With All My Soul
Page 48
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My heart started beating again, and the sudden rush of my pulse made me light-headed. Tod wiped the last of the blood from my mouth, then leaned forward and kissed me, and I let the feel of him and the taste of himof all things good and safe and strongdrive the memory of that other kiss from my head.
Just...in the future, save all the good stuff for me, okay? he whispered into my hair, holding me so tight I couldnt have breathed if Id needed to.
Its yours. All of it. All of me. I put my head on his shoulder and clutched handfuls of his shirt. Im all yours.
That was the only thing I could see clearly, when I tried to picture forever.
Chapter Twelve
When Tod finally pulled away, it was only so that he could see my eyes. Were going to get your dad back. Im sorry I was out of reach when this happened. I was looking for Thane.
Oh, yeah. Thats why hed been in the Netherworld.
What does that mean? He frowned, studying my face. You knew?
I went to reaper headquarters last night and I overheard. I didnt mean to, but once I figured out Levi had given you a special assignment, I was kind of glad. We need to catch Thane. And I figured you didnt tell me because Levi wouldnt let you, right? This is a secret assignment?
Tod exhaled and held my gaze. Kay, this was my idea. Levi thought hed be too far away by now, and wed have to wait on a sighting from one of the other districts, but I asked him to let me look into it. At first, I didnt find anything, but then early this morning I found one of the souls he took off with after Emma died.
Where? I wasnt sure Id processed everything hed said yet, but that question couldnt wait. Where is he?
I havent found Thane yet, but he sold one of the souls in the Netherworld, one district over. Im not sure what he got for it, but thats proof that he didnt leave the area immediately. He may still be close. Tod smiled, and his whole face lit up with the possibility shining in his eyes. Were going to catch him, Kaylee, and hes going to pay for his part in...everything.
Why didnt you tell me you requested this?
I wanted it to be a surprise. I wanted to catch him as a sort of late birthday present. Because your party...well, it kinda sucked, and you deserve to get something you really want for your birthday. Something other than death, horror, and mayhem.
I have what I really want. I grabbed a handful of his tee and pulled him closer for another kiss. And I dont like secrets.
Not a secret. A surprise. Similar meaningcompletely different tone and intent. Hegrinned. I wanted to surprise you. What were you doing at headquarters, anyway?
Well, crap. Tod would have been the firstpossibly onlyperson I told after Emma, but timing was definitely not on my side lately. I...um...may have taken Becks soul back from Levi to give to Tracis baby.
You what? Tod sat on the edge of the tub and ran one hand through his curls, and when he met my gaze again, his irises were twisting slowly in frustration. For someone who doesnt like secrets, you sure keep a lot of them. Does my boss know you stole his letter opener?
If he hasnt said anything to you, Im guessing he doesnt know. But I didnt take the letter opener, I just took the soul. And I wasnt stealing it, I was taking it back. The way I see it, several people have a legitimate claim to that soul, including me. But Levis not one of them. It should go to Becks son. Traci and her baby deserve a chance, and that soul is the very least that bastard owes them.
Kaylee, I sympathize with Traci. I really do. But you cant get involved with another incubus. Its not safe.
I cant not get involved with this incubus. His mother may not even be alive when he reaches his first fertile period, but I will. Traci deserves a chance to raise her son, but the rest of the world deserves not to be preyed on by him. So, like it or not, Im involved. I shrugged. And honestly, I cant swear that Im not going to get involved in other crazy Netherworld chaos between now and forever. Eternitys a long time. I hesitated, searching his eyes while I took a deep, nervous breath. Are you still with me?
He took my hand, and that tension inside me eased, just a little bit. I meant it when I said forever, Kay. Youve been mixed up in crazy Netherworld chaos since the day we met, and I kind of like knowing that even if we live another thousand years, well never be bored, in any sense of the word. The heat in his eyes hinted at double entendre, and I couldnt resist a smile. But I wouldnt mind a heads-up next time you decide to jump into the crazy end of the pool.
Fair enough. Though you should probably know there isnt really a not-crazy end of the
The front door flew open and smashed into the wall, and Tod and I both turned toward the sound as Styx began growling furiously. Kaylee! Nash called.
Tod groaned. You left the front door unlocked?
That was probably Emma. I dont use doors much anymore. Besides, everyone who wants to kill me is on another plane of existence. I shrugged. The front door doesnt seem like a particularly meaningful barrier.
Just...in the future, save all the good stuff for me, okay? he whispered into my hair, holding me so tight I couldnt have breathed if Id needed to.
Its yours. All of it. All of me. I put my head on his shoulder and clutched handfuls of his shirt. Im all yours.
That was the only thing I could see clearly, when I tried to picture forever.
Chapter Twelve
When Tod finally pulled away, it was only so that he could see my eyes. Were going to get your dad back. Im sorry I was out of reach when this happened. I was looking for Thane.
Oh, yeah. Thats why hed been in the Netherworld.
What does that mean? He frowned, studying my face. You knew?
I went to reaper headquarters last night and I overheard. I didnt mean to, but once I figured out Levi had given you a special assignment, I was kind of glad. We need to catch Thane. And I figured you didnt tell me because Levi wouldnt let you, right? This is a secret assignment?
Tod exhaled and held my gaze. Kay, this was my idea. Levi thought hed be too far away by now, and wed have to wait on a sighting from one of the other districts, but I asked him to let me look into it. At first, I didnt find anything, but then early this morning I found one of the souls he took off with after Emma died.
Where? I wasnt sure Id processed everything hed said yet, but that question couldnt wait. Where is he?
I havent found Thane yet, but he sold one of the souls in the Netherworld, one district over. Im not sure what he got for it, but thats proof that he didnt leave the area immediately. He may still be close. Tod smiled, and his whole face lit up with the possibility shining in his eyes. Were going to catch him, Kaylee, and hes going to pay for his part in...everything.
Why didnt you tell me you requested this?
I wanted it to be a surprise. I wanted to catch him as a sort of late birthday present. Because your party...well, it kinda sucked, and you deserve to get something you really want for your birthday. Something other than death, horror, and mayhem.
I have what I really want. I grabbed a handful of his tee and pulled him closer for another kiss. And I dont like secrets.
Not a secret. A surprise. Similar meaningcompletely different tone and intent. Hegrinned. I wanted to surprise you. What were you doing at headquarters, anyway?
Well, crap. Tod would have been the firstpossibly onlyperson I told after Emma, but timing was definitely not on my side lately. I...um...may have taken Becks soul back from Levi to give to Tracis baby.
You what? Tod sat on the edge of the tub and ran one hand through his curls, and when he met my gaze again, his irises were twisting slowly in frustration. For someone who doesnt like secrets, you sure keep a lot of them. Does my boss know you stole his letter opener?
If he hasnt said anything to you, Im guessing he doesnt know. But I didnt take the letter opener, I just took the soul. And I wasnt stealing it, I was taking it back. The way I see it, several people have a legitimate claim to that soul, including me. But Levis not one of them. It should go to Becks son. Traci and her baby deserve a chance, and that soul is the very least that bastard owes them.
Kaylee, I sympathize with Traci. I really do. But you cant get involved with another incubus. Its not safe.
I cant not get involved with this incubus. His mother may not even be alive when he reaches his first fertile period, but I will. Traci deserves a chance to raise her son, but the rest of the world deserves not to be preyed on by him. So, like it or not, Im involved. I shrugged. And honestly, I cant swear that Im not going to get involved in other crazy Netherworld chaos between now and forever. Eternitys a long time. I hesitated, searching his eyes while I took a deep, nervous breath. Are you still with me?
He took my hand, and that tension inside me eased, just a little bit. I meant it when I said forever, Kay. Youve been mixed up in crazy Netherworld chaos since the day we met, and I kind of like knowing that even if we live another thousand years, well never be bored, in any sense of the word. The heat in his eyes hinted at double entendre, and I couldnt resist a smile. But I wouldnt mind a heads-up next time you decide to jump into the crazy end of the pool.
Fair enough. Though you should probably know there isnt really a not-crazy end of the
The front door flew open and smashed into the wall, and Tod and I both turned toward the sound as Styx began growling furiously. Kaylee! Nash called.
Tod groaned. You left the front door unlocked?
That was probably Emma. I dont use doors much anymore. Besides, everyone who wants to kill me is on another plane of existence. I shrugged. The front door doesnt seem like a particularly meaningful barrier.
