The vampire is to your left. He runs for the foyer doors. Azriel hesitated. Remember, reaper rules mean I cannot interfere unless he attacks you.
I didn't care about his rules. Or being attacked. All I cared about was Jak – and he'd obviously never made it to the stairs.
No, Azriel said, mind voice soft. He dies, Risa.
If we get him to a hospital straightaway —
It will not make a difference. He would not survive being transported, anyway. He has not the strength left.
Grief swept through me, but it was twisted with fury. At Hunter, for doing this, and at myself, for involving Jak in our goddamn quest.
I drew Amaya. The flames that flickered down her side were fierce and angry. What did they do to him?
He has been gutted. And no reaper waits, as it is not his time.
Gutted him, not drained him. A deliberate choice on Hunter's part, meant to kill with as much pain as possible. And if he died when there was no reaper here to guide his soul onward, then he would become one of the lost ones – a ghost forever trapped on the astral planes, never to move on and be reborn. Tears stung my eyes even as fury rolled through me. Damn it, no! Jak shouldn't have to pay such a price for helping me. None of my friends should. It wasn't fucking fair when I was doing the best that I could to find the damn keys.
I drew in a shuddery breath. Anger and grief could wait. There was a killer to hunt first.
Help Jak, I said. Don't let him die without a soul guide, Azriel.
You know I cannot interfere…
I don't care who you have to contact or what favors you have to pull in, I cut in fiercely. Please don't let him become one of the lost ones.
I ran for the foyer. The light burning down Amaya's sides made it easier to see the various cubicles, desks, and chairs, but it did little to rip the shadows away from the vampire. Nor could I detect his scent.
Burn brighter, I told Amaya. I need to see the bastard.