William and Jacob were watching Brian and Justin. Brian had just agreed to try monogamy. William couldn't help but cheer and embrace Jacob.

Jacob chuckled. "Whatever you said to your cousin must have had an impact."

"I didn't speak to him. Actually, I meant to tell you about that…"

Concerned, Jacob turned to face his lover. "What?"

"I was about to appear before Brian when I heard a female voice inside my head. She warned me not to speak with Brian or any other mortal."

Jacob grew cold. "Did the voice give you a reason?"

William shook his head. "Not really. She stated simply, 'If you love Jacob, you mustn't.' Kind of ominous."

Jacob's eyes widened, and he shivered. But he soon recovered. As nonchalantly as he could manage, he commented, "Weird."

"Yeah. Do you have any idea what she meant?"

"No."

Jacob knew that he should share his fears with William. After all, his reckless behavior might have angered the Gods. Might lead to their separation, a permanent separation. But he just couldn't bring himself to say the words out loud. Somehow that would make his fear more real.

Jacob had never feared anything until William contracted tuberculosis. Since then, William had been the source of the greatest fear and the most incapacitating weakness in him. With William by his side, he was strong, even invulnerable, or so he felt, but, without him, he was nothing. Without him, existence had no meaning. Jacob knew this for a fact. After William had died, Jacob had hated and resented everyone and everything. Every smile, every beautiful day, was a slap in the face, a mockery of his pain. How dare anyone smile, when Jacob was deprived of the source of all his joy? How dare the sun shine or the birds sing, when the most beautiful part of the world had departed it?

The air above William and Jacob suddenly grew cold, but they were oblivious to the change, Jacob lost in thought and William happily observing Brian and Justin.

In the darkness, a stern female voice sounded, "It's time. Punish your favorite, or I will."

Evan took one last longing look at Jacob, and then, his resolve strengthened, he declared firmly, "I will bear the forfeit for him."

The female entity's wooden voice faltered. For the first time in millennia, she was surprised (and disgusted). She hissed, "For a mortal?"

Evan stated resolutely, "Yes."

By now the entity had returned to her usual indifference. She droned, "As you wish."

A low murmuring could be heard in the distance, and a bright aura enveloped Jacob, flashed brilliantly, but then disappeared. The murmuring faded into silence.

Coldly, the female entity stated, "It is done. Evan, you are no more." Then she departed, leaving warm air in her wake.

Kaila watched from a distance. For a moment, she could actually see Evan. She noted how handsome he was: tall and thin with sandy brown hair and kind eyes. Almost as soon as the image appeared, it began to fade.

Kaila whispered, "Fare thee well, old friend."

Evan uttered one last word before disappearing completely. He breathed, "Jacob."