Before I Wake
Page 29

I microwaved a pound of bacon six strips at a timeturns out the key is good drainageand made pancakes from a jug of mix-and-pour batter I found in the cabinet. It was only three days past its use-by date, so I figured the chances of it making anyone sick were slim.
The first three pancakes were amorphous blobsI swear, one looked just like a storm trooperbut by the fourth, Id figured out how to flip them without making a huge mess.
Nash shuffled into the kitchen as I was putting down a saucer of raw venison for Styx, and she glanced away from her breakfast just long enough to aim a yippy hello his way. Shed always liked Nash, but she still wasnt comfortable with Tod, probably because he was dead. At first, Id worried that she wouldnt like me after my own death, but apparently our initial bonding transcended the questionable state of my existence.
Hey, I said as Nash bent to scratch the back of Styxs neck. I made coffee if you want some.
Thanks. He sat in a chair at the tablethe same chair that had always been his when we were togetherand accepted the mug I set in front of him.
Wheres Sabine?
In the shower. Nash scrubbed his face with both hands. Kaylee, Im so sorry forwhatever I said or did last night.
You dont remember? I poured coffee for myself and scooped sugar into the mug.
I remember parts of it, he said, and I wanted to ask which parts those were, but a rehash seemed like a really bad idea.
You said you saw Scott. Do you remember that?
Nashs eyes widened in surprise, then lost focus as he nodded, clearly trying to remember. I thought I was dreaming at the time, but I wasnt. I really saw him. Outside, on the street.
Where?
I dont know. Im sorry. Somewhere between my house and yours.
Did he say anything?
Nash shook his head slowly. He just looked at me for a minute, then turned around and walked off.
But youre sure it was him?
Yeah.
I sat in the chair next to Nash and sipped from my mug, trying to decide how best to say what needed to be said. Tod and I saw him last night, too. Earlier. In the hospital. He was possessed, Nash. Which means you probably saw Avari.
Nash frowned. How do you know? Did he sound like Avari?
No, the voice sounded like Scott, but the words sounded like Avari. Normally when a hellion possesses a human, the hellion retains his own voice. But Hes spent the past few months in Scotts head, so its entirely possible he learned how to work Scotts vocal chords, just like he did with Alec. When hewas possessing Alec, I couldnt tell the difference.
Hey. Your turn in the shower, Sabine said, padding into the kitchen in my robe.
Thanks. Nash stood and glanced from her to me, then back, like he wasnt sure what to say with us both listening. Then he made a break for the bathroom while Sabine snagged a piece of bacon from the platter.
Hi, Sabine said, still chewing as she lifted the card from a vase of wilting mixed blooms on the counter. The school sent you flowers. Im sure that totally makes up for the fact that they hired the psychotic, soul-stealing pedophile who murdered you in your own home.
I could only blink at her while she chewed.
With the pancakes warming on a pan in the oven and the last batch of bacon in the microwave, I knocked on my fathers bedroom door. Yeah, Kay, come on in.
I pushed open the door to find him sitting on the edge of his bed in a pair of flannel pajama pants, squinting at the alarm clock on his bedside table. Guess what? I made breakfast.
You made? But before he could finish that thought, our ancient water heater groaned to life and the sound of running water erupted from down the hall. My dads eyes widened as he glanced at the closed bathroom door over my shoulder. Whos in the shower?
Nash. We kind ofhad an impromptu sleepover.
You and Nash? My dad was out of bed in an instant, reaching for the robe tossed over his footboard.
No! Well, yes. But Sabine stayed the night, too.
That doesnt sound much better, Kay .
Hang on, Pa, dont reach for yer shotgun just yet, I said, grinning over the protective streak I found funny, when there wasnt actually anything to shelter me from. We were just circlin the wagons, not having an orgy.
My dad suddenly looked like he might be sick. Please dont ever say that word again.
Wagons? I teased, and he actually cracked a smile.
Yes, youre much too young to be using Wild West analogies. He tied his robe and ran one hand through hair that showed no sign of thinning, well into his one hundred and thirty-second year. So what happened? Why are we circling the proverbial wagons?
I sat on the edge of his bed and patted the spot next to me until he sat again. Scotts out of the hospital. Nash saw him last night, and were pretty sure that means he actually saw Avari.
Nash came here because he saw Avari?
Actually, he was on his way here when he saw Avari. But he thought it was Scott, and he doesnt remember much of it this morning.