Without Mercy - Lisa Jackson [194]
“Of course you can’t, Miss Goody Two-shoes.” Shay snorted a laugh. “You never believe anything bad about anyone. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to convince you the school was rotten, but I got lucky with Spurrier and his band of lunatics.” She was pleased with herself. Gloating again, though still wary. “You know, I wondered if you’d ever put two-and-two together. Those bloodstains near Andrew’s and Maeve’s bodies were a pretty big clue. I was just testing you and you failed, Jules. Really failed. I mean, how dense are you?”
So it was true. Jules had to accept the truth.
Shay was a cold-blooded killer. And standing between her and the door. This girl who had once adored her, now a woman who, in so many ways, resembled Jules, was planted firmly in the middle of the room as if she intended to block her sister’s escape. Had planned it. Dear God, what had happened to Shay? Where was that sweet little girl she’d once loved? How had she become this monster?
Shay’s lips twisted as if she were reading Jules’s mind. Her eyes glimmered with a hideous light. “You still don’t ‘get’ me, do you, Jules?”
“No.” It was the truth. Maybe she never had.
“And you never will.” In a heartbeat, Shay’s eyes went blank, no emotion visible. Whatever connection they’d once had had been severed years ago and now, for the first time, Jules felt a tremor of fear.
“It’s time to go,” Jules said firmly, one eye on the door.
“Go where? Do you think I believe you’re interested in helping me? No way.”
“Shay, there’s a chance with the right attorney—”
“Fuck the right attorney!” Every muscle in Shay’s compact body tensed. In a second she transformed into a heartless murderer. Her gaze narrowed on Jules as she crouched, a position Jules recognized, one that indicated Shay was about to strike.
At that moment Jules knew the truth: Shay would kill her. And she wouldn’t think twice about it.
Eyes focused, Shay rounded.
Damn! Automatically, Jules feinted toward one of the twin beds.
Her sister adjusted. Aimed a kick square at Jules’s face. “Shay, don’t!!”
Too late! Teeth bared, Shay spun rapidly, her booted heel slicing through the air near Jules’s head.
Jules ducked.
Bam! Shay’s heel hit her shoulder. Pain sizzled up her spine.
“For the love of God, Shay, stop!”
“No way.” She was already setting up again.
Jules yelled. Sprang for the door!
Shay, eyes dark with a bitter hatred, refocused.
Jules had to get away!
Again, she leapt, her hands scrabbling for the door handle.
Shay anticipated her move.
She adjusted. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” she said with evil satisfaction. She set up as Jules yanked on the door handle.
Shay spun again, her toe sliding on the towel still lying on the floor. “Shit!” she yelled, her balance off. Still, she managed to kick out.
Jules dropped. Hit the floor.
Shay’s leg swooshed over her head and Jules grabbed Shay’s calf.
With a squeal, Shay hit the floor. Her head thudded against the floor.
Footsteps pounded down the hall.
“In here!” Jules screamed.
Shay struggled. She was strong, fighting and kicking, determined to kill her sister. They rolled across the floor. Jules’s back hit the leg of one of the twin beds and she cried out, screaming in pain.
Hadn’t she heard someone in the hallway?
“Help!” she yelled desperately. Pinned against the bed’s leg, Jules held fast to her sister’s deadly leg. Wouldn’t let go. Just like she had never let go of her stupid vision of her sister, held fast to the notion that Shay, troubled, could be redeemed. But the monster wrestling with her, swearing, spitting, clawing and raging, was too far gone, had crossed the frail line between rational thought and insanity.
Shay’s free leg clamped down hard on Jules’s waist, pinning her against the bed leg. Strong fingers twisted in Jules’s hair, yanked hard, drawing her head back. Breathing rapidly, panting like an animal, Shay kicked and twisted, trying desperately to dislodge Jules’s grip, while doing damage with her own.
No way would Jules release her. Shay had won too many competitions,