“We’re not dead, babe. At least I don’t think so.”
What?
If we’re not dead, then what the fuck? Suddenly, it all comes back in a rush. The portal, the voice, the others…Wes! “Where’s Wes?” I twist around, the movement bringing a wave of dizziness. “WES!”
"Keep it down, dud,” an annoyingly familiar voice drawls. “My head is killing me.”
Blinding light sends dark spots dancing before my eyes. When my vision finally equalizes, my gaze is resting on Cosmo Drakeward. He stands a few feet away, and beyond him are the bodies of Ludo and Alexis.
“No…” Oh Gods.
“Relax. They’re no more dead than the rest of us,” Cosmo says, rolling his eyes at me.
What does that even mean? I look back at Donovan.
Donovan.
It’s my Donovan. “Are you real? Where's Wes? What’s happening?”
He settles me against him. "One thing at a time, Tee-baby,” he croaks. “I just need to hold you for a minute.”
OK. I can do that. I will give Donovan Hart anything he wants. I lean into him, and immediately feel the stark outline of his ribs. “You’re so thin, are you hurt?” I push up his tattered shirt, revealing an array of bruises and scrapes.
What has he been through?
Looking around, I take in our surroundings: endless, bleached sand and white rocks. “I’m so confused. And, and, why am I not breathing?”
Donovan gives a sad sort of smile. “Can’t give you an answer to that, but the no air thing is standard around here.”
Around here. Where the hell is here?
OH SHIT. “We’re in hell?”
Seems decidedly likely, seeing as Cosmo is with us.
“Don’t think so, babe.” Donovan grimaces. “I've no little red devils to report, and to be honest, I could have done with their company.”
“What about your newfound powers, Dono?” Cosmo asks. “Don’t they give you any information?”
Powers? What’s he talking about? I’m so confused.
“Nah, bro. I’m truly a one-trick pony.”
Donovan turns his attention back to me and delivers a weary version of his crooked smile. “I’m fucking ecstatic to see you, Tee, but Ireallywish it wasn’t in this place.”
I shake my head. “We’re together again, which is the only thing that matters. We can face anything if we’re together. It’s that simple.” I let out a weird airless sigh. “Where’s Wes? Does he know I’m here?”
Silence.
When I look at Donovan, his face is devastated.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispers, and his grip on me tightens. “I couldn’t get to him. I tried and tried.”
Couldn’tgetto him? “What do you mean? Is Wes safe? Where is he? Where is he, Donovan?”
Donovan shakes his head and pain slices through me.
Before I can ask more questions, a voice enters my head.
