“That’s an understatement.” I sigh. “Will you help?”
“I’ll see what I can do. No promises, but I’ll try.”
“Thank you, Ghost. Thank you.”
He laughs, the sound colder than before. “Don’t thank me. Nothing I do is for free, Viktor. I need something from you in return.”
Of course.I clench my fist. “What do you want?”
I can feel his grin through the phone. “I’ll let you know when I think of it.”
The line goes dead.
Viktor looks down at the screen, unease swirling in his gut.
Creepy bastard…
I just hope this is worth it. If not, I’ve sold my soul for no reason.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
SEVEN
Next week…
This is… strange.
I gaze around the courtroom, taking in the angry scowls of the jury, the cocky grins spread across the faces of the prosecution. All of them are looking at me, and I’m painfully aware of how exposed I am without my mask.
“Killer!” someone screams. “Murderer!”
The rest of the audience breaks into hushed whispers as the outcry, shooting excited glances toward the judge—no doubt wondering what sentence she will cast for the beast of Moriton.
Two more people scream out, sharing the first man’s sentiments, and it prompts the judge to bang her gavel several times. “Quiet, please! Jury members, do you have your verdict?”
“We do, your honor.”
She takes the piece of paper from the bailiff’s hand, her eyes scanning over the document before folding it and passing it off. “At this time, I will ask the court to remain silent until the verdict has been read.” She gestures toward the jury box.
The man clears his throat. “On the charge of murder in the first degree, we find the defendant guilty on all three hundred counts. We recommend the maximum penalty, which is death by lethal injection.”
As soon as the foreperson speaks, a gasp echoes out from over his shoulder, and the audience breaks into excited chatter. Mayor Cooper is the only one who doesn’t react. He just sits there, glaring at me with those cold green eyes.
The judge scowls and bangs her gavel, drawing my attention back to the podium. “Order! Mr. Seven, the court has found you guilty of all charges. You are to be held in solitary confinement until the day of your execution.”
The room fades in and out of sound.Die… I’m going to die…
“Mr. Seven? Do you have any last words for this court?”
I just smile. I do, but they’re not for them. Everything I am—my breath, skin, bones, soul, and words—all of them belong to Grace. I won’t waste them.
The judge scowls as I shake my head.
“In that case… The plaintiff may be taken into custody to await his punishment. May God have mercy on your soul, because this court will not.”
“No!” Grace jumps out of her chair. “You can’t do this!”
Grace tries to rush to the front of the room to get to me, but is hauled back by Viktor before she gets halfway to me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Viktor standing to the side, pulling Grace kicking and screaming from the room.
