In the darkness, two disembodied voices could be heard, one female and one male.

The female voice declared emotionlessly, "You know the rules. Gifts require a sacrifice, and punishments must be meted out to those impudent enough to act like gods."

The male voice pleaded, "But Jacob didn't know that his actions would have consequences."

Again, the female voice, impassive, as cold as the vacuum of space, declared "Irrelevant. Punish your favorite, or I will."

The male entity sighed, "How long? How long do I have?"

"72 hours."

The air warmed as the female entity vanished, though no mortal witness could have observed a difference.

The male entity had no idea what to do. He'd taken a fancy to mortal Jacob hundreds of years ago as he watched him throwing himself recklessly into every dangerous situation that presented itself. Each time he walked away unharmed, he'd lock himself in the house he had once shared with William and cry bitter tears, promising William that he'd join him soon, begging the empty air for release. As much as the entity wished to prolong Jacob's life, and more, to keep he and William separated, his compassion eventually overcame his jealousy and desire. He gave the man everything he wanted. He guided the British soldier's hand, allowing him to send a bullet straight through Jacob's heart. This entity had a flare for the dramatic. He thought it a quite fitting death for a man with a broken heart, and the fact that this death was meted out by the entity who cherished him, who wished to possess him as his own, seemed even more fitting. He felt as though the bullet were burning through his own heart, well, what he imagined he would have felt if he actually possessed one.

Once the entity had extinguished Jacob's life force, he pulled William's soul out of the void and reunited the couple (well, their souls) on Earth. He promised Jacob 1000 years with William, but, of course, there had been a price. Jacob would never be allowed to reincarnate. The entity hoped…he wasn't even sure for what…but he often whispered to himself…"in 1000 years"…or, these days, he'd whisper, "in 776 years."

In 776 years, maybe the entity would achieve his heart's desire.

The male entity could simply revoke the gift, while still exacting the price. But that would be a last resort. He wished he could make William take Jacob's punishment, revoking his ability to reincarnate, but William had had nothing to do with Jacob's actions. No. Jacob alone must bear the forfeit. There were countless crueler punishments the entity could choose, but, of course, he hadn't the heart.

Suddenly, another female voice could be heard, but hers was warm and almost musical. "If you love him, if you truly love him, you could make the ultimate sacrifice."

"Kaila. The ultimate sacrifice? What's that?"

"You've never been told?"

"No."

Kaila sighed. "Too much knowledge is kept secret, available only to the determined…you could bear the forfeit for Jacob."

Confused, the male entity asked, "But what of the balance?"

"Simple. Jacob would take your place. If your love is true, you'll do it. You'd be giving him everything…the remaining 776 years with William and the ability to find and protect William after he reincarnates. Of course, you'd never be able to sate your own desire, but, if your love is true, that's neither here nor there."

The male entity breathed, "You really are a romantic, Kaila."

"Do you love him, Evan? Truly?"

In a whisper, he replied, "I do."

Sadly, the female voice stated, "I'm really going to miss you…"

The male voice laughed. He asked, "What makes you so sure I'll do it?"

Softly, she replied, "Because you're you."

*******

William was planning to speak with Brian. He was, after all, his cousin. Maybe he could talk some sense into the man. Suddenly, the air around him seemed to grow warmer, and he could hear a beautiful female voice in his head. "Don't."

William looked all around but couldn't locate the source. He said to the empty air, "I don't understand."

He could hear an almost musical laugh. The female voice stated, "Well, my kind aren't generally forthright, and we have little time. So I won't go into great detail, but I will say this. You can never, ever, speak to Brian or any other mortal."

William, puzzled, asked, "Why not?"

The female replied softly, "If you love Jacob, you mustn't. That's all I can say. Be well."

Then the air seemed to grow colder, just as it had grown warmer but a few moments before.

Somehow William knew the owner of the voice had gone.

Curious.