Page 68 of All Hallows Trick

“Goodbye,” I repeated dully.

“Shit,” Wrath breathed. “Serious? He’s really dying?”

“We’re already dead,” the giant pointed out.

“You know what I mean. Dick.”

“How long?” I spoke over whatever they said next, looking at the long-haired man who stood watching them with heavy solemnity.

“Hours,” he replied, sighing. “Minutes maybe.”

I fell back into the wall like someone had driven their fist into my gut. It felt like clawed hands reached into my chest, grabbed my heart, and ripped it out of my chest. Minutes. That’s how long Miz had left.

Speaking was so close to impossible that my voice was a hollow rasp. “And Death?”

“Dangerously weak,” the same man answered my question, his eyes trailing over me to Madde unconscious in the giant’s arms. “Much like Madness and Tor. But they’ll survive.”

That was all I needed to hear, the words I desperately needed to allow me to push myself off the wall and take a fumbling step. “Take Death and Madde to his castle. It’s not safe here. I’ll be there soon.”

“Where are you going?” Wrath asked, her tone implying I was severely lacking common sense. “We should stick together, safety in numbers you know?”

“I won’t be long. Tell Tor to make sure Miz has my crown ring. He’ll know what I mean.”

“Eh, your funeral,” Wrath said with a shrug, striding away down the hall.

“This is a bad idea,” the tall, long-haired man said, watching me with serious eyes that seemed to know too much.

“There are no good ideas,” I rasped, hugging the wall as I dragged myself away from two men I loved and out into the courtyard.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CAT

It was eerily silent out here compared to the circus of voices and strangers within the castle. The moon shone silver, shadows hiding most of the town at the base of the hill, only a few twinkling lights showing that anyone lived there. Maybe there were no ghosts left after what Nightmare did. I didn’t see what happened to the creatures, where they went. I couldn’t find the energy to care right now, my eyes straying to the gore and blood strewn across the ground. I didn’t look around the side of the castle to see if Nightmare’s corpse had been moved or if she was still there, her ribcage torn open, organs eaten.

My stomach roiled, bile hitting the back of my throat. It tasted like blood.

Even in the silver light, I could see the slim figure leaning against the gates, her lace dress ghostly white. My bottom lip caved in, wobbling uncontrollably, but I repeated the solemngod’s words again and again, dragging my bruised, bleeding body across the last few steps.

Misery is fading. You should go now if you want to say goodbye.

I ignored the encroaching blackness in my vision and the way my right knee buckled. I didn’t fall; I walked on, the gates looming over me, casting delicate shadows on the ground.

How long?

Hours. Minutes maybe.

“I’ll do it,” I croaked, my hands shaking at my sides, dried blood flaking from my skin. “I’ll leave them, just save Misery. Please.”

Cruelty’s smile was bright with joy when she faced me. “I knew you’d change your mind. I’ve got your room all made up for you. We’re going to spendsomuch time together.”

The dead look I gave her didn’t deter her at all. “How do I save him?”

I flinched when she lifted her pale hands, the white lace cloak falling gracefully down her arms, but I forced myself still when she pressed her fingertips to my temples. “There, now you know the secret trick.”

I waited for pain, for sharp piercing agony, but there was nothing. She dropped her hands and I found the energy to glare. “That did nothing!”

“Did it? So you don’t know how to save your darling husband?”

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