With All My Soul
Page 76
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My heart stopped beating for several seconds, and when it kicked into motion again, it overcompensated, pumping blood through my veins so fast my vision started to go dark. You knew? Youve been sitting here toying with me this whole time, when you knew what I wanted?
Of course. If Id told you immediately, we both would have missed out on the titillating climax of your anger.
You bastard.
Yes, yes... Ira studied me while I fumed, too angry to form words. Now, what are you willing to pay for the information I have?
Nothing. Id finally caught on. You dont know where they are, do you? Hed never actually said he did. Hed only implied it.
Thats an interesting question. And for another taste of your anger, I will answer it.
No deal. I stood, and he stared up at me.
Oh, little fury, do you really want to go away mad? He laughed at his own joke, and I tried to remember if Id ever heard a joke from a hellion. Actually, that works for me, too. I look forward to our next
I swiped the sole of my sneaker across the bloody letters on the floor, and Ira disappeared in midsentence. His surprised expression hung there for a second in my mind, but that minor moment of satisfaction wasnt enough to soothe my anger or relieve my fear.
When the echo of his voice faded from my ears, I backed away from the blood on the floor, suddenly horrified by what Id done. By the fact that Id summoned a hellion again. That Id put myself at risk again, and fed him at my own expense again, and that this time, I had nothing to show for it.
I was horrified most of all by the fact that Id let him leave without telling me where my father was or whether or not he knew where Harmony and Uncle Brendon were. I was furious with myself for having the gutsthe rash stupidityto summon a hellion but not to finish what Id started. To pay, again, for information that could have saved three lives.
What the hell was wrong with me?
I retreated from the red mess on the floor until my spine hit a stainless steel countertop, then I slid down the cabinet doors to sit with my knees tucked up to my chest, my arms clasped around them. Air slid in and out of my lungs as I stared at the puddle of my blood, trying to get a grip on my racing pulse and pounding heart. On the angry flush burning in my cheeks. Trying to decide how big a mess Id made of the situation. Trying to figure out how to fix it.
How on earth was I going to find three missing parents when multiple hellions were also hunting them?
Then, when my body was finally under controlstupid leftover physiological reactionsand Id calmed to the point that I could at least sort through my thoughts, I stood and did what had to be done. I found cleaning supplies and wiped up all the blood, then threw mytrash into the Dumpster behind the doughnut shop. A glance at my watch showed that third period was almost over. With any luck, no one had noticed me missing during my free period. But my friends would notice if I skipped lunch.
In the doughnut shops bathroom, I stared at my reflection, looking for any sign of the recent trauma. I ran my fingers through my hair and used a damp brown paper napkin to clean crusted blood from my arm. Which was when I realized my sleeve wasnt long enough to cover the fresh wound.
I blinked into my bedroom and bandaged the cut, then pulled a three-quarter sleeve cardigan from my closet to cover it. I was about to blink back to school when the bloodstains on my jeans caught my eye, reminding me to change them, too.
I arrived in the school bathroom two minutes before lunch, and since the room was empty, I was all clear to become corporeal again.
Id made it halfway to the cafeteria, headed for my usual table in the quad, when Sabine rounded the corner in front of me. Kaylee! Where the hell have you been? She was whispering, but barely. Weve been calling, but you didnt answer your phone!
Because it never rang. I pulled my phone from my pocket and pressed a button to wake it up, but nothing happened. It was dead. Which made sense, considering that I hadnt been home long enough to charge it the night before.
We? I pulled away when Sabine grabbed my arm with her good hand, but she only race-walked toward the quad, assuming I would follow. And I did. Why? Whats wrong?
Em had some kind of breakdown. She just freaked the hell out in the middle of third period. We heard her shouting in the hall, yelling for you, and the teachers couldnt calm her down. They called in the nurse, and her guidance counselor, but she just kept shouting for you, so they let me and Nash try to talk to her.
Fear for Emma froze my muscles and muddled my thoughts until I stopped walking and made myself focus. One thing at a time. First, find Emma. Where is she? Is she okay?
The nurse sedated her. They took her away in an ambulance, and they wouldnt let us go with her. They tried to call your dadhes her guardian on recordbut of course, they couldnt get a hold of him.
Shes at the hospital? Did you call Tod?
Nash did, but he didnt answer.
Hes probably looking for his mom. And after talking to Ira, I had an all-new grasp of just how dangerous the Netherworld had become, for all of us. Ill find her. Just...you and Nash watch out for each other. I rubbed my forehead with one hand. Wait, can you just...go home? To my house, with Sophie and Luca? Check yourselves out, or if they wont let you, then just leave. I dont think its safe for us here.
Of course. If Id told you immediately, we both would have missed out on the titillating climax of your anger.
You bastard.
Yes, yes... Ira studied me while I fumed, too angry to form words. Now, what are you willing to pay for the information I have?
Nothing. Id finally caught on. You dont know where they are, do you? Hed never actually said he did. Hed only implied it.
Thats an interesting question. And for another taste of your anger, I will answer it.
No deal. I stood, and he stared up at me.
Oh, little fury, do you really want to go away mad? He laughed at his own joke, and I tried to remember if Id ever heard a joke from a hellion. Actually, that works for me, too. I look forward to our next
I swiped the sole of my sneaker across the bloody letters on the floor, and Ira disappeared in midsentence. His surprised expression hung there for a second in my mind, but that minor moment of satisfaction wasnt enough to soothe my anger or relieve my fear.
When the echo of his voice faded from my ears, I backed away from the blood on the floor, suddenly horrified by what Id done. By the fact that Id summoned a hellion again. That Id put myself at risk again, and fed him at my own expense again, and that this time, I had nothing to show for it.
I was horrified most of all by the fact that Id let him leave without telling me where my father was or whether or not he knew where Harmony and Uncle Brendon were. I was furious with myself for having the gutsthe rash stupidityto summon a hellion but not to finish what Id started. To pay, again, for information that could have saved three lives.
What the hell was wrong with me?
I retreated from the red mess on the floor until my spine hit a stainless steel countertop, then I slid down the cabinet doors to sit with my knees tucked up to my chest, my arms clasped around them. Air slid in and out of my lungs as I stared at the puddle of my blood, trying to get a grip on my racing pulse and pounding heart. On the angry flush burning in my cheeks. Trying to decide how big a mess Id made of the situation. Trying to figure out how to fix it.
How on earth was I going to find three missing parents when multiple hellions were also hunting them?
Then, when my body was finally under controlstupid leftover physiological reactionsand Id calmed to the point that I could at least sort through my thoughts, I stood and did what had to be done. I found cleaning supplies and wiped up all the blood, then threw mytrash into the Dumpster behind the doughnut shop. A glance at my watch showed that third period was almost over. With any luck, no one had noticed me missing during my free period. But my friends would notice if I skipped lunch.
In the doughnut shops bathroom, I stared at my reflection, looking for any sign of the recent trauma. I ran my fingers through my hair and used a damp brown paper napkin to clean crusted blood from my arm. Which was when I realized my sleeve wasnt long enough to cover the fresh wound.
I blinked into my bedroom and bandaged the cut, then pulled a three-quarter sleeve cardigan from my closet to cover it. I was about to blink back to school when the bloodstains on my jeans caught my eye, reminding me to change them, too.
I arrived in the school bathroom two minutes before lunch, and since the room was empty, I was all clear to become corporeal again.
Id made it halfway to the cafeteria, headed for my usual table in the quad, when Sabine rounded the corner in front of me. Kaylee! Where the hell have you been? She was whispering, but barely. Weve been calling, but you didnt answer your phone!
Because it never rang. I pulled my phone from my pocket and pressed a button to wake it up, but nothing happened. It was dead. Which made sense, considering that I hadnt been home long enough to charge it the night before.
We? I pulled away when Sabine grabbed my arm with her good hand, but she only race-walked toward the quad, assuming I would follow. And I did. Why? Whats wrong?
Em had some kind of breakdown. She just freaked the hell out in the middle of third period. We heard her shouting in the hall, yelling for you, and the teachers couldnt calm her down. They called in the nurse, and her guidance counselor, but she just kept shouting for you, so they let me and Nash try to talk to her.
Fear for Emma froze my muscles and muddled my thoughts until I stopped walking and made myself focus. One thing at a time. First, find Emma. Where is she? Is she okay?
The nurse sedated her. They took her away in an ambulance, and they wouldnt let us go with her. They tried to call your dadhes her guardian on recordbut of course, they couldnt get a hold of him.
Shes at the hospital? Did you call Tod?
Nash did, but he didnt answer.
Hes probably looking for his mom. And after talking to Ira, I had an all-new grasp of just how dangerous the Netherworld had become, for all of us. Ill find her. Just...you and Nash watch out for each other. I rubbed my forehead with one hand. Wait, can you just...go home? To my house, with Sophie and Luca? Check yourselves out, or if they wont let you, then just leave. I dont think its safe for us here.
