My Soul to Keep
Page 62
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Id never seen a stronger look of disgustor protective ragethan the one on Tods face. His eyes practically blazed with twisting blue flames. How could Nash let that happen?
I shrugged, dropping my empty soda bottle in the trash against the wall. I dont think he had any choice. I sure didnt when Alec took over Emma.
Tod shoved the parking garage door open with both hands, though he could have walked through it. You didnt know what was going on, and you had to play nice to get your boyfriend back. Nash had a choice. If hed wanted to get rid of Avari, he would have found a way. But he just let it happenlet that bastard use youand he didnt even tell you. His mouth snapped shut against the rest of what he wanted to say, but I heard it, anyway.
If I were as important to Nash as his next fix, he would never have let it happen.
What the hell is wrong with him?
Hes not the same, Tod, I said, race-walking to keep up with him, though he had no idea where Id parked. Hes been Influencing me, and hes lying all the time. He said he gave Scotts first balloon to you to get rid of, but Im guessing you never saw it.
Tod scowled, adjusting his course when I veered toward my rental. When was that?
I clicked the button to unlock the car. Monday, when you were working double shifts with no breaks. Except that Tod had popped into the cafeteria at lunch that day to ask me if Emma was serious about Doug You were never in trouble with Levi, were you? No double shifts?
Tod shook his head, teeth grinding furiously. To my never-ending dismay and boredom, we only get a few deaths a day in a hospital this size. I wander off during the lulls all the time, and Levi doesnt care, so long as I dont miss an appointment. And Nash damn well knows it.
Im such an idiot! I kicked the front tire, but that only scuffed my shoe. Why couldnt I see what he was doing?
I didnt see it, either. Tods footsteps went silent as he circled the car toward the passengers side, and I knew that no one else could see him. Still, I was grateful that he hadnt simply blinked into Emmas bedroom, leaving me to drive back alone.
So, youre not going to get in trouble for leaving now? I asked as I settled into the drivers seat.
He shrugged, unconcerned. Its a slow night. No ones scheduled to tumble into the abyss for another hour and a half, and if Im not back by then, Ill get someone else to cover for me.
What if you get anotheraddendum?
His brows rose, but the corners of his cherubic mouth turned down as he sank onto the leather seat. Then we have bigger worries than my absence.
I buckledup and started the engine, then twisted to watch out the rear windshield as I backed out of the parking space. We need help, but my dad cant do it. Bringing someone who cant cross over would just be creating more work for ourselves, I said, then rushed on before he could interrupt. I think we should bring your mom in on this.
No, Tod said, and I glanced at him as I shifted into Drive, surprised to find his expression completely unreadable. Absolutely not.
But shes five times my age, and she can cross over on her own. I turned left out of the garage and onto the street, trying not to let frustration leak into my voice. Shes the only option that makes sense.
We are not dragging my mother into the Netherworld. And we cant tell her about Nash, or shell go on her own and get killed. His hand landed on mine on the gearshift, and again I was surprised by its warmth. Im serious, Kaylee. If you want to bring your dad or your uncle, thats your call. But leave my mother out of this. Ive already lost my dad and Addison, and now possibly Nash. I will not add my mom to the list.
I could only nod, impressed by his fervor and surprised by the brief glimpse into his heart. Maybe he doesnt think so differently from the living, after all.
Fine. I nodded once more, decisively. No parents.
EMMA WAS STILL ASLEEP when I snuck back into her room at ten minutes after three. Fortunately, her mother was snoring from behind her bedroom door, and both of her sisters were still out. Obviously the best part about college was the lack of a curfew.
In the bedroom, I knelt to check on Emma, half convinced she would show some delayed ill effect from the abuse of her body, but she seemed to be sleeping peacefully. And deeply. Probably because, as Id discovered, possession is exhausting.
She looks okay, Tod said, echoing my own thoughts. Hopefully one more round wont hurt her. But lets keep this Alec on a short leash, just in case.
I nodded, yawning as I pushed myself to my feet with one hand on the mattress. Considering Id never actually met Alec, his leash would be no longer than my pinkie finger.
How much time do we have? Tod leaned over Emma and ran one finger gently over her lower lip.
I glanced at the clock on Emmas DVD player. About five minutes. Dont touch her! Youll wake her up.
He huffed softly. I doubt that. She looks like she could sleep through the end of the world.
No thanks to you. I shooed him away from the bed, then had to force my eyes open wide when they threatened to close. I need a Coke. What I really needed was a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart, but caffeine would have to do.
I shrugged, dropping my empty soda bottle in the trash against the wall. I dont think he had any choice. I sure didnt when Alec took over Emma.
Tod shoved the parking garage door open with both hands, though he could have walked through it. You didnt know what was going on, and you had to play nice to get your boyfriend back. Nash had a choice. If hed wanted to get rid of Avari, he would have found a way. But he just let it happenlet that bastard use youand he didnt even tell you. His mouth snapped shut against the rest of what he wanted to say, but I heard it, anyway.
If I were as important to Nash as his next fix, he would never have let it happen.
What the hell is wrong with him?
Hes not the same, Tod, I said, race-walking to keep up with him, though he had no idea where Id parked. Hes been Influencing me, and hes lying all the time. He said he gave Scotts first balloon to you to get rid of, but Im guessing you never saw it.
Tod scowled, adjusting his course when I veered toward my rental. When was that?
I clicked the button to unlock the car. Monday, when you were working double shifts with no breaks. Except that Tod had popped into the cafeteria at lunch that day to ask me if Emma was serious about Doug You were never in trouble with Levi, were you? No double shifts?
Tod shook his head, teeth grinding furiously. To my never-ending dismay and boredom, we only get a few deaths a day in a hospital this size. I wander off during the lulls all the time, and Levi doesnt care, so long as I dont miss an appointment. And Nash damn well knows it.
Im such an idiot! I kicked the front tire, but that only scuffed my shoe. Why couldnt I see what he was doing?
I didnt see it, either. Tods footsteps went silent as he circled the car toward the passengers side, and I knew that no one else could see him. Still, I was grateful that he hadnt simply blinked into Emmas bedroom, leaving me to drive back alone.
So, youre not going to get in trouble for leaving now? I asked as I settled into the drivers seat.
He shrugged, unconcerned. Its a slow night. No ones scheduled to tumble into the abyss for another hour and a half, and if Im not back by then, Ill get someone else to cover for me.
What if you get anotheraddendum?
His brows rose, but the corners of his cherubic mouth turned down as he sank onto the leather seat. Then we have bigger worries than my absence.
I buckledup and started the engine, then twisted to watch out the rear windshield as I backed out of the parking space. We need help, but my dad cant do it. Bringing someone who cant cross over would just be creating more work for ourselves, I said, then rushed on before he could interrupt. I think we should bring your mom in on this.
No, Tod said, and I glanced at him as I shifted into Drive, surprised to find his expression completely unreadable. Absolutely not.
But shes five times my age, and she can cross over on her own. I turned left out of the garage and onto the street, trying not to let frustration leak into my voice. Shes the only option that makes sense.
We are not dragging my mother into the Netherworld. And we cant tell her about Nash, or shell go on her own and get killed. His hand landed on mine on the gearshift, and again I was surprised by its warmth. Im serious, Kaylee. If you want to bring your dad or your uncle, thats your call. But leave my mother out of this. Ive already lost my dad and Addison, and now possibly Nash. I will not add my mom to the list.
I could only nod, impressed by his fervor and surprised by the brief glimpse into his heart. Maybe he doesnt think so differently from the living, after all.
Fine. I nodded once more, decisively. No parents.
EMMA WAS STILL ASLEEP when I snuck back into her room at ten minutes after three. Fortunately, her mother was snoring from behind her bedroom door, and both of her sisters were still out. Obviously the best part about college was the lack of a curfew.
In the bedroom, I knelt to check on Emma, half convinced she would show some delayed ill effect from the abuse of her body, but she seemed to be sleeping peacefully. And deeply. Probably because, as Id discovered, possession is exhausting.
She looks okay, Tod said, echoing my own thoughts. Hopefully one more round wont hurt her. But lets keep this Alec on a short leash, just in case.
I nodded, yawning as I pushed myself to my feet with one hand on the mattress. Considering Id never actually met Alec, his leash would be no longer than my pinkie finger.
How much time do we have? Tod leaned over Emma and ran one finger gently over her lower lip.
I glanced at the clock on Emmas DVD player. About five minutes. Dont touch her! Youll wake her up.
He huffed softly. I doubt that. She looks like she could sleep through the end of the world.
No thanks to you. I shooed him away from the bed, then had to force my eyes open wide when they threatened to close. I need a Coke. What I really needed was a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart, but caffeine would have to do.
