My Soul to Save
Page 36
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Did what? A car passed us going the opposite direction, and when it was gone, I flicked my brights back on.
He cant believe you asked a several-thousand-year-old reaper for help getting a humans soul back, Tod answered from the backseat. He had both arms crossed over his usual dark T-shirt, but I knew by the tilt of his fuzzy chin and the shine in his eyes in the rearview mirror that he was pleased. Maybe even a little impressed.
I shrugged and stifled a giddy smile as I turned back to the road. It was a bit of a rush. I figured it couldnt hurt to ask
But it could have. Nash aimed the heater vents toward the center of the car and closed the broken one, which wouldnt twist. You keep forgetting that most reapers dont like bean sidhes. And vice versa.
Maybe I keep forgetting that because the first bean sidhe and reaper I met are brothers. Neither of whom seems to hate me.
Still half grinning, Nash twisted to look at Tod. Maybe we should have introduced her to Levi first.
Theres still time, Tod said, and that time he actually smiled. A little.
Levi was Tods boss, the oldest and most experienced reaper in Texas. Except for Libby, who worked all over the southern U.S., whenever and wherever she was needed. But evidently Levi was enough of a threat to keep several hundred other reapers in line.
So, whats the plan? I turned down the heat now that my goose bumps were gone. I have to be home by ten-thirty, so we cant look for this disposal station tonight. Sotomorrow after school?
Nash nodded and flipped another vent closed, but Tods frown deepened in the rearview mirror. Are you seriously saying your curfew is more important than Addisons soul?
Youre in no position to complain. Nash twisted in his seat to face us both, gripping the back of my seat. Kaylee and I dont owe either you or Addy a damn thing, and if you dont lay off, well both just walk.
Only they both knew Id never do that. Id said I was in, and I meant it. But
If I get home late, I get grounded, and I wont be much help to Addy while Im stuck in my room. I eyed Tod in the mirror and flicked off my brights as another car approached in the opposite lane. Shes not supposed to die until Thursday, so we still have all day tomorrow, at least, right?
Instead of answering, Tod scowled, and his curls shone brightly in the glare from the passing cars headlights. Cant you sneak out after your dad goes to bed?
I nodded and flicked my brights back on. Probably. But if I get caught, were right back where we started, only getting caught sneaking out is much worse than being late for curfew in the first place. I could be late because of traffic, cartrouble, or the built-in delay of hanging out with Emma. But sneaking out implies that Im up to something my dad wont like. Which was true, but not in the way my father would be thinking. And then hell start checking up on me all the time. Hes new at this, and way overzealous.
Nash and Tod had it easy. They were both legalNash had turned eighteen in late Augustand thus mostly free from curfews and other unreasonable parental restrictions. Especially Tod, who was not only of age, but technically dead.
Its hard to ground someone who doesnt even officially exist. And can walk through walls.
Whatever. He ran one hand through his mop of curls. Cant you skip school tomorrow?
Love to, I said, and Tods eyes brightened. Until I continued. But I cant. I skipped last period today for this little road trip, and if I miss again, the school will call my dad.
High schools a pain in the ass, Tod snapped, and I almost laughed out loud at the absurdity of such an understatement. Ill be glad when you turn eighteen.
That time I did laugh. Me, too.
That makes three of us. The heat in Nashs eyes said his agreement had nothing to do with helping either Tod or Addison, and everything to do with uninterrupted privacy. At least where my father was concerned.
Something told me getting rid of Tod would be a little more difficult.
My phone rang as I took a long, gradual curve in the highway, and Nash helped me hold the wheel while I dug my cell from my pocket. I didnt recognize the number, which meant my father probably hadnt figured anything out yet.
I flipped my phone open and held it to my ear with my right hand, while I steered with my left. Hello?
Kaylee? It was Addison, and she sounded stuffy, like she had a cold. Or like shed been crying.
Addy, whats wrong? I asked, and Tods image in the rearview mirror lurched when he leaned forward. His arm brushed the back of my shoulder as he hovered near my phone to listen in.
Tod doesnt have a phone, so he gave me your number, Addison began, sniffling into my ear. I hope thats okay. She sniffed again, and I wanted to tell her to blow her nose.
Its fine. Whats wrong? I asked again, as Tods breath warmed the back of my neck, stirring my ponytail. How weird that he was alive enough to breathe hot air, but not to carry a cell phone. Maybe it was hard to get an account in a dead mans name.
Its Regan. Addison sobbed haltingly while I twisted the wheel to the left to keep us on the road when it curved. Suddenly it felt like I was trying to do a dozen things at once. And failing.
He cant believe you asked a several-thousand-year-old reaper for help getting a humans soul back, Tod answered from the backseat. He had both arms crossed over his usual dark T-shirt, but I knew by the tilt of his fuzzy chin and the shine in his eyes in the rearview mirror that he was pleased. Maybe even a little impressed.
I shrugged and stifled a giddy smile as I turned back to the road. It was a bit of a rush. I figured it couldnt hurt to ask
But it could have. Nash aimed the heater vents toward the center of the car and closed the broken one, which wouldnt twist. You keep forgetting that most reapers dont like bean sidhes. And vice versa.
Maybe I keep forgetting that because the first bean sidhe and reaper I met are brothers. Neither of whom seems to hate me.
Still half grinning, Nash twisted to look at Tod. Maybe we should have introduced her to Levi first.
Theres still time, Tod said, and that time he actually smiled. A little.
Levi was Tods boss, the oldest and most experienced reaper in Texas. Except for Libby, who worked all over the southern U.S., whenever and wherever she was needed. But evidently Levi was enough of a threat to keep several hundred other reapers in line.
So, whats the plan? I turned down the heat now that my goose bumps were gone. I have to be home by ten-thirty, so we cant look for this disposal station tonight. Sotomorrow after school?
Nash nodded and flipped another vent closed, but Tods frown deepened in the rearview mirror. Are you seriously saying your curfew is more important than Addisons soul?
Youre in no position to complain. Nash twisted in his seat to face us both, gripping the back of my seat. Kaylee and I dont owe either you or Addy a damn thing, and if you dont lay off, well both just walk.
Only they both knew Id never do that. Id said I was in, and I meant it. But
If I get home late, I get grounded, and I wont be much help to Addy while Im stuck in my room. I eyed Tod in the mirror and flicked off my brights as another car approached in the opposite lane. Shes not supposed to die until Thursday, so we still have all day tomorrow, at least, right?
Instead of answering, Tod scowled, and his curls shone brightly in the glare from the passing cars headlights. Cant you sneak out after your dad goes to bed?
I nodded and flicked my brights back on. Probably. But if I get caught, were right back where we started, only getting caught sneaking out is much worse than being late for curfew in the first place. I could be late because of traffic, cartrouble, or the built-in delay of hanging out with Emma. But sneaking out implies that Im up to something my dad wont like. Which was true, but not in the way my father would be thinking. And then hell start checking up on me all the time. Hes new at this, and way overzealous.
Nash and Tod had it easy. They were both legalNash had turned eighteen in late Augustand thus mostly free from curfews and other unreasonable parental restrictions. Especially Tod, who was not only of age, but technically dead.
Its hard to ground someone who doesnt even officially exist. And can walk through walls.
Whatever. He ran one hand through his mop of curls. Cant you skip school tomorrow?
Love to, I said, and Tods eyes brightened. Until I continued. But I cant. I skipped last period today for this little road trip, and if I miss again, the school will call my dad.
High schools a pain in the ass, Tod snapped, and I almost laughed out loud at the absurdity of such an understatement. Ill be glad when you turn eighteen.
That time I did laugh. Me, too.
That makes three of us. The heat in Nashs eyes said his agreement had nothing to do with helping either Tod or Addison, and everything to do with uninterrupted privacy. At least where my father was concerned.
Something told me getting rid of Tod would be a little more difficult.
My phone rang as I took a long, gradual curve in the highway, and Nash helped me hold the wheel while I dug my cell from my pocket. I didnt recognize the number, which meant my father probably hadnt figured anything out yet.
I flipped my phone open and held it to my ear with my right hand, while I steered with my left. Hello?
Kaylee? It was Addison, and she sounded stuffy, like she had a cold. Or like shed been crying.
Addy, whats wrong? I asked, and Tods image in the rearview mirror lurched when he leaned forward. His arm brushed the back of my shoulder as he hovered near my phone to listen in.
Tod doesnt have a phone, so he gave me your number, Addison began, sniffling into my ear. I hope thats okay. She sniffed again, and I wanted to tell her to blow her nose.
Its fine. Whats wrong? I asked again, as Tods breath warmed the back of my neck, stirring my ponytail. How weird that he was alive enough to breathe hot air, but not to carry a cell phone. Maybe it was hard to get an account in a dead mans name.
Its Regan. Addison sobbed haltingly while I twisted the wheel to the left to keep us on the road when it curved. Suddenly it felt like I was trying to do a dozen things at once. And failing.
