Heartless (Steel Demons MC #6) - Crystal Ash Page 0,98

our lives. But Shadow never had family, friends, or the freedom of being a human until he came to live with us.

He had been dealt a shit hand in life and that was unfortunate. Ending his story here was sad from every angle, but a shitty upbringing didn’t excuse him from abusing a defenseless woman. I brought the heartbreaking image of Mari in her hospital bed to mind, drawing on it for strength as my fingers wrapped around the pistol grip.

“I’ll tell her you were remorseful,” I said, pulling the gun from my holster. “And that you wish her well.”

Shadow lowered his head. “Thank you, president.” He said nothing else—no begging or pleading for his life. He truly believed this was what he deserved. That made this a little easier.

And yet, so much fucking harder.

I raised the gun, aiming it at his head. This close, one shot would be enough. But I’d take three just to be sure. With a deep breath, I squeezed around the trigger.

You will not reap.

My breath froze in my chest. I looked down at Hades, meeting those dark eyes looking straight through me.

His life is not yours to take. Do not reap.

“How can you tell me that?” I demanded. “How can I not take his life?”

He has not yet reached his end. Stay your hand.

I lowered the gun, turning to face the god at my side who was asking the impossible of me.

“You promised to protect her,” I said. “And he almost took her life! Where were you then, huh?”

She was protected. Her life was salvaged. The human Shadow’s life must continue alongside hers.

I crouched down, lowering my face to the dog’s level. “I don’t care. I will not obey. His life is mine to take.” I returned to standing, spinning with my shooting arm outstretched toward Shadow’s jail cell, to find a man blocking my shot.

He was a flash before my eyes, barely even an image, more of a hazy outline. I caught no details, just a murky silhouette before my gun was wrenched from my hand and tossed toward the door.

I pulled my hand back to my chest with a shout, the cramping painful and immediate. I was decently strong and always carried a good grip on my gun, but this thing broke my hold like I was a newborn.

This is my command, Hades bellowed, his voice like scraping metal in my head and clanging over every bar in the room. You will not reap. His life. Is Not. Yours. To take.

“Fuck you!” I yelled in the dog’s face. He was completely impassive. Not even his ears went back. “I have fucking obeyed you, let me have this one!”

I went for the jail doors, deciding I’d strangle Shadow if I couldn’t shoot him. Something hit me from the side with the force of a linebacker, and I went sprawling across the concrete floor.

Your human body will wear out if you continue this, Reaper. But I rule the dead and I am eternal. My word is law. Shadow’s life will not be reaped until it is time.

“What about Mari’s?” I hissed. “The next time he attacks her, will we get there in time? Huh? Or are you just gonna keep playing fast and loose with our lives?”

As long as Freyja, Horus, and I walk alongside you, those nearest to you will only die when their time comes.

“Swear to me,” I said. “Promise me no one I love will have another brush with death. Especially not her. Swear it, fucking god!”

I owe you nothing beyond what I’ve said, human. You know the protection I offer. And you will carry out this command, and every one after, until our time together is finished.

The dog walked up to where I still sat on the floor, his presence almost unbearably heavy. More than a dog, more than a man, but an odd feeling like the whole pressure of the atmosphere sat on my chest.

Swear to me now, my reaper. His teeth bared, a low warning growl pulling from his throat. You will obey. Shadow’s life is not yours to take.

“I…I will.” The suffocating pressure on my chest eased just a little. “And…I will spare Shadow’s life.”

Hades backed away, his presence no longer closing in on me. Return to Mariposa now. She is feeling much better.

I climbed to my feet, shakily picking up my gun and returning it to my holster. Not bothering to look back at Shadow, I felt dazed as I left the building. Sweaty, feverish, and