Roderick felt his whole body go rigid. So his time was up today? He'd thought he still had days left. Why now?
Damn it.
"Milo, you're joking, right?" he said. "I don't want to die now. How am I supposed to enjoy the rest of my life if I'm tied to you the whole time, and now we're going to die together?" He turned to stare out the window.
Milo said nothing. By his count, the number on Roderick's chest should have shown several days remaining, but it was gone. And if Roderick really was bound to him now, then if Milo died, the man would die with him.
He looked at Roderick guiltily. Instead of helping him, he had only made the man's last days harder.
"Sir, maybe we can have a better life in the next life," Milo said, trying to comfort him.
"You believe in that? You die, you turn to ash. That's all."
Milo looked out at the road. It was dark and empty. His heart pounded, and his nerves were wound tight. Besides Salvatore, he was afraid for himself and Roderick.
