I can’t help wondering if it’s out of genuine interest or if he’s trying to buy time. Maybe a bit of both.
“Is this about that creature that got out last semester?” he adds. “Are you responsible for that?”
Syphor approaches him and rests his hand against Cody’s cheek before trailing it down his body in a way that looks sexual, violating.
Seth loses his mind, rattling the whole rack as he strainswith his gag, and even with it on, I swear he’s saying, “I will fucking end you!”
“Oh, yes, this is the one,” Syphor tells Preston. “He’s the most powerful.”
“Is that what you want? Power?” Brad asks.
Syphor snickers, and it seems like he might not answer his questions either, but then he says, “We all want power, Bradley. Everything sentient needs power to live. And craves more.”
I notice Alexei shift about, and as I turn slightly, I see he’s got his hand close to his pocket, trying to get something out. His pocketknife? They took our phones, but maybe they missed it when they performed their quick searches on all of us.
Our gazes lock, and I scoot forward as much as I can manage, hoping to obstruct the frats’ view while he braves an escape. Alexei’s situated between Seth and me. If he could get free and remove Seth’s gag, maybe we’ll stand a chance against these bastards.
“What did you stick me with?” Cody asks Syphor.
“A sedative that should be taking effect soon enough. It won’t harm you, but it will make this easier for both of us once I have you under my control.”
Fuck… He already has these mind-control abilities in Finnegan’s body. I can only imagine what he’d do with Cody’s powers.
“Matteo, can you hear me?”
It’s Cody’s voice…inside my head. I freak out a little, a primal response to the what-the-fucking-hell moment.
“It’s okay. I’m stalling,”Cody tells me.“I know what Alexei’s doing with his knife. And Luke will create a distraction in a moment. I don’t know if this will work, but I’ll try and link you to Syphor, see if I can get you inside him like we did in the church. If we can distract him long enough, Alexei might be able to break Seth free, and then we can get out.”
I wonder how I’m supposed to respond, so I try to just speak to him in my mind.“Can you hear me?”
“Yes, did you understand what I said?”
“I did, but how will that work?”
“I don’t know that it will, but we don’t have any other options. Just be ready. We won’t have much of a shot. Whatever they gave me is already affecting my powers.”
“I’ll be ready.”
If we can pull this off, it’ll be a real Hail Mary. I hadn’t realized Cody even had enough power to do as much as communicate with me like this, which only stresses the serious trouble we’re in if Syphor manages to control him.
I’m tempted to check how Alexei’s progressing, but I can’t draw any attention to him.
“Yes, you’re almost there,” Syphor says, slapping Cody’s cheek gently.
He turns his attention to Preston. “I need a hit,” he tells him before lurching at him, seizing a kiss. Preston keeps Cody pinned down as he and this entity in Finnegan share a wild, tongue-filled, make-out session. Something about the sexual energy must intensify their powers, like what happens with Luke and Brad, and like whatever happened between Alexei and me during that spell.
I’m waiting on fucking pins and needles as Seth continues struggling, desperate to save his friend.
Cody’s lying so still, I’m worried he might have passed out after reaching out to me. Maybe this plan isn’t gonna go through after all.
Then I hear a sudden,“Now!”ring through my mind, and everything goes dark.
I’m disoriented for a moment before feeling something wet and forceful. I suddenly realize I’m kissing Preston.
“What are you doing?” Syphor’s not saying this in his head, but speaking it out loud as he pulls away from Preston. “Get out of there.”
The light over us explodes, then one by one the others in the basement, until it’s pitch black. Luke’s doing, I assume.
