Before I Wake
Page 78

Stay here, Tod said, and I could tell from his bold volume that no one but me could hear him. Ill check the back rooms. Which included the only bedroom, the bathroom, and a single small storage closet.
I stomped after him. This is my job! Im not gonna stay behind while you
Kaylee, wait! Tod tried to hold me back from the bedroom doorway, but it was too late. I saw it over his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around me and tried to walk us back into the living room. I saw it all. Blood streaking the walls and Alecs unmade bed. A small lump of bloody fur on the floor, too mangled to recognize.
Falkor I buried my face in Tods shoulder and he led me toward the living room, holding me up when I backed over my own foot and nearly tripped. Who did this? I whispered, blinking back tears I didnt want to let fall.
It was him or me, a familiar voice said from behind me, and Tod stopped walking as I twisted in his arms.
Alec stood in the middle of his own living room, a bloodied, broken broom handle in his right fist while his left arm dripped blood onto the floor from the jagged, gaping wound on his forearm. Only it wasnt really Alec. It couldnt be.
Avari couldnt take Alecs shape unless he already had Alecs soul.
Alec was dead.
No I whispered, and this time I couldnt stop the tears. No, not Alec, I said through teeth clenched against an agony I couldnt possibly express in mere words.
Alec, whod helped me rescue my father and Nash from the Netherworld. Alec, whod made me tie him to a chair so he couldnt hurt me if Avari possessed him in the middle of the night. Alec, whod proofread my history term paper, and listened to my French recitation, and shared the last chocolate-chip pancake with me, even though hed called dibs fair and square.
Tears pooled in my eyes until I couldnt see clearly, mercifully blurring a face Avari had no right to wear. They poured down my cheeks, scalding against the cold of my own shock and denial.
Alec couldnt be gone. Not after everything hed already suffered at Avaris hands. Lost youth. Dead parents. Avari had used him to kill three teachers just a couple of months earlier.
Alec was supposed to be okay now. He was living the life hed missed out on. He was supposed to get a happy ending, not death at the hands of a hellion who stole his soul and wore it like a costume.
Then Avari smiled coldly at me with Alecs beautiful mouth, displaying malice where there had only ever been kindness before. His dark eyes shined with greed as he drank up my pain and abused the memory of my good friend.
I choked on sobs, trying to collect myself and my thoughts so I could do what needed to be done. The only thing I could still do for Alecreclaim his soul from the monsterwhod stolen it.
Alec Just saying his name brought more tears to my eyes, and I blinked them away. You soul-stealing bastard, I hissed, and the Alec-monster shrugged.
Is this about the dog? He was a ferocious little beasttougher than his size would indicate. He reminded me of you, and I didnt want to kill him, either. Not that quickly, anyway. But he gave me no choice. Avari held up his injured left arm. Both his sleeve and his flesh were shredded, and still dripping blood. Your true death will last much longer. Ive given the matter serious thought, yet I can only imagine it one way. Your pain will be elegant and beautiful, your screams crystalline and fragile in tone, but robust in volume. I have always wanted to hear a bean sidhe scream in pain. Im positively glowing with anticipation.
Kaylee, give me the dagger, Tod said, his voice low and dangerous, threaded throughout with a thin ribbon of fear. But I pulled the knife out of his reach.
No. This was my job. Alec was my friend. The least I could do was give his soul some peace.
You shouldnt have to do this. He was your friend, and I cant watch you do this.
Then close your eyes. I stepped away from him, and he let me go, but I could feel how badly he wanted to pull me back again. To protect me from what I was about to do.
I warned you, Avari said with Alecs voice. He stood his ground as I advanced, knife gripped tightly, eyes still wet. You could have prevented this.
Dont listen to him, Tod said at my back, and I realized he was closer. Within arms reach. He wouldnt interfere with my job, but he wouldnt let me assume the risk on my own, either.
A stranger in the mall. Then a boy from your class. Now a personal friend. Can you see the progression at work here? Avari lifted one of Alecs dark brows at me in question. Its a crescendo of death, all building toward that powerful note at the finale that makes the audience gasp and hold its collective breath. You are that last note, Kaylee. You are my finale, and the symphony of pain we create together will echo throughout eternity before finally fading into an agonized silence. Much like the bean sidhes wail itself. Unless youd like to cut this whole production short and skip to the end. The hellion shrugged with Alecs shoulders, still holding his injured arm. Normally Im fairly patientI suppose I have eternity to thank for thatbut there is something to be said for instant gratification.
Im gonna be gratified the instant she shoves that knife into your gut, Tod said at my back. And if you even look like youre gonna touch her, Ill take your head off myself.