My Soul to Save
Page 13
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Tod nodded, and his gaze went distant. Yeah. He turned back to Addison. Is there anything wrong, Addy? Youre probably under a lot of stress. Is your mother pushing you into this? Are you on something? There were rumors a couple of months ago.
No. Addison cut him off, her smile wilting like a cut flower. Nothings wrong, Tod. Nothing serious, anyway. Theres pressure, but thats true no matter who you are or what you do.
Isnt that the truth.
And am I on something? Her brows formed a hard line, and she clenched the arms of her chair, bracelet pressed into the upholstery. I cant believe youd even ask me that, with my mom still strung out on those damn pain pills.
Tod sighed and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. Id never seen him look so tense. So worried. Is it bad again?
Addy twisted her bracelet. Nothing I cant handle.
You sure? Tod asked, obviously thinking the same thing I was. A strung-out parent could be a lot of stress. Especially for someone like Addison Page, for whom privacy was only a vague concept.
As sure as I am that youre sitting there. Addy forced an awkward laugh at her own joke, and the reaper rolled his eyes. Nothings wrong, Tod. Other than Eden collapsing onstage. Were going to see her in a couple of minutes. She paused and glanced at the hands now twisted together in her lap. You guys want to come? I dont think theyll let you in to see her, but I could use the company.
Addison I began, but then hesitated. Id never been the bearer of such bad news before, but someone had to tell her. Eden died onstage.
Addison shook her head in echo of her earlier denial. How do you know? She stopped as something occurred to her, and glanced at both of the guys. Does this have anything to do with mekilling myself?
I deferred to Tod, unsure about that one.
We dont know, he said finally. But, Addy, I need you to promise me.
Suddenly the doorknob turned behind us, and was followed by a wooden thunk when someone walked into the door, obviously expecting it to open. Addy? a womans nasal voice called. What are you doing? Open the door.
Addison stood so quickly my head spun, rubbing her palms nervously on the sides of her jeans. Just a minute, Mom, she called. Imin the bathroom.
I stood and pulled Nash off of the couch, my pulse racing now. No human mothereven one strung out on painkillerswould understand what wed come to tell Addy. But Tod could go invisible, and Nash and I could pretend to be fans.
If Addison hadnt already panicked and lied
She glanced at the door in dread, but before she could say anything else, Tod grabbed her hand. Addy, promise me that no matter what happens, you wont kill yourself. Promise me.
I Addisons gaze flicked from his face, lined in desperation, to the door, which her mother was now pounding on.
Addison Renee Page, let me in right now! My nose is bleeding!
Are you okay in there? her bodyguard called, and the knob twisted again.
Nash tugged me toward the wall, either to give the ex-couple more space or to put us out of the line of fire when the door gave way.
Promise me! Tod hissed, loud enough that I knew hed gone inaudible to everyone outside the room. You do not want to die without your soul. Trust me on this.
Addys breaths came rapidly. Her jugular vein stood out in her neck, jiggling wildly in fear and confusion. Her voice was an uneven whisper. How do you guys know about that?
The same way we know Edens dead. Tod pulled her close, speaking almost directly into her ear, his voice low and gravelly with fear. Addison, if you die while that hellion has your soul, hell give you form in the Netherworld and will own you forever. Forever, Addy. Hell feed on your pain. Hell slice you open and let you bleed. Hell wear your intestines around his neck and peel your skin off inch by inch while you scream.
Tears formed in Addisons eyes, and her hands began to shake as she tried to push Tod away. But he wasnt done. Hell twist your sanity with your own memories. Hell exploit your every fear, and every twinge of guilt youve ever felt. Then hell heal youinside and outand start all over again.
Tod held her at arms length so he could see her, and I jumped in, hissing softly as I tried to pull him away from her while Nash tried to hold me back. Tod, stop it! Youre scaring her! And me.
But he meant to. He was scaring her to keep her alive. Though surely he knew such an effort was pointless. Hed taught me that you cant cheat death. Not without paying the price
Addison! Ms. Page shouted from outside the door, and a fresh jolt of alarm shot up my spine and raced down my limbs. Open up or Ill have Roger break down the door. But this time we barely heard her.
Youre serious? Addisons terrified gaze was glued to Tod, her hands shaking worse than ever.
He nodded. You have to get out of it, Addy. Get your soul back. Theres an out-clause in your contract, right? Thats hellion law. There has to be an out-clause.
No. Addison cut him off, her smile wilting like a cut flower. Nothings wrong, Tod. Nothing serious, anyway. Theres pressure, but thats true no matter who you are or what you do.
Isnt that the truth.
And am I on something? Her brows formed a hard line, and she clenched the arms of her chair, bracelet pressed into the upholstery. I cant believe youd even ask me that, with my mom still strung out on those damn pain pills.
Tod sighed and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. Id never seen him look so tense. So worried. Is it bad again?
Addy twisted her bracelet. Nothing I cant handle.
You sure? Tod asked, obviously thinking the same thing I was. A strung-out parent could be a lot of stress. Especially for someone like Addison Page, for whom privacy was only a vague concept.
As sure as I am that youre sitting there. Addy forced an awkward laugh at her own joke, and the reaper rolled his eyes. Nothings wrong, Tod. Other than Eden collapsing onstage. Were going to see her in a couple of minutes. She paused and glanced at the hands now twisted together in her lap. You guys want to come? I dont think theyll let you in to see her, but I could use the company.
Addison I began, but then hesitated. Id never been the bearer of such bad news before, but someone had to tell her. Eden died onstage.
Addison shook her head in echo of her earlier denial. How do you know? She stopped as something occurred to her, and glanced at both of the guys. Does this have anything to do with mekilling myself?
I deferred to Tod, unsure about that one.
We dont know, he said finally. But, Addy, I need you to promise me.
Suddenly the doorknob turned behind us, and was followed by a wooden thunk when someone walked into the door, obviously expecting it to open. Addy? a womans nasal voice called. What are you doing? Open the door.
Addison stood so quickly my head spun, rubbing her palms nervously on the sides of her jeans. Just a minute, Mom, she called. Imin the bathroom.
I stood and pulled Nash off of the couch, my pulse racing now. No human mothereven one strung out on painkillerswould understand what wed come to tell Addy. But Tod could go invisible, and Nash and I could pretend to be fans.
If Addison hadnt already panicked and lied
She glanced at the door in dread, but before she could say anything else, Tod grabbed her hand. Addy, promise me that no matter what happens, you wont kill yourself. Promise me.
I Addisons gaze flicked from his face, lined in desperation, to the door, which her mother was now pounding on.
Addison Renee Page, let me in right now! My nose is bleeding!
Are you okay in there? her bodyguard called, and the knob twisted again.
Nash tugged me toward the wall, either to give the ex-couple more space or to put us out of the line of fire when the door gave way.
Promise me! Tod hissed, loud enough that I knew hed gone inaudible to everyone outside the room. You do not want to die without your soul. Trust me on this.
Addys breaths came rapidly. Her jugular vein stood out in her neck, jiggling wildly in fear and confusion. Her voice was an uneven whisper. How do you guys know about that?
The same way we know Edens dead. Tod pulled her close, speaking almost directly into her ear, his voice low and gravelly with fear. Addison, if you die while that hellion has your soul, hell give you form in the Netherworld and will own you forever. Forever, Addy. Hell feed on your pain. Hell slice you open and let you bleed. Hell wear your intestines around his neck and peel your skin off inch by inch while you scream.
Tears formed in Addisons eyes, and her hands began to shake as she tried to push Tod away. But he wasnt done. Hell twist your sanity with your own memories. Hell exploit your every fear, and every twinge of guilt youve ever felt. Then hell heal youinside and outand start all over again.
Tod held her at arms length so he could see her, and I jumped in, hissing softly as I tried to pull him away from her while Nash tried to hold me back. Tod, stop it! Youre scaring her! And me.
But he meant to. He was scaring her to keep her alive. Though surely he knew such an effort was pointless. Hed taught me that you cant cheat death. Not without paying the price
Addison! Ms. Page shouted from outside the door, and a fresh jolt of alarm shot up my spine and raced down my limbs. Open up or Ill have Roger break down the door. But this time we barely heard her.
Youre serious? Addisons terrified gaze was glued to Tod, her hands shaking worse than ever.
He nodded. You have to get out of it, Addy. Get your soul back. Theres an out-clause in your contract, right? Thats hellion law. There has to be an out-clause.
