply we must be in close proximity to each other.¡±

    ¡°For how long?¡± Maliah asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡±

    Maliah felt awkward sitting next to Abioye who seemed to freeze like a statue. Finally she couldn¡¯t take it and went to get her laundry basket. She had things to do. Maliah entered her room and dumped out the clothes. She glanced nervously to her open door before beginning to put up the clothes. When Maliah finally finished that load and returned to the living room Abioye was sitting exactly as he left him, arms folded and legs crossed. He didn¡¯t even blink when she returned. Was he a statue?

    To break the awkward silence Maliah asked, ¡°Do you want to watch some TV?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    Maliah nodded and went into the kitchen, ¡°Thirsty? Do you want some water?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    Maliah got her a glass and chugged it down. Then she glanced at her vacuum wondering if it would bother him.

    ¡°Um¡­.¡±

    ¡°Just continue on with your life as if I¡¯m not here¡±, Abioye spoke suddenly, making Maliah surprise. He didn¡¯t move and his back was to her. How did he know?

    Maliah finally nodded and pulled her vacuum out. ¡°It¡¯s loud¡±, she warned before turning it on. When she glanced over at Abioye he hadn¡¯t moved a muscle. Then she became engrossed in vacuuming and when she got to the couch Abioye turned so he was lying on the couch allowing her to hit that part of the floor. By the time she got her room and looked back, he had gone back to his usual arrangement, arms crossed, one leg over the other and staring straight ahead.

    Maliah left the vacuum in the hallway and went to clean the bathroom. When she returned Abioye still had not yet moved.

    ¡°You know if you need to use the restroom, it¡¯s right here¡±, she offered.

    Abioye nodded.

    Maliah breathed a sigh of relief when she realized she had to go get her last two loads of clothes and bolted to the door. She had slipped her shoes on and opened the door only to let out a shriek at the fact that Abioye was suddenly right next to her.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± she asked as he put on his shoes.

    Abioye glared at her, ¡°I know humans aren¡¯t that smart but surely you remember not even an hour ago that you felt that jolt in your chest? You want to experience it again?¡±

    ¡°Not particularly.¡±

    ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡±

    Maliah was quick to put her dry clothes in the basket trying to arrange the less sensitive material at the bottom. Abioye stood back to her and arms folded without her even saying anything. When she was done she turned and barely took two steps before Abioye took the basket. He walked to the door without a backwards glance and she followed him silently. LIke before once they were back in her apartment, he set the basket down, kicked off his shoes and returned to his position on the couch.

    ¡°Thank you¡­.¡± Maliah called out as she was slow at taking off her own shoes.

    Abioye just nodded once as Maliah hauled the basket in her room and dumped out her clothes. Ten minutes later she returned back to the living room to make dinner not only for that evening but some that she could put in the freezer for next week.

    Maliah glanced at the clock. It was now nearing 5 o¡¯clock.

    She spoke in between cutting up the vegetables, ¡°You know you don¡¯t have to sit there the entire day.¡±

    Honestly, Maliah half expected for Abioye not to speak but after a moment he finally did, ¡°What else am I supposed to do?¡±

    Maliah remembered the mound of folders on his desk, ¡°I¡¯m sure you have whatever work you need. If you are working on something just bring it by.¡±

    Abioye turned his head a little to throw over his shoulder, ¡°I¡¯ll remember that for next time. Thank you.¡±

    Maliah continued and after a bit she asked, ¡°Abioye?¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°I was wondering, do you always have to come to me to do the bonding?¡±

    Abioye stood then and came to the dining table and took a seat, ¡°Tired of me already?¡±

    ¡°No, no! That¡¯s not what I meant!¡± Maliah almost waved her hands except she had a knife and a tomato in each. Maliah noticed, he was smirking at her.

    With a growl, she continued her food preparation, ¡°I just meant that it¡¯s probably an inconvenience for you to come here all the time. I was wondering if there would be a time that I could go to you.¡±

    Abioye watched her slice up the tomatoes, ¡°No. Now that you are alive again, you won¡¯t and can¡¯t set foot back in Mi¡¯ol until you are dead.¡±

    Maliah stopped and looked at him surprised then ventured to ask, ¡°What if I do?¡±

    ¡°Well, first off you are alive. You can only reach the place when you are dead or in a coma skating between life and death. And even if you could reach it as an alive person, that place would kill you.¡±

    Maliah supposed that made sense. Abioye finally looked at a plate of food that was sitting on the dining table. One of the many meals that Maliah had prepared for next week. He frowned and pointed to something, ¡°What is this?¡±

    It was a bunch of vegetables mixed with noodles. ¡°Ahh, just something I threw together¡±, Maliah answered.

    Abioye couldn¡¯t help but to pick up the spoon that was in it to inspect it closer. Then he lifted one side of his nose before setting the spoon back down.

    Maliah blinked at this, ¡°What are you a picky eater or something? Wait!¡± She paused as a thought came to her, ¡°Do Death Princes, eat?¡±

    Abioye looked at her, ¡°Only if we want to.¡±

    ¡°So do you have a favorite food?¡±

    ¡°No. I just like tea, that¡¯s all.¡±

    Maliah smirked at him, ¡°Seems we have something in common then.¡± She placed the knife on the table and went over to a cabinet before flinging it open dramatically. Abioye raised an eyebrow.

    Maliah gave a huge grin, ¡°Pick a tea my friend. Any tea! I think we should have some.¡±

    Abioye didn¡¯t want to admit that curiosity eventually got the best of him. He stood and walked over to peer into the cabinet. As she said she had a vast array of tea. Maliah watched his eyes relax as he reached out and lightly touched the boxes.

    ¡°You have quite a selection¡±. He pulled out some Malasi Chai Tea and handed it to her.

    She accepted the box and took out two packs, ¡°Eh, have you ever made tea before?¡±

    Abioye slowly shook his head.

    ¡°You¡¯ve never made tea?¡± Maliah asked.

    ¡°I always went and got some.¡±

    ¡°No, we can¡¯t have this. It¡¯s so simple it¡¯s pitiful. We either microwave or do it on the stove. However unless I¡¯m making a huge batch to store in the refrigerator, I don¡¯t use the stove.¡± she said as she got two mugs out of another cabinet.

    Then she pulled out her pitcher of water from the refrigerator, ¡°Here¡­pour the water into the cup.¡±

    Abioye raised an eyebrow and looked at the pitcher but after a moment he obliged and poured water in both cups.

    ¡°Now microwave it.¡± Maliah said before stopping once again, ¡°Wait, have you ever used one before?¡±

    Abioye shook his head.

    ¡°Alright, watch. I will do the first cup and you do the second.¡± said Maliah, putting the cup in the microwave before pressing the number five for it to automatically start at five minutes.

    Abioye cocked his head, ¡°You cannot put both cups in there at the same time?¡±

    ¡°No, you cannot. You can get a bigger cup or microwavable bowl to hold more water.¡±

    ¡°Interesting.¡±

    Maliah peered at him, ¡°You¡¯ve really never used one before? Have you seen one before?¡±

    Abioye folded his arms, ¡°I have seen many things however I am not mortal so what would I need with such contraptions.¡±

    Maliah nodded as the bell went off. Cautioning Abioye that it¡¯s hot, she let him open the microwave door and take out the cup. With her saying anything else, Abioye picked up the second cup and put it into the microwave. Then he shut the door and pressed the number five.

    ¡°Ridiculously simple¡­..¡±,he murmured. Then he watched as Maliah opened the pack of tea before dropping the tea in the cup.

    ¡°That¡¯s all?¡± Abioye asked skeptically.

    Maliah shrugged, ¡°Just let it brew a few minutes and then it¡¯s ready to drink.¡±

    A few minutes later had both of them sitting down and stirring their tea. Maliah liked honey and lemon in hers while Abioye liked it straight laced.

    A nice silence fell over them and this time Maliah didn¡¯t find it so bad.

 Chapter 10

    They sat in silence a long while as Maliah kept sneaking peeks at him. She was currently trying to figure out how old he was. He looked to be anywhere from late 20¡¯s to early 30¡¯s if she had to guess but given that he was a Death Prince, did they age like mortals?

    Eventually she came out and asked, ¡°How old are you?¡±

    Abioye looked at her then, ¡°How old?¡±

    Maliah nodded and Abioye went silent for a moment, ¡°I¡¯m not sure. After millennia you tend to lose count.¡±

    Maliah sat stunned at this, ¡°Millennia? You are millennia years old?¡±

    Abioye nodded and took a sip of his tea as Maliah went slack jawed. However she eventually leaned forward, ¡°Okay, but give me a rough estimate of time when you were born.¡±

    Abioye pursed his lips and sat back with folded arms. He stared up at the ceiling for a long moment before he finally answered, ¡°I don¡¯t remember. I was born before the rise of the 1st Pharaohs.¡±

    Maliah gaped at him, ¡°The first Pharaohs¡­.of Egypt?¡±

    ¡°Those are the only Pharaohs there are.¡± snorted Abioye.

    Maliah sat slack jawed for a long moment. She heard the words that he was millennia years old but still her mind couldn¡¯t even grasp it.

    ¡°1st brother and 2nd sister, saw the 1st Earth, so yeah.¡±

    Maliah twitched once, ¡°1st Earth? What¡¯s that?¡±

    Abioye looked at her a moment before waving his hand once, ¡°Ahh, I forgot. Mortals don¡¯t even realize there was a world before this Earth that was destroyed.¡±

    Maliah leaned forward, ¡°Really?¡± she realized that she could hear something that few ever got to hear, ¡°What was it like?¡±

    Abioye smirked, ¡°I don¡¯t know. I was just a baby and more than that mortals lost the right to know about such things.¡±This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    Maliah pouted as Abioye added, ¡°Baba was born before Time began and after the Sky was lifted.¡±

    Maliah shook her head after a moment before snapping out of it, ¡°So you¡¯re immortal?¡±

    Abioye took a sip of his tea, ¡°Yes, you could say that. Though¡­.we can die, in a manner of speaking.¡± His eyes took on a faraway look before he shook himself.

    Maliah thought it wise not to linger sensing a kind of pain, ¡°You have siblings, you said?¡±

    Abioye nodded, ¡°Five siblings. An older brother and sister. Then me. You met Ayinde, who is the 4th child and then the twins Ayana and Ajani who are babies, having been born in the 1600s.¡±

    Maliah nodded, ¡°How old is Ayinde?¡±

    Abioye tapped a finger on his cup, ¡°I remember his mother taking him back to West Africa where she came from and we didn¡¯t see him until he was a teenager. So, I think it was during the time that the Kingdom of Benin was first beginning in the 900¡¯s.¡±

    Maliah nodded and then suddenly backtracked, ¡°Wait, you said his mother?¡±

    Abioye nodded, ¡°Yes. My older brother, sister and I aren¡¯t mortals at all. Our mother was a goddess who¡­.died.¡± Maliah heard the slight tremble in his voice before he shook it, ¡°4th brother and the twins are half mortals. Their mother was a princess from a tribe in West Africa. She was sacrificed for her people and when our father met her his heart was softened.¡±

    Maliah thought she heard a tone of derision over the word ¡®soften¡¯ but said nothing about it. Instead she took a sip of her tea creating a lull in the conversation. Abioye reached over and picked up his teacup before blowing and taking a sip.

    ¡°How many of your siblings found mates?¡± Maliah asked after a moment of silence.

    Abioye looked at her, ¡°Ayinde and the twins got married to humans.¡±

    ¡°They have a contract too?¡± she asked.

    Abioye frowned and shook his head, making Maliah almost spit her tea out, ¡°Wait, why not?¡±

    ¡°The three of them met and fell in love and chose their respective mates. Baba never left contracts for them. He left them only for my siblings and I.¡±

    Maliah was stunned, ¡°Why?¡±

    Abioye snorted, ¡°Who knows the mind of the Death King? You would think after everything that has happened with our dealing with mortals that he would be wise enough not to force us to have one. It¡¯s sickening.¡±

    Maliah really couldn¡¯t help but to ask then, ¡°What happened during your dealings?¡±

    However at Abioye fierce glare, Maliah qualled and looked away. She drank the last of her cup and stood up to put it into the sink to break the tension.

    Abioye glanced out the window as the sun was starting to disappear, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s time to see if this spirit nurturing has taken effect.¡±

    Maliah nodded as Abioye came over and put his cup in the sink. She followed him to the door as he got his shoes and slipped them on.

    ¡°How will you know if it works?¡± she asked curiously.

    ¡°We are pre-bonded. We can both feel it.¡±

    ¡°You felt something too?¡±

    Abioye didn¡¯t answer but instead he said, ¡°If I don¡¯t return, thank you for tea.¡±

    And without preamble Maliah watched as within a space of a blink he was gone.

    Five minutes later and Maliah hadn¡¯t felt any jolts.

    Guess it worked then.

 Chapter 11

    Over the next two weeks, Abioye came back early Saturday morning and usually stayed for several hours. These times the Death Prince brought some work so he had something to do. It also became a ritual that they would have tea together towards the evening. Sometimes they talked but many times it was silent. Maliah was thankful that despite the silence they had gotten past that awkward silence phase.

    However by the fourth Saturday, Maliah wasn¡¯t going to be able to stay in. Around 10 o¡¯clock she was getting her stuff together when there was a knock on the door. She barely paused as she opened it. Abioye stepped in to see that Maliah was mostly dressed.

    ¡°Don¡¯t take your shoes off. I¡¯m going out.¡± she announced.

    ¡°Out...where?¡± Abioye asked, watching her.

    Maliah grabbed her fanny pack and looked at him, ¡°Out...into the world?¡±

    Abioye rolled his eyes, ¡°Did you forget about our bonding today?¡±

    ¡°Nope, I didn¡¯t forget. Which is why, I am inviting you to come with me.¡±

    ¡°Out there?¡± Abioye snorted, ¡°You know I don¡¯t go out there any more than I strictly need to.¡±

    ¡°Well, you need to today.¡±

    Abioye folded his arms, ¡°Not if you stay in.¡±

    ¡°Look, I have a eye doctor appointment this morning and then I¡¯m going to go out for a late lunch. After that, I have to swing by the store to do some shopping. May as well do everything while I have to be out.¡±

    ¡°So cancel your appointment.¡±

    Maliah gave him a look, ¡°It took me months to get this appointment. I¡¯m not going to cancel.¡±

    ¡°Then you know you¡¯ll be out of range, then?¡±

    ¡°What do you expect me to do? Stay home every Saturday for the rest of my life?¡±

    Abioye just looked at her.

    Maliah walked out the door and locked up, ¡°You can come or stay but I have to go.¡±

    When Abioye only pouts and folds his arm, Maliah waves a backwards goodbye. By the time she got to the car, she could feel a heavy sensation in her chest but she ignored it. Since that first time, she hasn¡¯t felt it because Abioye always came on time before it really had a chance to get started. Maliah refused to go back inside and cancel her day over this. She couldn¡¯t cancel every Saturday until she turned 110 years old? Do you know how many Saturdays she would miss? Maliah reminded herself of this face as she turned and pulled down her seatbelt but when she turned back Abioye was sitting beside her all buckled up.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    Maliah was glad she hadn¡¯t turned on the car as she jumped, releasing the seatbelt in surprised, ¡°You scared me!¡±

    Abioye didn¡¯t even blink an eye.

    ¡°How did you get in here? I didn¡¯t hear the car door open.¡±

    Abioye continued to look straight ahead, ¡°How else am I supposed to travel anywhere in the world at a moment¡¯s notice?¡±

    ¡°So you can bampf?¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Abioye really turned to look at her then.

    She puts her two fingers to her head, ¡°Instant transmission like Goku?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s a Goku?¡±

    Maliah waved her hand as she really managed to buckle herself in this time, ¡°Nevermind. If you are here you can tag along.¡±

    It only took about fifteen minutes for her to arrive at her eye doctor. As she was unbluckling her seatbelt she noticed that Abioye hadn¡¯t moved. He hadn¡¯t even unbluckled himself.

    ¡°Are you going to sit in the car?¡±

    ¡°Possibly. Unless it¡¯s out of range.¡±

    ¡°Hold on, you don''t need to be inside the room with me, do you? I¡¯m not going for that!¡±

    Abioye snapped his head to her and scowled, ¡°Neither am I! However it depends on the range. At worst I might be outside the door.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t just loiter like that!!¡± cried Maliah.

    Abioye rolled his eyes, ¡°It¡¯s not like anyone can see me!¡±

    Maliah¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°What does this mean?¡±

    ¡°Was it unclear?¡± Abioye bared his teeth at her, ¡°I¡¯m still annoyed that you could see me. Baba told us that our future mates would be the only one to be able to see us in our true form on Earth even when no one else could.¡±

    Maliah furrowed her eyebrows, ¡°Wha? Your true form that no one else could see?¡±

    She looked him up and down, ¡°You look different from this?¡±

    Abioye breathed once, ¡°No, I¡¯m saying that no one else can see me. I will be invisible to all if I¡¯m on Earth with the exception of you. So if I¡¯m in the room your doctor won¡¯t be able to see me. So I suggest you act like I¡¯m not there. Not difficult is it?¡±

    ¡°Interesting¡­..wait!¡± Maliah suddenly thought back to that moment when they met, ¡°Hold on, is that why everyone was looking at me funny? Are you telling me, I was the only one that could see you at that time? Are you telling me that they thought I was talking to thin air?¡±

    Maliah swore Abioye looked amused, ¡°They probably just thought you really liked that photo on the bus stop either that or quite friendly with the black pole.¡±

    Maliah gaped at him and then he grinned. She reached over and hit him on the arm making him scowl, ¡°Boy, I oughta¡­.no wonder they thought I was high!¡±

    Abioye gave a ripple of his shoulders, ¡°Trust me you won¡¯t see any of passersby again anyway so what does it matter?¡±

    Abioye only looked at Maliah when she raised her hand threathenly again and hissed, ¡°It matters for my sanity.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to be late?¡± Abioye asked instead, making Maliah look at the clock.

    She scrambled out of the car but not before hitting him on the arm again. Abioye scowled as he rubbed his arm. Why was he doing this again? Oh, right. That bloody contract.

    It didn¡¯t take long for Maliah to get called back. She didn¡¯t want to admit that she was a bit nervous that Abioye would suddenly pop into the room at any given moment.

    He didn¡¯t.

    However she still had a heart attack when she exited the room, to see Abioye standing next to the door. Involuntarily she gave a little sherik.

    The kind doctor turned around, ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Yea, sorry!¡± Maliah mumbled waving it away without even trying to explain.

    Thankfully the doctor just shrugged it off.

    Maliah shot Abioye a glare before following the doctor to fill out the last of the paperwork.

 Chapter 12

    Maliah pulled into the parking lot of her favorite mom and pop restaurant. She barely gave Abioye a glance as she stepped out of the car.  Abioye lingered behind, slowly closing the car door.

    ¡°Really?¡± Abioye deadpanned looking over the top of the car to Maliah.

    She stopped and scowled, ¡°I¡¯m. Hungry. Just because you don¡¯t have to eat doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t. And besides, I don¡¯t remember inviting you for a meal in the first place, so it¡¯s moot point.¡±

    Abioye gave a delicate sniff, ¡°So you expect me to just tag along and watch you sit and consume food, too huh?¡±

    ¡°Again I ask, what do you expect me to do, put my life on hold every Saturday?¡± she hissed.

    They were interrupted when someone came into the parking lot and looked at her funny. Maliah smiled and feigned forgetting something to get back in the car with a glare at Abioye. Abioye rolled his eyes and appeared beside her. She didn¡¯t jump this time. Picking up her phone, she pretended it was a speakerphone.

    ¡°Am I?¡± Maliah asked into the phone.

    Abioye rolled his eyes, ¡°And do you expect me to run around you all day every Saturday for the rest of your life?¡±

    ¡°No disrespect, but what life?¡± Maliah asked incredulously, ¡°You are practically immortal. The total days to 110 years are not going to impact your life any.¡±

    ¡°29,930¡­.¡±

    Maliah gaped at him, ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°From the day you signed you have 29,930 days left. Less since it¡¯s been a moment since then. But 29,930 days give or take¡­.¡±

    Maliah¡¯s right eye twitched, ¡°I see you are getting the time accurate.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s what I do best.¡±

    ¡°Clearly. Fine. 29,930 days¡­.¡± she stressed, ¡°...is not going to impact your life any.¡±

    Abioye growled, ¡°You don¡¯t know that!¡±

    Maliah was patient, ¡°Well, will it?¡±

    Aboiye was silent.

    Maliah exploded then, ¡°My point exactly. It¡¯s not my fault that your father fixed a contract for us!¡±

    ¡°Neither is it mine! I never wanted this!¡±

    ¡°And you think I did?¡±

    Abiouye glared at her, ¡°Well, you were the one that chose to accept the contract. No one made you. You could have decided to make it null and void.¡±

    ¡°By staying dead!!¡± Maliah really did yell that time.

    Abioye shrugged, ¡°Well¡­.¡±

    Maliah growled, ¡°Look, can we do anything about this?¡±

    Abioye looked at her and opened his mouth.

    ¡°It¡¯s a yes or no question. Can we do anything about this? Change the contract?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Even if I decided to drop dead right now and reverse the contract, could I?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Then it seems to me we need to get an understanding and work within some boundaries.¡±

    ¡°I was trying to set them.¡±

    ¡°I ain¡¯t gonna repeat myself no more, Abioye. It¡¯s unfair of you to ask me to give up 29,930 days of my life. I¡¯m a human. I have things to do.¡±

    Abioye growled and crossed his arms, ¡°So basically, this entire contract is set up for your benefit and not mine. What do I even get out of this?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not my fault. That is your fathers. I didn¡¯t write the stupid thing. Now, I¡¯m hungry. I¡¯m going to eat. You are welcome to join me and watch me consume food unless you can make yourself visible.¡± Maliah opened the car door and climbed out.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want that.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care either way¡±, Maliah hissed before slamming the car door and marching across the parking lot.

    Maliah breathed as she tried to calm down. She wasn¡¯t being unreasonable, was she? Perhaps the contract wasn''t fair to him, but how was that her fault? She had a life to live. How was she supposed to live it?

    Maliah had ordered the food and was waiting for it when she felt a bit of a heaviness began to settle in her stomach. Was she out of range? By the time her food had arrived, she swore she felt a light jolt. She took a bite of food. She had no time to consider what she would do if Abioye didn¡¯t come in because suddenly he was in a chair next to her. Maliah almost choked on her food.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t know how to chew your food properly.¡±, sniffed Abioye, ¡°And surely you felt that small jolt. Do you want it to get worse?¡±

    The heaviness had eased rather quickly as Maliah swallowed. She wasn¡¯t going to dignify that with a response. She kept eating.

    Abioye gave a sniff, ¡°It stinks in here.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be here¡±, Maliah couldn¡¯t help but growl under her breath before shoving another bite in her mouth.

    Abioye didn¡¯t answer but leaned forward to survey her food, ¡°What kind of slop is this?¡±

    Maliah ignored him and continued eating.

    Abioye¡¯s right eye twitched. He couldn¡¯t help why he felt curious. Perhaps because he was shocked that a mortal dared to talk to him the way Maliah did. She was really ready to be so foolish to continue living even if it costed her. But it irritated Abioye that she as willing to take him down with her. No one ever told a Death Prince to do. No one except the Death King. And now this slip of a mortal was willing to test him. It drove him crazy yet it intrigued him.

    And that is what he hated the most.

    This budding curiosity that was so growing within him. He didn¡¯t have it before. Which was why he reached over when Maliah didn¡¯t answer and dragged her plate over. To anyone else it would have looked the plate was there one moment, disappeared the next and reappeared shortly after.

    Maliah let out a small exclamation that seemed a little loud to her ears and looked around surreptitiously. Thankfully everyone was absorbed at their table. Abioye snatched her fork and poked at it. Then he put the fork down with a frown.

    ¡°Really? With all that you may as well try it¡± Maliah stated softly leaning her chin in her hands to cover her voice.

    ¡°No.¡± He was drawing the line at tasting human food.

    A waiter almost scared Maliah as she asked, ¡°Is everything alright?¡±

    ¡°Yes, everything is fine. Thank you.¡±

    The waiter smiled and would have walked off but paused, ¡°Miss, did you drop your fork?¡± she asked, searching the floor.

    Maliah snatched the fork from Abioye¡¯s hand, ¡°No, I have it here. Thank you.¡±

    The waiter blinked and Maliah could see she wanted to ask but she gave a smile instead and nodded before walking off. Maliah breathed and gave Abioye a fierce glare who looked amused, ¡°Look if you are going to be here, I need you to be visible. I am not going to talk to thin air.¡± she hissed covering it up with eating.

    Abioye looked at her, ¡°You have no idea what you¡¯re asking. Being visible in a room full of humans is not good.¡±

    Maliah shot him a glare once again and Abioye sat back with a sigh, ¡°Remember you asked for it. So annoying.¡±

    Maliah watched as he pulled off the golden ring on his finger. A breeze gave Maliah''s skin goosebumps. After a moment she noticed that suddenly heads had turned as one almost as if they were in some kind of horror movie. In fact she realized, after looking around, that all the heads that turned were female and they were gazing right at Abioye.

    The devil?

    Maliah craned her neck. Even those across the room were gazing at him. She swallowed. What was going on? Abioye sat with an impassive look.

    ¡°Hey, there handsome¡­.¡±

    Seemingly out of nowhere a female customer stood from her seat and began walking towards him, eyes locked on his figure. Maliah was distrubed that she looked as though she was in a europhic trance of some state.

    The woman didn''t even seem to realize that Maliah was there as she reached out to touch Abioye, leaning on the table. Maliah protected her food and she watched with morbid fascination. The woman reached out to touch him when suddenly she was knocked to the side. Maliah jumped when she realized that her waitress was gazing at Abioye. She leaned across the table, her dark eyes shining in the most unnatural way. Maliah felt that she might have begun to climb the table if given enough time.

    The waitress purred, "What''s your name?"

    Maliah couldn¡¯t help but to try to inject, ¡°Pardon me, ma¡¯am!¡±

    However the woman didn¡¯t hear her as she puckered up and leaned over as if she was going to kiss him. In a blink, Abioye was not in his seat and Maliah jumped when she realized he was behind her chair. "Do you have enough or should I let this continue?"

    "Put it back on. I¡¯m sorry. Please, this is....", Maliah didn''t know what this was honestly. She noticed that other women began to stand up from their table.

    Wait, was that a cook from the kitchen peaking out at Abioye?

    ¡°Hurry up!! She¡¯s going to stab her!!¡± Maliah urged when she caught sight of the woman who had just picked up a knife from a nearby empty table and was ready to attack the waitress.. She was in the process of raising it when Abioye put his ring and placed it back on his finger.

    Just as suddenly as it began, Maliah realized the spell was broken. All the females turned back to their respective tables. Those standing returning to their seats. The kitchen door swung once and the waitress who was leaning over for a kiss, blinked and pulled back. She scratched her head before walking off not looking at Maliah once. And the woman who had picked a knife put it down before returning to her table and talking with a young man as if nothing ever happened.

    Abioye sat back down with a dazed Maliah.

    "What....the devil just happened?" she asked.

    Abioye looked at her, ¡°For some reason, we Death Children get attracted to. Us, Death Princes make all the females come to us in the area and the Death Princesses make the males come to them in the area. 2nd sister once allowed it to happen a long, long time ago. It was the first time I saw exactly what could happen. All the men were attracted to her and then they started fighting each other until only one was standing. Then that one kissed her.¡±

    ¡°And then what happened?¡± Maliah whispered.

    ¡°He died.¡±

    She was stunned, ¡°Seriously?¡±

    Abioye shrugged, "Where did you think the Kiss of Death came from?"

 Chapter 13

    Abioye gave an annoyed sigh as he took a seat at his desk. He gave a heavy sniff and shuddered. He even smelled like a human after being among them so long. How dare Maliah do this to him!

    Imagine making him, a Death Prince, having to hang out with excess humans. It¡¯s bad enough that he had to deal with her but she was crazy if she thought he was going to continue to deal with this until her 110th year!

    Abioye scowled, shutting his eyes. It deepened when he heard his door open.

    Without opening them he growled, ¡°Go away¡­¡±

    Ayana and Ajani didn¡¯t miss a beat as they chorus while entering the room, ¡°Don¡¯t want to.¡±

    ¡°Soooo, how¡¯s our future sister in law?¡± Ajani asked with a huge grin

    Abioye opened both eyes to glare at them.

    Ayana gave an identical grin, ¡°We haven¡¯t bothered you in a month about our future sister in law. Aren¡¯t we sweet?¡±

    ¡°Agreed!¡± Ajani nodded, ¡°I think it¡¯s time for a check in don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Abioye¡¯s mouth further flattened as his nose widened.

    Ayana¡¯s eyebrows furrowed together as she asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong now?¡±

    Abioye finally answered in a low growl, ¡°Tell me, why are you humans so bloody stubborn? Alway have to be your way, have your way.¡±

    The twins exchanged glances and Ayana finally inquired, ¡°Soooo what did she do?¡±

    Abioye snorted, ¡°She actually went out today.¡±

    ¡°Out¡­.¡± they both lulled.

    Abioye waved his hand, ¡°Out. Out. You know, into the world.¡±

    Ayana was confused, ¡°You mean the two of you didn¡¯t hang out today?¡±

    ¡°No, I mean instead of staying home like someone got some sense, she actually went out. Doctor¡¯s appointment, lunch and then shopping.¡±

    The twins exchanged a glance and Ajani responded, ¡°That sounds normal to me.¡±

    Abioye breathed, ¡°What I¡¯m trying to say is that she didn¡¯t need to go out today! She could have picked any other day! Instead she dragged me around the mortal realm. It¡¯s going to take me a week just to get rid of the smell!¡±

    ¡°With your open floor plan I think you¡¯ll be fine¡±, Ayana said gesturing to the back wall of the office.

    That was precisely why Abioye didn¡¯t have a wall there. He claimed that humans stank especially their souls and especially the bad ones. This allowed him to breath better especially on days when he had to see a lot of human souls.

    ¡°That isn¡¯t the point! The point is, she thinks to drag me, a Death prince into this stupidity.¡±

    Ayana rolled her eyes, ¡°You don¡¯t honestly think that our future sister in law is suppose to stay in every Saturday for the rest of her life, do you?¡±

    Abioye just looked at her.

    ¡°Eh, Abioye, even you are not this stupid. You know enough about human lives to know that is an impossible.¡±

    ¡°This is different. She was the one that agreed to the contract. She could have not accept the charges. This goes along with it.¡±

    Ajani¡¯s eyebrows shot up, ¡°To give up her life?¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    ¡°No one is asking her to give up her life.¡±

    ¡°Just give up the rest of her Saturdays until her 110th year, then?¡± pressed Ayana.

    ¡°Do you know how much time that is for a human?¡± Ayana finally exploded, ¡°I don¡¯t have to tell you the calculation because I¡¯m sure you have done it already. Be that as it may, you want our future sister in law to give up that? You aren¡¯t even being practical!¡±

    Abioye growled and snapped, ¡°Can you stop with the future sister in law, future sister in law?¡±

    Ayana growled back, ¡°Which part is untrue? Besides that is not the pressing issue here!¡±

    Abioye breathed, ¡°All I¡¯m saying is that she accepted the contract so I have to nurture her spirit. I can¡¯t do that if she''s running all across town!¡±

    ¡°Did you accomplish it today?¡±

    Abioye glared.

    Ayana blazed ahead, ¡°And you had to run around town with her, didn¡¯t you? Look, that''s not the issue we are having today. Think, Abioye, think!! You are a Death Prince and smarter than this. She is home most of the time on Saturday right now anyway. But what happens, next month or next year? In 10 years? Is she supposed to stay home and wait on you every Saturday? What happens when she marries some human male? You¡¯d have to work around that or is she not suppose to get married now?¡±

    Abioye looked away but looked back when Ayana banged her hands on the desk before holding it out. She ignored Ajani who was pawing at her trying to get her to calm down, ¡°Show me where in the contract does it say she is supposed to stop living her life! Come on show me!¡±

    She put her hand down fiercely, ¡°You can¡¯t because it doesn¡¯t exist. This contract is not supposed to stop her from living life. It¡¯s not supposed to put some noose around her neck!¡±

    ¡°Oh, so just mine, huh?¡±

    ¡°You are making it so that you are her noose!¡±

    Abioye looked away. Ajani was watching Abioye carefully. His sister was pushing Abioye and although they all managed to become somewhat a family they still had to be careful. There three older half siblings were still a force to be reckoned with.

    Ayana folded her arms, ¡°You don¡¯t like humans. You brother and sister don''t like humans either. We all know and understand why, because of your mother.¡±

    ¡°Ayana¡­.¡±, Ajani warned. Speaking of their mother would only add to the fire.

    Ayana glanced at her twin before looking back at Abioye and remarking softly, ¡°Maybe if you shared this with future sister in law, she would understand.¡±

    ¡°Regardless this is an unbreakable deal laid down by your father, our father, the Death King. We all know that his word is final. The contract has even been sanctioned by the Spiral. All of us, including Baba, are irrelevant to the Spiral. You dare to go against Baba but do you dare to go to the Spiral? Would the Spiral really bind you to a human that you would never truly like? Forever is a long time. Do you see the Spiral to be that cruel?¡±

    Abioye looked up at his sister who continued. Ajani was amazed that Abioye was even listening.

    ¡°I see you haven¡¯t gone to the Spiral and we all know you can. There is no one stopping you. I know you have thought about it, going to the Spiral Room and speaking to the Spiral but in all this time you haven''t. I wonder why? Maybe because you understand that it¡¯s not just the Death King in this. He had the Spiral¡¯s blessings to make this contract so that¡¯s what makes it unbreakable. But sure why not, why not go to the Spiral?¡±

    Abioye¡¯s mouth quirked down once as he stared angrily at the desk.

    ¡°Are you really going to continue making this harder than necessary? Is she that bad?¡± Ayana asked incredulously, ¡°Has she been getting on your nerves? You see her once a week for your session. She is trying hard to live her life despite this situation that fell into her lap. If a weak human can get that kind of strength, why can¡¯t you? You are Death prince and you¡¯ve been acting like child about this since the beginning. This is the reality you were given. Are you going to deal with this like a man, like a Death Prince should or continue like a child and make both your lives miserable? If so, I pity future sister in law for being given someone like you!¡±

    With that Ayana turned and walked out without a backwards glance. Ajyani followed. As much as Abioye tried to ignore his sister¡¯s words they kept reverberating around in his head. It was a question that plagued him before now.

    Why hadn¡¯t he gone to the Spiralroom? Ever since that day he was called in and told about the contract millennia ago, he had not set foot in that room. But then again, that wasn¡¯t his role in Mi¡¯ol. His older brother Alimayu was the one that monitored the Spiral and helped pass the souls in and out of existence.

    That was something that Abioye never quite understood. Of them all Alimayu was the one that hated humans the most, yet he was the one that had to keep a close eye on the Spiral much like their Baba had done for millennia past, since before Time. How could Alimayu handle those souls carefully without feeling the need to crush them between his hands after what happened to their mother?

    It was because of humans that Abioye had no real memory of their mother. Of his long life and memory only his mother was a faded entity. He was a child when the humans'' decisions cost his mother not only her life and soul, but her very existence. An existence that Abioye couldn¡¯t really remember. It was only his siblings'' stories that created any kind of hazy picture of her in his mind.

    Even as he stared for hours at the family painting and the final painting that the Death King had painted of her from memory after her death did not yield any kind of recollection.

 Chapter 14

    Maliah groaned as she rolled over in bed. From deep within her sleeping, she became aware of the fact that her telephone was ringing. Who would be calling this late? And just who thought it was a good idea to wake her up¡­

    She slammed her hand on her alarm clock, making it light up in the dark.

    ¡­.4:35 am¡­... in the godforsaken morning. It wasn¡¯t even a holy hour yet. The phone quit ringing to Maliah¡¯s relief only to start up again. With a groan she snatched the phone from the cradle.

    ¡°Wha¡­?¡± she muttered groggily into the phone.

    She nodded absently to the voice on the other end but suddenly sat straight up in her bed, eyes wide, ¡°What do you mean mom¡¯s in the hospital?!¡± she shrieked.

    Her father¡¯s normally strong and steady voice had a bit of a wobble in it, ¡°Just what I mean. She had a headache earlier in the day. We didn¡¯t think much of it but then she woke up, nauseous and needing the throw up. But then she complained that it was hurting her stomach. The last straw was when she needed to go to the bathroom and there was blood. So I put her in the car and drove her to the hospital.¡±

    Maliah listened on speaker as she flew around her room, putting on her clothes, ¡°What hospital?¡±

    ----

    Maliah was a bundle of nerves as she drove to the hospital. She wasn¡¯t even sure if she followed traffic laws or not but she arrived safely and ran through the parking lot into the hospital. All the while, she felt her heart in her throat, praying that it wasn¡¯t anything serious.

    She couldn¡¯t begin to think about anything that was serious. But her imagination was working against her, creating all kinds of scenarios.

    ¡°How¡¯s mom?¡± she asked skidding to a stop in front of her father who was slumped in a chair, who barely had time to register that his daughter had arrived.

    He stood up and Maliah saw that her father¡¯s hair was clumpy from sleep. He looked like he had pulled on the nearest shirt that he wore around the house, one that had a hole in the bottom of it. He had pulled on some pants and to Maliah¡¯s concern his shoes weren¡¯t even tied. He had stuck the laces into the shoes.

    He shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know. They are running tests right now.¡±

    Maliah wordlessly directed her father to sit back down before flagging down a doctor. They had admitted her mother but as her father said, they were still doing check ups and they wouldn¡¯t have news right away.

    Maliah almost rung her hands, ¡°But she¡¯s okay right?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but we need to run more tests before we commit to anything¡±, the doctor replied.

    Maliah nodded allowing the doctor to skitter around her, escaping her clutches. She stood checking out, as she looked at the floor unseeing. Her mother had to be okay. It was going to be okay. She would be fine. Her mother was healthy. They always ate well and exercised and everything. It would be fine. Her mind raced before she finally snapped too and walked back over to sit next to her father.

    To any passerby, Father and daughter looked like two vacant statues.

    Finally Maliah looked at her father, ¡°Tell me again from the beginning. What happened?¡±

    When her father said nothing, she poked him in the arm, ¡°Pops!¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡± he hummed but didn¡¯t move.

    Maliah tried to keep her voice steady, ¡°What happened?¡±

    Her father¡¯s voice was rough, ¡°I don¡¯t know. She woke up with a headache yesterday. We didn¡¯t think anything of it. She took some tylenol. She was fine and we went to bed. Then she woke me up, saying she felt nauseous so I gave her some apple juice. But her stomach seemed to get worse and she said it felt crampy. She didn¡¯t want to go to the hospital but then suddenly, she was throwing up and she said it was hurting her stomach. But when she went to the bathroom and there was blood in the stoil I threw her in the car and brought her here.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t call 911?¡± asked Maliah.

    Maliah¡¯s father looked up at her and comically blinked, ¡°I forgot.¡±

    If it wasn¡¯t so serious, Maliah would have slammed her head into her hand but instead she just looked at the tile of the floor. Now wasn¡¯t the time to cry. Her mother would be okay and then life would continue.

    But still her imagination wasn¡¯t doing her any favors.

    What if it was serious?If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    What if it was very serious?

    God couldn¡¯t take away her mother, right now. She needed her mother. Maliah blinked rapidly a few times. She couldn¡¯t not imagine life without her mother. Who would she talk to? She didn¡¯t have a social life. She didn¡¯t have any friends. She didn''t have a boyfriend. All she had was the ability to talk to her mother.

    Maliah¡¯s leg began to bounce up and down without much thought. She tried to calm her thoughts but they spun like a fast ride at a fair. The kind that would make you nauseous but not in a good way.

    ----

    Abioye raised an eyebrow at the hospital.

    He was curious as to why she was in such a place. He growled when he heard her voice in his head again. It had quieted for a few moments before starting again. He walked through the door into the hospital. For the past several hours, he began to hear whispers in his head that were not his own.

    At first he ignored them. It was odd that such a sensation was happening but it wasn¡¯t enough for him to investigate. But like a gnat that kept picking, the whispers grew strong until they were audible.

    Please let mom be okay.

    Please don¡¯t take my mother from me.

    I need her to be okay.

    Please don¡¯t let it be serious.

    It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s not serious. It will be okay.

    Don¡¯t overthink. Overthinking is a road you can¡¯t do right now. Itt will be fine.

    It will be fine, won¡¯t it?

    Gah, now I¡¯m overthinking again.

    Stop thinking about that, she will be okay.

    She will.

    It will be fine.

    We are going to be fine.

    Nothing to worry about.

    What¡¯s taking so long?

    Why isn''t there any news?

    What if?

    Stop, we overthinking again.

    She will be okay.

    Please let mommy be okay.

    Please.

    I¡¯m not ready yet.

    Let¡¯s not think about that.

    Let¡¯s not think at all.

    I should think about something else¡­.

    And then at some point, it was as if it was being shouted into Aboiye¡¯s ear making him suddenly knock over the folders on the desk in frustration. He was dimly aware that the new soul in his office had jumped from fright. Honestly he hadn¡¯t been paying much attention to the middle aged woman from Shanghai, China because of the distracting voice.

    Maybe later he would be annoyed that he would have to figure out what papers went with what folder but right now that was the last thing on his mind. With a growl he marched out of his office, not sparing the soul glance. Who was making all that racket?

    And more importantly, why was he hearing it?

    It took him a while to realize that he recognized the voice as Maliah¡¯s. Why was he suddenly hearing her? He followed her voice, leading him to the hospital. Walking down the halls quickly he turned the corner to an office with the door closed. Abioye walked up and leaned on the wall, hearing Maliah¡¯s audible voice.

    Maliah and her father had finally been called into a doctor''s office to be given the news. Both were both staring wide-eyed and taunt at the doctor across the desk.

    ¡°We ran the tests and discovered it was salmonella poisoning.¡±

    ¡°Salmonella?¡± echoed Maliah, ¡° Is that the one in food?¡±

    The doctor nodded, ¡°It¡¯s a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract through contaminated water or food. But Ms. Anderson will be fine in a couple of days. We will keep her on fluids and medication to relieve the cramping.¡±

    Mr. Anderson couldn¡¯t help but to reach over and pick up the doctor¡¯s hand and kept giving it a firm shake. He kept repeating thank you, over and over and eventually, Maliah had to pry her father off the doctor.

    Abioye frowned. Maliah¡¯s mother got sick? At least it now explained the words that she was shouting in her head but it didn¡¯t explain why he was able to hear it. Though now, blessedly, it was silent. Gone as if it was like a popped bubble.

    ¡°However, Mr. Anderson, can you ascertain where you might have contracted it from? It would be in the last couple of days.¡±

    Mr. Anderson cocked his head and stroked his fading goatee, ¡°I¡¯m not sure. We tried a new restaurant the other day but we also brought groceries a few days prior. It wouldn¡¯t be the groceries.¡±

    Maliah¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°Why not? Do you know that?¡±

    ¡°Maliah, we¡¯ve been buying those groceries for ages and never had a problem.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean it wasn¡¯t a bad batch, which reminds me¡­.¡± She looked at the doctor, ¡°Should he get tested or something?¡±

    The doctor squintized and asked, ¡°How do you feel, Mr. Anderson?¡±

    Mr. Anderson looked down at him himself before looking up at the doctor with a shrug, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    ¡°No headaches, stomachaches, chills?¡± The doctor questioned all the while Mr. Andrson was shaking his head.

    The doctor reached and got the thermometer, putting it in a new plastic before handing it to Mr. Anderson who put it in his mouth. Maliah watched. After a moment of silence, and a beep, the doctor gestured for the thermometer. He looked at the temperature as he absently threw away the plastic and put it up.

    ¡°98.8¡±. That is normal range. Alright, Mr. Anderson, it seems you may not be affected. Although if you feel bad or see anything like blood or anything else weird when you go to the bathroom, you need to come back and let us check you out.¡±

    Mr. Andersoon bobbed his head.

    ¡°Hold on, you don¡¯t have to test him or something?¡± asked Maliah.

    The doctor shook his head, ¡°Believe it or not, not everyone who gets salmonella poisoning even shows symptoms. Many don¡¯t as their bodies take care of it on it¡¯s own. If they both ate the same thing, it could very well be that your father isn¡¯t affected.¡±

    Maliah bobbed her head slowly, assimilating all the information.

    The doctor looked between the two, ¡°Are there any more questions?¡±

    Both Father and daughter shook their heads.

    The doctor gave a reassuring smile, ¡°Alright, give us about half an hour and then you can see Mrs. Anderson. If there are any other questions, please let the desk know.¡±

    Maliah and her father stood as they both thanked the doctor before walking to the door.

    Maliah grumbled, ¡°I¡¯m still throwing out all those groceries.¡±

    Mr. Anderson opened the door and let his daughter go first but cried, ¡°What? You ain¡¯t gonna waste all that good food!¡±

    Maliah spun around to her father as the doctor exited behind them turning off the light and walking down the hallway.

    ¡°You don¡¯t even know what caused it! Better to be safe than sorry. Besides, you don¡¯t have to worry about the food. I¡¯ll buy it.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do all that.¡±

    Maliah pouted, ¡°I¡¯m doing it.¡±

    ¡°If you are going to be this onary about it, fine. Let me know the bill and I¡¯ll pay you back.¡± Mr. Anderson said.

    Maliah said nothing. She had no intentions of having her parents pay for this batch. This was the reason she needed her mother. Her mother would take her money even if her father did not. Mr. Anderson didn¡¯t even need to know that Maliah paid for the money out of her pocket.

 Chapter 15

    Maliah began to feel a sense of relief even as she felt drained. As she turned around to walk down the hallway, she saw a familiar figure almost sending her into shock.

    She jumped, ¡°Abioye!¡±

    ¡°Abi--who?¡± Mr. Anderson said, turning his head back towards his daughter, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Maliah forgot that no one could see him but her so she waved her hand and laughed madly, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    Mr. Anderson looked crossed between concern and ¡°my daughter is having a crazy moment¡±, ¡°Let¡¯s go. I need coffee.¡± He said walking down the hallway.

    ¡°Yea, I gotta...go to the restroom¡±, Maliah said as she turned to walk past Abioye. When she did she obtusely pulled on his sleeves. Abioye followed Maliah.

    Maliah found a one room unisex bathroom and hissed as she closed the door, ¡°Get in here.¡±

    Abioye sniffed, ¡°Why are we in a bathroom?¡±

    ¡°Hush. Why are you here?¡± Mailah asked, keeping her voice low.

    ¡°Because you were screaming at me.¡± Abioye answered.

    Maliah furrowed her eyebrows, ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°For the last couple of hours, I heard your voice in my head.¡±

    Maliah blinked, ¡°You did?¡±

    Abioye nodded, ¡°It was tolerable until you began to scream. However¡­..¡± Unexpectedly Abioye¡¯s voice slowed and got softer, ¡°I can see what caused such a thing.¡±

    Maliah folded her arms. She didn¡¯t want to think about the last several hours. She just wanted it to be a faded memory that no longer bothered her. She blinked away hotness tha welled in her eyes and looked away. That way was the mirror so she turned the other way.

    ¡°It¡­.sounds like it isn¡¯t serious¡±, said Abioye.

    Maliah nodded, ¡°It isn¡¯t.¡± Then she snapped her head up and looked at Abioye wide eyed, ¡°Wait, hold on! You are a Grim Reaper!!¡±

    ¡°Death Prince!!¡±, snapped Abioye.

    Maliah waved her hand, ¡°That¡¯s immaterial. You know if my mother¡¯s is fine right? She will be here for a long time right? I don¡¯t have to worry about that, right?¡±

    Abioye didn¡¯t answer fast enough and found Maliah gripping his arms looking up at him earnestly. He didn¡¯t know why but it bothered him to see Maliah looked at him like that. He had seen such a look on other humans and it never moved him one way or another. And even though Maliah was touching him, he didn¡¯t move away.

    Maliah tried to shake him but he didn¡¯t budge, ¡°Abioye!¡±

    The 2nd Death Prince, 3rd child of the Death King finally responded, ¡°Even I don¡¯t know when humans die. No one knows that.¡±

    Abioye wasn¡¯t about to explain that technically his older brother, Alimayu knew. Alimayu was the only one of them that was directly connected with the Spiral and with that came a whole slew of responsibilities that no mortal could ever hope to understand.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    ¡°You are a bloody Death Prince! How do you not know? You have my Life file, don¡¯t you? So it stands to reason you have my mother¡¯s!¡±

    This time Abioye pushed away Maliah¡¯s hands, ¡°Death Children are not onimpscent. We don¡¯t know what happens from moment to moment anymore than you do. I only deal with Life files that come across my desk for Debate. And that is only because mortals were given the right to Debate their life not that it ever changes their Judgement. But only so that they know what they are being judged on.¡±

    Maliah rolled her eyes. She didn¡¯t care enough right now to know the ends and outs of how their system works. She clapped her hands once, ¡°Then go get my mother¡¯s file.¡±

    ¡°There is no reason for me to!¡±

    ¡°Abioye!¡±

    ¡°Maliah!!¡± Abioye snapped, reaching up and grabbing her forearms. In any other situation he would have been distrubed that this was the first time he had willingly touched Maliah.

    ¡°Even if you had your mothers¡¯ file, what do you want me to do? Tell you when her final date? Even if I could, I wouldn¡¯t! You aren¡¯t this stupid, Maliah. Does knowing that exact day and time make it any better? I know you are upset and frightened at this scare but I¡¯m not going to indulge in this stupidity with you.¡±

    Maliah stared up at Abioye mouth wide, eyes watery. She didn''t want to admit that he was right. Any other time she would agree but this wasn¡¯t that time.

    Maliah tried to knock his hands away but he didn¡¯t budge, ¡°But you don¡¯t understand! You could never understand! What would a Death Prince know?¡±

    Abioye¡¯s voice was soft, ¡°I understand more than you think. The question, is can you explain it adequately?¡±

    Abioye released Maliah and it was silent for a long moment.

    It took everything in Maliah to speak. And when she did her voice was soft, almost inaudible but the Death Prince heard it clearly, ¡°I¡¯m not ready to lose my mother.¡±

    Abioye said knotting his eyebrows together, ¡°But you haven¡¯t.¡±

    Something in Maliah snapped and she almost yelled up at Abioye, ¡°Yes, I get that but you don¡¯t understand that if I lose my parents I won¡¯t have anyone!¡±

    Abioye eyebrows shot up as Maliah hung her head as she continued, ¡°I don¡¯t have any friends. I¡¯m also an only child. I don¡¯t have a boyfriend much less married. If I lost my parents that means I have to deal with life alone. I can''t do that. Not now. Maybe not ever.¡±

    ---

    Abioye stood in the corner of the room. After Maliah¡¯s words, she quickly put him out claiming she really did need to use the restroom. Whether she did or not wasn¡¯t his business, however he found Mr. Anderson sipping on coffee that morning in the waiting room in the corner. The sun had finally come out as it was well by 10 o¡¯clock.

    Abioye admitted that human emotions were well beyond him but for some reason Maliah¡¯s words troubled him. He had heard of being alone or being lonely. It never affected him when he heard humans talk about it but it seemed to trouble him when it was Maliah. It was okay that he was pushed out of the bathroom as he found that he had no words after what she said.

    He looked up when he saw Maliah entered the waiting room. She noticed that Abioye hadn¡¯t left and walked over to sit next to her father. Abioye noticed that her eyes looked a little red and wondered if she had cried. Mr. Anderson glanced at Maliah before offering her his cup to drink a little straight black coffee.

    Maliah eyed it with disgust but took a gulp of it anyway.

    Abioye didn¡¯t know why he asked as it wasn¡¯t like she would reply in this situation, ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t like coffee¡±, Abioye asked.

    Mr. Anderson inadvertently answered Abioye¡¯s question, ¡°I know you don¡¯t like coffee but I figured with the circumstances you might drink some.¡±

    Just then the doctor called for them to go back. Abioye raised an eyebrow. So Maliah only drinks coffee when she is stressed? That was new. He followed them languidly. Maliah glanced at him as they entered the room. She was surprised that Abioye was still around after she came out of the bathroom. She fully expected him to have left. Abioye heard Maliah¡¯s voice before he even entered the room.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m fine¡±, Mrs. Anderson was saying, her husband holding onto her hand and fussing over her covers.

    Maliah couldn¡¯t help but to grumble, ¡°But you gave us a scare.¡±

    Abioye finally wandered into the room and stood facing the window. Maliah glanced at him. Since she had time to cry in the restroom and get herself together she realized that Abioye was right. She didn¡¯t want to know the time and date. She didn¡¯t want to know any of that. However her mother¡¯s waving hand distracted her, so she sat down next to her and held her hand, ¡°I¡¯m glad you are okay.¡± she mumbled.

 Chapter 16

    Abioye walked along the shores of the River of Remembrance. There were still souls being ferried in a boat but he didn¡¯t look at them. Instead he came to a house by the river. He walked as if something was dragging him until he was in front of the door which was really a rug. He gave a long sigh.

    He had thought about for some time and it still bothered him about what Maliah said. It shouldn¡¯t but it did. And he didn¡¯t know who else to ask but Ayinde. He was half human and the oldest of the half-human siblings. He would know. But Abioye didn¡¯t really want to ask but it bothered him too much.

    Abioye finally knocked on the rug before he could talk himself out of it and received a come in. Ayinde was shocked to see Abioye stepping into his home. He rarely came by. He stood awkwardly and if Abioye¡¯s outfit had pockets, he was sure that he would have stuffed them in them. He looked uncomfortable as he stood.

    Thankfully Ayinde recovered quickly and gave a large smile to cover the shock as ushered Abioye in. They sat on a rug on the floor with a pillow across from each other.

    Ayinde smiled, ¡°I¡¯m glad to see you, Abioye. What brings you by?¡±

    Abioye was silent, glaring at the floor for some long moment but Ayinde waited patiently.

    ¡°What is loneliness?¡±

    Ayinde blinked. He was aware of Abioye looking at him impatiently annoyed. Finally Ayinde realized he would need far more context and ventured to inquire softly, ¡°Abioye¡­you know what it means. I¡¯m not sure why you would ask that.¡±

    ¡°Humans feel it right?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± nodded Ayinde.

    ¡°So you know what it is?¡±

    Ayinde was careful not to laugh or smile, ¡°I know what it is but I confess I¡¯ve never felt that way.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    This time Ayinde did laugh, ¡°Seriously? I have two twins that are constantly running around. Granted they have settled since they both got married but the four of them can create chaos that I¡¯m still trying to figure out how they create. I also have you and Amondi as well. And although we don¡¯t see Alimayu much, he is still here.¡± Then his voice went soft, ¡°Not to mention my own lovely wife. Why would I feel such a thing? At what point in time do I have to feel it?¡±

    Abioye was a little more than surprised and for once it showed on his face.

    Ayinde smiled gently, adept at reading Abioye¡¯s face more than the fully Death Prince like to admit, ¡°Abioye, what brought this on? You don¡¯t usually think about these kinds of things. Actually you never have.¡±

    Then he gasped and sat forward, ¡°Did something happen to future sister-in law?¡±

    Abioye growled, ¡°I really wish you all would stop with this future sister in law.¡±

    Ayinde grinned, ¡°Where is the lie, though?¡±

    ¡°That is not the issue today!¡± snapped Abioye.

    Ayinde nodded, ¡°Then what is?¡±

    Ayinde always managed to annoy Abioye with this calm demeanor. He rarely allowed himself to ruffle even dealing with Abioye and his siblings. But then again maybe that''s why he developed such a calm. Abioye was less violitale to deal with than Amondi or Alimayu. But Ayinde was always a source of information on humans whenever he needed it. When Abioye was forced to take over the Debate Palace, it was Ayinde that helped him understand humans.

    Abioye breathed, ¡°Maliah¡¯s mother got sick.¡±

    ¡°Oh, no!¡± Ayinde gasped, ¡°Is she going to be okay?¡±

    Abioye waved, ¡°She¡¯s fine. Salmonella poisoning.¡±

    Ayinde bobbed his head as he gave a sigh of relief, ¡°Uncomfortable but not life-threatening. This is good.¡±

    ¡°But for some reason, Maliah¡¯s became overdramatic about something that didn¡¯t even happen and stressed that she would be left alone.¡±

    Ayinde did that infuriating thing when he understood Abioye. He ¡®ahhed¡¯ and bobbed his head looking relaxed as if they were discussing the weather. Abioye waited a beat or two and the longer he waited the wider his nose got. As usual, Abioye couldn¡¯t tell if Ayinde was ruffled by this or not as he simply leaned forward.

    ¡°Surely you can appreciate her feelings, Abioye.¡±

    ¡°Would I be here talking to you if that was true?¡±

    Ayinde¡¯s eyebrows shot up. So his big brother actually wanted to appreciate Maliah¡¯s feelings? This was an unexpected and welcoming development. Actually since Ayinde thought about it, if it had been anyone else, Abioye wouldn¡¯t be here talking to him about it.

    ¡°Get that look out of your eyes.¡±, sneered Abioye.

    Ayinde nodded and was serious, ¡°Okay. Big brother, think about this. If I, the twins, Amondi and Alimayu were no longer here, how would you feel?¡±

    ¡°Esatic!¡± Abioye deadpanned.

    Ayinde almost banged his head on his propped up knee that he was hugging. That was one thing about Abioye. He always had to be dragged kicking and screaming to a revelation.

    Ayinde breathed and went with it, ¡°Ok. Fine. When we first disappear never to be seen again, you would throw a party. But let¡¯s say it¡¯s been several hundred years afterwards, and you¡¯ve been alone, by yourself all this time, how would you feel?¡±

    Abioye tilted his head.

    ¡°How about a millennia had passed and we weren¡¯t around? How would you feel?¡± Ayinde asked softly.

    It was true that if his siblings disappeared he would probably feel great that they wouldn¡¯t be around to get on his nerves. But the longer he thought about it the more he realized after awhile, he would miss it. His eyes widen slightly. He never really thought about it. All of his siblings were immortal, even his half siblings. Although they had human blood in their veins, they couldn''t die like a normal human. They would always be around.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    There was never any need to think about such things. All of them would always exist provided slim extenuating circumstances. Circumstances that happened to his mother. But that was unusual. So at the end of the day, currently there wasn¡¯t anything around that would kill them. Therefore none of them would cease to exist any time soon.

    Ayinde watched his brother¡¯s face closely. He could see that he was working through it, arriving to the conclusions that he needed.

    Although Abioye whined that they were annoying, he never thought about the fact of what if they weren¡¯t there. What if it was just him? He found he didn''t really like it. He was not about to do all of their jobs, but even deep inside he knew he would actually miss them.

    Was that what loneliness was?

    ¡°Yes, I get that but you don¡¯t understand that if I lose my parents I won¡¯t have anyone! I don¡¯t have any friends. I¡¯m also an only child. I don¡¯t have a boyfriend much less married. If I lost my parents that means I have to deal with life alone. I can''t do that. Not now. Maybe not ever.¡±

    He had heard of other humans who expressed loneliness before and although he heard the words he never really understood the feeling.

    Was that what Maliah was feeling?

    But then again that didn¡¯t explain why he felt so troubled by Maliah¡¯s feelings? However Ayinde adept at reading his older brother¡¯s face began to talk, ¡°I admit, I¡¯m surprised that you would come to me with these questions. However, I think I know why. You don¡¯t care about humans but Maliah isn¡¯t just some human is she? Her feelings are the same and different from others. It¡¯s the same feeling but because it¡¯s her, it bothers you more than you care to admit.¡±

    Abioye looked away with a roll of his eyes.

    ¡°It troubles you that it¡¯s Maliah that said that.¡± Here Ayinde paused before gathering himself. He knew he was walking into a minefield by saying next, ¡°And I wonder¡­.if it has anything to with the fact that it was Maliah¡¯s mother that was the catalyst for this.¡±

    ¡°Meaning?¡±

    Ayinde kept his voice barely above a whisper knowing that Abioye would be able to hear it, ¡°You know what it¡¯s like to have lost your mother.¡±,

    As expectedly Abioye swung his head to Ayinde and glared violently.

    However head down Ayinde continued in a soft voice, ¡°You never knew your mother but that doesn¡¯t make the pain of losing her any less. And it hurts more that it was humans that caused your mother¡¯s death.¡±

    Abioye growled, ¡°Ayinde....¡±

    Ayinde lifted his head, eyes earnest, ¡°Abioye, in this moment you share more in common with Maliah than you care to admit. She was frantic with the idea that she could lose her mother and that spun her imagination out of control. It¡¯s a common human phenomena. Are you sure you cannot relate to such a thing?¡±

    Abioye shot up to his feet, his knuckled gripping hard. Ayindea looked up at him but didn¡¯t stand. ¡°I wonder, how cruel you are? Would you wish to spare her that or do you truly not care?¡±

    Abioye lifted the side of his nose once before he spun on his heel and stalked out the door.

    Ayinde bobbed his head once and murmured to himself, ¡°You aren¡¯t as cruel as you make yourself out to be. Naive perhaps but not cruel.¡±

    -----

    Abioye didn¡¯t know what made him angrier, Ayinde¡¯s words or the fact that he was across the street on the roof of the house looking at Maliah put up the new groceries she bought for her parents. He could see from the garbage she put in the garbage can the amount of food she threw away. It was mostly the fresh foods that were brought, the eggs, vegetables and fruits. After carefully looking at the labels she ended up throwing away the orange juice as well.

    He hated that Ayinde¡¯s words made him think. He knew that Ayinde did it to help him which was why he was the only one that could say half the stuff he did and get away with it. Ultimately, Ayinde¡¯s words always helped him even if Abioye didn¡¯t like it sometimes.

    This was one of those times that he couldn¡¯t deny that Ayinde wasn¡¯t wrong. And that was what bothered him more than anything. He watched Maliah put away the last of the food before she just sat in the middle of the kitchen staring blankly at the refrigerator before her. Even as far as he was, Abioye clearly saw the tears that began to flow from Maliah¡¯s eyes. He pursed his lips and looked away, shifting on his feet. Eventually however he found himself leaning on the wall looking down at Maliah¡¯s head.

    ¡°Why are you still crying?¡± he asked.

    Maliah jumped a foot in the air, even as she was seated which had her almost sprawled on the floor away from Abioye. When she looked up to see Abioye staring down at her she growled, ¡°There is a front door. Use it!¡±

    ¡°I did. You didn¡¯t hear me. Why are you crying?¡±

    Maliah noticed Abioye¡¯s gold eyes looking intently down at her. She used the time to climb to her feet and wash her hands as a stall. As she dried her hands she finally said, ¡°I''m fine.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t repeat myself and I have twice already for you.¡±

    Maliah¡¯s head jerked up at Abioye who was still staring at her.

    Finally she shrugged and looked down, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Your mother is fine.¡± Abioye reminded her.

    ¡°I know that.¡± Maliah said angrily.

    Abioye sighed, ¡°You human and your emotions don¡¯t make sense.¡±

    Maliah looked up at him and snapped, ¡°Look, no one asked you to be here. Am I being too loud or something again? Well, I¡±m sorry. I can¡¯t control what goes on in my head.¡±

    Abioye stared at her before he finally straightened and turned his back to her. Maliah didn¡¯t know why but suddenly her stomach lurched at the thought of him leaving. But to her surprised he didn¡¯t disappear.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t hear anything this time¡±, Abioye said softly, ¡°You had a scare and thought that perhaps your mother might have been lost to you.¡±

    Maliah¡¯s mouth fell open at his words. She almost doubted that Abioye¡¯s said them because she couldn¡¯t see his mouth moving even if he was still there.

    ¡°So you panicked and even now the memory hasn¡¯t quite faded as it? It makes you think of a reality that will be real one day.¡± Abioye''s voice was softer than she ever knew it to be.

    She rapidly blinked and wiped at her face, ¡°I just¡­.¡±

    She had no idea what to say.

    ¡°You are fortunate to know your mother¡±, Abioye murmured.

    Maliah looked up at him. His shoulders were taunted. ¡°You...didn¡¯t know yours?¡± she ventured to ask softly.

    Abioye growled and Maliah read that as a negative. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    She saw his shoulders drop and he glanced across his shoulder once, ¡°Why?¡±

    Maliah shrugged, ¡°I don¡¯t know what it¡¯s like to not know your mother at all. I¡¯m glad that I was able to but it must be hard that you didn¡¯t know her. I guess If I didn¡¯t know my mother, I would wonder about her. What was she like? What did she look like?¡±

    Abioye turned his head to stare in front of him. He had no idea why he was talking about his mother with Maliah. He always hated anyone discussing his mother yet he found himself saying, ¡°I know what she looks like. We have a painting of her. Three actually. Each one drawn after one of us was born. And my siblings told me what she was like.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good but there is still something missing in not experiencing it yourself¡­..¡±

    Abioye snapped around and looked at her. She took a step back and ducked her head, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I don''t mean to speak out of turn.¡±

    Abioye¡¯s wide eyes finally turned to normal. Finally he growled and said, ¡°Humans destroyed her.¡±

    It was Maliah¡¯s turn to look up at him shocked.

    ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for the dark heart of humans she would be here.¡±

    Maliah didn¡¯t ask any questions and it was silent for a long time.

    ----

    In a couple of days, Mrs. Anderson was able to come home. She kept urging Maliah to go back to work but Maliah didn¡¯t until her mother was safe in her house. She even cooked their meal, eyeing and praying over every source of food she touched. What was really surprising however was that since that day in the kitchen, Abioiye came around. She had gotten used to the Death Prince sitting or standing around. But he never said anything. Maliah half wondered once if a Death Child could feel boredom as he didn¡¯t bring anything to work on or read. He just sat quietly watching Maliah converse with her parents. It was slightly awkward as Maliah was the only one that knew that he was there but it strangely comforted her.

    When she said good-bye to her parents with a promise that her mother would call her tomorrow evening and her promise that yes, she would go back to work the next day, she got into her car. She would have been shocked that Abioye was sitting next to her, seat belt buckled except she had come to expect him to show up wherever.

    Maliah started the car a and drove off to her apartment. At a stop light, she turned and looked at Abioye. She opened her mouth, not knowing what to say. He just stared ahead.

    Finally, she said, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Abioye dipped his head once still looking ahead before saying with a pointed finger, ¡°The light¡¯s green.¡±

    Maliah chuckled.

 Chapter 17

    It has been a month since her mother¡¯s scare and blessedly it was becoming a faded memory. After that week, Abioye didn¡¯t show up as often as he did, instead resorting back to their Saturday meeting. Maliah found that she was glad to get back to normal though she was oddly grateful that Abioye had stuck around as long as he did.

    However this Tuesday night had her walking into her apartment in a daze of another kind. It was a normal day at the office like any other had been for the past year, yet today was totally different. Today a coworker asked her out. She had known him since she had been working at the office for 3 years, yet today was the first time that she got an inclination that he liked her that way.

    Even as Maliah ate, bathed and did her nightly routine that Tuesday only to end up sitting on her yoga mate, she was still in a daze. A few downward facing dogs did not give her a new perspective that some people claimed it did.

    After the shock of being asked out on a date wore off, uncertainty began to creep in. Had this been a year prior, she would have long since gotten over her shock, deciding to go out on the date. Although she wasn¡¯t much for office romances she would be remiss if she didn¡¯t admit that she hadn¡¯t developed a bit of a crush on the man.

    But now, she found herself in a dilemma that she had never thought she would have. Was it okay to go out on a date knowing that Abioye was in the background? It wasn¡¯t cheating though. It wasn¡¯t like having an extra one on the side, right? She didn¡¯t even like Abioye like that. He had become an impossibility on her life, but they seem to have managed to make it work.

    Maliah honestly didn¡¯t know that this should be a problem. It wasn¡¯t like it wouldn¡¯t have come up but now that it did, she wasn¡¯t sure what to do.

    And then her imagination went into overdrive.

    Say she got married one day, she would still have to do a bonding with Abioye on Saturdays. How would she handle that? Wouldn¡¯t her future husband begin to get suspicious at some point? Even if she introduced Abioye as a friend, well, that presented two problems:

    Abioye didn¡¯t age. (he was millenna year old, she thought, and he looked no older than mid 30¡¯s) so when she was 50-60 years old how did she justify knowing Abioye?

    Even if point 1 passed, wouldn¡¯t her future husband think something was off after a time?

    Maliah growled and ran her hand through her hair messing up her perm as she flopped down to the side on the floor. How did she wind up with these problems? What was supposed to be a good thing, her first date, was leaving her feeling very confused!

    What should she doooooo?

    The only thing she could think was to ask Abioye, as embarrassing as it sounds. He was the only one that was equipped to help her.

    She thought.

    Maliah wasn¡¯t sure. Human problems weren¡¯t really Abioye¡¯s forte and he really didn¡¯t care much about them but what other choice did she have? She sat up and smoothed her perm before slipping on a shirt over her sports bra.

    Abioye didn¡¯t have a phone and Maliah never had to contact him before Saturday. On the day in question he just appeared to her at the required time. Could she even contact him? Maliah chewed on her lips a moment before crossing her legs and closing her eyes. She remembered when she intervertantly was screaming her thoughts in his head. Maybe she could do it consciously?

    Maliah thought she would see if it would work as she breathed and meditated on Abioye. Which in all honestly ended up being her repeating his name in her head.

    Abioye. Abioye. Can you hear me? I need to talk to you. Can you come here? Abioye.

    After about five minutes she gave a sigh and opened her eyes.

    Maybe out loud then?

    So then Maliah kept calling Abioye over and over again, ¡°Abioye. Abioye. Can you hear me? I need to talk to you. Can you come here? Abioye. Hellllo? Can you hear me? Is this thing on?¡±

    ¡°EHH!!!¡± came an almost screech that had her jumping up and almost running around in circles until she saw Abioye standing on her mat inside glaring at her from the door.

    She grabbed her heart, ¡°That took off some years¡±, she murmured.

    ¡°Can you be quiet?¡± Abioye growled.

    Maliah brinkley finally registered that he was here, ¡°It worked?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I can hear you. You don¡¯t have to scream in my ear!¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t screaming. I was trying my head for five minutes but it didn¡¯t work so I tried out loud.¡±

    ¡°I know I heard.¡±

    Maliah wrinkled her nose, ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you come the first time I called?¡±

    Abioye stared back at her from under his eyes, ¡°I was trying to ignore it¡­..¡±Stolen story; please report.

    There as a pause before Maliah¡¯s right eye twitched, ¡°Then you could have been here 3 minutes ago?¡±

    Abioye growled, ¡°I¡¯m here now. What do you want?¡±

    ¡°I need to talk to you¡±, Maliah mumbled as she walked over to the couch and sat down. Abioye kicked off his shoes and stalked over before plopping down next to her.

    ¡°It¡¯s not even Saturday¡±, he muttered.

    ¡°I know what day it is but like I said I need to talk to you.¡±

    Abioye looked at her, ¡°Alright, what is it?¡±

    Suddenly Maliah began to fidget. Now that Abioye was here she wasn''t sure what to say. But Abioye¡¯s dark glare finally made her burst out, ¡°I have a date!¡±

    Abioye blinked. And then blinked again, ¡°I¡¯m happy for you? What do you want, congratulations? More to the point why are you telling me this?¡±

    Maliah shot up from her seat suddenly regretting this idea, ¡°I¡¯m sorry I told you.¡±

    Abiye shrugged and stood up. He had only taken a few steps towards the door before Maliah turned around, ¡°I just wasn¡¯t sure. I mean, it¡¯s a date and I want to go.¡±

    ¡°Then go¡±, Abioye said without turning around.

    ¡°But it¡¯s on Saturday¡­...¡±

    Abioye turned around and glared at her, ¡°Of all the days? Can¡¯t you change it to Sunday?¡±

    Maliah clapped her hands, ¡°That¡¯s my point. Say he¡¯s available on Sunday, great fine. But at some point, someone is going to want to do something on Saturday and that will be the only day available. Then what if I get married one day and you¡¯re around. Wouldn''t that look bad no matter how you look at it to my future husband? It''s like you are a secret I¡¯d have to keep. It¡¯s like cheating.¡±

    Abioye just stared at Maliah as she got more and more riled up.

    Maliah continued, ¡°This date isn¡¯t it like cheating. I mean, would you be a side piece in this scenario?¡±

    She winced. Why did this seem to get more wrong as she talked?

    Abioye finally grunted and crossed his arms, ¡°We don¡¯t have relations, Maliah.¡±

    ¡°I know that! You know that!¡± Maliah waved her arms around, ¡°Everyone else doesn¡¯t know that!¡±

    The Death Prince forked an eyebrow, ¡°Are you being a bit melodramatic?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s called forethinking, you oughta try it sometime.¡± shot Maliah back before continuing, ¡°And I¡¯m not being melodramatic. I¡¯m trying to solve problems that have a high chance of being created.¡±

    Abioye waved one hand elegantly, dismissively, ¡°That¡¯s your personal life. You forget. I don¡¯t deal with your personal life.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not asking you too.¡±

    ¡°Then what do you want me to do? This seems like a problem you have to figure out.¡±

    Maliah growled to herself and began to wonder if she was making this more than what it should be? But she was convinced that her arguments had merit. It could be a problem one day. No matter how she thought, he was a secret she had to keep. The question was for how long? She didn''t have a boyfriend right now. She didn¡¯t even have friends. Thankfully she lived away from her parents so she didn¡¯t have to hide it from them. But what about going forward? She was not crazy to think about this.

    The question was, why couldn''t she shake the feeling that it was akin to cheating to go out with her co-work Stephan, knowing that Abioye was a secret in her life? And then on Saturday? How would she pull that off? She didn''t want Abioye trailing her date and she certainly knew that Abioye would flip if she suggested so.

    Maliah was trying to keep her patience that was slowly wearing thin as she exhaled, ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m trying to do, figure out how this works!¡±

    Abioye gave her a hooded look, ¡°It works the same way that it¡¯s been working. I show up every Saturday and nurse your spirit. If you want to mess with that, fine, then you will pay the price. You are the one that will fade, ceasing to exist, not me.¡±

    Maliah saw that he was looking at her as if she was no more than an insect. Was this really that bad? Here she was trying to make the best out of a situation and he had a devil-may-care attitude about it. It had been almost a year now since she had died and met Abioye.

    Was she stupid? She had thought when her mother was in trouble that they may have finally begun to have a repore. She noticed he seemed a bit mellower since then. She thought they had finally reached a meeting of the minds long ago that he would tag along if she had to go out on Saturdays and not try to keep her at home. In which case so far, she has tried to keep Saturday free which wasn¡¯t very hard because she didn¡¯t like going out if there wasn''t something interesting she felt she needed to do. And yet, when she needed some advice about something that no one else could help her with, this was how she was treated. Almost with disdain.

    The longer she stared at him gaping the more Maliah felt herself snapping until finally:

    ¡°Do you hate me that much?¡± she whispered.

    Abioye just stared at her not moving a muscle.

    ¡°I know you hate humans, Abioye. I can understand that. But it wasn''t me. I wasn¡¯t there for whatever humans did to your mother¡­..¡±

    Abioye twitched, ¡°Woman¡­.¡±

    Maliah continued quickly, bringing her hand to her chest, ¡°I¡¯m talking about me. Do you hate me? Not human or whatever. Me, me? Am I that much of a problem to you? I know you treat me with cold disdain most of the time and I¡¯m okay with that because neither of us wanted this. But I¡¯m trying my hardest to make this as pleasant as I can for both of us but that''s not good enough is it? Now I have a problem that only you can help me with and you just like whatever¡­..¡±

    Abioye eyebrows furrowed. He couldn''t understand why Maliah was having a problem with this. What were they even talking about? What difference did it make if she went on a date? If she wanted to go with some mortal man, that was her problem. Why were they having this argument to begin with?

    He breathed, ¡°Again what do you want me to do? Trail you on your date? You wouldn¡¯t even like that.¡±

    ¡°Forget the date for a moment!¡± Maliah almost yelled, ¡°I¡¯m talking about us! Is my presence that shameful?¡±

    Abioye raised an eyebrow, ¡°You sound like you¡¯ve warmed to the idea of being a Death Prince¡¯s mate.¡±

    ¡°What does that have to do with anything? I thought that was a done deal! Forget the mate thing! You don¡¯t think we can co-exist. Be friends if nothing else? You hate me that much?¡±

    Abioye snorted, ¡°Friends? Me with a human?¡±

    ¡°Do you have any other friends?¡±

    ¡°What do I need with them? I¡¯m a busy person.¡±

    ¡°Abioye you are avoiding the question¡­¡± growled Maliah.

    ¡°Yes, I hate you.¡±

    Although Maliah half expected the answer, the quiet voice was still like a slap in the face. Maliah¡¯s mouth clacked closed as Abioye continued.

    ¡°I hate humans and I hate you. I hate that we are bound together like this. I hate that Baba sought to make this contract. I hate that I have to waste my time coming to you.¡± He lifted his chin, ¡°But then again, none of this is new to you so what difference does it make?¡±

    He was right.

    Maliah knew that.

    Yet still, she blinked hard at the tears that welled up in her eyes. It was different hearing it so directly. It seemed far more personal than she ever felt it to be.

    Maliah turned away waving at him, ¡°Fine! Whatever! Just go then! I¡¯m sick and tired of having to deal with you when you aren¡¯t even making an effort.¡±

    It was silent for a long awhile and eventually Maliah turned to peek to see if he was gone.

    He was, even his shoes.

    Maliah wiped at the stubborn tear that fell down her cheek. There was no reason to feel this way.

    Like he said, what else was new?

 Chapter 18

    There was a dark aura admitting from Abioye¡¯s office. Ayana and Ajani stood around the corner, looking down the long hallway to the closed door.

    ¡°So scary¡­.¡±, Ajani whimpered as a shiver passed through him.

    Ayana couldn¡¯t help but to tap the wall with her nails once, twice, ¡°What could have happened this time?¡±

    It had been awhile since a darkness descended on Mi¡¯ol because of one of the Death Children¡¯s anger. All Death Children were linked to Mi¡¯ol and could influence it via their moods.

    It was why even Ayinde was there instead of doing his usual duty. Not that he could. Outside Mi¡¯ol had gone into a lockdown with the sandstorm that was currently raging. It had been hours and it still had not abated. Even though Ayinde could row to the other side with his eyes closed he could not in this sandstorm that upsetted the river.

    It has been a long time since such a thing has happened. Ayinde had been a young child and the twins were not even born when all three of his older half siblings had almost wrecked Mi¡¯ol with their anger after the Death King¡¯s decree. Ayinde remembered how calm Baba was during that time. He didn¡¯t bat an eye and said they¡¯ll get over it eventually. Ayinde distinctly remembered feeling as though Mi¡¯ol would disappear at that time. However this time was a mere joke in Ayinde¡¯s eyes. It was nowhere near the level of destruction as the last time. Probably because only Abioye was the one raging.

    Ayinde was distinctly surprised that he hadn¡¯t seen Amondi since this started but on reflection let¡¯s be real, who was he kidding? Amondi was probably somewhere enjoying the view. Ayinde shook his head to himself as he heard his sister ask, ¡°So, who''s going to brave this?¡±

    Ayana looked at Ajani who probably looked back at Ayinde. It took awhile for Ayinde to realize it was quiet and he snapped back to himself. He saw the twins looking at him expectantly and finally heaved a long sigh.

    Abioye didn¡¯t look up when he heard the door open and close. Ayinde walked in and stood before the desk. He could see Abioye simmering as he sat drilling a hole into the desk. Ayinde swore he saw fumes smoking outwards from Abioye¡¯s frame.

    Ayinde would never admit that he was silent for a long time to gather his courage and not because he was calm. He knew that no matter what he said or where he started, Abioye was dangerous right now. Eventually he spoke:

    ¡°You are kicking up a sandstorm out there, you know? No one can work right now. What is wrong, Abioye?¡±

    Abioye growled without looking up, ¡°Get. Out.¡±

    Ayinde lifted his chin and folded his arms, ¡°I will not.¡±

    Gold eyes flashing dangerously as Abioye looked up. Ayinde suppressed the shiver and spoke evenly, ¡°You¡¯ll feel better if you vent your anger¡­.with words preferably.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me how to feel!¡± snapped Abioye, banging his hand on his desk.

    ¡°Did something happen to our future sister in law?¡±

    Abioye clenched his fist, ¡°There is not going to be a future sister in law!¡±

    Ayinde cocked his head, ¡°Why not? What has happened now? It must be bad if you are raging like this. Has she affected you this much?¡±

    Abioye bared his teeth, ¡°She had not...affected me¡­.¡± he sneered.

    ¡°But something did happen? What is it?¡± Ayinde asked softly.

    Ayinde was able to hold Abioye eyes, not looking away in the slightest. Such a thing finally yielded him a response, ¡°She has a¡­.what do you mortals call it, a date on Saturday of all days.¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    ¡°Ahh¡­.¡±

    Abioye growled.

    ¡°So I suppose you have to trail her for the day?¡±

    ¡°I will do no such thing!¡± snapped Abioye.

    Ayinde looked surprised, ¡°But that is the day you have to go nurture her spirit!!¡±

    ¡°So what!¡±

    Ayinde''s mouth hung open once, ¡°I thought that the two of you managed to make your peace with that. She cannot hang up her life every Saturday.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s her choice if she wants to go.¡±

    ¡°But if you don¡¯t go she¡¯ll eventually fade. Are you okay with that?!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s her choice!!¡± snapped Abioye. He growled as he began to rant, ¡°She called me out, in her head today, that is not even Saturday, to tell me that she is going on a date with a mortal man. However, she¡¯s all melodramatic enough to think that the contract would affect her changes with a mortal man.¡±

    ¡°And how does she think it would?¡±

    ¡°How would I know? She seemed to think I`m some secret she has to keep all her life and it would be hard to hide if she is trying to have a relationship or get married. She seems to think that this is cheating somehow.¡±

    Ayinde nodded slowly, ¡°I can see her fear. It¡¯s quite valid. I hadn¡¯t thought of it that way, but it makes sense.¡±

    There was silence for a while while Ayinde mulled over this as Abioye continued to stew over it. Ayinde thought it was quite strange that Abioye was this angry over this. He observed Abioye before asking, ¡°Are you still going on Saturday?¡±

    ¡°I already told you no! I¡¯m not trailing behind two mortals watching them develop together. It¡¯s sickening. Besides it''s not like she wants me to do that. She could just cancel the date or move it to another day but she¡¯s choosing to be stubborn. ¡±

    Ayinde blinked, ¡°Brother¡­.is it that fact that she has a date on Saturday or that she has one at all is bothering you?¡±

    Ayinde swore he heard a tree snap outside as Abioye¡¯s eyes blazed up at him again. He was impressed that Abioye had thrown something at him but that was beneath him. So Ayinde gathered his courage and pressed on making sure to keep his older brother¡¯s gaze, ¡°I have to wonder if you hate her as much as you wanted to....¡±

    Yep, Ayinde heard something break outside as the raging storm seemed to kick it up a notch.

    ¡°Abioye, it¡¯s understandable why you and your siblings hate humans. But I''ve watched you this past mortal year. You have softened towards Maliah.¡±

    Abioye leaned forward then slowly, deliberately picking up a feathered pen, ¡°I wonder how your wife will feel if I send you back in pieces.¡±

    Ayinde had to remind himself that Abioye was tamer than Amondi or Alimayu. And as much Abioye wouldn¡¯t admit it, he had changed over the years and at the end of the day was willing to listen to what Ayinde had to say.

    ¡°Abioye, you still hate humans, but I don¡¯t think you hate Maliah as much as you want to. And now that she dares to go on a date with some lame mortal man, you don¡¯t like that. For crying out loud, you even brought a microwave, you don''t need to make tea in a mortal way!¡± Ayinde pointed to a corner of a room where a microwave and a bunch of tea sat.

    ¡°You got that from Maliah. Also, the two of you seemed to have gotten closer after Maliah¡¯s scare with her mother. Rather you admit it or not, you¡¯ve bonded with her more than this nurturing the spirit.¡±

    Abioye¡¯s feather pen snapped into two as he glared up at Ayinde.

    Ayinde dared to point at Abioye, ¡°What you feel is called jealousy.¡±

    The 2nd Death Prince, 3rd child of the Death King snorted, ¡°I do not feel such base human emotions.¡±

    ¡°Ahh, so you are aware of what it is then!¡±, Ayinde allowed himself a small smile, ¡°Maliah Anderson grew on you. Like fungus. But I have to ask you to think about this: How would you feel knowing Maliah, as much as you do now, if she was fated to your older brother?¡±

    Abioye¡¯s eyes fluttered quickly at the thought. Maliah Anderson fated to Alimayu? He didn¡¯t understand why he felt the back of his neck grow cold at the thought. His older brother could be cruel in ways that defined logic. Even in the beginning, although Abioye didn¡¯t like the idea of the contract, he always pitted whoever would be fated to Alimayu. He wouldn''t put it past his brother to actually try to kill his fated on the spot. Or as everyone kept saying just toss her into the River of Remembrance with his own hands. Even Abioye couldn¡¯t bring himself to be that cruel.

    More than that, he didn¡¯t know what would happen if one of them tried to kill their fated with their own hand. Would that destroy the Death Children, making them disappear as if they never existed? Abioye never wanted to find out. It was good that Alimayu had shut himself up in the Spiral Room. Even their father never shut himself up in that room. Abioye often wondered why Alimayu tortured himself in that room. How could he be in the room where he had to constantly watch the souls be born, even if it was his duty assigned to him by the Death King? Seems to Abioye that would be a greater torment of his older brother.

    But Maliah being fated to his older brother? Even Abioye couldn¡¯t hate her that much.

    Ayinde could see the change and emotions that filtered through Abioye¡¯s eyes.

    Finally Abioye sat back in her seat and said calmly, ¡°I don¡¯t need her!¡±

    Ayinde shook his head softly, ¡°No, but I have to wonder if you want her?¡±

 Chapter 19

    Stephen glanced at Maliah as they took a walk around. She seemed spaced out all throughout the evening. He looked away before absently pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. Maybe the restaurant wasn¡¯t to her liking. He took a peek at her. No, he wasn¡¯t fool enough to not realize that Maliah had been off ever since he picked her up for their date. He absently reached up and ran a hand through his shorn head.

    In all the time that Stephen had known her, Maliah had never looked like this. Granted he only worked with her in the last year that she has joined their office, so that may not have counted for much but so far, she had not even taken any sick days.

    Yet, tonight was the sickest that he had seen Maliah look before. He was concerned that her mocha skin seemed to lack a glow that was always present. Even as they exited the restaurant, Stephan made sure to stay close to her. He was concerned that she might begin to sway at any moment, yet she hadn¡¯t so far.

    Stephen had been looking forward to going on a date with Maliah. He wasn¡¯t for office romance preferring to keep personal and private separate but in the last year the young woman made an impression on him although she never tried. Maybe that was why, because she never tried, like some of the other women in the office that to this day still got on his nerves.

    He was aware of his title of being a bit of a jerk in the office but that was because he liked to keep a sense of professionalism that others seem to want to play around with. However, because of that and his natural reserve, it took him quite a bit of time to get up the courage to ask Maliah out. He could see that she was shocked and he gave her some time to think about it. He fully expected to get an answer the last minute but the next day she agreed. Maliah seemed amicable to it, yet even then Stephen sensed something was off.

    But this evening, Stephen could help but to wonder what exactly was wrong. Yet, he was loathed to pressure her. She might be dealing with some personal issues. He knew if it was him, he wouldn¡¯t want someone all up in his business.

    Clearing his throat he gave a small smile, ¡°Maliah?¡±

    Said woman looked up at him and seemed to blink at him a little owlishly.

    ¡°Are you sure you are okay?¡± Stephen asked forgoing his original comment of enjoying the date. Looking at her, it was clear, whether because of him or her personal issues she was not really here.

    Maliah gave a smile that Stephen could tell was forced, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m okay.¡±

    Stephen really couldn¡¯t do this anymore. He stopped and lifted his hand a little. Maliah looked up at him surprised but turned to him with confusion in her eyes.

    He scrunched his face and narrowed his eyes down at her, ¡°You aren¡¯t sick, are you? If you are you don''t have to hide it.¡±

    Maliah shook her head, ¡°No, no. I¡¯m not sick¡­.I¡¯m¡­.¡± suddenly she gave a violent shiver unable to hide it.

    Maliah had felt cold today from the moment she woke up. She remembered the first Saturday that Abioye and her spent together. She was cold that day as well but it didn¡¯t last as long because Abioye had shown up then.

    He didn¡¯t today.

    As her day continued, she felt colder and colder making her break out one of her heavier sweaters. Nothing that would raise an eyebrow in August. However it did not help. By the time Stephan came to pick her up, all Maliah wanted to do was lay down and sleep. But she forced herself to come out anyway.

    Now she was regretting it.

    Stephen pulled off his jacket and wrapped it over Maliah¡¯s shoulders shushing her, ¡°Maliah, whether it¡¯s me, this date or something else, it¡¯s obvious that something is bothering you.¡±

    He saw her getting ready to get riled up but he held up his hand and continued, ¡°If it¡¯s personal and you don''t want me to know that¡¯s fine. I won¡¯t ask if you don¡¯t want to tell me. I just want you to know that I hope that maybe, we can go out again. Unless you really think already that we might not have any common ground to stand on, maybe we can go out when you are feeling better.¡±

    Stephen smiled down at her, ¡°Why don¡¯t I take you home and we call it a night?¡±

    Maliah looked up at him guilt in her eyes but slowly nodded her head. The ride home was in silence. Maliah knew that she had been feeling out of it all evening and it wasn¡¯t fair to Stephen. She felt guilter knowing that he wasn¡¯t going to pry yet obviously leaving a way for her to tell him if she wanted. But how could she? How could she tell him what was wrong?

    Maliah knew then that she never should have agreed to come out on this date, least of all on Saturday. But a part of her wondered if it would have been any better any other day of the week. It wasn¡¯t just the cold but the pinch in her chest that continued from this morning after Abioye didn¡¯t show up. Maliah honestly didn¡¯t know if he would or not, not after their argument. Part of her hoped he wouldn''t, the other part hoped he would.

    But as late morning became afternoon it was clear that Abioye wasn¡¯t going to show up. She knew she should have felt relief, yet she felt nervous for some reason. She tried to pass it off as that¡¯s why she couldn''t stop thinking about Aboye all day. Even going so far as kept surreptitiously checking around to make sure that he wasn¡¯t around. She couldn¡¯t help it. She hadn¡¯t seen him, it was only natural.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    That¡¯s what she told herself.

    But then throughout her date, to Maliah¡¯s guilt, she realized that she committed the worst sin. She kept comparing Abioye to Stephen and that wasn¡¯t fair.

    Stephen was a good man, as evident by his unwillingness to pry, yet leaving it open for her to tell him if she wanted. He even wanted to go on another date, willing to chalk this up to her not feeling good. He was a considerate man.

    But he wasn¡¯t Abioye.

    Maliah felt comfortable with Stephen as much as a co-worker would and didn¡¯t have any bad thoughts about going on a date with him. Yet, on the date she realized that she didn¡¯t feel that same level as comfort as she had developed with Abioye. It was something that she hadn¡¯t even realized until today.

    Something as simple as when Stephen picked her up, there was an awkward silence that lasted until they got to the restaurant. It reminded her of when Abioye first came to her apartment. They had managed to dispel their awkwardness quickly. From then on, she and Abioye could spend an absorbent amount of time in complete silence and it was completely fine.

    When they were at the restaurant Maliah had decided to order some tea with her meal. Stephen had been surprised. Apparently he only drank tea when he had a cold. Which was fine, but when Maliah tasted the tea the first person she thought about was Abioye. At that moment, she wanted to tell Abioye about how delicious the tea was. Then they would probably discuss how it could be better or not.

    This was not fair to Stephen. He was a good man, calm and reserved man. She had never seen him in comfortable clothes as they dressed professionally at work. Even now he was dressed in white dress shirt and dark pants almost like he did in the office.

    But there was something about Abioye that drew her. Maybe because he was a Death Prince but he had a noble bearing, a haughtiness that sometimes got on Maliah¡¯s nerves. Yet at the same time, Abioye did not waste words. If he felt there was something to say, he would say it.

    At the end of the day, it boiled down to a level of comfort that she had unknowingly developed with Abioye. With him she didn¡¯t feel the need to try and impress and because of that sense of comfort she wasn¡¯t sure if she could make it with another. In fact, she hadn¡¯t made it with Abioye.

    It just happened.

    ¡°We¡¯re here.¡±

    Stephen¡¯s announcement made Maliah looked up startled. She bobbed her head when she realized that he was right. And the awkward silence started.

    Or did it continue? Maliah realized she was too deep into her head on the ride home.

    ¡°Um, I¡¯ll see you Monday, I guess.¡± Maliah said by way of goodbye.

    Stephen nodded, ¡°Naturally. And I expect whatever you chose that it won¡¯t disrupt our professional life.¡±

    Maliah gave a small genuine smile then, ¡°Yea, agreed.¡±

    They looked at each other before quickly looking away. Maliah scrambled out the car and gave a small wave. Stephen returned it before driving off without so much a backwards glance. Although she needed to go to bed at the moment, she really needed to clear her head, so she decided to take a stroll around the complex.

    As she walked aimlessly down the street, she finally took out her phone: 8:25pm. She gave a sigh. The last several hours had become a giant blur to her.

    But her guilt grew, magnified by her tendency to overthink. She never should have gone on a date with Stephen. She could only pray that come Monday there wouldn''t be so much awkwardness. She treated him horribly. She shouldn''t have been that obvious with her feelings. She should have tried to act like she enjoyed the date even if she had no plan to go on another.

    Maliah shivered. Why was it so blasted cold? It was August for crying out loud. She rubbed at her chest. Even if she wasn''t feeling good, it was no excuse as to why she spent almost all her date thinking about Abioye. So what if she and Abioye had established a sense of peace between them? So what if she was loathed to admit that she felt more comfortable with him than she ever felt with anyone else? So what if the silence between them were golden for her, unawkward, peaceful and welcomed? And so what if Abioye and her could sit for hours without saying a word to each other.

    So what¡­?

    Malian couldn''t help but to think of the future. Perhaps it has taken a little over a year but the reality of it all was suddenly crashing down around her. How would she be able to keep the secret of Abioye for her entire life? She couldn''t even concentrate on the date today.

    And she didn''t want to end up alone.

    That was one of her greatest fears: to die alone.

    But strangely she didn''t feel lonely with Abioye even if he acted crusty in her opinion. She hadn¡¯t realized that she had begun to look forward to him coming even if they didn''t do much. Drinking tea had never been as fun as it was until now that she had someone to drink it with. But she knew that Abioye didn''t see it that way, and she couldn''t blame or hate him for that. She was an imposition in his life and after having a better clue as to what happened to his mother, because of humans, she couldn''t blame him.

    Yet not for the first time today did she feel a sense of longing that she wished that this Saturday would have been like it had been for the past year. Even those times that they had gone out on Saturday had filled her with a sense of joy. Like the first time Abioye had to tag along with her to the store. He had been, as usual, quite grumbly but she wouldn''t have had the memory of a Death Prince helping her put the groceries in her car. He claimed it was in the interest of time but Maliah knew better. She had to buy two cases of water and was loathed to figure out how to get it into her basket. She had turned away, for reasons she couldn¡¯t remember now, for barely a moment and when she looked back two cases of water had been moved into her basket. She had felt nothing. No heaving, not basket rattling. Nothing. When she processed what could have happened, she looked up at Abioye who was already walking off. Her thank you had been met with a stony silence but she didn¡¯t mind.

    Maliah gave a small laugh at the memory. She hated that she would give anything to see Abioye¡¯s usually haughty look. He had a soft side that she witnesses with her mother. A keen sense of understanding that she had yet to come across in another. That was the day she felt endeared to him a little. But he wasn''t here. And he probably wouldn''t come.

    Maliah rubbed her chest a little harder as suddenly dark spots danced in her eyes as she came to the crosswalk. Maybe she needed to get back home. Her breath hitched. She had only been walking. Why was she getting out of breath? Shaking her head, she looked left and then right just before walking across.

    However halfway over she stumbled having to stop as her world spun. She tried to shake it off, running her hands through her short hair. She hunched over as suddenly her muscles seemed to contract together. Lights entered her perpetual vision and she tried to straighten but was unable to. Maliah managed to turn her head towards the light. For a brief moment, her vision cleared as she saw an oncoming car. Deep within her she knew she should move but she felt frozen. Then her world went black and she crumpled to the ground.

 Chapter 20

    Abioye watched impassively as the driver swerved to avoid hitting Maliah as she fell. But she never hit the ground. Faster than the seconds that they had, Abioye appeared and caught Maliah before disappearing and reappearing safely on the other side of the road. To the driver that had been texting, it first looked like there was no one in the road and in that split second he looked down and back up, a woman was crumbling to the ground. Swerving he finally came to stop shaking. He got out of the car only to find there was no one there. He looked around wondering if it was only his imagination. He didn''t see a young woman being carried by a tall man with piecing gold eyes that stared at him.

    Abioye glared at the man. Humans and their inability to focus. He clearly thought that he was getting away with something as he hopped back in the car and sped off. Later, he would make sure that Logan White paid for his lack of focus but right now that didn''t matter.

    It astounded him the level of fury that he processes seeing Maliah was almost hit. But the rising emotions he felt when he looked down at an unconscious form was not something he ever thought to feel. He did not want to see her in his office any time soon.

    Malian was cold, abnormally so. Even as he held her, her temperature seemed to be steadily dropping. His eyes widened and he dropped down on his hunches so he could hold her with one hand. Her spirit was fading as they had not seen each other. But a look could tell that her spirit had been draining all week.

    Abioye raised his other hand, two fingers extended to his heart. Closing his eyes he concentrated. As he pulled his hand from his chest a light blue light extended. He then hovered his fingers over Maliah¡¯s heart, drawing a spiral over it, circling the spirit into her body. It seemed an eternity later before Abioye could feel Maliah¡¯s body temperature beginning to rise.

    When she was finally not an iceberg did Aboiye open his eyes, dropping his hand. He picked Maliah up and stood a moment looking down at her. Her skin was beginning to take on a healthy glow. He never noticed but her eyelashes were long fanning over her cheekbones. Her short hair barely moved, but still framed her face. Aboiye had heard fairy tales before, his half siblings loving them as they were kids. He always scoffed at them but he couldn''t help but to think that Maliah looked like a princess from those stories they liked so much.

    Hard gold melted the longer he looked at her. Shaking himself he turned, disappearing and reappearing, inside of Maliah¡¯s apartment.

    ---

    Maliah''s eyes shot open and she couldn''t help the sense of dejavu that she felt. She sat up like a marionette on a string to find that she was sitting in bed. She was dressed in her pjs and tucked under the covers as if she had gone to sleep. Only problem was that she didn''t remember going to bed. In fact all she remembered was a blinding light and coldness. But slowly the memory came back to her of her failed date and her walking around. Of the pain in her chest, followed by the coldness. The headlights coming towards her and then blackness.

    Didn''t the car hit her? She wasn''t in a hospital. She felt good. Actually she felt great, back to normal. Throwing the covers off, she darted out of bed, to the door open, throwing it open as she rushed out of her bedroom. Maliah skidded to a stop in her living room, shocked to find Abioye had turned her table into his personal desk with piles of folders. That wasn''t an unfamiliar sight though as he has done the same for the past year. It was the fact that she was seeing him at all after the past week.

    Abioye looked up at her, "You''re awake. How do you feel?"

    Maliah blinked and looked down at herself. She flexed her fingers. She looked back up at Abioye who was watching her closely, ¡°Am I dead?¡±

    Mailah thoroughly expect a smart aleck answer from Abioye but instead he stood and walked over to her. He stood a few inches from her. She had to tilt her head back to see up at him. His lips were pressed in a thin line and he had an unreadable expression on his face, according to Maliah. She would swear he almost looked¡­.concerned.

    Finally he spoke, ¡°No, you aren¡¯t dead. You are still alive.¡±

    ¡°That car. Didn¡¯t it hit me?¡± she asked. She found herself unable to look away from his piercing gold eyes.

    Something passed over Abioye¡¯s face, something that Maliah couldn¡¯t put her finger on. His gold eyes hardened briefly and then it melted again, ¡°No, that car didn¡¯t hit you.¡±

    Maliah looked away then putting her finger to her chin in thought, ¡°But I remember it coming at me but I was unable to move.¡±

    Reflexively she hugged herself, shivering in the memory of the cold and the fear. She thanked the small mercy that she passed out before it ever hit her.

    A gasped escaped Maliah as she felt herself being pulled forward. She tensed and it took her a moment to realize that Abioye had pulled her towards him and was hugging her.

    ¡°Stupid human¡­..¡± she heard him murmured but there didn¡¯t seem to be any heat in his words.

    Maliah found herself relaxing even during the midst of her shock. Abioye, the Death Prince was hugging her? She wasn¡¯t sure what to do so she stood awkwardly in his embrace. Finally, he pulled back and looked down at her, his arms still around her.

    Maliah couldn¡¯t help but to ask when he was silent, ¡°Abioye, are you okay?¡±

    Abioye released her suddenly as if she was a hot plate and looked away.

    There was a lot going through Maliah¡¯s head and she couldn''t seem to settle on any particular thought so she finally blurted out, ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    Abioye looked down at her, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be alive right now if I wasn¡¯t here.¡± he replied softly.

    ¡°Did you save me from the car?¡± Maliah asked, finally putting two and three together.

    ¡°Among other things. Maliah, you were fading, do you realize that?¡±Stolen novel; please report.

    ¡°Fading?¡±

    Abioye exhaled hard and folded his arms, ¡°Did you suddenly forget the contract? If you miss the deadline of one a week spirit nurturing then you will fade. Not die but fade. That car was the least of your problems.¡±

    ¡°Wait! Then how am I okay?¡± Maliah asked, ¡°Am I okay?¡± She began to pat herself down.

    Abioye reached out and grabbed her arms stooping her, ¡°You are fine. You are alive, trust me. But yes, you are okay. I¡­.¡± Here he stopped and looked away.

    Maliah raised an eyebrow. Why was Abioye acting weird today? He seemed to valislate in a way that she never seen.

    Abioye started again, ¡°I got there in time to nurture your spirit. But it required a bit more power than normal as you were just about depleted. Then I brought you back here and had my sister change your clothes.¡± He growled slightly, ¡°I¡¯m surprised her loud voice didn¡¯t wake you but you¡¯ve been asleep for 48 hours.¡±

    Maliah was nodding along but when he finished it took her a moment before she shrieked, ¡°48 hours? What day is it?¡±

    ¡°Tuesday afternoon.¡± Abioye replied.

    Maliah began to run around her house, back and forth, ¡°I¡¯m late for work!¡± she cried unable to figure out what she needed to be doing.

    Finally in a turn of running around, she bumped into Abioye who grabbed her forearms to steady her, ¡°I already had Ayana call in to your work to let them know you wouldn¡¯t be in yesterday and today. Sit down, you are making me dizzy.¡±

    He turned and pulled her along with one hand before forcing her to sit on the couch. Maliah still looked dazed. Abioye reached up and smoothed her hair down making her jump and come back to herself to look at him.

    ¡°You look like you¡¯ve been shot at¡±, he said by way of explanation.

    Finally, Maliah leaned away from him and really looked at him, ¡°Seriously, Abioye, what is wrong with you? You¡¯ve never acted like this before.¡±

    Abioye huffed and sat back on her couch with his arms folded. At that moment he looked like the Abioye that Maliah had been used to. He stared ahead not saying anything allowing Maliah to think. It was seriously Tuesday afternoon? That means she had been out since Saturday night, which means that she hadn¡¯t come in at all on Monday.

    She shut her eyes, wondering what Stephen must have thoughts. She didn''t do well on their date and some could say she was downright rude. Perhaps he thought her sick, but she knew that she was more than sick. She felt sorry to Stephen. He was a nice man, nicer than her first date years ago.

    She had been asked out in college. Maliah admitted she wasn¡¯t interested in dating at that time, preferring to stick to her studies but the man was kind of cute and someone she knew from several classes she had with him so she ended up going on a date with him. A date that all she remembered was his constant need to talk. She hadn¡¯t realized he was so talkative. Whether it was nervousness or just his way, he talked a lot about himself. Maliah had found herself bored and annoyed that she was barely needed in his conversation.

    But Stephen had been a gentleman from what she remembered of Saturday. She reached up and ran a hand through her hair. Even now, fully lucid and feeling fine, she barely remembered much of Saturday. Was she really that out of it? How was she going to face Stephen when she went back to work? Did she pretend that nothing changed? Did she pretend nothing happened? All she knew was she was going to have to be an adult about it no matter how she felt, even if it was a sense of guilt.

    ¡°You were right, you know.¡±

    A deep voice broke Maliah out of her thoughts and startled she looked at Abioye. It took her a moment longer for his words to sink into her brain. It didn¡¯t help that he was looking at her like that. An emotion on his face she couldn¡¯t interpret.

    Maliah blinked, ¡°Right...about what?¡± she asked, trying to guess what he could be talking about.

    ¡°I hate humans. I will hate them for as long as they exist.¡±

    Maliah looked annoyed then, ¡°Yes, I know that.¡±

    ¡°Let me finish, Mailah.¡±

    Mailah clamped her mouth shut when she would have otherwise said something else.

    He looked at her intently, ¡°I do hate humans but I find that as much as I want to hate you, I am unable to.¡±

    Maliah blinked at him and he continued, ¡°I still hate humans and I hate you because you are a human, that much is true. But I don¡¯t hate you, you. Do you understand?¡±

    Maliah blinked, her brain still trying to work out all the clauses in this statement.

    But Abioye continued with a growl, ¡°You should have called me earlier, Maliah. Why would you play with your life like that? You wouldn¡¯t have had a life if I didn¡¯t come.¡±

    Maliah growled then, ¡°You made your position abundantly clear last week. What was I supposed to do?¡±

    ¡°So to spare my feelings you didn¡¯t demand that I show up?¡± Abioye asked with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Perhaps in feeling sick, I couldn¡¯t think straight. But besides, you could have come at your appointed time on Saturday like you always did. Why didn¡¯t you?¡±

    Abioye''s full lips quirked down once before he sat straight and looked away from Maliah, ¡°I was busy.¡±

    ¡°You always say that.¡± Maliah rolled her eyes and looked off.

    ¡°I was too busy trying to pretend that I hadn¡¯t gotten used to you. I didn¡¯t want to get used to you.¡± came a soft reply.

    Maliah¡¯s head swung so fast, she got whiplash. Still Abioye stared straight ahead and continued, ¡°I didn¡¯t want to admit that I had gotten used to you and then I hated that you went on a date with a mortal. I didn¡¯t expect to feel that. I had never felt such a thing before.¡±

    Maliah¡¯s mouth fell open.

    ¡°But I was there. For some reason I couldn¡¯t stay away the more I thought about your date. It made me angry. So, I came to see. I saw your little date with him.¡± Abioye sneered, ¡°It was pitiful.¡±

    Maliah gaped at him. Abioye, the Death Prince, didn¡¯t like that she went on a date with someone? Was he being jealous? Maliah was so stunned that she didn¡¯t know what to say.

    Abioye turned so quickly, throwing an arm around the back of the couch to lean forward towards her. She unconsciously leaned back a little as he looked at her broodily.

    ¡°Don¡¯t go on any more dates with mortals, eh? I¡¯m thinking maybe spending your mortal life with you might not be so bad. Then you don¡¯t have to worry about keeping me a secret and cheating on some other man, eh?¡± He gave a smirk then.

    ¡°H-h-h-hhold on!¡± Maliah spluttered scrambling off the couch and looking down at him.

    She paused a long moment before darting forward and putting her hand on his forehead. Instead of batting her hand away like she expected him to do, he only smirked up at her, ¡°Maliah, Death Children don¡¯t get sick, you know.¡±

    She retracted her hand, ¡°One has to ask. Wait. what did you say?¡±

    ¡°I said Death Children don¡¯t get sick¡­¡±

    Maliah missed the amused smirk on his face as she waved that way, ¡°Before that¡­.¡±

    Abioye was silent for a moment, ¡°Maliah¡­.¡±

    Maliah gaped at him, ¡°You¡­.you used my name¡­..¡±

    In all the time that they had known each other, Abioye had never called her by name. He only hummed in response.

    ¡°Am I being punked?¡± Maliah finally asked, looking around. She couldn¡¯t process this seemingly 180 turnaround of this Death Prince.

    Abioye rolled his eyes and stood then dusting himself off, ¡°No, you aren¡¯t. But I would like a reply. I have said so much. I¡¯ve never said this much to a human in my life.....¡±

    Maliah hissed at him and he looked at her unaffected. But she finally settled down, ¡°What you say, you are being truthful?¡±

    The Death Prince folded his arms, ¡°I should hope that you think of me as many things, a liar is not one of them.¡±

    Maliah waved her hand, ¡°No, that¡¯s not it. It¡¯s just...it¡¯s sudden. I mean you are Death Prince, you¡¯ve resisted this from the beginning and now¡­.¡±

    ¡°Like I said, you grew on me.¡±

    ¡°Like fungus?¡± Maliah said wryly.

    Abioye shrugged secretly amazed that she said the same that he said to his brother.

    Abioye could tell that Maliah still didn¡¯t know what to do with this shift of his so he cocked his head, ¡°How about I make this simple,yea? Why don¡¯t we try being actual friends for now?¡±

    ¡°Friends?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have friends and I never saw a need for them. So this would be a new experience for us. Don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Maliah nodded before she could ever process his words, ¡°Sure, friends, then.¡±

    Abioye smirked, ¡°Just no more date with mortals, eh?¡±

    Maliah swiped at him once.

 Chapter 21

    Three months passed since Maliah and Abioye became ¡°friends.¡± Maliah expected to go back to how it was for that first year but it was that and more. Abioye came around on his own, knocking on the door during the week sometimes. For a little while it was odd for Maliah to see Abioye making an effort in a way that he never before. He even began to take an interest in her life, asking her about her work and then things that happened around her.

    The day she went back to work to face Stephen she was happy that they were able to both be adults about it and aside from the initial awkwardness there wasn¡¯t anything to worry about.. He had worried himself that she had gotten sick but she reassured him that she was good. From then on they went back to being good co-workers as they had been before.

    Since Abioye came around a bit more often, they gradually came to realize that it became less necessary that Abioye spend the whole Saturday with her. He surmised that by coming around, their spirits were in contact and therefore it was getting filled. That negated the need to do much if any filling on Saturday.

    On this November day on a Friday evening, Maliah jingled the keys into her apartment and swung open the door. As she closed and locked it, she started to take her shoes off but Abioye¡¯s voice startled her as he stood from the couch where he was waiting for her.

    She blinked to see him wearing a long black coat and a black fedora hat.

    ¡°Don¡¯t take them off, we are going somewhere.¡± he announced.

    Maliah wrinkled her nose unkeen on going back out on this cold day, ¡°On Friday night in the cold? Duh, no. I have tea, yoga and dramas with my name on it.¡±

    Abioye rolled his eyes, ¡°They will be there when you get back. I promise you will thank me.¡±

    Maliah looked at him suspiciously, ¡°I don¡¯t feel like driving.¡±

    ¡°No one said you had to.¡± Abioye held out his hand.

    Maliah looked at his hand before looking back at him. He pointed to his hand with his eyes.

    ¡°This is new¡±, she remarked.

    Abioye breathed as Maliah finally took his hand. She didn¡¯t expect his hand to feel as warm as it did. She didn''t know what she expected. She guessed that as a Death Prince, she thought he would be as cold as death. But it was warm, like molten honey around her hand, warming her on this cold evening.

    ¡°We are here.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Abioye¡¯s announcement made Maliah realize she had been looking down at their interlocked hands the entire time. Quickly she released his hand and tried to pretend she wasn¡¯t doing anything. Abioye smirked and patiently waited until she got a grip of her surroundings. They were standing outside in the evening air. It was twilight with just enough light for Maliah to get a sense that she had been here before. When she looked around she saw a familiar sign. It was the sign of the cafe that she went to a long time ago. The same cafe in a different city. She looked down and could see the familiar bus stop. The one where she bumped into Abioye that day.

    Then she looked up at Abioye, ¡°Are we¡­.?¡±

    Abioye smirked and began to walk instead making Maliah run behind him. They got inside and to Maliah¡¯s shock, it really was that cafe two cities over where she got her bubble tea. How did they? So stunned that Abioye ended up ordering both of their drinks. It wasn¡¯t until he had politely thanked the server and handed the same bubble tea drink she had that day to Maliah that she gasped and pointed at him but didn¡¯t say anything right away.

    He just rolled his eyes and guided her to a corner table near the window. Then he gave a smirk around his straw. She took a drink, eyes still on him before leaning forward, ¡°You ordered.¡±

    ¡°You''re welcome.¡±

    Maliah waved it away, ¡°Abioye, can they see you? Wait¡­.¡±

    She looked around. No one was paying them any attention and there were no girls fighting each other. She looked back at him suspiciously.

    Abioye pulled out a necklace he was wearing, ¡°I ask my siblings about it. This will allow me to be seen without all the excess drama when I wish to. So now I can appear in public with you and you don¡¯t have to worry about your sanity.¡±

    Maliah ahhed and took a sip of her drink. Ahh, matcha bubble tea, how she missed this drink so!!

    After a comfortable silence she looked up at Abioye, ¡°How did we get here?¡±

    Abioye shook his head, ¡°You forget, I can appear anywhere in the world if I need to. This is nothing.¡±

    ¡°Hold on, you mean I could have had this tea any time I wanted?¡± Maaliah asked, almost sputtering.

    ¡°No.¡±

    Maliah pouted, ¡°Why?¡±

    Abioye shrugged, ¡°We weren¡¯t friends then, remember?¡±

    Maliah scoffed and Abioye chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m also thinking we can go to that restaurant you like down the street.¡±

    Maliah nodded with a smile, ¡°Can we?¡±

    Abioye nodded, ¡°Naturally.¡± Then he gave a self assuring smirk, ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you that you wouldn¡¯t regret it?¡±

    ¡°Right and I should listen to you more often.¡± Maliah mocked seriously.

    ¡°Naturally.¡±

    Almost finished with their bubble tea, they began to walk down the street despite the cold in the air. She shivered slightly and found an arm wrapped around her. She looked at it before looking up at Abioye who stared ahead as if nothing was admiss. With a small smile she looked away, her eyes catching the bus stop.

    They slowled when they were closer. There weren¡¯t as many patrons as when she was there that day. Now she could see that it really was a bus cabinet poll that she had been talking to. She winced at the memory of it.

    ¡°Do you regret it?¡± Abioye asked.

    Maliah looked up at him. He was looking at it as well. He must have been thinking about it as well, ¡°I should be asking you that. Do you?¡±

    ¡°I did¡­.in the beginning.¡±

    ¡°And now?¡± she asked curiously.

    Abioye looked down at her, ¡°I don¡¯t anymore.¡±

    And Maliah smiled.

    And suddenly she couldn''t help but to be glad to have almost a little of her sanity that day.

    Fin.