Page 39 of The Devil and His Sparrow

His words were meant to comfort, but they were just a reminder that we were still in limbo.

We were still in this place of waiting to see why Gemma’s own body was poisoning her.

We were still waiting to see if she’d decline or improve.

We were still waiting on Mom to make time for us.

Always waiting.

Chapter 12

Iyla

“I HATE THAT SHE’S NOT any better,” I said as Zagan and I climbed into my car.

Gemma got tired after about two hours of visiting, so Zagan and I left to let her rest, but not before he slipped a drop of blood in her drink while I distracted her.

“It’s not even been a full week since she’s had my blood,” Zagan offered. “It’s going to take time. You knew that.”

He was right. I knew that, but the bite of disappointment remained strong. I just wanted my sister to get better.

“I know you’re bummed,” Zagan started slowly. “But it’s Friday, the day of the week where you’re supposed to forget your worries and enjoy yourself. So tell me, dear Iyla. What will you be doing this fine evening?”

I started my car and shrugged. “Same thing as always. Studying. Homework. When that runs out, I’ll find more school work to busy myself with.”

The car fell eerily quiet, and I looked over at the demon to see why he’d suddenly stopped talking. He stared at me like I’d lost my mind.

“What?” I asked warily.

“Why is it that every time we talk about fun, your mind always goes to school?”

“Because that’s what my life consists of. I eat and breathe school. That and worrying about Gemma. It’s basically all I have time for.”

“Good for you,” he said sarcastically. “But let’s say, hypothetically, you had no school work. You have the rest of this Friday to do whatever you want. Anything. Would you really spend it studying?”

I ran a hand through my hair and thought about his question. If I could do anything? I thought about all the events Nahla attended on Fridays. I thought about the college parties I’d always seen other people my age getting excited for that I only fantasized about going to. If I could do anything on my very own Friday night, I’d want to live a little. I’d want to be like an average girl, getting a taste for freedom and thrills.

But for some reason, I didn’t want to admit that to him. I didn’t want to admit my own wants out loud, because doing so felt like it would open a floodgate that I wouldn’t be able to close. It would feel like a betrayal to my mom who’d always kept me away from situations exactly like what I occasionally dreamed about.

So I lied. “Nothing.”

Before he could respond, Zagan’s phone rang. He dug it out of his pocket as I finally started driving toward his place.

“Yeah?” he answered.

There was a beat of silence as he listened to whatever the person on the other end said.

“Right now?” Zagan glanced at me. “Fine. Give me a bit to get ready.” He hung up and faced me. “School’s canceled. We’re going out.”

I whipped my head around to look at him. “Excuse me?”

“We’re going to a club with my band. I’m going to show you a little taste of the world outside of your textbooks and harsh expectations of yourself.”

I’d never been clubbing. I’d never gone out for a night like that. Did it always sound fun? Sure. But that was outside the box I stayed in. Was I really going to live beyond that line two Fridays in a row? After what happened last Friday? The consequence from my last moment of fleeting freedom was currently sitting in my car, trying to convince me that I didn’t know what fun was.

“Don’t bother arguing,” Zagan said. “You don’t get a choice. I gave your sister her weekly dose. Now it’s time for my payback.”

“I thought your payment was sex, not my presence while you partied.”

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