Dead Red - M.R. Forbes Page 0,53

want to believe you."

"Then believe me. I'm telling you the truth, Jin. Do you think I want to be part of all this? It isn't good for my health."

She laughed at that. "Ahh, Baron. I've missed you."

The statement pulled up too much emotion. I swallowed it back down. "Where do you go every day?"

"Out to Death Valley. That is where the Hua is being kept."

"Why is it being kept there? What's so special about Death Valley?"

"The climate. It is hot and dry."

"I don't understand? Why does a rock need a special climate?"

She reached out and put her hand against my cheek. It was soft and warm, and I could have dropped into it like a puppy. "It's more than a rock, my friend. I understand why Black wants to claim it. Except, it won't help him unless..."

I don't know how to describe the look that crossed her face at that moment. Fear, anger, sadness. They didn't fit, or do it justice.

"We have to go. Now. You need to help me get it away from him."

"Wait. What? We can't just charge in there-"

"We have to. Baron, there is no time. The bonding was to happen today. I'm late already, and that will raise enough suspicion. Jervis, we need to go."

"You don't think a battered limo is going to raise suspicion?" I said. "What is the bonding? Why do we need-"

I got interrupted again. This time by a stream of gunfire that started pouring in through the shattered front windshield of the car. I grabbed Jin and pulled her down out of pure instinct, feeling the warmth of Jervis' blood on my face as the bullets tore through him and splattered us with it.

"What the hell?"

The bullets stopped coming. We stayed crouched between the seats, our faces close together.

"It's like old times," she said.

"Yo, Baldie!" Amos' voice boomed in front of us.

Amos?

I started to lift my head. Jin shook hers. "Don't."

"Why?"

"Stargazer. She's a hypnotist."

She had jumped Carl. How could she not be dead?

"Ms. Red." A new voice. Female. It had to be the other ghost. "I've been talking with my new fat friend here, and he says that you may be reconsidering your alliance with House Black."

Jin's lips moved to speak. I put a finger to them.

"She's my hostage, you idiot," I said. "You almost killed her."

"Please. My aim is not so poor. Neither is Amos', and you know it. Let her go, and I may let you live."

She almost sounded half-convincing.

"How about I just kill her?"

"Then you die, too."

I eyed Jin. "What do you think?"

"You still have your mask?"

I pulled it from my pocket. "I can't use the dice. It might take Amos."

"And?" She smiled. "If you use them to kill Stargazer, you can take her form. It will help us get to the Hua."

"I'm waiting, necromancer," Stargazer said.

"What if it takes Amos?"

She leaned forward and kissed me, short and quick. "We're in Vegas, Baron."

I put the mask on.

The laughter seemed less harsh this time, more expectant. I grabbed the dice and held them up to it. "Only one," I said. "More to come soon. The power of a soul, for the power of a soul."

Yes.

The laughter gained in pitch.

"I'm letting her go," I yelled.

"A wise decision," Stargazer replied.

"Here," I said, holding out the dice. The dark power was beginning to swirl around it in anticipation.

Jin looked at them, and then at me. I was giving her my only weapon, putting all of my trust in her. She could take them and throw them on the seat next to me, and I would become the most obvious target. Would the demon take me? It would probably love the outcome.

She grabbed the dice, and then squirmed away from me, reaching for her door. She threw it open, and stepped out onto the street.

"Keep him pinned down," she said. "Give me a gun. I'll kill him myself."

Playing the Head of a House. I hoped.

The bullets began peppering the car again, bursting through the top of the front seats and sending stuffing flying around me. The aim was high to keep me down, as Stargazer assumed Jin would finish the job.

I could hear the laughter change. I knew when the dice had been thrown.

I waited.

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the valley.

A female scream.

I didn't know the roll. I didn't need to. None of the deaths were pretty. None of them were painless.

I knew when she was dead because her screams joined those of the others we had taken - the ghosts from the mansion.