Page 77 of I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell

“And you can do that?” I ask. “Get them back home?”

She hesitates. “I can try. There’s an entrance not far from here. Only a few hours’ drive. I believe in your world, it’s Santa Monica Pier. I can’t cross with them. But since they were brought here without a deal, they should be able to. I can get them to the pier and make sure they pass to the overworld. But I can’t help them beyond that.”

“That could work,” I murmur, a plan already taking shape in my mind. “They’d appear at that pier in the overworld?”

Moira nods.

“That’s one of the most crowded places in the state. Someone would see and help them.” My thoughts rush together, blurring into one. I fumble for my phone, tugging it from the pocket of my jacket. “I could leave this with Krystal with a note saying what they were poisoned with. It also has her wife’s phone number in it. They could use it to call for help. They could go home.”

The relief that overtakes me is so bright, a fresh batch of tears well. I uncork the vial, carefully dividing it between the three mugs of tea they still hold in their hands.

“You have to drink this,” I tell Krystal, helping her raise the mug to her lips. “All of it.”

She obeys. Moira helps Yasmine, and I move to Poppi next. The effect of the potion is instantaneous. All three slump on the couch, expressions peaceful.

I cover them with the blanket, then shift to Luke’s backpack to pull out his first aid kit and the balm. Inside the kit I find needle and thread, though I’ll need to sterilize it.

“I need matches,” I tell Moira. She disappears into the kitchen and comes back with them.

I take my equipment into the bedroom. Luke sleeps soundly on the bed, only the slight rise and fall of his chest any indication he’s alive. When I pulled over during The Reckoning, I tied my sweatshirt over the wound, creating as close to a tourniquet as possible. It stopped the bleeding, but now new blood wets the stained fabric. It must have started up again when we moved him inside.

Beside the bed a small nightstand sports a dusty lamp and a yellowed stack of books. Dropping the contents in my hands to the edge of the bed, I move the books to the floor and wipe down the table as best as I can before setting everything I’ll need on it.

Cracking my knuckles, I force deep breaths to calm my frazzled heart. I pass Moira on my way out of the room and reenter the living area. She follows me out.

“You said they could go home,” she says, facing where Krystal, Yasmine, and Poppi are slumped on the couch with their eyes closed. They still look worse for wear, but a hint of warmth has returned to their skin. “What about you?”

“I need to stay here and patch up Luke.”

I don’t remember making the decision, but I know it’s the right one. Yes, he kept the truth about his brother being the devil from me. Maybe knowing would have changed my mind about everything, maybe it wouldn’t have. All I know is that he took an arrow for me. He was about to die so we could get away. I can’t just leave him here.

Especially after that kiss.

Moira hesitates, like she knows if Luke was awake, he’d fight me on it. Before she can argue, I cut her off. “You know the fastest way to the pier. I know how to suture and dress a wound. You said yourself that the partial dose of Vitality might only slow the poison, at best. You have to take them now. Please.”

Her disturbing gaze clings to mine. “How will you get back to your world?”

“Luke will make sure I do. If I can save him, he’ll save me.”

It’s a bold statement to make about someone who’s left me a breadcrumb trail of half-truths to puzzle together. But I do trust him. Even if maybe I shouldn’t after everything I’ve learned today.

Finally, Moira nods. “I will prepare the car. Get them ready to leave.”

Gently, I rouse our rescues. When they open their eyes, I’m relieved to see the film ebbing.

I scoot the plaid chair closer to the couch so I can face Krystal. Pressing my palms to her cheeks, I try to ignore her still-burning skin.

“Hey,” I say in my softest voice. “Remember me?”

Blearily, she nods. Her fingers come up to weakly hold on to mine. “Angel…where are we? What’s happening?”

“You’re going home,” I promise. “Aren’t you excited to see Amelia and Kassidy and Aurelia? They can’t wait to see you.”

A faint smile pulls at her full lips. “You’re coming with me?”

“I’ll meet you there.” I pull out my phone. “I want you to have this, okay?”

She wears the same outfit she had on Monday when she disappeared, though at some point, she lost her blazer. The pockets on her ripped dress pants are too tiny to hold anything of value. I grab my denim jacket from where I slung it over the back of the chair and help her shrug into it. On my phone, I set an alarm for four hours from now with the note: CALL AMELIA AND CHECK THE NOTES APP. In a fresh note, I tap out a quick message listing the poisonous plants and saying that they need to go to the ER stat. All I can do is pray someone competent finds them.