Death Wish (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #5)(46)

With eyes narrowed, Arys pinned the demon with a scathing look. “I guess that remains to be seen.”

I broke in before Shya could give voice to the spark of venom in his scarlet snake eyes. “I’ve seen more than enough stomach turning debauchery for one night, Shya. Can we skip ahead to the part where you make my life hell? It is coming, isn’t it?”

I smiled so tight it hurt, not entirely feeling it but refusing to show any true emotion. Shya mirrored my smile with one of his own. There was nothing friendly about it.

“We’re team players here, Alexa. You’ve always been a good member of the team, so I’ll give you the opportunity to explain to me why I shouldn’t destroy Kale.” Shya held my gaze, watching closely for my reaction. “I have little use for those willing to double cross me. But, you would never do that. Would you, Alexa?”

A dizzying wave of shock and fear slapped me. I was momentarily speechless. “Not intentionally.”

“Of course not.” Shya’s tone oozed with condescension. “And, I’m sure I would be correct in assuming that Kale’s actions were entirely his own. You were in no way involved.”

Now I was confused. What had Kale done? “I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.” I wanted to ask where Kale was but feared the answer.

Those red eyes bore into me as Shya tried to decide if I was lying. I could feel Arys’s watchful gaze. He had to be curious now, thinking I’d gotten myself into trouble again. This time I was in the dark. I didn’t know what was going on, but someone had better start talking.

“Alright. Then I suppose I should enlighten you.” Shya made a small hand gesture, and the back door of the church swung open.

It was dark inside, revealing nothing. A moment later Falon appeared in the doorway. Son of a bitch. Did he follow Shya everywhere like a lost puppy or what?

Falon shoved two bound and battered forms ahead of him where they fell down the church steps onto the grass. The glow of the firelight landed upon them, and I saw that Kale and the dreamwalker, though alive, had certainly been subjected to abuse.

I lunged forward, intent on getting to Kale. Arys stopped me with a hand on my wrist in a vice-like grip. I tried to shake him off, but he held tight. I couldn’t read his expression, though, the moment our skin touched, the power sizzled between us with a cool sense of displeasure.

Shya placed himself between his two beaten captives and me. I couldn’t take my eyes off Kale. His face was a bloody mess. Bruises colored his skin in an assortment of black and purple shades. The way he leaned awkwardly indicated broken bones, most likely ribs. I knew without a doubt Falon had been the torture-happy fiend behind the physical abuse. I wanted to kill him.

“So it appears,” Shya began with a devilish expression. “That Kale somehow got it into his head that he needed to save this young man from me. I can’t imagine where he may have gotten that from. Can you?”

No. Please no. I concentrated on taking deep breaths. I felt lightheaded, like I may pass out.

“Please, Shya don’t-,”

“That’s enough!” He cut me off with an unseen force that shattered my shields. “It is not your place to decide who needs to be saved. I’ve always admired you for being a fighter, Alexa, but you will not interfere with my decisions. Since that wasn’t already clear to you, I see I must make myself understood.”

Panic crawled up my throat, choking off my reply. I watched with growing distress as Shya approached the dreamwalker. The kid looked up at him with little fear. He was already beyond it, ready to accept what came next. The need to do something filled me, but I had no power here. Not over Shya or Falon. I was useless.

Shya ran a hand lightly over the boy’s hair. There was no reaction. The dreamwalker stared off toward the fire, as if he saw nothing of his reality. His short life had already been filled with the torment of his power. Wasn’t that enough?

I sensed Shya’s next move seconds before it occurred. I jerked away from Arys and almost fell in my haste. My shout of protest was cut short when Shya grabbed the boy’s head in both hands and with immense strength, tore it from his body.

Blood and gore spattered Kale and the surrounding grass. Shya stepped back to survey his work before looking my way. An anguished growl built in my throat, spilling out uncontrollably.

“You didn’t have to kill him!”

A flap of big black wings sent a ripple of energy over me that was like poison. Brief but potent, it burned me metaphysically, leaving me shaken and gasping for air.

“Yes, I did.” Shya’s eyes flashed with malice. “The boy was already a mental shell. This interference merely crushed what was left of him, rendering him useless.”

There was no reasoning with a demon. The argument died on my lips. There was nothing I could say. The dreamwalker was dead because I had shown concern for him.

The party taking place around the fire was in full swing. Nobody had noticed what just happened, or if they had, they simply didn’t care. How could it be that I was involved in a world so dark? So evil? I had never longed to be sitting at home with a family, a television set and two point five kids until that moment. Oh, to be normal and ignorant.

Ignoring the dreamwalker’s body, Shya walked a slow circle around Kale. My guts tightened, and I thought I might be sick.

“Now comes the fun part.” The demon stopped behind Kale, close enough to touch, but his deadly gaze was upon me. “You get to decide Kale’s fate, Alexa. On my terms, of course.” He paused, letting the horror wash over my face before he continued.