"Dead," Death muttered with relief. "Like I thought. Just a mor—"
His words stopped mid-sentence, and a chill like no other raced up his spine.
Fear.
Yes... he felt it.
Not the kind mortals feel.
No. This was instinctual, primal. The gut-deep awareness of something that should not be happening.
Without wasting any time, he got to his knees and stared at Julian's body with wide, shocked eyes. His hands trembled as it reached out, fingers touching the cold skin… and... he froze again.
"Fucker…" Death cursed, horror creeping into his voice. "He's dead—but his soul... it's not here."
He clenched his jaw, every fiber of his body revolting against him.
"Where is it?" he growled. "WHERE IS IT?!"
His gaze swept around the chamber, but there was nothing. Just a hollow absence that screamed louder than presence itself.
