Death Has Terrible Timing

Episode 4: Strictly Business

Nina's ex drops by. Death does not approve.

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Panels one and two. A fair-haired man in a camel jacket, Theo, leans in at the clock shop door, smiling at Nina behind the counter. Theo: “Hello, Nina. You look well.” Nina: “Your clock's ready.” Then Death, half-smiling, side by side with Theo. Theo: “New assistant?” Death: “Some would say an improvement.”Panels three and four. Nina rests a hand on a cardboard box on the counter while Death smirks down at her. Nina: “The clock. He means the clock.” Death: “Naturally.” Then Theo leans towards an unimpressed Nina. Theo: “We should get dinner sometime.” Nina: “We tried that. You spent dessert explaining my own job.”Panels five and six. Death holds the shop door open as Theo leaves with the box under his arm. Death: “A fascinating conversational choice.” Nina: “Your receipt's in the box, Theo.” Then Nina looks up sideways at Death, who stares straight ahead. Nina: “Was that jealousy?” Death: “Quality control.” Nina: “I choose my own company. Even the questionable sort.”Panels seven and eight. Evening. Nina and Death sit close at the workbench, smiling at each other, his broken pocket watch between them. Death: “And which sort am I?” Nina: “Still under review.” A thread of blue light rises from the watch. Tick. Then the shop's clocks glow blue around them and Nina and Death look grave. Nina: “Please tell me that's progress.” Death: “Someone has noticed I'm missing.” To be continued.

Death's deputy comes knocking. She brought a deadline.

Read Episode 5: An Appointment with Death →

Nina is not the only Electra heroine who is unimpressed by a dangerous man.

Start the Violet Queen trilogy →

Clever heroine. Feral alpha. A debt that comes due in blood. All three books are out.

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Artwork created with AI. Story and script by Electra.

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