Demon Fall (Resurrection Chronicles Book 9)

by M. J. Haag

  When we arrived at the bridge, I saw they had a reason to be. Bodies littered the area around the overpass, and gore coated the sides of the trucks. Tor reluctantly let me stand on my own, but I could feel the heat of him radiating against my back. Given the number of times he’d had to jump on a roof with me, I didn’t mind his hovering proximity.

  “Trouble?” I asked Ryan as the fey stowed what we’d collected.

  “You could say that. A herd of infected spotted us and started calling out. Every infected within hearing came running. It was a mess. Thankfully, the others were already back and in the trucks. We were about to send a party out for you.”

  “Sorry we took longer, but I think it was worthwhile. I found morphine.”

  “What? No way. A clinic?”

  “No. Someone on hospice, I think. Tor didn’t let me inside.”

  “It smelled too bad,” Tor said, setting his hands on my shoulders.

  “Death usually does,” Ryan said solemnly. “But I’m glad everyone’s okay and twice as glad you found some morphine. Uan needs it bad. Let’s load up so we can get home. I’m hungry.”

  I glanced at all the nasty around us.

  “You have a strong constitution if you’re surrounded by this and still hungry.”

  He shrugged and smiled as he started walking backward to his own truck.

  “It’s the curse of my age. I’m always hungry.”

  Shaking my head, I jogged to the truck that Richard had driven here. Tor opened the passenger door and helped me up.

  “Ready to go home?” Richard asked.

  “More than ready. Did the Tenacity people get a lot of supplies?”

  “Most of them came back after the first house. Honestly, it’s a good thing too. Who knows how many we would have lost if they’d still been out there when the infected swarmed.”

  I wasn’t exactly sure if I’d call it a good thing but was smart enough to know that was my bitterness influencing my opinions and kept that thought to myself.

  The ride back to Tenacity was relatively quiet, and I used that time to think about how I felt regarding what Adam had done. Definitely still angry. Betrayed. Hurt.

  Confused.

  I didn’t understand how Adam could think what he’d done was okay. And I couldn’t imagine how upset Tor would be if he ever found out Adam had tricked him. After all, Tor politely asked each and every time he wanted to pick me up, barring life-threatening emergencies. I had no doubt that, eventually, someone would set him straight about pussy licking not being an acceptable way to wake up someone else’s girlfriend. And then what? We’d lose our place in Tolerance because Adam had some dumb idea in his head that I was into a reverse harem lifestyle?

  By the time we reached Tenacity, I still had no idea how I wanted to handle the conversation I knew Adam and I needed to have. My emotions were high, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to face him yet.

  Thankfully, there were supplies to unload and medicine to deliver. Ryan and Richard willingly handed over all the medicine to me while they worked to unload everything else. With the rattling shoe box in my arms, Tor ran me back to Tolerance with our group of fey. Although he didn’t say anything on the way, I felt his repetitive questioning glance.

  As soon as we were inside the wall and I was on my own two feet, I faced him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know. You’re quiet and angry.”

  “I’m still upset about how Adam treated me this morning.”

  Tor frowned. “How did he treat you?”

  “Not nice.”

  “I will talk to him.”

  I made a face. “As much as I would appreciate that, I think this is something Adam and I need to talk out on our own. Thanks, though.”

  He grunted and led the way to Cassie’s. The fey we passed kept giving me weird looks. They’d done that before, but it’d felt more curious. Now it felt…confused. Like they were trying to figure out who I was.

  I shrugged it off and waited for someone to answer Tor’s knock.

  Kerr, Cassie’s husband, opened the door and glanced at us.

  “We found some medicine,” I said. “Is Cassie around?”

  He nodded and let us in. A movie played in the background, showing a girl with red hair shooting a bow.

  “I like this one,” Tor said, nudging me. “We should watch it with Adam.”

  I smiled and agreed as we made our way to the kitchen where Cassie was at the stove, stirring something that smelled really good. My stomach growled, proving that I could have an appetite even after seeing all that infected goo.

  “Hi, Cassie. I think we found some good stuff for you. The fey collected everything. Even the opened bottles. I figured we might not be able to afford to be picky, but will leave that up to you.”

  Cassie’s eyes lit when she saw the morphine. She sorted through the bottles and pulled out one with thirteen Oxy in it.

  “You can take these for Adam. Just don’t leave them around where he can self-administer. As soon as dinner’s done, I’ll swing by to check on him.”

  “Maybe hold off on the check-in until the morning.”

  Cassie stopped sorting to look at me.

  “Why?”

  “Frankly, Adam’s being an asshole, and he and I need to have a long talk because I’m struggling to forgive his behavior. He’s not acting like the man I know.”

  Cassie nodded thoughtfully.

  “He went through an emotionally and physically traumatic experience. Bruises fade with time, but the emotions take longer to process. I imagine his feelings of helplessness and fear for you aren’t easy to sort through.”

  Part of me wanted to feel guilty for not being more forgiving. The other part of me knew his actions hadn’t just teetered on the line of unforgivable. They’d stomped on it.

  “I’ll keep that in mind when I talk to him.”

  “Have Brog or Tor get me if Adam needs anything.”

  I nodded and left with Tor.

  “Do you want to talk to Adam privately again?” Tor asked.

  “Maybe. I don’t know if I want to do it right away.”

  He grunted and walked beside me. I was starting to get the hang of Tolerance’s layout. At least, the way between our house, Cassie’s, and the meeting spot along the wall.

  The house was dark when it came into sight, which I thought was a little odd. Did Brog think that having lights on would wake up Adam if he was resting?

  I was quiet when I opened the door, but the house was more so. I flicked on a light.

  “Brog?”

  There was no answer.

  Tor moved off to the bedroom while I removed my knife harness.

  “Adam’s not here,” Tor called.

  “What do you mean he’s not there? Where else would he be?”

  Tor emerged with a piece of paper in his hand.

  June,

  Brog has a gaming console at his place. I’m going to go hang out there. You two lovebirds have a cozy night. Make sure to tell Tor he can wake you up early again.

  Adam

  I stared at the note and regretted taking off my knives. That Adam wasn’t in his right mind was completely clear to me. How could he even think, after my reaction this morning, that I would be okay with inviting Tor’s attention again?

  Fisting my free hand, I tried to remember Cassie’s perspective on Adam’s behavior as I read the note again but just couldn’t. Helplessness be damned. I’d been in that room too. I’d listened to the muffled beating while they held me down. I’d had no idea what was going to happen next and had feared the same beating or worse. But I wasn’t pushing Adam away in response.

  Adam was acting like a coward.

  “Tor, do you know where Brog lives?”

  “Yes.”

  “Take me there.”

  I folded the note and gripped it tightly as I followed Tor from the house. Brog’s place wasn’t too far away. Not far enough to stop shaking or to calm myself down. I still m
anaged to knock politely and smile at Brog when he answered.

  “Hi, Brog. Could I speak with Adam, please?”

  “Not now,” Adam called from inside. “We’re in the middle of a game.”

  Any shred of patience evaporated. I stepped around Brog without invitation and stared at Adam, who sat in a recliner with his leg propped and a controller in his hands. He didn’t even have the decency to look at me.

  “I’m struggling to be understanding, Adam. I know you went through something terrible, but you’re not the only one. I was there, too. Stop treating me like I don’t matter to you.”

  Adam sighed, all the life seeming to drain from him as he looked at me.

  “You’re right. I’m not being fair to you. I’m sorry, June. I can’t do this anymore.”

  My anger withered at the sight of his defeated expression, and a tight, sick ball settled into my stomach as he continued.

  “It would be better for everyone if I stay with Brog until it’s time to leave for the cave.”

  “What are you saying?” He couldn’t be saying what I thought he was. Not now. Not after everything we’d been through.

  “I’m saying we’re done, June. I don’t want you to worry about me when I’m gone, and I don’t want to worry about you.”

  A numb state of shock blanketed me as he shifted his gaze to Tor, who stood behind me.

  “I’m holding you to your promise. Keep her safe.”

  Gutted and bleeding from the inside, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t accept what he was saying.

  “You don’t mean that. You’re hurt and afraid you can’t keep me safe. Both will pass.”

  “No, June. They won’t.” His gaze shifted again. “Don’t let her come back here. It’s only going to hurt her more.”

  That sentiment snapped the fragile hold I’d maintained on my hope. Hope that he was only struggling as Cassie had said. Hope that he’d give himself some time to heal. Hope that he’d realize how much I loved him.

  “Hurt me more? How can you possibly think anything can hurt more than how you’ve already hurt me?”

  He flinched.

  “Take her home, Tor, before she starts yelling.”

  Yelling? I dug the pill bottle out of my pocket and tossed it to him.

  “There’s the oxy I risked my life getting. For you. Let me know when you’re ready to act like a decent human being.”

  He picked up the controller and started playing the game again, not acknowledging the pills that rested in his lap.

  I turned and walked out the door. Everything started to shake. My hands. My arms. My legs. I stumbled a few steps and started to sniffle. A pained sound escaped me.

  A moment later, I was up in Tor’s arms. Tears started falling in earnest, and I tucked my face against his chest. While heartache was the prevalent emotion, others were bubbling beneath it. Disbelief and denial were at the forefront. Adam had never been such a complete ass to me. Ever. This had to be some kind of weird lack of confidence thing. He was doubting his ability to keep me safe and pushing me toward someone he thought was better for me.

  That brought on more tears. How could he think a complete stranger was better for me? Three years. Talks about getting married. A family. All gone.

  I barely registered the sound of a door opening. It was only when Tor put me down and started unzipping my jacket that I realized we were home. Home without Adam. What was I supposed to do now? Mooch off of Tor? Was my invitation to stay at Tolerance only good if Adam and I were a couple?

  The importance of those questions collapsed under the weight of the bigger one. Were we really over? He would come to his senses. He had to. Yet, his comment to Tor about not letting me come back rang with a finality I couldn’t ignore.

  Tor’s face swam into focus right before mine. Concern lit his green and gold eyes.

  “Should I get Cassie?”

  I shook my head, my throat too tight and aching to answer.

  He grunted and smoothed a hand over my head. The comforting gesture only made me cry harder because it should have been Adam.

  Tor immediately removed his hand and looked around the room before tugging on his ear.

  Knowing my crying was making him uncomfortable, I hung up my jacket and went upstairs. The bed welcomed me back, and I burrowed under the covers.

  Why hadn’t I seen this coming? What could I have done differently? My mind raced as my insides hurt. I wished today had never happened. Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten so mad about this morning’s misunderstanding. Maybe I should have taken some time to talk to Adam about how he was feeling before I left. Maybe I should have been clear that I hadn’t liked what Tor had done.

  I barely had that thought when guilt gutted me because I had liked it. Far too much. Maybe that was why Adam left. Maybe he heard me.

  My throat grew tighter and more painful as I continued to cry.

  A whisper of noise almost muffled by the sounds I was making registered enough that I lowered the blanket from over my head. Tor paced nearby, tugging on his ear so hard it was turning dark grey. When he turned and saw me looking at him, he hurried to the bed and fell to his knees beside it.

  “I don’t know what to do.”

  Breath hitching, I tried to reassure him.

  “Adam hurt my heart, Tor. Nothing but time will take that pain away.” My face crumpled as I struggled under the weight of those words. Time. Time without Adam.

  Tor made an angry sound.

  “Adam is being stupid.”

  I nodded, tears falling faster. Tor picked me up and partially slid under me, hugging me to his chest.

  “He should have married you,” Tor said, sounding angry.

  “He should have,” I whispered brokenly. “We talked about it, but he never proposed. He wanted to wait until we were out of school and more settled in our careers.”

  I rubbed my face against Tor’s hard chest, trying to soothe away some of the pain throbbing in my head.

  “It wasn’t supposed to be like this. He always worried about me. My safety. My happiness. How does that go away in a few days? How can he just decide not to love me anymore?”

  The last words were choked, and I gave up speaking and let the tears fall in earnest.

  Eventually, the tears dried up, and a numbness settled in. It pulled me into the welcome escape of sleep. The dreams were a mix of happy Adam moments and running for my life from infected. Both were easier to deal with than my current reality, which reinserted itself the moment I opened my eyes the next morning.

  Adam isn’t here. He’s gone. He’s left me.

  A fresh torrent of tears washed over my puffy eyes. The same question I’d spoken out loud echoed in my head. After three years together, how could he suddenly decide we were done?

  An arm slithered under my side. I didn’t care who or why. It could have been an infected for all it mattered, and I wouldn’t have moved. I hurt too much. Which is why I didn’t fight when I was picked up, blankets and all.

  Tor looked down at me, his expression deeply troubled. I closed my eyes, not wanting to see his concern, and didn’t open them again when he started walking. I didn’t care where he was taking me. I hurt so much nothing else mattered.

  The world had ripped everything from me. My home. My family. My future. Adam was the only thing I’d had left. And now he was gone too.

  A door opened, and fresh air cooled my overheated face. I didn’t want the relief. I wanted Adam. Turning my head into Tor’s chest, I cried harder. The cadence of his step increased and then stopped.

  My head hurt almost as much as my heart.

  “She won’t stop crying,” Tor said.

  “Why?”

  I barely registered the voice.

  “Adam hurt her heart.”

  The sympathetic sound increased my tears.

  “Bring her in and set her on the couch.”

  Tor did more than put me down, he stripped the blankets from me, revealing Angel’s understanding face.
r />   “Come here, you,” she said, opening her arms.

  I hugged her hard and continued to cry as she stroked my hair.

  “Men are assholes,” she murmured. “I’ll teach you to use my bow so you can shoot him in the dick.”

  There were twin pained breaths in response to that comment.

  “Angel, no dick shooting.”

  “Based on how she’s crying, it’s shooting or cutting it off.”

  I partially laughed through my tears at the absurdity of her comment. She heard it and pulled back enough to look me in the eye.

  “You want to tell me about it?”

  Something about the understanding in her expression hit me hard, and I realized that was exactly what I needed. Someone to listen. Someone to tell me what went wrong. Someone who would understand.

  But I hesitated and glanced at the two fey watching me with matching concern. There were some things I couldn’t say in front of them. Not without possibly jeopardizing Adam’s and my place in Tolerance.

  “Could I speak to Angel privately? With no one else listening?” A hitched breath interrupted every other word.

  “Yes,” Tor said, grabbing the other fey by the arm. “We will be outside.”

  “Wait, Angel needs—"

  “Angel needs you to leave and not listen, like June said,” she said interrupting the other fey. “Out. I’ll give a yell when we’re done.”

  Tor moved like his feet were on fire and dragged the other guy out the door. Angel didn’t pay them any attention, though. She focused on me.

  I wiped my face and swallowed thickly several times, doing my best to calm down enough to sound coherent.

  “Adam and I were together for three years before the earthquakes. We talked about getting married. Having kids.” Fresh tears welled up with the new wave of pain. “Everything was fine until he was hurt. His leg.”

  My lower lip trembled.

  “He used to wake me up with oral. He said he loved the sounds I made.” I broke down for a minute and cried. She rubbed my arm consolingly until I pulled myself together enough to speak again. “I was dreaming we were in the back of his truck. He was between my legs, tugging down my underwear. Only I wasn’t dreaming. The mouth on me was real, and I was so happy Adam was trying. But it wasn’t Adam.”