Page 134 of Ashes

“I didn’t make any shit deals. I need to see my sister,” Cady cut in.

“You’re right. Technicalities.” Asylum waved her off. “I’ll let you see her. Don’t wake her.” His voice grew soft, his entire demeanor changing. “She had several seizures earlier. She needs the rest.”

“What?” My heart jumped into my throat.

Church’s breathing picked up as worry filled Cady’s eyes.

Asylum sighed. “Like I said, she needs her rest. Don’t wake her.” He stepped back and opened his door.

Cady stepped through it, Church following.

Asylum put his hand on Church’s chest, stopping him. Cady closed the door behind her, her eyes catching mine, the fear in them evident.

“Cady cat can go in. You know our arrangement.”

“I want to see her,” Church said through gritted teeth.

“She belongs to us,” Asylum murmured. “That was the deal. I’m honoring it. You’d be wise to do so as well.”

“Seth, come on,” I said, feeling desperate. “Please—”

“My name is Asylum.” He snapped his attention to me. “I’m not Seth.”

“Right,” I muttered, assuming this was some multiple personality thing he had. “Asylum, please. We just want to make sure she’s OK. We miss her.”

“Cady will let you know,” he said. “You’ll keep your distance from her. It’s for the best for now.”

Church snarled and shoved Asylum in the chest. Asylum stepped back with the move, his blue eyes flashing as he righted himself and got into Church’s face.

They glowered at each other. It was going to get bad.

I jumped into action and got between them, pushing Church back.

“We’re sticking to the arrangement. He won,” I whispered. “We already agreed. Don’t fucking ruin this, Dante. Please. I’m begging you.”

Church huffed and locked eyes with me. “We won. You know she screamed for me.”

“We’ve been over this,” Asylum cut in. “Without me, she wouldn’t have screamed. The victory is mine. For now. So just fucking let me have it.”

“Once I find out who helped you, I’ll fuck your world up,Asylum,” Church spat. “And whoever helped. Don’t think I’ve forgotten.”

“I’d hope not,” Asylum said. “It’s the key to unlocking everything. We just have to go through the motions. Believe us, we don’t like it either.”

“Fucking nut,” Church snarled. “I swear—”

“You’ll butcher me and sell me by the pound to your father. I’m aware. Not exactly how I want to go, but it is what it is, right, Dante? Just following in your father’s footsteps. My, how wicked.”

“Fucking prick.” Church lunged forward again, but I shoved him back.

“Please. Just. . . please, Dante. Focus. Not right now. We need her. We need her back. This won’t help.”

He stopped trying to get past me and breathed out.

“We’ll find out who helped him. That’ll be our focus until she’s back in our arms,” he said, breathing hard.

I nodded. “OK. I want that too.”

He swallowed. “Fine.”

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