I’m disoriented, out of sorts. “The knife?” I turn to where Vairov left it on the bed.
“Matteo, I was wrong,” Cody says. “I know what my vision was. I see it all now. I was terrified because I knew I’dhave to ask you to do this, and I’m sorry, but…fuck.”
Is he saying what I think he is? That he wants me to stab him?
Cody writhes on the floor, bashing his fists against the polished cement.
“We don’t have much time—You’re mine!” His voice shifts to Vairov’s.
Instinctively, I grab the knife, if only to defend myself.
“Please, Matteo,” Cody calls out. “If you don’t do this, everyone will die!”
Tears push from his eyes, and as Seth strains another cry from under his gag, Cody turns to him.
I stare at the knife in my hands. I’m back in control of my body, so I could do it, but there must be another way. “I—I can’t…” I’m not a fucking murderer.
“Seth, I’m so sorry, but…you have to,” Cody says, groaning. “Please, Matteo. It. Hurts. So. Much. I can’t…hold him…” He rears his head back, crying out, his war cry mixing with Vairov’s voice.
I glance at Seth, seeing the desperation in his eyes as the mattress rocks violently as he struggles to break free. I’m in a panic, but I know from my brief interaction with Vairov that Cody’s right. With all he could do just in my body, he will be unstoppable in Cody’s. Surely Seth can see that even in how effortlessly he managed to hold him down.
Fuck me.
I don’t want to do this.
I drop to my knees over Cody as he struggles and screams.
There’s a commotion outside, followed by a knock.
“Seth? Cody?” It’s Brad.
“Do it,” Cody whispers with what seems like the last bit of strength he has left before Vairov’s voice comes from his mouth,“You’re too late! He’s mine!”
Fuck, there’s no time to debate, no time to reason. And deep inside, I know Cody’s right. This was what he saw that day in the church because this is the only way to stop this monster.
I scream as I raise the blade and drop it down, hoping I’m not too late when I pierce his chest. Cody’s eyes widen as his gaze meets mine. There’s rage in his expression—that’s Vairov—but it fades into something softer—the guy I recognize. Cody nods, a sort of sick approval for what I’ve done, and his body stills. His head rolls back, and thick black smoke rushes from his face, like snakes scurrying through the air and disappearing into the wall. Several moments later, it’s gone.
And there’s just Cody lying on the floor.
He shakes like he’s having a seizure, then makes a choking sound before blood rushes past his lips. Turning to me, grinding his teeth, surely to push back the pain of the knife wound, he mouths,“Thank you,”before his gaze wavers, then settles, his eyes unnaturally still, telling me a truth I’m not ready to process.
I hear all the agony in Seth’s soul as he cries out yet again, and I turn to him. Tears rush from his eyes as he howls beneath the gag, and I don’t have to make out the words to know the way he must be cursing me right now for what I’vedone.
The door bursts open, and Brad and Luke race in with Alexei on their heels. A few other students are about to follow them in, but when Brad sees Cody’s body, he quickly turns around, blocking them. “Hey, no, no. This is private.”
Luke and Alexei make their way in, staring at the sight in horror.
“I had to,” is as much as I can say.
I bow forward, tears rushing from my eyes as the weight of what I’ve done catches up with me. Alexei is at my side in no time. “Matteo, are you okay? What happened? Please, talk to me.”
I can’t, though. I can barely wrap my mind around all that just happened, when I feel something on my back. A punch. Then another that sends me to the ground.
“You piece of shit!” Seth turns me over, laying into me between Alexei’s and Luke’s attempts to keep him back. As he makes another go for me, Brad hooks his arms around him. “Murderer! You’re a fucking murderer! Get off me!” Seth pushes on Brad before rushing past me and falling to his knees at Cody’s body.
“No…no, no, no.” He searches desperately for any sign of life. “Come on. It’s you and me, buddy. It’s just me against everyone.” He waits for a reply from Cody’s still body before pounding his fist into the floor, screaming again, as though trying to make up for all his cries that went muffled behind his gag.
“Let’s talk this out,” Brad says.
