Before I Wake
Page 23
You can settle up with her later. Tod took my hand and reality started to twist and bend around me. The last thing I saw before we appeared in the middle of my bedroom floor was Scotts face, warped in an angry snarl as the hellion peered out at me through his eyes.
5
SO, DID THAT creep you out as much as it creeped me out? I asked, flopping down on my bed on my stomach.
Tod sank into my desk chair and rolled it forward until his knees touched the mattress. Maybe more. Why would Thane work for Avari, if hes free to leave the Netherworld?
Styx growled at him from the foot of my bed, then settled into my lap when I clucked my tongue at her and patted my leg. I think the bigger question is what is he doing for Avari, other than the obvious? Reaping unauthorized souls.
What is who doing for Avari? my father asked, and I looked up in surprise to find him standing in my bedroom doorway. But I could tell from the way his gaze flitted over the room that he couldnt see either of us. The disembodied voice and the growling guard dog gave you both away, so you might as well show up for real.
Sorry. I concentrated on the physical planeon truly being thereand my fathers gaze finally landed on me. I didnt realize I was only half-there.
It takes some practice, Tod said, and I knew that hed become fully corporeal, too.
So, whats going on with Avari? My father leaned against the door frame, not truly in my room, but clearly stating his intent to be involved in whatever we were up to. And since hed overheard part of what Id thought was a private conversation, wed have to let him into the loop. Otherwise, hed ask Madeline next time he saw her, and wed be screwed.
I glanced at Tod and found just a hint of frustration and fear swirling in the cerulean depths of his eyes. Thanes back, and Avari appears to be pulling his strings.
My father frowned. Thanes back? From the dead? Again?
Tod nodded. Hes like the Rasputin of reapers. Hes evidently impossible to get rid of. But dont worry, he said, turning to lay one hand over mine on the edge of the bed. Im going to handle this.
My fathers forehead furrowed. And by handle it, you mean?
Im going to ask Levi for help. Tod met my gaze. Madeline told you to let the reapers police our own, right? he asked, and I could only nod. Im hoping Levi can deal with Thane before anyone else sees him and reports his return. That way he cant carry out whatever nefarious task Avari put him up to and neither Levi nor I will get in trouble for dealing with him through unsanctioned means like last time.
How would Levideal with him? I asked, and my dad looked just as interested in the answer.
I assume hedend Thane. The only way to do thatthat I know ofis to take his soul. Ive seen Levi do it several times, Tod said, and my chill bumps were back.
Ive seen it, too, I said, and the memory was enough to make my hands shake. I saw him take yours, and hell do it again, if Madeline forces his hand. I sat up on the end of the bed and met my fathers heavy gaze. You cant tell Madeline about Thane.
My father frowned. But then he nodded.
I started this, and Ill finish it, Tod said, still watching me. Theres no reason for you to put yourself in any danger.
I agree, my father said.
Well, then, its a good thing Im not submitting to a vote. I have every reason to get involved in this, I insisted. First, I am not going to spend eternity alone, I said, glaring Tod into silence when he started to argue. Second of all, Thane has a grudge against all three of us, one of whom he could still kill. I aimed a pointed glance at my father, who looked like he wanted to argue, but couldnt. And anyway, you and Levi are going to need help finding Thane, and I happen to know someone who can sense the dead.
The necromancer? Tod frowned. How do you know you can trust him?
I shrugged. Madeline trusts him.
But I dont trust her.
Neither do I, my father added. She doesnt really care about you, Kaylee. She only cares about what you can do for her and the reclamation department.
Thats because shes my boss, not my guidance counselor. I exhaled slowly in frustration. Look, we dont have much time and we dont have many resources, and Luca is too great an asset to ignore just because you dont trust Madeline. I focused on Tod. Come meet him tomorrow at lunch?
Okay, but if he brings a Ouija board, I reserve the right to mess with anyone who cant see me.
Fair enough. You talk to Levi tonight and, in the morning, Ill see if Luca can pinpoint the rogue reaper againhe doesnt even know who Thane is, much less that thats who he spotted yesterday.
I love a woman with a plan, Tod said, and my father scowled.
Good, cause theres more. Avari and Thane know that the best way to get to us is through our friends and family, and they know where to find everyone we care about. So we need to keep tabs on everyone. Tod, can you keep an eye on Nash and your mom? I figured Sabine would be wherever Nash was.
5
SO, DID THAT creep you out as much as it creeped me out? I asked, flopping down on my bed on my stomach.
Tod sank into my desk chair and rolled it forward until his knees touched the mattress. Maybe more. Why would Thane work for Avari, if hes free to leave the Netherworld?
Styx growled at him from the foot of my bed, then settled into my lap when I clucked my tongue at her and patted my leg. I think the bigger question is what is he doing for Avari, other than the obvious? Reaping unauthorized souls.
What is who doing for Avari? my father asked, and I looked up in surprise to find him standing in my bedroom doorway. But I could tell from the way his gaze flitted over the room that he couldnt see either of us. The disembodied voice and the growling guard dog gave you both away, so you might as well show up for real.
Sorry. I concentrated on the physical planeon truly being thereand my fathers gaze finally landed on me. I didnt realize I was only half-there.
It takes some practice, Tod said, and I knew that hed become fully corporeal, too.
So, whats going on with Avari? My father leaned against the door frame, not truly in my room, but clearly stating his intent to be involved in whatever we were up to. And since hed overheard part of what Id thought was a private conversation, wed have to let him into the loop. Otherwise, hed ask Madeline next time he saw her, and wed be screwed.
I glanced at Tod and found just a hint of frustration and fear swirling in the cerulean depths of his eyes. Thanes back, and Avari appears to be pulling his strings.
My father frowned. Thanes back? From the dead? Again?
Tod nodded. Hes like the Rasputin of reapers. Hes evidently impossible to get rid of. But dont worry, he said, turning to lay one hand over mine on the edge of the bed. Im going to handle this.
My fathers forehead furrowed. And by handle it, you mean?
Im going to ask Levi for help. Tod met my gaze. Madeline told you to let the reapers police our own, right? he asked, and I could only nod. Im hoping Levi can deal with Thane before anyone else sees him and reports his return. That way he cant carry out whatever nefarious task Avari put him up to and neither Levi nor I will get in trouble for dealing with him through unsanctioned means like last time.
How would Levideal with him? I asked, and my dad looked just as interested in the answer.
I assume hedend Thane. The only way to do thatthat I know ofis to take his soul. Ive seen Levi do it several times, Tod said, and my chill bumps were back.
Ive seen it, too, I said, and the memory was enough to make my hands shake. I saw him take yours, and hell do it again, if Madeline forces his hand. I sat up on the end of the bed and met my fathers heavy gaze. You cant tell Madeline about Thane.
My father frowned. But then he nodded.
I started this, and Ill finish it, Tod said, still watching me. Theres no reason for you to put yourself in any danger.
I agree, my father said.
Well, then, its a good thing Im not submitting to a vote. I have every reason to get involved in this, I insisted. First, I am not going to spend eternity alone, I said, glaring Tod into silence when he started to argue. Second of all, Thane has a grudge against all three of us, one of whom he could still kill. I aimed a pointed glance at my father, who looked like he wanted to argue, but couldnt. And anyway, you and Levi are going to need help finding Thane, and I happen to know someone who can sense the dead.
The necromancer? Tod frowned. How do you know you can trust him?
I shrugged. Madeline trusts him.
But I dont trust her.
Neither do I, my father added. She doesnt really care about you, Kaylee. She only cares about what you can do for her and the reclamation department.
Thats because shes my boss, not my guidance counselor. I exhaled slowly in frustration. Look, we dont have much time and we dont have many resources, and Luca is too great an asset to ignore just because you dont trust Madeline. I focused on Tod. Come meet him tomorrow at lunch?
Okay, but if he brings a Ouija board, I reserve the right to mess with anyone who cant see me.
Fair enough. You talk to Levi tonight and, in the morning, Ill see if Luca can pinpoint the rogue reaper againhe doesnt even know who Thane is, much less that thats who he spotted yesterday.
I love a woman with a plan, Tod said, and my father scowled.
Good, cause theres more. Avari and Thane know that the best way to get to us is through our friends and family, and they know where to find everyone we care about. So we need to keep tabs on everyone. Tod, can you keep an eye on Nash and your mom? I figured Sabine would be wherever Nash was.
