Chapter 60

Scrambling for the remote, Nathan tried flipping through cable channels, still kicked back on the bed, but switched the program he was watching at random to keep his brain alert andawayfrom thoughts of Sasha.

Walter appeared, sitting on the edge of the bed, but Nathan told him to go away.

“You can’t help, and no, I don’t want to talk about it,” Nathan said, perhaps a little sharper than Walter deserved, but Nathan was not in his right mind, which was exactly the problem.

Jim returned to the room some time later without Sasha, which should have been a relief, and yet Nathan felt a pang in his chest at the incubus’ absence. Sitting at the table, Jim started reading through the book Nathan had used to summon the Messenger. Every so often he would look over at Nathan and ask if everything was okay.

Nathan replied each time without moving his eyes from the television. “I’m fine. Quit nagging.”