Chapter 17: Bittersweet
"Go where?" Danny asked. He felt himself choke up and his throat constrict. How did he feel this strongly for Annia after so little time?
"I have cheated Death for too long Danny." Annia replied.
"No! Annia you can't..." Danny exclaimed. He went to her and grabbed her hands, forcing her to look at him.
"Danny, I'm going to die soon anyway, I'd rather it be painless." Annia said.
"Annia, we could go to the hospital and-"
"Danny," Annia interrupted. "I have to go." Danny looked down, but only briefly. He then leaned forward; to try and kiss her, but Annia held her hand up. Danny looked at her, startled.
"You can never kiss a Necromancer." Annia stated.
"Why?" Danny asked.
"Well, you can, but that would mean a decision I don't think you are ready to make yet." She said.
"You don't know that." Danny said indignantly.
"Danny, if I kissed you as a human, you would be stuck in your ghost form. If I kissed you as a ghost, you'd go back to normal." Annia explained.
"Annia I can't let you go." Danny said. Daemon shot him a look but said nothing.
"Kristina..." Daemon said. Annia closed her eyes and sighed.
"I know Daemon, I know." She said.
"No, Kristina, it's Sammael." Daemon whispered sharply. Annia turned immediately and gasped. In front of her stood a tall man clothed in white. But his large wings were black. This was the Angel of Death. The one who could not speak for his voice would take all souls into Death.
"Sammael." Annia whispered. Sammael nodded but then turned away. He walked back through the portal, from whence he came.
"I have been summoned." Annia murmured. She then began walking toward the portal. Danny, realizing what had just happened, bolted ahead of her and stood in front of the portal.
"No Annia, I won't let you leave." He said. Now he was crying, but still he stood.
"Danny..." Annia murmured sadly. Daemon took the hint and walked forward. He roughly grabbed Danny and ripped him away from the portal. Annia went to him and touched his face.
"Believe, and you will see me again." She said. Then, as he struggled to get out of Daemon's grasp, Annia walked into the portal. Energy surged and Danny would have been blown backward if Daemon had not been holding him.
After the surge, Daemon released him. Danny just sat on the floor where he had landed and stared. Inside the portal it had returned to its normal green color.
"She hasn't died yet." Daemon said. Danny turned to him and noticed that the Guardian hadn't been released of his bond. That meant that Danny was still bonded as well.
"Can she come back?" Danny questioned.
"I don't know." He said. Danny nodded and stood up. Silently he went up the stairs and into his house, knowing that he had been shattered.