She takes a shuddering breath and drops her arm to her side.
“I know what you want,” she says. “I know what you have to do. That's the only way it's going to stop. So … I'm not going to fight. We dedicated our life to the jinn. To you. I won't … I won't … ”
Even in my convoluted, jolt-racking mind, I understand her:
Her family searched for me, and now they have found me. She won't let me die even though I want to kill her.
I wish I could explain to her that I didn't come here to hurt her. That if she stays, I will have to, but it's not what I want.
I should have told her what she meant to me. If I had told her, then she would know, standing now before a convulsing, bloody monster, that I would never choose to harm her. She would know that I need her.
I came to her for help.
But I can't speak. I try, but the only sound that comes out is a low growl.
She steels for impact.
Another jolt. My brain shakes this time. My vision wanes.
If only she knew . . .
I turn and swing, shattering the glass case at my side. My fingers clutch something. I can't see as I hold up my hand.
There is silence.
My sight clears.
My eyes lower to my hand.
I'm holding an apple. A golden apple.
I look at Syd. My Aphrodite.
Realization settles on her face. She cries harder, but dares to reach forward. I don't move, don't even breathe, as she plucks it from my fingers.
She cups the bloodstained apple in her hands, studying it. Then her gaze raises to me, and I know she can see me beyond the monster.
Even though she is still crying, her voice is steady and determined: “I'm going back to Phoenix, Dim. I'm making Karl take back his wish.”
Chapter 12
I can't get out of the car until I reach Phoenix. If I do, I will not get back in. I'll just lie on the ground and succumb. Either the bleeding from my head will finish me, or the dehydration will. Yet somehow I don't believe the hum will let me off that easily. I'm not sure it's going to let me off at all.
But Syd seems to think she can find a way out. Maybe she has dirt on Karl. Maybe that's why he wanted her dead, and not just a sadistic power trip over me.
I don't understand who anyone is anymore. Everything has unraveled. My brain being slowly electrocuted can't tie the ends together.
So I just keep driving.
***
I pass over the New Mexico-Arizona border. Before long, I'm back in the trees. I don't let up on the gas as the forest resigns to desert. Then the lights of Phoenix are ahead, glowing against the dusk. The sight that always brought a sense of home is now just another stop. I don't want to be here anymore.
At least my jerky-twitchy driving won't stand out.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I try to work the phone out, but it slips to the floorboard. I lean forward, head against the steering wheel, and feel around for it. With a groan, I throw myself back in the seat and bring it to my ear.
Everything takes so much effort.
“Dimitri, can you hear me?”
It's Syd.
She's insane. I love that about her.
“Look, you have to listen closely.” Her voice sounds tight. “Karl is sending someone else besides you. My dad … ” She takes a deep breath. “He … and my brother … they're both … dead.”
I give a small cough. It's the only noise I can manage that doesn't sound like I want to rip out her throat.
She continues, “My dad had this … thing … in his neck. Like a spiked spearhead. It's so bizarre, Dim. I can't stay here. I'm afraid Karl is … Karl is going to send someone for me. Besides you. I'm going to Uncle Larry's house.”
I think I have questions for her, but I can't formulate them in my head, let alone ask. I just hope she gives me all the information I need.
“I suspect Uncle Larry will want to get out of Dodge. He's been considering it since his San Diego lab was blown up, but I'll let you know where we are. Probably one of his labs in Vegas or L.A. Keep your phone with you. You can still read, right?” She tries to laugh, but fear darkens it. Then she adds in a reassuring tone, “I'm still working on it. Don't give up yet, Dim.”
She goes silent, maybe contemplating the polite way to end a phone call with a monster. After a minute, she hangs up.
I drop the phone to the passenger seat. My arm aches.
Uncle Larry is smart to run to Bat Country or farther. Karl is coming after them, and it's only going to get uglier. Uglier than when I blew up his anthropology lab in San Diego.
I slam on the brake, right there on the highway.
He owned the anthropology lab.
My heart jumps into my throat.
Syd just walked into a trap.
***