“Envy, come out here, won’t you?” Salem’s demon asks.
I stalk over to where she is, internally struggling to keep control of my own body.
“When I open the veil, I’ll be ripped out of this body, finally strong enough to live on my own, without the assistance of these inferior beings. You’ve held up your end of the bargain and for that, you’ll be rewarded.”
I watch as Salem begins to move the rocks, opening the gap in the wall even further.
While she’s distracted by her task, I reach down grabbing a rock. Walker’s eyes are bloodshot as he attempts to take in a breath.
“It’s early, but we might not get another chance.” Salem’s voice says, looking over at where the cave used to be with reverence in her eyes. I don’t hesitate, lobbing the rock straight at her head. The smoke recedes from Walker as he crumples onto the ground, gasping in air. Salem falls hard, missing a fallen rock by a few inches.
“Fucking hell, Emmet. Did you need to do that?” Walker rasps, crawling over to Salem and cradling her head. He checks her over, finding her breathing steadily.
“You’re welcome.” I say. “Well, I guess we know how the dog is getting out.” Dawn is crests over the waves as snow continues to fall.
“It’s been a long ass night. Let’s get her back to the house.” I say, grabbing her legs. Walker hooks his arms under her armpits, and we work together to carry her back.
ChapterSixty-Four
SALEM
SONG: SPIDER IN THE ROSES (FEAT. ROB THE MAN) BY SONIA LEIGH, DAPHNE WILLIS
Iwake with a splitting headache and bump on my head the size of a baseball. I have a faint memory of being in the tunnels and then nothing else.
“What the fuck?” I garble, getting up too fast. I cradle my head in my hands trying to stop the spinning sensation that overtakes my vision.
“Woah, woah, woah. Lay back down.” Walker says, pushing me back into the pillows and handing me a glass of water. I look ridiculous as my mouth searches for the lip of the glass, spilling water down my front and all over the bed.
“Sorry.” I say, grabbing at the side of my head. My brain feels like it’s pounding against my skull.
“Do you have enough power to heal yourself?” He asks. I have to close my eyes to keep from hurling, but even with my eyes closed I still feel like I’m moving.
“I think so…” I reach down to where my power is stored and funnel it to my head. I feel the ache start to slowly dissipate. I continue to focus on the flow of my magic, until I can open my eyes without any dizziness.
“What happened?” I ask when I’m feeling more like myself.
“We found where the demon dog is getting out, and when we did… the demon took over your body. It almost had you opening the veil. It nearly killed me with that black smoke that it has.”
I gasp, taking in his appearance for the first time. I notice a red welt across his neck and his bloodshot eyes. I reach my hands out to him.
“I’m fine.” He says shrugging me off. “Save your power.”
I want to argue with him, but I feel too exhausted right now, so he might have a point.
“Emmet was actually the one that got you to stop.” Walker says, as I grab my phone from the charger.
“What?” My mouth drops open.
“He stopped you from opening the veil, and he stopped you from killing me.” He says, his eyes not meeting mine, like he’s reliving that moment.
I don’t know what to think or feel about that, especially with Emmet insisting that Pierce is still alive.
I feel a kernel of hope bloom in my chest, despite my best efforts to not get excited by the possibility. I bite down on my lip and check my missed messages.
“Fuck.”
“What is it?” He asks, clasping his hand around my thigh.
