Christian watched Penny with mild amusement when she started to choke on her water from his offer. He smiled softly, taking a few steps back to rest against the cabinet holding the TV, and crossed his arms. While she processed his offer, Christian’s mind wandered to Penny’s revenge scheme. 

It possibly worried him more than her wanting to escape the Vampire den. Of course, he had stepped in to ensure she survived. He wouldn’t be able to step in again. He couldn’t. Death’s generosity—if it could be called that—only extended so far. But the idea of letting Penny flounder until she found her footing was terrifying. Some people hunted these creatures and made the world safer for them, but giving her that information would be breaking another rule. Christian was suddenly very aware of how many rules Reapers had and found it annoying.

[i]Choose.[/i]

Death’s words drifted into his head unbridled. Was that a sign or perhaps permission? After all, Christian had chosen to keep Penny alive despite the consequences. Wasn’t ensuring her survival now a part of that choice?

Christian was vaguely aware of Penny talking again after deciding whether she wanted to forget. Christian hoped she would take him up on his offer. It would be the easiest option, and then Penny could go back to living her life. 

“I also don’t want to forget you.” Her final words pulled Christian from his silent brooding. He stared at her, his brown eyes piercing into her blue. If Christian had the need for a heartbeat, he was certain it would have stopped. As it was, he had no reason to breathe; he simply did because it eased the souls he brought to the other side—even though they didn’t breathe either. Humans were slow to accept change. 

Penny moved before he could respond, in fact, she was kicking him out before he even fully processed the fact that Penny [i]wanted[/i] to remember him. The reaper who was intended to take their soul and protect it. 

Christian moved his focus from Penny to look at the open door. He stared at the offer to leave, to wash his hands of Penny’s suicide mission. He shifted from the cabinet and walked towards the door, dropping his arms, and slipped his hands into his pockets. He stopped beside Penny, still looking out into the hallway.

[color=#B0E0E6]”I think you need to do some research. Vampires, werewolves, witches, djinns, dragons, angels and demons, are just the start of some of the creatures that are out there. They span the world, and each culture has its own set of monsters.”[/color] He looked at Penny, meeting her eyes, and relaxed slightly. He smiled softly, finding this human to be strange and fascinating.

[color=#B0E0E6]”If revenge is the only cause you want, then study them. I cannot give you answers, but you cannot take on a den of vampires alone. Especially with your post-trauma reactions. I have to go, but I am easy to get a hold of,”[/color] Christian said and tapped his head.