Mortal Wounds

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Invidian's POV

Anonymous number (2:30 am)

'I've decided to cut down your time by a week. You have until Saturday until you're going back to Purgatory. Like I said, entertain me.

P.S. If you figure out who I am it will score you extra points.

-Sincerely, your Host.'

I've been staring at the text for the past hour trying to understand why he did this. What the hell did I do to make that guy reduce my time in Virgil's body? I showed him violence and sabotage, all things I'm sure would entertain him.

I tuck the phone into my pocket to keep myself from smashing it. I run my hands through my hair as I try not to panic. How could I not? I'm sure the stranger is going to end up tossing me back to Purgatory no matter what I do. He doesn't exactly have a reason to keep me around here. And I don't have any clues about who he is.

There are billions of people around. How the fuck am I meant to guess his identity? Most likely, the guy is trying to pull my leg, to give me a smidgen of hope to watch me chase it, only to hold it out of my reach once I get there. That would be far more entertaining to him than to give me what I want. Still, I wonder if he did drop any hints that I've missed.

I snap my eyes over to the guest room door when I hear muffled arguing. Cassiel and Ethelia have been at it for a while. Everything was going to plan but this is making me anxious. Do I kill them now and be done with it? No, I can't.

I grit my teeth. Perhaps that's why the Host reduced my time. He is probably pissy about the fact I broke his weapon. Or rather, its power was absorbed into Davian. I clench my fists. He is my only means to murder them permanently but I don't want to use him. I can't do it.

"Why not? Don't tell me you've gotten soft for him. You've only met him a few days ago."

That's true but he doesn't deserve to be dragged into my shit.

"What about me? Did I mean nothing to you either?"

I wince and turn, noticing Henley standing behind me as a ghostly apparition wearing a casual Green Day t-shirt. She can't be real though. I'm losing it.

"We've known each other for years and you're going to give up on me too? I thought you were different. I thought--"

"He nearly got killed."

"But he's not dead. Come on, you can't let them get away with what they've done because it will happen again. What about Lavender? What about Candy? Do you honestly think they are going to be the last ones to get hurt?"

"Shut up."

"No. You're the only one who can do anything because you know what is happening. It's not only about our deaths anymore. If any more people die it'll be your fault all because you didn't do anything. You're the only one who knows and cares."

I stiffen as guilt clenches my chest. I don't know what to say because I know she is right. I don't feel right leaving the town to the mercy of these tyrants. I kinda like Morgana and Lavender. Morgana's determination to keep Lavender safe reminds me of Henley in a way. I'm even beginning to like Virgil's dad and Beau a bit. If Virgil comes back to this body there is no saying what is going to happen to them.

"Why do you think Virgil traded places with you? He knew something off was going on about this town."

"What do you mean?" I question.

Before she answers, the apparition vanishes. I frown, more lost than ever. I'm going to die. I'll be back in Purgatory again but I don't want to go out with them still alive. But what do I do? I can't kill them alone. They won't die with normal weapons.