My Soul to Save
Page 45
He held out one hand, palm up. Give me your phone.
My hand snuck into my pocket, curling protectively around my cell. Seriously? He couldnt mean that.
Yes. One week, no phone.
No! Spikes of righteous anger shot up my spine, tingling all the way into my fingers. I was trying to help someone! If hed been around long enough to get to know me, hed know that, even without the details. Its not safe to run around without a phone! Especially for someone so deep in hellion business shed have to look up to wave to the devil.
Well, that wont be a problem, because youre not going anywhere. Give me your keys. You can take the bus to school tomorrow.
This is ridiculous! I shouted, reluctantly digging my phone from one pocket, my keys from the other. And completely unwarranted. Its not like I was out drinking and sleeping around.
My dad rubbed his forehead and sank back into the armchair, looking as weary as Id ever seen him. Kaylee, I dont know what you were doing, because you wont tell me!
Fine. I slapped my phone into his waiting palm. But my reasons for not telling you everything now are just as important as your reasons for not telling me anything over the past thirteen years. And its completely messed up that you expect me to trust you when youre not willing to return the favor.
My jab found its mark and my father flinched again. Im tired, Kaylee, and I dont have the energy for this. He set my phone on an end table and rubbed his face with both hands. Give me your keys and go to bed. Please.
And what was I supposed to say to Addy and Regan? Sorry, I cant save your immortal souls, because Im grounded?
I dropped my keys on the kitchen counter, then plodded down the hall to my room, sorting through possible ways around this new complication. How were we supposed to find the hellion without a car? Walk all over the Metroplex?
With my bedroom door open, I sank cross-legged onto my bed and listened as my father locked up, then plodded down the hall to his own room. Fifteen minutes later, his snores echoed in the hall and a bolt of irritation lanced me. Our first real fight hadnt interrupted his sleep in the least.
Still irritated, I crossed the hall to use the bathroom and brush my teeth, then changed into a halter top and baggy pajama pants before collapsing onto my bed again. I had chemistry homework to do, and I was too mad to sleep, but Id left my books in my car and couldnt get to them without my keys.
You okay? Tod asked from the wing chair by my headboard, and I almost jumped off the bed in surprise. Sorry. He grabbed my arm to steady me.
I was tempted to yell at him, but resisted because for once his intrusion might actually come in handy. And because I didnt want to wake my dad up. How much of that did you hear? I waved onearm in the direction of the living room to indicate my fight with my dad.
Just the last bit. Nash asked me to check on you. He waggled both eyebrows and donned a mischievous grin. Dont worry, I turned around when you changed.
I couldnt help a laugh. Tod might flirt with me to bug Nash, but he obviously really cared about Addy, beyond whatever crush theyd shared in school. Im glad to hear youve retained at least a little moral fortitude since your unfortunate demise.
I reserve it for special occasions. And people I like.
I threw my pillow at him.
So is this all because youre late?
That, and because I wouldnt tell him where Id been. Im grounded for a week.
Tod frowned. But youre still coming after school tomorrow, right?
I cocked my head at him, eyes narrowed in mock confusion. What part of grounded dont you understand?
The part where it gets in the way of my plans. But I knew from the serious cast of his scowl that it wasnt really his plans he was worried about. It was Addys soul.
Since we hadnt gotten there in time to stop Regan from selling out or even to identify the hellion who bought her soul, we were back to plan A: hoping someone at the Demons Breath disposal facility would be willing to help us. But we had to get there first, which would be difficult without a car.
At least now we had something to bargain with, once we found the hellion. Fortunately, Tod could hold Banas soul much longer than a reaper could hold on to a lungful of Demons Breath. Not that I was exactly eager to enact that particular part of the plan
Look, its your fault Im grounded, I whisper-hissed at Tod. None of this would have happened if you hadnt dragged me into this in the first place. What do you want me to do?
Sneak out. He shrugged, as if that should have been a no-brainer. But that was easy for him to say. He was dead. What else could they do to him, take away his birthday? If you get caught, Ill make it up to you. I swear. Please, Kaylee. We cant do this without you.
Yes you can! I switched to a whisper again, in case my father woke up and heard the single most incriminating words Id ever spoken. You have Banas soul. You can make the deal on your own.
His face fell, and he stared at the pillow in his lap for a moment before meeting my gaze again, frustration flaring like flames behind his eyes. No I cant. Im still a rookie reaper, Kaylee. I can only carry a limited amount of cargo to the Netherworld at a time, and Ive already got Banas soul to deal with. Even if I can take Addy, too, I need you to bring Regan. And Nash. I have a feeling were going to need him.
My hand snuck into my pocket, curling protectively around my cell. Seriously? He couldnt mean that.
Yes. One week, no phone.
No! Spikes of righteous anger shot up my spine, tingling all the way into my fingers. I was trying to help someone! If hed been around long enough to get to know me, hed know that, even without the details. Its not safe to run around without a phone! Especially for someone so deep in hellion business shed have to look up to wave to the devil.
Well, that wont be a problem, because youre not going anywhere. Give me your keys. You can take the bus to school tomorrow.
This is ridiculous! I shouted, reluctantly digging my phone from one pocket, my keys from the other. And completely unwarranted. Its not like I was out drinking and sleeping around.
My dad rubbed his forehead and sank back into the armchair, looking as weary as Id ever seen him. Kaylee, I dont know what you were doing, because you wont tell me!
Fine. I slapped my phone into his waiting palm. But my reasons for not telling you everything now are just as important as your reasons for not telling me anything over the past thirteen years. And its completely messed up that you expect me to trust you when youre not willing to return the favor.
My jab found its mark and my father flinched again. Im tired, Kaylee, and I dont have the energy for this. He set my phone on an end table and rubbed his face with both hands. Give me your keys and go to bed. Please.
And what was I supposed to say to Addy and Regan? Sorry, I cant save your immortal souls, because Im grounded?
I dropped my keys on the kitchen counter, then plodded down the hall to my room, sorting through possible ways around this new complication. How were we supposed to find the hellion without a car? Walk all over the Metroplex?
With my bedroom door open, I sank cross-legged onto my bed and listened as my father locked up, then plodded down the hall to his own room. Fifteen minutes later, his snores echoed in the hall and a bolt of irritation lanced me. Our first real fight hadnt interrupted his sleep in the least.
Still irritated, I crossed the hall to use the bathroom and brush my teeth, then changed into a halter top and baggy pajama pants before collapsing onto my bed again. I had chemistry homework to do, and I was too mad to sleep, but Id left my books in my car and couldnt get to them without my keys.
You okay? Tod asked from the wing chair by my headboard, and I almost jumped off the bed in surprise. Sorry. He grabbed my arm to steady me.
I was tempted to yell at him, but resisted because for once his intrusion might actually come in handy. And because I didnt want to wake my dad up. How much of that did you hear? I waved onearm in the direction of the living room to indicate my fight with my dad.
Just the last bit. Nash asked me to check on you. He waggled both eyebrows and donned a mischievous grin. Dont worry, I turned around when you changed.
I couldnt help a laugh. Tod might flirt with me to bug Nash, but he obviously really cared about Addy, beyond whatever crush theyd shared in school. Im glad to hear youve retained at least a little moral fortitude since your unfortunate demise.
I reserve it for special occasions. And people I like.
I threw my pillow at him.
So is this all because youre late?
That, and because I wouldnt tell him where Id been. Im grounded for a week.
Tod frowned. But youre still coming after school tomorrow, right?
I cocked my head at him, eyes narrowed in mock confusion. What part of grounded dont you understand?
The part where it gets in the way of my plans. But I knew from the serious cast of his scowl that it wasnt really his plans he was worried about. It was Addys soul.
Since we hadnt gotten there in time to stop Regan from selling out or even to identify the hellion who bought her soul, we were back to plan A: hoping someone at the Demons Breath disposal facility would be willing to help us. But we had to get there first, which would be difficult without a car.
At least now we had something to bargain with, once we found the hellion. Fortunately, Tod could hold Banas soul much longer than a reaper could hold on to a lungful of Demons Breath. Not that I was exactly eager to enact that particular part of the plan
Look, its your fault Im grounded, I whisper-hissed at Tod. None of this would have happened if you hadnt dragged me into this in the first place. What do you want me to do?
Sneak out. He shrugged, as if that should have been a no-brainer. But that was easy for him to say. He was dead. What else could they do to him, take away his birthday? If you get caught, Ill make it up to you. I swear. Please, Kaylee. We cant do this without you.
Yes you can! I switched to a whisper again, in case my father woke up and heard the single most incriminating words Id ever spoken. You have Banas soul. You can make the deal on your own.
His face fell, and he stared at the pillow in his lap for a moment before meeting my gaze again, frustration flaring like flames behind his eyes. No I cant. Im still a rookie reaper, Kaylee. I can only carry a limited amount of cargo to the Netherworld at a time, and Ive already got Banas soul to deal with. Even if I can take Addy, too, I need you to bring Regan. And Nash. I have a feeling were going to need him.
