Wasn’t I Dead?

Strong, rough hands.

Rushing breath.

A scream.

My scream.

“Ahhh!” I lurched forward, my forehead smacking into Longinus’ chin.

“Desolation.” He leaned back, running a hand over his head. “I thought perhaps you were afraid to return to battle.” For a moment his hard blue eyes bore into mine and I squirmed under his gaze. But then the corner of his lips twitched and his eyes took on a surprising but unmistakable twinkle.

“Wasn’t I dead?”

But Longinus shrugged. I guess when you’ve been resurrected as many times as he had, seeing someone come back from the dead is no big thing.

“Oh, Desi,” Cornelius said, hurrying to me. We were in one of Daniel’s cabanas, rain and thunder clamoring around us.

I craned my neck, trying to look above, around, behind - through - Longinus and Cornelius. “Where’s Miri?” I fixed Knowles with my gaze - compelled him to answer me.

He said nothing.