Though Azriel had come pretty close.
As my thoughts turned to him, the light around me seemed to dim. No, I thought with determination. I was ready to move on.
The reaper wearing my mother's face smiled and offered me her hand. I hesitated and, just for a moment, thought of Tao and Ilianna, Riley and Quinn, Rhoan and his partner, Liander, and everyone else I was leaving behind. They would undoubtedly mourn my loss, but by my leaving, they could no longer be hurt by the madness that surrounded me.
And this was my chance, perhaps my only chance, to be with my mother again. I wanted that. More than anything, I wanted to see her, be with her, one more time.
I closed my eyes briefly, took a deep breath, then stepped forward.
It was then that Azriel appeared and blocked my path to the reaper.
What on earth are you doing? The words seemed to echo across the golden light, and an odd hush fell around us.
I'm sorry, Risa, but this cannot happen.
It is my time—
Yes, it is, but that does not mean I can let you go.
It is better for everyone—
Not everyone, he said and with such ferocity the very world around us quivered under its force. Definitely not everyone.
Then he reached out, grabbed my arm, and yanked me forward.
Not into death.
Into life.