Pulling the trigger always looks so easy on the TV, but the complexity of it now confounds me. My finger slips against the mechanism as if it burns.
Ed is screaming now, shouting at me to shoot him before he disappears behind the infernal wall.
But I can’t.
I can’t.
I will never be able to pull the trigger.
Never.
I know what awaits him, but it doesn’t matter.
Never.
The scream boils in my throat before rumbling out of my mouth with such force that I stumble, the gun wobbling in my hand.
“Angel.”
His voice arrives, just like I knew it would, and I know he’s going to take the gun from me, relieve me of this burden, give my brother what he wants, and stop the screams.
Strong arms encase me from behind, his hands flat on my stomach as he whispers in my ear. “I’m here, angel.”
My eyes close at these words, shutting out the nightmare.
My head rests against his chest, his arms tight around me.
The gun is taken from my hand.
Wait.
Something isn’t right.
The gun has gone from my hand.
But how, when both Valdemar’s arms remain wrapped around my waist?
I’m about to open my eyes, but then the dream explodes.
Bang!
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
I’m confusedby the persistent gunfire until I realise I’m awake, the dream has dispersed, and the banging is not that of a gun but a fist upon my front door.
I drag myself from my bed, pull on a sweatshirt I’d discarded on the floor, and rub the sleep from my eyes as I make my way down the hallway.
The banging gets louder and is now accompanied by a voice.
“Evangeline! Evangeline, are you in there?”
I flip the lock, then swing the door open to find Una with her arm raised, ready to pummel my face in the absence of the door. Pierre hovers behind her, embarrassment mixed with relief on his face.
“Evangeline, thank fuck for that.” Una pushes into the apartment, almost knocking me down as she throws her arms around me. “We’ve been so worried.”
“She’s been worried. I’ve been marginally concerned,” Pierre says.
“I was worried when you didn’t show up for work yesterday. Then Captain said you’d taken some leave, but you haven’t answered any of my texts or calls.”
