Chapter Twenty-Four
THE BEDROOM door burst open, and Sebastian stood there large as life and gorgeous as ever. “There you are. I went to the flat. It was empty. I was worried.”
“You’ve left your concern a little late,” I said, trying to hide my elation at his return.
“I came back as soon as I could.” His voice took on a little-boy-lost tone, clearly expecting empathy, and when he didn’t get it, he continued, slightly chafed, “We found Jimmy, in case you’re interested. He’s being transported to Carleigh General as we speak. He’ll be given Mathanway’s potion, but it’s critical. I’m not sure we’ve caught him in time. He might not make it.”
“Worth the trip, then.”
He huffed. “Nice to know you care. I thought you’d be pleased to see me. We’ve been apart for weeks. I was expecting open arms, not animosity, but perhaps you lie in someone else’s arms now?” His gaze held a challenge. “Con?”
“Seb.”
They saluted one another politely.
“I see my side of the bed is nicely warmed.”
“Huh? Nah, man. You’re way off there, dude. You left me on guard, and Tyron’s been sniffing around.”
“Tyron? Tyron Reith?” Sebastian’s nostrils flared with anger. “You should have told me.”
Oh, now he was worried about me.
“Yeah? Well, you gotta answer your phone for that,” Connor said.
“Does he know? About Sophie?”
Connor shook his head. “I don’t think so. His nose is out of joint. He wanted to add her to his conquest cabinet.”
“I hope you ensured he didn’t?”
“Did my best—but if he’d succeeded, I wouldn’t blame myself. You’ve been gone ages, man. She’s your girlfriend, your responsibility.” Connor rose, and they faced up to each other. “And yet you leave me here with all the bodyguard duties.”
“Well, I’m back now, and I don’t plan on going anywhere soon.” Sebastian stood firm.
There was a tension between them I hadn’t noticed before, and Connor stared a little longer than necessary into Sebastian’s eyes before giving a gentle nod of his head. “I’ll leave her with you, then.” He grabbed his T-shirt from the nearby chair and left.
I felt deflated, uneasy. I loved Sebastian, but Connor had always been there for me. I missed him already.
Sebastian undressed in silence and slid in beside me.
“Tell me about these,” he said, touching the marks left by Tyron.
“Nice of you to notice.”
“I do care. More than you think.”
“Not enough to be here, to prevent Tyron from doing these.” I stroked the scars with obvious distaste.
Sebastian pushed himself up. “But Con said Tyron hadn’t…I mean…”
“Not for want of trying. I’m so grateful Connor was there to stop him.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right.” He stroked my cheek. “I should have been here.”
“You left without saying goodbye. Even Marissa got a goodbye.”
“I knew you’d try to stop me, or worse, want to go, and I had no idea we’d be gone so long.”
I wasn’t letting him off that easily. “You never called or emailed.”
“I wanted to, honestly, but we were being watched. I couldn’t risk a connection. Forgive me?” His little-boy-lost voice returned, and he stared at me with pleading eyes. Those eyes. The eyes of my dreams.
My dreams meant something. I knew that. I’d known it since childhood. I just didn’t know what, back then. Now I did. Whatever our problems, Sebastian and I were meant to be together.
I relaxed and allowed him to close in for a cuddle. “This doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you.”
Tokala’s image blended into the white-walled background. I saw myself lying on crisp white sheets behind muslin curtains. Soundless tears trailed down my cheeks and seeped into the pillow.
The goddess spoke. ‘There’s no need for sadness, my child. The journey is hard, but the destination is worth the toil.’
‘People are dying because of me.’
‘And more will live for the same reason. Be strong. Only you hold the answer.’
“I want to see him,” Beth said over breakfast.
“Not a good idea. He’s pretty messed up.” Sebastian said to dissuade her. “The hospital called. The potion’s not working,” he continued sadly. “It’s working for others—keeping them stable, at any rate. But it seems there’s no hope for Jimmy. We found him too late. I’m afraid he’s nearing the end.”
“I can handle it, honestly. I mean, how bad could it be?”
Sebastian paused mid-mouthful and glanced up at me through his eyelashes, trying to gauge my reaction. I gave him a look that said everything: Beth deserved the truth. I wasn’t going to hide things from her again.
He chewed a couple more times and swallowed. “Okay, maybe after the funeral. I’d appreciate it if you would skip class and come with us, Sophie.”
Mrs Grimmock’s words returned to me. “Funeral? Who died?”
“Lorn. Parel’s son. We came across him by chance, in Moscow. He was in a bad way. He got into a drunken brawl with another of our kind. We arrived too late to save him. There aren’t many of his side of the family remaining, so I’d like to show some support.”
I placed a consoling hand on his arm. “Then of course I’ll come.”
“Me too,” Beth said. “I’m not going to be able to concentrate in my lessons anyway. I’d probably get my ass kicked, and I’m not in any hurry for that.”
The funeral at Carleigh Cemetery was a solemn affair. It passed without ceremony or tears. Afterwards, the small group of friends and distant family broke up and departed in different directions.
I stared down at the brass plate decorating Lorn’s final bed. I’d seen far too many deaths since arriving in Fosswell, and I prayed that we wouldn’t be adding Jimmy’s to the tally too soon.
Sebastian’s arm drifted around my waist, steering me towards the car, and as I turned, I saw something out of the corner of my eye.
“I’m sure I have a stalker,” I said, staring past the nearby graves.
Sebastian stopped abruptly and followed my gaze. “What makes you say that?”
“I saw something—or someone. Over there, behind that statue. It must be half a dozen times I’ve seen someone watching me. I’m not imagining it.”
“I never said you were. But I can sniff out a human at two hundred metres. I promise you, there’s no one there.”
“I never said it was human.”
“I’m glad you’ve come. There isn’t much time, and I always think it eases a passing when loved ones are around,” the doctor said upon our arrival at Carleigh General. “It should be safe. He’s heavily sedated.”
“Thank you, Dr Shaw,” Sebastian said, then followed Beth and me through the doors Connor was holding open.
Jimmy was the only patient on the private ward. His lonely bed stood at the end of an empty row with the curtains drawn secretively around it.
Our approach was tentative.
“Let me check the state of play,” Sebastian said, grabbing a handful of material and poking his head around it. “Yeah, it’s okay. He’s asleep.”
A faded Jimmy lay wired up to machines and drips with his wrists and ankles shackled to the bed rails. Bubbles of saliva had oozed from the corners of his mouth. Dark curls rested on pale blue sheets, almost blending in with his skin tone, and his previously handsome face was barely visible behind the welts that disfigured it.
Sebastian spoke softly to Beth. “I’m afraid his condition has worsened since yesterday. He’s foaming at the mouth already. There’s no help for him now. Better say goodbye quickly.”
“I can’t do this,” she sobbed. “I thought I could, but I can’t.” She reached out to stroke Jimmy’s cheek, and a solitary tear trickled down hers, landing on Jimmy’s chin.
I stretched over to remove her hand just as Jimmy’s blood
shot eyes flew open, and with a snarl, he bit down hard on my wrist.
Sebastian was quick to react, rushing to prise Jimmy’s jaws away. “Can we get some help in here, please?” he shouted as he and Connor tried to contain the situation.
Too late. Jimmy’s sharp teeth had pierced my skin, and the pain kicked in.