In the next moment, all thoughts fled as cold fingers of fear dug in to my mind, gripping it firmly. My thoughts swirled around a single question.
Was I next?
Frank sighed, tilting his head to the side as though looking at a small curiosity, and watched Rosser collapse to his belly, his breathing labored, heavy and slowing little by little. It wasn’t like in the movies. This wasn’t fast. It was slow and agonizing. Frank was taking a certain amount of pleasure in watching Rosser suffer his final moments. A light of satisfaction gleamed in his eyes. That was more frightening than anything. It was so inhuman.
Rosser took a final rattling breath and released it, only to be silent once and for all.
Gone. Done. Not coming back. Paul was right. None of us was going to survive.
I’m so sorry, Ryder. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you. Or would it have made a difference? Maybe we would both have been taken, both of us facing death. No. This was best. I wouldn’t have been able to handle seeing his death. And maybe this was going to be my death, but I wasn’t going to make it easy.
Frank was not going to let me out alive willingly, but I still had mylunate on my toe. When I had the chance, I was going grab hold of Paul, somehow, and hopefully get us both the hell out of here.
“Hog.” Frank turned to Baldy. “Why don’t you go out and let me know when our guests arrive? And I do hope you’ll have a different answer for them, Paul, when they ask for the mylunate this time. As you know, they are experts at torture. And while you might be able to handle the pain, I don’t think Taylor here is made of the same stuff.”
“Is that why I’m here?” I asked shakily. “To force Paul to talk?”
“That is a good question. A very good question.” Frank chuckled as he pondered it. It was like he was trying to decide whether or not to tell me something. With a look like he was indulging in a guilty pleasure, he said, “You are about to be very surprised, Taylor, dear. You see, your name is not really Taylor.”
“Wh-what are you t-talking about?” This wasn’t exactly what I was expecting to hear, but I suddenly got goose bumps. What did he know about me? I was starting to get that weird, fated feeling again.
“What am I talking about? I’m talking about loose ends, my darling. You are a loose end.”
“A loose end?” Shit, this felt surreal.
He smiled charmingly, becoming giddy with his game. “Do you know who your father is?”
The door from the Gods’ plane opened in my mind, a calming breeze sifting through my heart and soul. This was Dreya. She was with me. I could feel her energy signature, even if only a little.
Back was the feeling of inevitability, where all roads led to this one destination in time. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. I was supposed to be here at this moment. I knew I was meant to have this conversation with the devil.
“What do you know about him?” I managed the question in an even tone.
“He’s from another world,” Frank said dramatically. He motioned his hands wide, encompassing the universe in a grandiose gesture. When all I did was continue to stare at him, he seemed disappointed and added, almost sulkily, “You don’t seem surprised. Either you already know, or you don’t believe me.”
“I know, and I believe you,” I said quietly.