Page 23 of Lucifer's Mirror

“Why?”

At last, a question I can answer. “Because he’s dangerous.”

Chapter 12

Mirror, Mirror…

Khaosleftmealoneafter his announcement that Zayne was dangerous. Oh, he did stay a few more minutes, but only to tell me that he wasn’t going to tell me any more.

He also said I was to ring for Brown and let him know when Zayne woke up. And not to ring on a phone either. There’s a freaking bell.

I sit on the sofa and watch Zayne sleep. Then I get up and explore the room, running my fingers over the leather book spines. The place is beautiful, but it gives me no more answers than Khaosti had. So I sit again and try not to dwell on how much weirder my already weird life has become.

Finally, Zayne’s eyes blink open. I hurry across to him and perch on the sofa at his side. “Hey, you’re awake. How do you feel?”

“Fine. What the fuck happened? Where the fuck am I?” He swings his feet off the sofa and sits up, running a hand through his messy hair.

“What do you remember?” I ask.

“I don’t…” He trails off, obviously recalling something. And by the appalled expression on his face, they’re not happy thoughts. “Tell me that was a nightmare.”

I wish I could. But there is no point in sugar-coating this. I shake my head. “At least I don’t think so, but then, I’m not certain of anything right now.”

He sits with his head in his hands, then looks up at me. “I remember things. Black things with red eyes, and we were running. One landed on my back and…” He reaches up to his neck and strokes a finger over his skin. “I was sure it bit me. It fucking hurt.”

I don’t know how much to tell him, but if he’s going to come with us, then it’s not fair to keep him in the dark. Besides, his shirt is drenched with drying blood and that’s a dead giveaway. “It did. I thought you were dead. But someone came and saved you. He killed that thing and brought you here. A… doctor”—that’s got to sound more comforting than a witch—“did something and it healed the bite. You’ve been asleep ever since. But you’re going to be fine.” Mostly. Except for the whatever it is that no one wants to tell me more about, the possibility that could make him go insane. Little steps.

“You know how seriously fucked up that sounds?” he says.

Oh yes.I decide to change the subject. “You want a drink or some food? Anything at all?”

He doesn’t need to think about that one. “I’m starving.”

This I can cope with—I’m a fast learner. I get up, cross to the bell, give it a press, and head to the door. As I open it, Brown is already standing there. He smiles. He seems like such a nice man.

“Can you tell Khaosti that my friend is awake, please? And would you mind bringing him some food and something to drink?”

“What would he like?”

I don’t need to ask. “Pizza and beer.”

“Of course.”

“Thanks, Brown. You’re the best.”

He looks a little surprised at that but nods and disappears to wherever he goes. I turn back. Zayne is on his feet and wandering around the room, prodding and poking things. It’s hard to believe he was so close to death only hours ago. In fact, he looks better than I’ve ever seen him, almost brimming with life, his skin glowing.

What’s going to happen to him?

What could be so bad that it could break his mind?

He turns back to me. “Let’s get back to the seriously fucked-up part. Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“I would, if I knew. But I don’t.”

His eyes narrow. “Not good enough. Tell me what you do know.”

I sink down onto the sofa behind me, and Zayne sits opposite, arms resting on his thighs. I have to tell him something. Khaosti is going to turn up at any moment, and then we’re heading out to find the Crone. And Zayne is apparently coming with us in case he goes weird or something.