DEATH BE MY LOVER

CATALINA JULY 25I tapped endlessly on my leg, my head lowered and my eyes staring at the floor. I was waiting to hear my name. There was no queue today at the hospital, so why was the doctor taking too long?Unconsciously, I put a finger in-between my teeth and bit down until it was going to bleed. I could feel my heart’s irregular incessant beats hitting my rib cage like it wanted to break out. My gut twisted a knot each second and suddenly I was having a stomachache.Maybe I shouldn't be here. My very insides were rebelling with this place and this mission and every fucking thing else. What was I even thinking? What am I even doing here? I sprang to my feet. I had to leave, no, I am leaving. My left foot made a long stride followed by my right then my left came at it again, to make yet another long stride but a voice jolted me in mid-action. “Catalina Thales."Every hair on my skin stood up straight. My heart stopped. For a whole second, I was frozen with one foot up.“Catalina,

CATALINA “Ma’am are you sure you don't need a glass of water or to sit down?” The maid asked me for the umpteenth time while examining my face with pity in her eyes. “No. I said no.” I shooed her away. “Okay,” she withdrew. “It's just… you drank so much, I just don't want you overreacting again.” Her last words sounded more like a whisper.“She said she is fine. You can stop worrying now.” William spoke before I could make out what to say. He waved his hand, a gesture indicating she was dismissed. The maid bowed lightly then vanished in the giant stairway leaving me alone with William. For some reason that thought gave me the chills. I hugged myself.“You are Catalina Thales, right?”“No,” I went on attack mode immediately. “Don't even think about it.” I glared at him, sticking my finger at him. He didn't flinch. “Look Mister,” I ignored the blank expression on his face. “You may think you have everyone fooled but not me, I know who you are?”He raised a brow. “Really?” He sounded

CATALINA William flung his hand away as fast as he could. The shock ceased the instant we stopped touching. I wrapped my other hand around my wrist and groaned. My expression contorted because of the spasms of pain. It was like I had been scalded but there were no scars.William hissed. He sounded more irritated by the outcome than I was. “You’ve met him, haven't you? That's the only explanation for this… mishap.”“What the hell are you talking about,” I started slow. Suddenly I didn't have any strength left in my body. “You hurt me, you son of a bitch. You should be apologizing and explaining what the hell just happened.” He turned and left me there, just like that. “Asshole!!” I yelled behind him. How can someone be so heartless. Nevermind, I don't want him here anymore. I will figure myself out one way or the other.My eyes skipped from the floor to the tub and then everywhere else. There was still nothing close by to help me get off the floor. My expression twisted into somethin

CATALINA “Why does he look like that?” I covered my mouth but the snickering still escaped. I clenched my jaw so tight but I probably looked like I was about to blow. For a split second, I think I caught a glimpse of a grin on William’s face but I vanished before I could confirm. Hades glared at Charles. “Don't look at me, William was the one who configured her vision. Whatever she is seeing is what William wants her to see.” Charles defended himself immediately.“Oh so it's a joke, on me.” Hade turned to William. “I guess this is your way of greeting me after we've been apart for millions of years.”William looked pretty proud of himself. “I thought it was a pleasant way to tell you how much I hate you.” He said so audaciously.I suppressed my laugh. This is the god of the dead. I can't let William get me killed.Hades clicked his tongue. “Unrepentant fool.” I snickered, apparently ending up adding dramatic effect to that insult. William was not pleased anymore. “You must be Cata

WILLIAM Humans are exactly the same — selfish, sentimental, weak and thoughtless. I knew that already but oddly enough, when Charles granted her a final chance to reverse her decision and save the world, her choice irked me. That was uncommon. Perhaps, just perhaps I expected something from her. Something I couldn't name. Something I thought she would have. Well, she didn't. She proved to be like every other soul in this god forsaken planet so, nevermind.We returned to her room and right on cue, I told her about the rune and the marking. Could I have done it tomorrow? Maybe, but I wanted to get it over with. Again, I couldn't explain why.But when her scream cut through the silence of the room, her eyes welling up with tears and her skin trembling against mine — I knew why I wanted this to pass. Her cries ringing in my ears left a surprisingly dull ache in my chest. I had not felt that in a very long time. Then, I had tried a lot to get rid of this… evil pang and now it was back be