My Soul to Steal
Page 54
My plan only went far enough to expose the hellions presence. How the hell was I supposed to get rid of Avari? I didnt have anything to hit him with, and I couldnt afford to make a scene in the theater, anyway.
Or could I?
Is this really what my proxy has been reduced to? he asked. Serving greasy concessions to the masses in ugly shirts and pleated pants. I think he was better off in the Nether. With me.
Well, I dont think so, and neither does he.
The hellion chuckled, and the smooth, dark sound wound its way up my spine, promising me pain and pleasure so hopelessly intertwined that I knew if I gave into it, at least Id die smiling. Is that what he told you? That hes the victim here, rather than a full partner? He didnt happen to mention the fee he gets for renting out his body?
Fee? He was lying. He had to be. Alec didnt have to tell me anything about Avaris new hobby, but hed volunteered the information. He wouldnt have done that if he were a willing participant, right?
He didnt tell you he gets a portion of the energy from each one?
In fact, hed claimed the exact opposite. Youre lying.
Another laugh, and this time his breath stirred my hair, warm and damp on my earlobe. Ms. Cavanaugh, you are charming, even in your ignorance. I have many, many talents. Some that defy description in any human vocabulary, and mores the pity. But lying is not among them. Hellions cannot lie.
But if that were a lie itself, wouldnt that mean that everything else hed said was, too?
I shook my head, confused. So I clung to what I knew without a doubt. I wasnt sure I could trust Alec, but I was sure I couldnt trust Avari.
Get out right now, or Ill scream for security, I hissed, leaning into him this time, in spite of the discomfort crawling up my spine. Ill tell them you assaulted me, and you can spend the rest of your time here in jail, getting to know an entirely different portion of the masses.
I had Sabine and her criminal history to thank for that little stroke of genius.
Alecs thick, dark brows arched dramatically in the flickering light from the screen. I dont believe youd do that to your friend.
Believe it. Alec would rather wake up in jail when youve exhausted your resources than be an unwilling participant in another of your murders.
Plus, I could always recant my accusation later, without hurting anything but my own credibility.
So whatll it be? Home sweet Netherworld, or the inside of the Tarrant County jail?
People have to sleep in jail, right? Avari smiled, and I decided to call his bluff.
Maybe. But I hear most people are bailed out pretty quickly, so youd probably be the only overnight guest. No need to mention that my knowledge of the inner workings of the adult justice system came entirely from television. And considering that you havent had a good meal recently, Im guessing you wont be able to hold out that long. Am I right?
Avaris borrowed smile faded slowly. You know I will be back.
I shrugged, trying to look like I wasnt scared out of my mind and sweating beneath my ill-fitting uniform. Not if I can help it.
But you cannot helpnot Alec, and not yourself. Youre in over your head, little bean sidhe, and if you are not careful, Id venture that someone will be happy to relieve you of that pretty little head entirely. In justonebite.
I clutched the seat between us to keep my hand from shaking as his eyes flashed with malice and the promise of pain, in the sudden bright glow from the movie screen.
Until next time, Ms. Cavanaugh
Then Alecs eyes closed. His hands relaxed and his head fell onto the cushioned back of his chair. He snored lightly.
I sucked in a deep breath, then let it out slowly, trying to purge my fear with the used air. Then I shook him awake.
Alec sat upright in a single, startled movement. His eyes widened, and he glanced around the darkened theater in wild panic, gripping the armrests almost hard enough to crack the cup holders.
Its okay, I whispered, and he whirled in his chair to face me, shocked eyes still round, pupils drastically dilated.
Kaylee? He swallowed, and his Adams apple bobbed. It happened again?
I nodded. First, what color was my first bike?
Alec blinked. White, with red ribbons.
My whole body relaxed with my next exhale, though I knew Id already used up my entire break, plus some. Thank goodness. Yeah, it happened again. Lets get out of here. I stood and pulled him down the steps by one hand, moving so fast I almost tripped us both. In the wide hallway between theaters, I tugged him into a corner of the unused secondary concession stand.
Im late, so heres the short versionyou must have fallen asleep on your break, and Avari got in. He found some guy sleeping during the chick flick in theater two and was chow-ing down on some human life force when I found you. Erhim. I threatened to have him arrested if he didnt vacate your personal premises immediately.
And that worked?
I shrugged. I may have exaggerated how long hed be in jail, and how alone hed be, with no one to feed on.
Or could I?
Is this really what my proxy has been reduced to? he asked. Serving greasy concessions to the masses in ugly shirts and pleated pants. I think he was better off in the Nether. With me.
Well, I dont think so, and neither does he.
The hellion chuckled, and the smooth, dark sound wound its way up my spine, promising me pain and pleasure so hopelessly intertwined that I knew if I gave into it, at least Id die smiling. Is that what he told you? That hes the victim here, rather than a full partner? He didnt happen to mention the fee he gets for renting out his body?
Fee? He was lying. He had to be. Alec didnt have to tell me anything about Avaris new hobby, but hed volunteered the information. He wouldnt have done that if he were a willing participant, right?
He didnt tell you he gets a portion of the energy from each one?
In fact, hed claimed the exact opposite. Youre lying.
Another laugh, and this time his breath stirred my hair, warm and damp on my earlobe. Ms. Cavanaugh, you are charming, even in your ignorance. I have many, many talents. Some that defy description in any human vocabulary, and mores the pity. But lying is not among them. Hellions cannot lie.
But if that were a lie itself, wouldnt that mean that everything else hed said was, too?
I shook my head, confused. So I clung to what I knew without a doubt. I wasnt sure I could trust Alec, but I was sure I couldnt trust Avari.
Get out right now, or Ill scream for security, I hissed, leaning into him this time, in spite of the discomfort crawling up my spine. Ill tell them you assaulted me, and you can spend the rest of your time here in jail, getting to know an entirely different portion of the masses.
I had Sabine and her criminal history to thank for that little stroke of genius.
Alecs thick, dark brows arched dramatically in the flickering light from the screen. I dont believe youd do that to your friend.
Believe it. Alec would rather wake up in jail when youve exhausted your resources than be an unwilling participant in another of your murders.
Plus, I could always recant my accusation later, without hurting anything but my own credibility.
So whatll it be? Home sweet Netherworld, or the inside of the Tarrant County jail?
People have to sleep in jail, right? Avari smiled, and I decided to call his bluff.
Maybe. But I hear most people are bailed out pretty quickly, so youd probably be the only overnight guest. No need to mention that my knowledge of the inner workings of the adult justice system came entirely from television. And considering that you havent had a good meal recently, Im guessing you wont be able to hold out that long. Am I right?
Avaris borrowed smile faded slowly. You know I will be back.
I shrugged, trying to look like I wasnt scared out of my mind and sweating beneath my ill-fitting uniform. Not if I can help it.
But you cannot helpnot Alec, and not yourself. Youre in over your head, little bean sidhe, and if you are not careful, Id venture that someone will be happy to relieve you of that pretty little head entirely. In justonebite.
I clutched the seat between us to keep my hand from shaking as his eyes flashed with malice and the promise of pain, in the sudden bright glow from the movie screen.
Until next time, Ms. Cavanaugh
Then Alecs eyes closed. His hands relaxed and his head fell onto the cushioned back of his chair. He snored lightly.
I sucked in a deep breath, then let it out slowly, trying to purge my fear with the used air. Then I shook him awake.
Alec sat upright in a single, startled movement. His eyes widened, and he glanced around the darkened theater in wild panic, gripping the armrests almost hard enough to crack the cup holders.
Its okay, I whispered, and he whirled in his chair to face me, shocked eyes still round, pupils drastically dilated.
Kaylee? He swallowed, and his Adams apple bobbed. It happened again?
I nodded. First, what color was my first bike?
Alec blinked. White, with red ribbons.
My whole body relaxed with my next exhale, though I knew Id already used up my entire break, plus some. Thank goodness. Yeah, it happened again. Lets get out of here. I stood and pulled him down the steps by one hand, moving so fast I almost tripped us both. In the wide hallway between theaters, I tugged him into a corner of the unused secondary concession stand.
Im late, so heres the short versionyou must have fallen asleep on your break, and Avari got in. He found some guy sleeping during the chick flick in theater two and was chow-ing down on some human life force when I found you. Erhim. I threatened to have him arrested if he didnt vacate your personal premises immediately.
And that worked?
I shrugged. I may have exaggerated how long hed be in jail, and how alone hed be, with no one to feed on.
