Face of Death

Chapter 6

Alex burst out laughing. I actually had to back up because he doubled over and grabbed his gut. The others rushed over to see what was going on. Exactly what I wanted to know.

“Is he okay?” McKenzie asked.

Lexi’s eyes widened as she shook her head at Alex. “He looks hysterical, and I don’t mean funny. He looks like he’s having a fit or something.”

“Alex.” I waited for him to stop laughing and explain the joke I’d clearly missed.

“I’m sorry.” He was breathing heavily, and his face was bright red.

“What was so funny?” Did he really think I’d been joking?

“Absolutely nothing.” He looked at me, and all the warmth left his face. “I just had to laugh because, otherwise, I would’ve flipped out and attacked poor old zombie-Matt over here.”

Matt was still standing by my side. He didn’t seem to comprehend anything that was going on around him—not that I did either.

“He’s not a zombie. Please, don’t call him that.”

“I know he’s not. I’m not mad at him. He’s just the next in a long line of guys who have come between us.”

“That’s not fair. You know that’s not true. The only guys who have come between us are Matt and Chase. And you can’t even really include Matt because he and I were together before you and I were. If anything, you—”

Alex put his hand up to stop me. “Don’t. Don’t go there. I didn’t take you away from him.”

“I know. I’m sorry. That was stupid.” Ugh, I hated this. Alex wasn’t wrong about things coming between us. I got why he was upset, but it wasn’t like Matt and I were going to run off and live happily ever after as humans while Alex rotted in the underworld. I’d never do that to him, and he had to know that.

Alex ran his fingers through his hair, tugging the ends in his fists. “I’m so damn tired of this. When do I get to have you? Really have you?”

Lexi laughed. “Why am I not surprised Jodi’s a prude?”

I glared at her. “That’s not what he meant, Lexi.” At least I didn’t think it was. I knew that was on his mind. We hadn’t been together like that yet, but he was talking about more than that, and she was cheapening our relationship.

Lexi held her hands up. “Whatever.”

“All right, everyone,” Arianna said. “Alex and Jodi don’t need an audience. Move along.” She ushered them away from us, giving my arm a quick squeeze before she followed.

I moved toward Alex, but he backed away. “Don’t do that.” I advanced on him again. “Don’t push me away. You just said there were too many things coming between us all the time. Don’t you be one of them, too.” He stopped, and I took his hands in mine. “I’m yours, Alex. All of me.”

“No, you’re not. You want to raise your human soul and your human boyfriend. What the hell do you think is going to happen when you’re both alive again? Together?”

I hadn’t thought about it like that. Would my human feelings for Matt come back? “I wasn’t planning to raise Matt so we could be together again. I only wanted to get him out of here. I swear. Alex, if I could raise you and bring you with me, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I want you with me. Leaving you is the only thing stopping me from raising my human soul right now.”

He pulled me closer to him. “I’m not mad at you. You know that, right? It’s just this situation. Ever since Chase came, I’ve felt like I’m not good enough for you.”

“Alex—”

“No, let me finish. You have all this power. You can do things no other Ophi can. And what am I? An average Ophi. Nothing special. I don’t deserve you.”

“That’s not true. I may be the Chosen One, but I chose you.”

“Great, so I’m special by extension?”

“That’s not what I meant. You’re the only guy I’ve ever loved, Ophi or not. Yes, I had strong feelings for Matt. Yes, I still want Matt to be happy. But I don’t love him. I love you. Being with Matt again isn’t going to change that.”

“Being with him? You mean you aren’t just going to raise him? You’re going to keep him with you while you find a way to get us out of here?”

Crap, I was making this worse. “I don’t want to do this alone. Like I said, if I could take you with me, I would.”

“How is Matt going to be of any help to you?” His jaw tightened; he was gritting his teeth. “I hate to say this, but it seems like you just want some extra time with your old boyfriend.”

Was he wrong? Was I trying to get more time with Matt? “I’m not going to lie. I do like the thought of getting a second chance with Matt.”

Alex let go of my hands and turned away from me. His hands clenched into fists, and he swung at the rows of asphodels, sending white flower petals flying everywhere.

“Alex!” I grabbed him, but he kept swinging. “Not like that! That’s not what I meant. Please, if you love me, hear me out.”

He stopped, but his whole body shook with rage. He shrugged my hands off his arm.

“Matt was my friend, too. I didn’t just care about him as my boyfriend. For most of the time I knew him, he was one of my two best friends. I owe him this. I owe myself the chance to make things right and to say goodbye to him for good. I know I can’t keep him in my life. It’s too dangerous. But I think I should at least get to say goodbye to him on my own terms, not because he died, not because I have to run away and fulfill my Ophi destiny. I owe him the truth.” Now I was breathing heavily. I’d blurted all that out, wanting to say everything before Alex got the chance to cut me off.

“You don’t still have feelings for him?” He was staring out over the asphodels, unable to look me in the eyes.

“I do still care about him as a friend, but that’s all. As a friend.” I reached for his arm again, and this time he didn’t pull away. “When this is all over, when we’re out of here and back at the school, I promise it will just be you and me. No one else. For as long as you want me.”

He turned toward me and took my hand. “I’m holding you to that promise.”

I smiled, and a tear ran down my cheek. “So, what now?”

“You don’t have to ask for my permission. You’re the leader, remember?”

“I know, but that doesn’t mean I can’t ask for your input. You are my boyfriend, aren’t you?”

“Through bad and worse, apparently.”

“Come on, don’t say that. Things haven’t been all bad.” I touched his cheek, and even without me transferring any power to him, he smiled.

“No, definitely not.”

I reached up to kiss him, but he stopped me. “We have company, remember?”

I’d kind of forgotten about Matt. “Right. Sorry.”

“No need to apologize to me. It’s actually nice to see that I can make you forget about everything else.”

“You do that to me a lot, you know. I’m sorry if I don’t always make you see that.”

He kissed the top of my head. “I guess we need to find two bodies for you guys. A guy and a girl. Unless…”

“Don’t even think it. I’m not putting Matt into a girl’s body.” I couldn’t help it. I laughed. Poor Alex. He was so desperate not to lose me to Matt he wanted to make Matt a girl. “You are so lucky I love you.”

“I know.” He smiled, but his tone was completely serious. I leaned forward and kissed him. I knew Matt was watching us, but I didn’t care.

“Okay, so how do we find out where the new souls are? I need to find them almost immediately when they arrive.”

“I think we need to talk to Tony. He’s our expert.” Alex took my hand and started toward Tony and the others, but I held him back.

“Hang on.” I turned to Matt. “Matt, will you come with us, please?” He stared at me, not understanding.

“Take his hand,” Alex said. “He might remember your touch. I would if I were him.” Moments like these made me wonder how I’d gotten so lucky. Alex really was amazing. I was staring at him, and I guess he thought I was wondering if it was a trick because he said, “I’ve seen you hold the guy’s hand before. I think I can handle it without flipping out.”

“I know. That wasn’t it. I was just in awe of you. You’re kind of perfect, you know that?” Perfect. It was the word I’d always used for Matt, but it really did apply to Alex, too.

He smiled, and I swear his cheeks got a little red. Still holding Alex’s hand, I reached for Matt. He didn’t move, so I carefully slipped my hand in his. “Is this okay? Do you mind if I take you to my friends?”

Still nothing, but his fingers curved slightly around mine. That was all the answer I needed. I nodded to Alex, and we walked over to the others. I’m sure we looked like a demented threesome, every bit as awkward as it felt.

The others raised their eyes to us. They obviously had no idea what I was doing. I wasn’t really sure I knew either.

I let go of Matt’s hand. “Okay, so here’s the plan. We need two new souls. I’m bringing Matt with me.”

Arianna looked back and forth between Alex and me. I knew she was checking to see how he really felt about me bringing Matt along.

“Alex and I discussed it, and Matt doesn’t deserve this kind of afterlife. Hades is only keeping him here to punish me. I have to free him, give him another shot at life.”

I couldn’t help feeling like they were ignoring me. All eyes were on Alex. I nudged him, encouraging him to say something and make the blank stares go away.

He let them squirm for another moment before he chimed in. “Matt will be human again, and he’ll help Jodi. I don’t want her to go through this alone. She won’t have anyone who knows who she really is since she’ll be in a different body.”

Lexi raised an eyebrow. “You’re sending your girlfriend to shack up with her ex-boyfriend, and they’ll both be human? Wow, Alex, I didn’t peg you for a complete idiot.”

“Enough, Lexi.” Arianna gave her daughter a long hard look.

“What? I’m trying to help.” She shrugged, and in her own strange way, I think she really was looking out for Alex.

“I trust Jodi.” Alex gave me a small smile.

“And we won’t be shacking up,” I said. “Matt doesn’t have to stay with me at all if he doesn’t want to. I’ll help him get settled, but he’s free to live his life however he wants.”

“Wait,” Leticia said. “You’re going to worry about getting him settled before you figure out how to save us? So, like, you two will be getting all cozy in your new lives while we’re here being tortured.”

“Jodi’s body and half her soul will still be here,” Alex jumped to my defense. “She’ll be suffering right along with us, and it will actually be harder on her because she’ll be able to feel both parts of her soul. It’s going to be hard for her not to lose it, having to deal with that.” He looked around the group, his eyes falling on each Ophi. “So, if anyone wants to question what Jodi’s actually going to have to endure while trying to free us, you can take it up with me.”

Lexi crossed her arms. “Seriously, I don’t know if you are the most romantic guy ever or if you’re a total dumbass.” I was about to flip on her, but she added, “Either way, Jodi’s lucky to have you.”

Lexi had definitely changed since we’d come here. Maybe it was seeing her sister again, seeing what Abby had become, but part of me was almost starting to like Lexi. Almost.

“How do we even go about doing this?” Carol asked. “No offense, but I’d really like to get home to Mason. I’m not crazy about having to wait around in Hell while Jodi figures things out.”

“I know.” I understood how she felt. She missed her husband, and I’m sure seeing Alex stand up for me reminded her of Mason. He’d had no idea that letting Carol come to the school was going to mean losing her to Hades. If I had anything to say about it, they’d be together again soon. “Guys, I know this sucks. I know it’s my fault we’re all here.” Alex opened his mouth to protest, but I shook my head. “I’m the leader. Whatever happens is on my head. I take responsibility. It comes with the job description. But I promise you I will get us out of here. All of us.” My eyes fell on Carol. “Once we’re home, you can go back to Serpentarius and pretend you never met me.”

“I don’t want to pretend I never met you, Jodi. I just want to be with my family again.”

I nodded. “Then let’s find some bodies for Matt and me and make that happen as soon as possible.”

I looked around the group. Everyone was in agreement. We had to get moving. Scope out new souls. The only problem was that no one knew how to get out of the Fields of Asphodel. Hades had dropped us in the middle of this flower-filled field.

“Any chance Matt knows the way out?” Alex asked. “That weird pattern he was walking, do you think it has anything to do with getting back to the Elysian Fields?”

I pictured Matt walking in his circular route. It had seemed like he was wandering in an unending loop, but what if it was more than that? “We don’t really have any other ideas, so let’s try it.”

I let go of Alex’s hand and stood in front of Matt. He had a tendency to get very dazed if he wasn’t focused on something specific. I made sure I blocked his view of everything else. “Matt? Do you want to go for a walk? Find that place you were looking for earlier?”

Instead of answering, he turned and wandered away. We all followed, making sure to stay far enough away so he wouldn’t bump into us if he changed directions.

“Hey.” Alex reached for my elbow. “What if he finds the Elysian Fields? Will you still take him back with you? Raise his soul?”

Let him stay in his own personal Heaven or give him a second chance at life in a different body? It was a tough decision. “I’ll let him decide.” He deserved to make that choice for himself.

Alex let go of my arm and continued walking alongside me. I couldn’t tell if he was upset or just processing everything. As we walked, I kept an eye out for Hades. It seemed like a lot of time had passed since we got here. I hoped Hades wouldn’t show up before we were able to follow Matt to wherever it was he was going.

“This is crazy,” Lexi said, as Matt curved to the right. “He’s not going anywhere. I mean, how can he even know where he’s heading? This place looks the same no matter where you are.”

“Faith, Lexi,” Arianna said. “Sometimes you just have to have faith.”

“Faith in a mindless soul? Great.”

I couldn’t even argue with her.