Page 41 of Misery

She crosses the room. Stops just out of reach. "How long have I mattered?"

"Longer than you know."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one you get today."

"Why?"

"Because the truth would scare you more than Los Coyotes."

Something flickers in her eyes. Not fear. Something else. "Try me."

Before I can respond, my phone buzzes.

It’s Magnus.

"What?" I answer.

"We have a problem. Three more bodies just dropped. But Oskar... one of them had a message. Carved into his chest."

"What kind of message?"

"'For the little artist.' Someone else is killing for her."

I look at Elfe, who's watching my expression change.

"Where?"

"Warehouse district. Runes wants you there. Now."

"Can't. I'm on protection."

"Bring her. She needs to see this."

"That's not?—"

"It's not a request. Someone's sending her a message. She needs to understand what's happening."

I hang up and look at Elfe.

I don’t want to take her there.

She doesn’t need to see this shit because it’ll only scare her more.

"What's wrong?"

I take a deep breath and sigh. "We need to go."

"Where?"

"To see something you're not going to like."

She doesn't argue, doesn't even question me, just nods and follows me out.

"We're heading out," I tell Emil. "Club business."

"Taking Elfe?"