Dr. Chelsea didn’t argue, and neither did I. We hurried out of the mansion, every creak of the floorboards and rustle of leaves outside setting my nerves on edge.
Once we were back in the woods, Calvin finally spoke. “That was too close. He almost had you both.”
Chelsea stopped, her hands curling into fists. “You think this is over?” she said bitterly. “You don’t know Gabriel.”
I frowned. “He’s dead, Chelsea. He can’t—”
A shrill ring cut through the silence, making us all jump. Chelsea fumbled for her phone, her fingers shaking as she answered.
She didn’t say anything, just held the phone to her ear. Her face drained of color as the voice on the other end spoke.
“Put it on speaker,” Calvin said.
She hesitated, then hit the button.
“Hello, doctor,” Gabriel’s voice drawled, smug and alive.
My blood turned to ice.
“You look surprised,” he continued. “Did you really think I’d be stupid enough to face you without a backup plan? Bulletproof vests are quite the lifesaver.”
Chelsea’s hand clenched the phone so tightly I thought it might shatter. “What do you want?” she demanded.