“That can’t be true, if you managed to stop Alexei’s brother. And they stopped that creature Cody had visions about.”
He ignores this, but I keep struggling, returning to my attack tactic, since it’s all I’ve got. But my efforts are in vain. He inspects the knives, taking his time, like he knows nothing I can do will work against him. He studies the chef knife first. Then a paring knife. Then the utility knife.
“Cody! Seth! For the love of fucking God, wake up!”
Again, I’m surrounded by the snickering as he rounds the island, toward the beds. He passes Cody’s bed, going straight for Seth’s. He moves confidently, like he already has a plan in mind.
Seth, lying on his back, wearing a tank top, is sleeping soundly enough not to hear the subtle movements Vairov has made since he’s entered the room. Certainly not hearing any of my mental pleas for him and Cody to wake up and save themselves. Vairov moves close, running the tip of the knifeso that it hovers just over Seth’s throat.
“Oh, to show you the things I will do to this one too.”
He pulls the blade away, then takes the comforter roughly off Seth, leaving just the sheet still covering him.
Seth’s eyes pop open, and I’m waiting for him to scream, to run, anything. But he remains still. It reminds me of how I woke up.
Vairov grabs the sheet and starts slicing it with the blade.
“Matteo?” Cody asks. “Matt—”
When he silences, I’m sure Vairov has done the same thing he did to Seth. This thing’s power is so far beyond what we saw with Syphor.
“I told you I was strong. And that’s in this pathetic corpse of a form. Just wait and see what I’ll be able to do soon.”
And I know what he means.
Once he’s inside Cody.
What the fuck will he be able to do then?
Seth shifts, struggling, his eyes screaming out the way I’m sure mine have been this whole goddamn time this thing has had me.
Vairov takes his time shredding Seth’s sheet. Once he’s finished, he rolls Seth over and binds his wrists to the posts of his headboard and his ankles to the footboard. Next he fashions a gag out of the remaining strips, keeping it tight at the back of Seth’s head.
“I wish I could plunge this damn knife into my own chest, you sick fuck.”
Vairov doesn’t even seem amused by me anymore. He’s too focused. He heads over to Cody’s bed, where he’s lyingflat on his back, shirtless. Like Seth, his eyes are wide open. He’s able to move a little more than Seth seemed to. He must be able to fight Vairov with his power.
“You’re so perceptive, Matteo. But it won’t save you.”
He sets the blade on the edge of the bed, then looms over Cody.
“Leave him the hell alone!”
“No…”The word reverberates through my being.
He seizes Cody by his neck, tightening his grip.
I hear Seth’s muffled voice, like Vairov has released him from his power.
“You are mine,” Vairov says, this time out loud, for Cody to hear.
Cody’s face is bright red, and it’s like I’m hit with a wave as I breathe out, my thoughts swirling as I’m lost in sensation and a sea of darkness.
Next thing I know, my lips are locked with Cody’s as Vairov gasps. I’m light-headed, the way I’d be if I were drunk and about to black out. I finally manage to feel back in control of my limbs and pull away.
Cody struggles to his feet but collapses to the floor beside his nightstand.
“Fuck,” he mutters, and when he turns to me, his expression is strained, his neck tense, the veins pushing forward. “Matteo, the knife!”
