My Soul to Keep
Page 66
How could I not have seen it earlier? All roads led back to Avari. And for some reason, hed been trying to get in touch with me.
What do you want? I demanded, suddenly sure Id finally asked the right question.
Avari wrapped one of Emmas arms around the shoulder-high post at the foot of her bed and swung her around to face me, exposing a smooth strip of skin at her waist. You. The hellions voice went deep and dark, and sounded surreal coming from Emmas still-pink mouth. I want you. And if you cross over right now, you have my word that I will send your boyfriend back to your world.
From my left, near Emmas closet, Tod shook his head frantically, and it was all I could do not to look directly at him and clue Avari in to his presence. But I didnt need to see Tod to know what he was thinking. Avari might send Nash back, but there was no telling when, where, or in what condition he would arrive.
Or in how many pieces.
Why me? I asked, ice-cold dread surging through my veins in place of blood. Dont you have enough proxies, or servants, or snacks running around?
There are never enough proxies. Of course. I almost forgot I was talking to a hellion of avarice. But that is not my interest in you. Emma grinned, easily the most genuine expression Avari had twisted her features into yet. If you want to know more, youll have to cross over so we can have this conversation in person.
I shook my head firmly and crossed my arms over my chest. Not going to happen.
Even to save your boyfriend?
I swallowed thickly. Crossing over into Avaris hands was not my only chance to get Nash back, but that didnt make it any easier to say what came next. In fact, the words stuck so firmly in my throat that I had to clear it just to speak. I dont want a boyfriend who cares more about his next fix than about me. The tears in my eyes were authentic, but with any luck, hed attribute them to the emotional loss of my boyfriend, rather than to the crippling pain born from my knowledge that I was betraying Nash, and maybe damning his soul.
And I certainly dont want one who lets you step into my body without even telling me Im being worn like a used condom.
Surprise and amusement glittered in Emmas eyes, and Avari almost lookedsatisfied. As if he were pleased to discover something he actually respected in me.
Which sent an even stronger chill through me.
Is that a no?
I nodded slowly, as if the decision were difficult for me. As if I werent planning to come later, on my own terms. With backup. A very firm no.
I had an instant to hope I hadnt just made a very big mistake, then Avari smiled cruelly with Emmas lips. In that case, I hope you said a very firm goodbye to your boyfriend.
Emmas eyes closedand her legs folded beneath her. She collapsed to the carpet with a single soft, feminine exhale, and I dropped to my knees beside her as her eyes fluttered open once. Then twice. Then they flew open again and stayed open, focusing on me sluggishly.
Kaylee? she asked in her own voice, and relief flavored my next breath, as if the very air tasted better now that Avari had left the building. What happened?
I dont know. I shrugged and glanced at Tod, who now knelt on her other side, though she clearly could neither see nor hear him. I went to the bathroom, and when I got back you were on the floor. Did you roll off the bed?
And now Im lying to my best friend
Emma frowned and propped herself up on both palms. I dont think so. Then her gaze narrowed on my blouse before trailing to my jeans, and I knew Id messed up. Em was smart and she knew I had secrets. You were sleeping in your clothes?
I sighed and shot her a crooked smile, scrambling to think on my feet. I was hoping Nash would call and wed make up.
You were going to go over there in the middle of the night? Her own smile snuck up on me, and I was surprised to realize that our fight had bothered her, too.
Yeah. But he didnt call. And my next trip to see Nash would involve much more than a mile-and-a-half drive through suburban Texas.
He will. Emma pushed herself to her feet. Her eyes were already trying to close, and her next words were stretched through a lion-size yawn. And everything will be okay. Because Nash loves you, and thats all that matters. Right?
I nodded as Em sank back onto the bed, and I couldnt help wishing that, for once, things really were that simple.
HEY, DAD, I SAID into my phone, then covered the mouthpiece to thank the waitress pouring ice water into my glass.
Youre up awfully early after a sleepover, my father said, relief obvious in his voice. This time I couldnt blame him for worrying, even though Id left voice messages several times throughout the night to tell him I was okay. And still in the human world.
It doesnt count as a sleepover if you dont sleep, I said, stifling a yawn. But Emma was nice enough to help me stay awake all night. Which was technically true. After seeing her body taken over by two different Netherworld entities, I couldnt have slept if Id wanted to. We watched movies and ate ice cream.
Across the table, Tod rolled his eyes, apparently feeling cheated by the lack of slumber party clichs. After all, what were a couple of teenage possessions compared to the half-naked pillow fight hed hoped for in reward for staying the rest of the night with usinvisiblyjust in case I fell asleep. Or Avari reappeared.
What do you want? I demanded, suddenly sure Id finally asked the right question.
Avari wrapped one of Emmas arms around the shoulder-high post at the foot of her bed and swung her around to face me, exposing a smooth strip of skin at her waist. You. The hellions voice went deep and dark, and sounded surreal coming from Emmas still-pink mouth. I want you. And if you cross over right now, you have my word that I will send your boyfriend back to your world.
From my left, near Emmas closet, Tod shook his head frantically, and it was all I could do not to look directly at him and clue Avari in to his presence. But I didnt need to see Tod to know what he was thinking. Avari might send Nash back, but there was no telling when, where, or in what condition he would arrive.
Or in how many pieces.
Why me? I asked, ice-cold dread surging through my veins in place of blood. Dont you have enough proxies, or servants, or snacks running around?
There are never enough proxies. Of course. I almost forgot I was talking to a hellion of avarice. But that is not my interest in you. Emma grinned, easily the most genuine expression Avari had twisted her features into yet. If you want to know more, youll have to cross over so we can have this conversation in person.
I shook my head firmly and crossed my arms over my chest. Not going to happen.
Even to save your boyfriend?
I swallowed thickly. Crossing over into Avaris hands was not my only chance to get Nash back, but that didnt make it any easier to say what came next. In fact, the words stuck so firmly in my throat that I had to clear it just to speak. I dont want a boyfriend who cares more about his next fix than about me. The tears in my eyes were authentic, but with any luck, hed attribute them to the emotional loss of my boyfriend, rather than to the crippling pain born from my knowledge that I was betraying Nash, and maybe damning his soul.
And I certainly dont want one who lets you step into my body without even telling me Im being worn like a used condom.
Surprise and amusement glittered in Emmas eyes, and Avari almost lookedsatisfied. As if he were pleased to discover something he actually respected in me.
Which sent an even stronger chill through me.
Is that a no?
I nodded slowly, as if the decision were difficult for me. As if I werent planning to come later, on my own terms. With backup. A very firm no.
I had an instant to hope I hadnt just made a very big mistake, then Avari smiled cruelly with Emmas lips. In that case, I hope you said a very firm goodbye to your boyfriend.
Emmas eyes closedand her legs folded beneath her. She collapsed to the carpet with a single soft, feminine exhale, and I dropped to my knees beside her as her eyes fluttered open once. Then twice. Then they flew open again and stayed open, focusing on me sluggishly.
Kaylee? she asked in her own voice, and relief flavored my next breath, as if the very air tasted better now that Avari had left the building. What happened?
I dont know. I shrugged and glanced at Tod, who now knelt on her other side, though she clearly could neither see nor hear him. I went to the bathroom, and when I got back you were on the floor. Did you roll off the bed?
And now Im lying to my best friend
Emma frowned and propped herself up on both palms. I dont think so. Then her gaze narrowed on my blouse before trailing to my jeans, and I knew Id messed up. Em was smart and she knew I had secrets. You were sleeping in your clothes?
I sighed and shot her a crooked smile, scrambling to think on my feet. I was hoping Nash would call and wed make up.
You were going to go over there in the middle of the night? Her own smile snuck up on me, and I was surprised to realize that our fight had bothered her, too.
Yeah. But he didnt call. And my next trip to see Nash would involve much more than a mile-and-a-half drive through suburban Texas.
He will. Emma pushed herself to her feet. Her eyes were already trying to close, and her next words were stretched through a lion-size yawn. And everything will be okay. Because Nash loves you, and thats all that matters. Right?
I nodded as Em sank back onto the bed, and I couldnt help wishing that, for once, things really were that simple.
HEY, DAD, I SAID into my phone, then covered the mouthpiece to thank the waitress pouring ice water into my glass.
Youre up awfully early after a sleepover, my father said, relief obvious in his voice. This time I couldnt blame him for worrying, even though Id left voice messages several times throughout the night to tell him I was okay. And still in the human world.
It doesnt count as a sleepover if you dont sleep, I said, stifling a yawn. But Emma was nice enough to help me stay awake all night. Which was technically true. After seeing her body taken over by two different Netherworld entities, I couldnt have slept if Id wanted to. We watched movies and ate ice cream.
Across the table, Tod rolled his eyes, apparently feeling cheated by the lack of slumber party clichs. After all, what were a couple of teenage possessions compared to the half-naked pillow fight hed hoped for in reward for staying the rest of the night with usinvisiblyjust in case I fell asleep. Or Avari reappeared.
