Page 78 of Misery

"Worthy of what?"

"Of her. Of taking her from me."

The pieces click together with sickening clarity.

Why he's killing Los Coyotes despite being one of them—they're competition.

Why the messages are so specific—he knows I'm reading them.

Why now, why escalating—because I got too close.

Because I touched what he considers his.

My phone buzzes.

Elfe:

Someone left something at the loft. At the door. Saga found it.

Photo attached.

A box. Inside, a dead dove.

White feathers stained with blood.

A note underneath in handwriting I recognize even after all these years.

Purity requires sacrifice.

"Fuck." I'm already moving. "He's at the compound."

"He can't get in," Emil says, following. "Biometrics, cameras?—"

"He doesn't need to get in. He just needs her to know he can get close. Just needs to remind her that walls don't stop death."

We run for the bikes.

Vanir's still on his laptop, pulled up behind us, jogging while typing. "Got him! Traffic cam. Black sedan leaving your area fifteen minutes ago."

"Track him."

"Already am. He's heading... shit. He's heading toward Ivar's house."

The parents who haven't spoken to Elfe in a week.

Who aren't expecting danger at their own home.

Who have no idea a ghost from the past is coming for them.

"Emil, get to the compound. Make sure Elfe's secure. Lock it down."

"Where are you going?"

"To stop him before this gets worse."

"You can't face him alone. Not if he's got Los Coyotes backing?—"

"He's not loyal to Los Coyotes. He never was." I start my bike, the engine roaring to life. "He's using them. He's something worse. He's someone who thinks like me."