Page 143 of Envious Of Fire
Kyle glances back at the church, at the chief and his son, each with a rifle poking out of a different window. Mikey, who has gained confidence with a silver-bullet-loaded rifle in hand, but whose insides still shiver with overabundant terror, like he truly believes this is still the last night of his mortal life. Beyond him, deeper in the church, a mother and daughter recite words Kyle can’t understand, whispering, wishing, praying to spirits and winds and forgotten deities.
What does Kyle believe? Do they really have a chance if Kyle defies George and stays here? Is he simply giving himself up and walking to his death if he goes with George?
“Just choose what’s right, man.”
Kyle turns to Drake, the one who spoke, who still clutches his forcibly-standing brother Lazarus, who is trapped in a state of perpetual agony, the silver bullet raging white-hot inside his abdomen, steam still swirling out.
“Don’t sweat anything else,” says Drake. His words are dryand less bubbly than usual. “Just think it over. Choose what you believe is right. You always have, haven’t you?”
Kyle looks away. His heart has never felt more troubled. “If I go …” he starts to say.
“No,” breathes Elias, shaking.
“If I go,” Kyle repeats anyway, “then everyone else is safe?”
“Everyone,” confirms George simply.
“Everyone,” agrees Mance, then eyes Lazarus. “Though I can’t guaranteethatugly one won’t hold a grudge.”
Elias grips Kyle’s hands tighter. “Babe, don’t.”
Kyle turns to him. “If I don’t go—”
“Then I’m coming with you!”
George makes a sound. “Mmm, I’m afraid you cannot.”
Elias’s eyes are fire when he turns. “I’m coming with him. I will not let my boyfriend go back to thathellwithout me.”
“Limited number of seats,” George drones on. “An invite-only affair. This is a special list, I am afraid, you arenoton, dear Elias.”
Elias turns back to Kyle. “This isGeorgethat we’re talking about.George, the guy who killed your childhood friend in cold blood, who nearly gotall of uskilled over a stupidhobbyof his.”
“Do you mean my hourglass collection?” asks George with a sparkle of unsettling joy, still standing atop the red platform that has become Salazo, who has not stopped glaring at George from the ground. “I have so often wondered, how is my hired thief Patrick faring? Is he still being held prisoner here in your local jail? I would very much like to see him.”
“You’re not seeing anyone,” Elias spits back at him.
Unfazed, George casually goes on. “I mean no harm. I only wish to taste of him … as I tasted his wife and child. It is like another collection of mine, a collection of blood. Within me.” He puts a hand upon his chest, as if feeling sentimental. “It will make me feel complete, I think, to drink his blood.”
Mance lets out a heavy sigh, cutting in. “Are you accepting the invitation or not, Kyle? We all got shit to do tonight. Ain’t none of us in the mood for another silver bullet to go flyin’.”
Kyle’s already made his choice. He hugs Elias. “No,” says Elias, part moan, part whimper, sensing the goodbye. “Don’t.”
He pulls away just enough to look Elias in the eye. “Protect this town while I’m gone tonight. Promise me.”
“Kyle …”
“Make sure Cade and Layna finish what they started.”
“P-Please …”
Kyle lets go of Elias. It takes more effort than he thought it would. With one last glance at the church, then Drake, whose heart is filled with warring emotions of his own, and finally at a jaw-clenched, shaking Elias, Kyle heads off, making way toward the terrifying sight of George. He doesn’t again peer over his shoulder for fear that one more look in Elias’s eyes will shatter his resolve and send him flying right back into his arms.
And if this is a mistake, and Kyle’s fate is to die tonight, well, perhaps he’s been waiting for it anyway, since the morning he sat against a rock in the desert and bid everything farewell.
That’s all this is. Just another game of chicken with the sunrise. Only this time, Kyle may have no one there to show up and stand in its way.
31.
