To live, I would. . .

I let my head fall, feeling a snort bubble up. I had made my choice, and I would pay the price of it; there was more to life than just living, just surviving, and holding true to your principles was one way to live.

It was a foolish way to live, but I couldn't really cast a stone there.

"How remarkable." The voice said, prompting a spark of annoyance.

"Could you stuff something in my ears, so I don't have to listen?" I said, dropping any illusion of tact. That was nice, not pretending, a perk of imminent death. "Or at least give me a fucking show."

"You have impressive self-control, demon." The woman said, prompting an eye roll.

"You have a point?" I closed my eyes. "I'd really like to get back to dying, now. Ain't going to get itself done just laying here."

I punctuated the statement with a weak cough.

"By the reports, it seems like you haven't actually harmed anyone." She paused, and I heard footsteps. "And I haven't found any harm in your wake."

"You were looking for me?"

"I was contracted by the mayor of your home." She answered. I felt more fury flare, at that. "And I was coming down this way, anyway. There is a witch in the area."

"Well, get on with it then." I said from clenched teeth. "Be a better story, to be killed by some sort of demon hunter. Better than then the fucking pain in my gut."

"Do you want to die?"

"I don't see that I got any other choice."

"Do you want to die?"