Dank's POV

The Beginning

The moment she spotted me, I knew it. Granted,

she did a really good job of pretending she couldn't

see me. The fact she halted in her steps the moment

her eyes met mine, then quickly darted past me as

she hurried into the school, gave her away. Students

walked past me all morning without seeing me but

this one saw me. I stood up from the wooden picnic

table, where I'd been sitting awaiting her arrival. I

could force her to acknowledge me by becoming

visible to everyone else but I wasn‟t in the mood to

do so just yet. The determination in her eyes

intrigued me. If there hadn‟t been a parking lot full

of witnesses, I have the feeling she would have

yelled at me instead of cowering like most humans.

The monotony of my existence didn't hold much

promise of entertainment. I‟d play her games for

awhile. Games were fun to play and it'd been much

too long since I‟d come across a worthy opponent,

especially a female one...

Scene at the Lockers

The only explanation was the kid must be an

idiot. When Pagan wasn‟t looking his way he

pathetically ogled her. Then when she glanced over

at him, he acted as if he hadn‟t just two seconds ago

been panting after her like a damn dog. If it wasn‟t

for the incredibly odd possessive streak I felt toward

the girl, I‟d make him see the error of his ways. I

didn‟t like the fact she wanted his attention. I sure as

hell wasn‟t going to help him out. Watching the

disappointed little frown on her mouth made

something inside me stir. I couldn‟t place it exactly

because it was a new emotion. Not anything I was

familiar with.

Pagan tugged her book bag up higher on her

shoulder as she pushed through the bodies of

students filling the halls. I couldn‟t stand by and

watch her so unhappy. Instead of staying in the

background shadowing her like I‟d been doing for

weeks in order to ease the strange tightness in my

chest only her absence could provoke, I spoke up.

“Don‟t look at him next time. It‟ll drive him crazy.”

Her eyes flicked a quick glance over at me but she

didn‟t miss a beat. I didn‟t like it that her scowl

deepened. Granted most people weren‟t crazy about

me but I wanted Pagan to like me. Admitting that

simple fact was humbling and it bugged the hell out

of me. She stopped in front of her locker still

ignoring me even though I made sure she could see

me.

“He‟s trying to play hard to get. Kind of proves what

a child he is, but I can see it‟s bothering you.”

“I‟m not bothered,” she responded through clenched

teeth and opened her locker.

“Yes, you are. There is this little wrinkle between

your eyebrows that appears and you nibble your

bottom lip when something bothers you.”

That got her attention. She froze and turned her head

slowly to peek at me through her cascade of dark

hair. It reminded me of silk. I liked silk. Especially

dark silk. The scowl was gone and an odd feeling of

accomplishment washed over me. I‟d been the one

to cause that tiny smile forming on her lips. Why did

something so simple make me feel like a freaking

king?

“You‟re missing the public display of affection

across the hall between your two buddies. They may

need you to throw a bucket of ice water on them.”

I‟d barely glanced over at Miranda and Wyatt. All I

could see when Pagan was around was... well...

Pagan. But I knew making a joke about her friend‟s

constant grope session would make that tiny smile

break out into a full fledge grin.

“There that‟s better. I like it when you‟re smiling. If

the football kid keeps making you frown I‟m going

to take matters into my own hands.”

Did I really just say that? I was going to have to

watch my words. Before she could respond, I faded

away. I wasn‟t about to answer to that minor slip of

the tongue. She couldn‟t see me any longer although

I hadn‟t moved. Her shoulders lifted and fell back

down as she let out a loud frustrated sigh. She turned

to walk toward her next class and I was glad she

couldn‟t hear my laughter. I‟m positive my

amusement at her frustration wouldn‟t please her.

But damn that girl fascinated me.

Death Breaks the Rules

This was it. Fate had played out just as planned and

the idiot kid she was interested in would be the

reason she left today. For the first time in my

existence, this felt wrong. The pull to be there. The

pull to take her soul. It wasn‟t stronger than my need

to keep her alive.

I stood watching her talk to her silly friend. Pagan

wasn‟t hearing a word her friend was saying.

Instead, her eyes were scanning the hallway for the

boy. Watching this was more than I could handle

right now. I had a fight on my hands and this was the

last thing I needed to witness. I decided to wait

outside. Maybe it would be easier than I thought to

change the course of fate.

As if right on cue, Pagan emerged from the building

with tears glistening in her eyes. This was becoming

a freaking runaway train I couldn‟t stop. Dammit! I

had to do something. Change things somehow.

“Don‟t leave. He isn‟t worth it.” I heard the pleading

in my voice as I fell into step beside her.

“I don‟t want to stay. I‟m angry and I just want to

leave.” Of course she did. That was the grand plan. I

had to stop her.

“Please, Pagan, don‟t get in your car. Go back

inside. Forget the stupid kid and enjoy the rest of

your day. Don‟t let something that idiot did send you

running.”

She stopped walking and hope soared inside my

chest. It was an odd feeling. It was... an emotion. I

was experiencing an emotion. A strong one.

“Why do you care if I leave? Are you the new hall

monitor and I missed the memo?”

This was it. I could change things. I could keep her

alive.

“I‟m begging you to go back in the school.”

“Why?”

A growl of frustration erupted from my chest. She

was so stubborn. “Do you have to question

everything? Can‟t you just listen for once?”

Annoyance took the place of hurt in her eyes and her

posture snapped to attention, “I‟m leaving here. You

can‟t stop me. I don‟t have to listen to you. If you

don‟t have a good excuse then there is no reason for

me to stay.”

She spun around and headed to her car. I‟d tried.

Nothing short of physically holding her here would

keep her from getting in that blasted car and leaving.

The pull was still there. Pagan‟s life was still

marked. Nothing I‟d done had changed anything. I‟d

only slowed it down.

I was going to have to break the rules. What the

penalty was I wasn‟t sure but I wouldn‟t be able to

continue on if I had to take Pagan‟s soul. She was

young. There was so much she hadn‟t experienced

yet. And... I was selfish. I wasn‟t ready to let her go.

I watched as her car spun out of the parking lot

before joining her in order to completely change her

soul‟s fate.

I sat anxiously watching her wondering at what

moment the accident would happen. How it would

happen. She couldn‟t see me sitting in the

passenger‟s seat beside her. I‟d made sure of that. If

I was going to completely alter fate, I at least needed

to keep some things hidden from her.

She wasn‟t going to stop. The stop sign loomed up

ahead but Pagan was looking in her mirror. This was

it.

“Pagan please look at the road,” I begged even

though I knew she couldn‟t hear me. The large truck

wasn‟t slowing down either.

“THE ROAD,” I roared again wishing I could just

make myself visible or at the least speak to her soul

but I‟d only make matters worse if I did. So instead,

I did the only thing I could do, I grabbed the steering

wheel and kept the car from rolling down the side of

the embankment. I didn‟t want her body damaged.

The truck‟s horn blared and the impact wasn‟t

directly on Pagan‟s side. I made sure of that. It hit

the front pushing the steering wheel towards her

chest. Quickly, I unbuckled her seatbelt and lifted

her gently from the car.

Gasping for air loudly as I held her, I realized she‟d

been unable to breathe. Damn I hated this. I wanted

to rush her to the hospital myself keeping her safe in

my arms. But I couldn‟t. I‟d already done too much.

I laid her gently on the ground and held her hand

whispering promises I knew I could keep while I

waited on the ambulance. She didn‟t move. Her eyes

didn‟t even flutter but she was breathing. Her heart

was beating. I wasn‟t taking this soul today. A

panicked murmur escaped her lips and I bent down

to sing in her ear. I didn‟t stop when I heard the

sirens. I didn‟t stop when they began working over

her body. I didn‟t stop until they lifted her and

placed her securely in the ambulance.

Followed Her Home

Fear hung heavy in the air. Pagan was unaware I‟d

followed her home. She didn‟t trust my promise to

keep her safe. That simple truth infuriated me.

Feeling fear was a part of my life. My presence

created fear. I was immune to the familiar bitter taste

it left in my mouth. But Pagan‟s fear bothered me. I

didn‟t like it.

I stood in her doorway watching as she nibbled on

her bottom lip nervously. This was not how it was

supposed to be. I‟d saved her from death. Fear

shouldn‟t be an emotion she had to deal with

anymore.

“What‟s wrong?” I asked. Her scream died almost

instantly as her eyes focused on me.

“Dank,” she gasped pressing her hand against her

heart. I could hear it racing inside her chest from

across the room.

“Sorry, I didn‟t realize you were so wound up about

this.” I walked into the room, watching her closely

as she sank back down onto the bed she‟d jumped up

from when I‟d startled her.

“Well excuse me if strange souls showing up in my

house, talking to me and touching me freak me out a

little.” She shot me an accusatory look, “Then, I ask

you about it and you curse into the darkness and get

all angry.”

Damn. It always came back to this. She wanted to

know too much. Things I couldn‟t tell her. I needed

to keep her safe. Knowledge was dangerous.

Needing to be near her, I sat down beside her on the

small bed. The smell of honey warmed me. Her hair

always smelled completely edible.

“I‟m sorry about that. I shouldn‟t have scared you

that way.”

“Well, can you tell me what is happening, who she

is?”

I shook my head turning my eyes away from her. If

I let myself look into those pleading dark pools of

hers, I‟d cave. “No, that‟s the only thing I can‟t do

for you. Ask me anything else in the world, Pagan,

and I‟ll make sure it‟s yours but that I cannot do.”

She sighed and sat up straighter, “Why‟re you

here, then?”

Because they were trying to fix what I‟d done.

They wouldn‟t just leave it alone. I was Death. I

could decide to allow life. It was my choice. I made

it my choice. But I couldn‟t tell her any of that.

“Until I know everything is fine...until I take care of

what must be done, I‟ll be spending the nights here

in your room.” I turned my eyes back to hers and

held her gaze. I wanted her to understand that she

had nothing to fear.

“I have to protect you,” I paused then motioned

toward the door, “If you want to take that shower,

I‟ll make sure you‟re completely safe while you do

so.”

Relief came over her face then a small frown

quickly replaced it. “Can you read my mind?”

She didn‟t want me reading her thoughts.

Interesting. “Not exactly. It‟s more like I can feel

your fears so strongly I can hear them.”

She studied me for a moment as if remembering

something that confused her.

“

You heard me in the cafeteria when you were with

Kendra, I wasn‟t scared then.”

Ah, yes I felt her fear that day. I‟d reveled in that

fear. Knowing she cared about the blond flirting

with me eased the ache in my chest caused from the

sight of her snuggled up against Leif‟s side.

“You weren‟t?” I asked unable to keep the smirk off

my face.

Her face turned an adorable shade of red before she

spun around and rushed out of the room.

The Bedroom Scene

“I hate the color red almost as much as I hate blond

hair.”

My need to reassure her was going to completely

botch my plan to push her away. But watching her

pout over my going to this stupid dance with Kendra

was difficult. I didn‟t like to be the reason she was

unhappy. Couldn‟t she see this was what was best

for her? The frown on her face and range of

emotions flashing in her eyes told me she didn‟t

believe me. As much as I needed to put distance

between us, I couldn‟t leave her like this.

Standing, I closed the distance between us. Just this

once I‟d forget why touching Pagan was wrong. As

my chest brushed against her back, her small body

shivered. Closing my eyes I bit back a curse. I

wouldn‟t be able to stop myself now. This was a

form of control I‟d never had to exercise. I wasn‟t

sure I even knew how. Wrapping my arms around

her, I pressed her back firmly against my chest.

Pleasure coursed through me and I tightened my

hold. The fear that I‟d never be able to release her

now I‟d held her, seeped into my thoughts.

“She means nothing to me.”

Her body trembled and my need to own her became

unbearable.

“I would never lie to you, Pagan,” I whispered

against her ear. She tilted her head back to stare up

at me. Lowering my head I kissed the soft skin on

the top of her ear. The smell of her skin was

delicious. Unlike anything I‟d ever experienced. I

continued kissing the delicate skin along her face.

Inhaling the intoxicating aroma it presented. My

hands found her hips and I worried the fierce grip I

had on her might bruise her. But I couldn‟t force

myself to relax my demanding hold.

“You tempt me. I can‟t be tempted. I‟m not made to

be tempted but you, Pagan Moore, you tempt me.

From the moment I came for you I was drawn in.

Everything about you...” I needed to touch more of

her. I ran a hand along the exposed skin on her arm.

It heated under my touch. “You make me crazy with

need. With want. I didn‟t understand it at first. But

now I know. It‟s your soul calling to me. Souls mean

nothing to me. They aren‟t supposed to. But yours

has become my obsession.” Instead of cowering

away from me in fear, like a normal human would

when Death was admitting to being obsessed with

them, Pagan leaned against me full of trust. Her neck

exposed as her head fell back on my shoulder. That

skin would be warm and delicate. I lowered my head

and kissed the gentle curve there. Enjoying the

excitement of her racing pulse beneath my lips.

“I want to kill that boy every time I see his hands on

you.” I trailed kisses up her neck as she shifted

closer to me full of expectation. “I want to rip his

arms from his body so he can‟t touch you again.”

Unable to hold back the growl inside of me caused

by the possessive emotion that only Pagan had ever

managed bring out of Death. This was wrong. I

couldn't own her. I couldn‟t have her. I was Death.

She was human. I couldn‟t claim her soul for myself.

Agony ripped through me.

“But I can‟t have you, Pagan. You‟re not meant for

me.” I whispered harshly. Wanting more than

anything to change this. I needed to leave her. This

was only going to hurt her more in the end. Picking

her up, I cradled her against me for only a moment.

Filing away the memory of how she felt wrapped up

in my arms, then I laid her on the bed and quickly

stood up. I couldn‟t continue to touch her.

“Please,” she whispered.

I couldn‟t witness the pleading etched on her face.

Closing my eyes tightly I wanted to explain it all.

Make her understand. But I couldn‟t. The less she

knew. The safer she was. So instead, I told her the

only thing I could, “I can‟t, Pagan. It would destroy

us both.” Without opening my eyes to see her one

last time, I vanished.

The Kiss

She was defending me. Intelligent, honest,

talented, and compassionate. No one had ever

defended me. The silly blond in my arms let out a

trill of giggles unappealingly similar to the sound of

fingernails on a chalkboard. This isn‟t where I

wanted to be. I‟d stayed because of Pagan. Being

near her, watching her, touching her, those were all

the reasons I‟d made this choice. Yet, here I stood

forcing myself to tolerate the annoying girl draping

her body against mine.

The door to the gym opened as Pagan shot one last

look my way then disappeared outside. What was

she thinking? She didn‟t need to be alone. She knew

this. Glaring angrily toward the boy she‟d left

behind, I almost felt sympathy toward him. He

hadn‟t meant to upset her. But the simple fact their

fight was over me gave me some ridiculous amount

of joy.

“Go play with your friends for awhile Kendra,” I

ordered before detaching myself from her claws. I

needed to guard Pagan.

If I didn‟t know better I‟d swear she wasn‟t real.

The gulf breeze caused her hair to gently dance

around her shoulders giving her an ethereal

appearance. The confusion, sadness, anger were all

rolling off her in waves. Knowing I had something

to do with those emotions pained me.

“Why aren‟t you inside dancing with your date?” I

asked.

Her head snapped up and relief flickered in her eyes

before she shrugged and turned her gaze from mine

so she could stare at her feet.

“He‟s looking rather forlorn sitting at a table all

alone,” I said softly hoping to defuse the real reason

I was here. She did‟t need to know how desperately I

needed to be near her. She shrugged again and

continued to study her feet. I couldn‟t keep from

letting the amused laughter escape me. Her attempt

at acting as if she wasn‟t just as happy to have me

alone as I was to have her all to myself was cute.

“So, have you decided to try the ignoring me thing

again, to see if I go away?”

Biting her bottom lip, she shook her head no. “I

know that doesn‟t work with you.”

“Why are you out here, Pagan? What‟s wrong?” I

wanted to hear her say it. Why? I wasn‟t sure. It

would only torture me further. But I needed to know

she desired me too.

“Nothing that concerns you,” she tartly replied.

Grinning at her attempt to act indifferent when I

could hear her heart racing in her chest, I managed

to keep from out right laughing.

“Really?” I asked

“Really.”

I closed the distance between us, “Seeing me dance

with Kendra doesn‟t bother you?”

She shook her head and her chest began rising and

falling erratically with each quick breath. I let my

eyes travel down her dress and enjoyed the simple

fact she‟d bought it for me. I‟d suggested this color.

This dress hadn‟t been bought for the quarterback.

The need to growl my approval was overwhelming.

“I knew pale pink would suit you. Most girls can‟t

pull it off but on you it‟s perfect.”

Her pale throat constricted as she swallowed hard. I

affected her. I reveled in that knowledge.

“You think I don‟t want to touch you the way I

touch Kendra. You‟re right.”

Pagan stepped back away from me. The pain in her

eyes almost brought me to my knees. I hadn‟t meant

to hurt her. Immediately, I reached out and grabbed

her hand and pulled her against me. This was what

I‟d tried so hard to keep from happening. The more

we touched the stronger my need to possess her

became. But right now, I needed to erase the look in

her eyes. Nothing else mattered.

"When I touch Kendra I mentally cringe at having to

continue to pull off the farce of being interested in

her. When I can‟t control my need for you and allow

myself to touch you it ignites a monster inside of me

that I‟m afraid I‟ll lose control over. You make me

feel things I‟ve never felt before. Something

happens,” I paused and let my gaze drop to her full

pink lips, “when I‟m near you like this.” I couldn‟t

stop myself. I needed more. Gently I ran my thumb

over her bottom lip. The silky texture caused a sharp

hot painful need to grip me. I closed my eyes from

the intoxicating sight of her mouth and tried hard to

fight for control. “And when you react the way you

do, I feel the clawing inside me to take what I want.”

The soft warm breaths against my thumb might as

well have been iron bars wrapping around me

pulling me toward her. Making me hers. Opening

my eyes, I stared directly into hers. I needed her to

understand. To let me go.

“You‟re the one thing I want the most in the world

yet the one thing I cannot have. Because to have you

completely would be impossible. You can‟t go

where I walk.” Unable to step away, I cradled her

face in my hands. “The purpose of my existence is

not to have a mate. It is lonely and cold. Until now it

has been all I‟ve known. Then you became the

appointed and everything changed.”

Something irreparable was happening. I couldn‟t

harm her. I wasn‟t meant for her. Terrified I‟d gone

too far, risked her life with my obsessive need, I

quickly stepped away from her. Desperate to save

her from myself.

“Go, Pagan. Run, please, run. I am not what you

think I am. I am not „intelligent, honest, talented,

and compassionate‟ although hearing you say those

words in my defense felt like warm liquid pouring

through my cold veins. You want to know what I am

and I can‟t tell you. If you knew, I wouldn‟t have to

beg you to run.”

I needed to leave now. This was a mistake. As I

began walking off, I heard her running after me.

Didn‟t she hear me? I‟d told her so much more than

she was supposed to know. Stopping, I slowly

turned back around and glared at her. Maybe fear

was the only solution. But the instant I saw it flicker

across her face, I recoiled. I couldn‟t scare her. Souls

feared me. But not her. Never her. That wasn‟t what

I wanted.

“I don‟t care what you are,” she stated loudly taking

a step toward me, “You can‟t scare me off and I‟m

not running away. What is it the song you sing to me

says? „Yet you stay. Holding on to me, yet you stay,

reaching out a hand that I push away. The cold is not

meant for you yet you stay, you stay, you stay.

When I know it‟s not right for you‟."

She‟d memorized my words to her. My chest felt as

if someone had ripped it in two.

“Go, Pagan. Now. I can‟t control myself much

longer,” I managed to whisper through my pain.

Instead, she took another cautious step toward me.

The pleading look in her eyes was my undoing. How

could I stay away? A growl erupted from my chest

and I seized her in one swift movement. My mouth

was on hers instantly. I needed to know her flavor.

To experience it. This was the only chance I‟d have

to taste her and I wanted it all. I nipped her bottom

lip then gently soothed the bite with my tongue. She

was delicious. She was exotic. I needed more. Her

small hands grabbed handfuls of my shirt and I

wanted to roar in triumph. I was no longer in control

of my choices. Pagan was. I‟d do anything to keep

her. The sweet taste that I could give no label

because it was uniquely hers consumed me.

Somewhere in the haze of the ecstasy I sensed

danger. But Pagan controlled me now. Her soul

owned me. I began tasting the soft skin along her

neck as words Death should never promise anyone

spilled from my lips. The touch of her hands sent a

tremble through me as she grabbed my face and

claimed my mouth. More. I needed more. Mine. She

was mine. Then I recognized the danger. Her soul

was releasing from her body. With each hungry

touch from Death she relinquished herself to me.

Terror washed over me as I jerked out of her

embrace and stepped back.

“I can‟t, Pagan. I want this so damn bad. But I

can‟t.”

Before she could stop me, I fled.