Carry On: The Rise and Fall of Simon Snow
Rate it:
Open Preview
Read between August 8 - August 8, 2020
70%
Flag icon
“Did what?” I say, slapping his hand away from my face. He sticks his other hand in my face, pointing. “Called me Simon.” “What would you prefer—Chosen One?” His hand dips. “I prefer Simon, actually. I . . . I like it.” I swallow, and it must be obvious how nervous I am, because he looks down at my neck. “Simon,” I say, and swallow again, “you’re being idiotic.” “Because I like this better than fighting?” “There is no ‘this’!” I protest. “You slept in my arms,” he says. “Fitfully.”
70%
Flag icon
“How can you be like this?” I whisper. “How can you even trust me, after everything?” “I’m not sure I do trust you,” he whispers back. He reaches out with his other hand and touches my stomach. I feel it drop to the floor. (My stomach, that is.) “But . . .” He shrugs. He’s rubbing my stomach, and I close my eyes—because it feels good. (So good.) And also because I want him to kiss me again. Snow kissed me last night until my mouth was sore. He kissed me so much, I was worried I’d Turn him with all my saliva. He held himself up on all fours above me and made me reach up for his mouth—and I did. ...more
70%
Flag icon
If Penelope were here, I’d tell her she’s wrong about me. She thinks I solve everything with my sword. But apparently, I can also solve things with my mouth—because, so far, every time I lean into Baz, he shuts up and closes his eyes. If Penelope were here, she’d make me explain myself. Thank magic she isn’t here yet. I’ve just pushed my fingers between Baz’s shirt buttons; his skin is room temperature.
70%
Flag icon
Then someone clears her throat. Baz stands up straight, which means his mouth jerks away from mine. I step away so quickly, I’m not sure I didn’t teleport. His maid or nanny or whatever she is, is standing in the archway. She’s wearing a black dress and a white apron. “Mr. Pitch,” she says, and she must get paid to pretend she doesn’t notice anything around here, because she doesn’t even flinch. Boys kissing is probably mild—she’s probably walked into interrogations and goat sacrifices. “You have guests,” she says. “Two young ladies.” “Thank you, Vera,” Baz says without a hint of apology. ...more
72%
Flag icon
Baz is scornful. “You never would have helped my family.” “I would! It was driving me mental not knowing where you were. I thought you were going to jump out from every corner.”
74%
Flag icon
Currently I’m pretending that I don’t care that Snow left. I’m pretending I don’t even notice he’s gone. I’m not sure why it surprised me when he left—I’d been reminding him for the last twenty-four hours that we weren’t friends, kisses notwithstanding. So I shouldn’t be shocked and dismayed that he left with the two people who actually are his friends. . . . With the one person he’s always wanted, as long as I’ve known him.
74%
Flag icon
“Knock,” I say to her in the mirror. “Your—”
74%
Flag icon
“Leave. And knock. I’m ignoring you until you do.” She groans and leaves, slamming the bedroom door behind her, then bangs on it. I’d despair if she were a Pitch. She doesn’t behave as if she has an ounce of Grimm in her either; my stepmother’s blood is thin as gruel. “Come in,” I say. Mordelia opens the door and leans in. “Your friend’s back.” I turn from the mirror. “What?” “The Chosen One.” “Simon?” She nods. I push past her out the door, muttering, “Don’t call him that,” then run down the stairs. If he’s here, something must be wrong. Maybe they were attacked on the road. . . . I slow down ...more
74%
Flag icon
“Why’d you come back?” I say—softly, just in case Mordelia is lurking around. “I can leave if I’m not welcome.” “That’s not what I meant.” “I thought you’d be happy that I came back.” I step closer to him, and my voice drops to a menace. “Why? So we can tumble around and kiss and pretend to be happy boyfriends?” He shakes his head, like he’s at his limit, then rolls his eyes mightily. “Yeah . . . I guess so. Yes. Let’s do that, okay?” I fold my arms. “Tak...
This highlight has been truncated due to consecutive passage length restrictions.
74%
Flag icon
I came back because I was afraid of what might happen if I didn’t. Baz might just pretend that nothing had ever happened between us. He’d make me feel like I dreamt this whole thing—like I was a maniac and a moron for believing he’d ever felt something for me. I was already feeling like a maniac and a moron in the car with Penny and Agatha.
76%
Flag icon
“I’m not a very good boyfriend,” I say. Baz’s hand settles on his trouser leg and tugs. He sits up straighter. “I understand, Snow. Trust me. I’m not planning our next mini-break—I’m not even going to tell anyone about us.” “No,” I say, turning slightly towards him. “That’s not what I mean. I mean . . . I’ve always been a terrible boyfriend. That’s why Agatha broke up with me. I basically just did what I thought she wanted me to, but I always got it wrong, and I never put her first. I never once felt like I was getting it right in three years.” “Then why did you stay together?” “Well, I wasn’t ...more
76%
Flag icon
“I’m just saying,” I say, turning a bit more, “that I don’t know how to be your boyfriend. And I don’t think you’d want that from me.” “Fine,” he says. “Understood.” “And I know that you think we’re doomed—Romeo-and-Juliet style.” “Completely,” he says to his knees. “And I don’t think I’m gay,” I say. “I mean, maybe I am, at least partly, the part that seems to be demanding the most attention right now. . . .” “No one cares whether you’re gay,” Baz says coldly. I’m sitting sideways now, facing his profile. His eyes are narrow, and his mouth is a straight line. “What I’m saying is . . .” My ...more
76%
Flag icon
“I know. But I still want this, if you’ll let me have it.” Baz finally turns to look at me. “What’s this, Snow?” “This,” I say. “I want to be your boyfriend. Your terrible boyfriend.” He cocks an eyebrow and stares at me, like figuring out what’s wrong with me is something he’ll never have enough time for. There’s a soft knock at the door. Baz stands up, straightening his suit, and walks to the door. He opens it and leans over, picking up a tray, then brings it back to his bed. There’s a pitcher of milk and a heavily laden plate from dinner. “Who’s that from?” I ask. “My stepmother.” “Why ...more
This highlight has been truncated due to consecutive passage length restrictions.
76%
Flag icon
“Wicked,” I whisper, trying to look closer. He pushes me back, but not far. “Open your mouth again,” I say. “Let me see.” He sighs and pulls back his lips. His fangs are huge. And they look so sharp. “Where do they even come from? Like, where do they go when you’re not using them?” “I don’t know.” He sounds kind of like he’s wearing braces. “Can I touch them?” “No. They’re sharp. And toxic.” “I can’t believe there’s a part of your...
This highlight has been truncated due to consecutive passage length restrictions.
80%
Flag icon
“Simon?” someone calls. I think it’s Baz, but he sounds wrong. Like he’s out of breath or in pain. “Baz? Are you okay?” “No, no . . . Simon!” Then I see Baz ahead of me, twenty feet or so, leaning against a tree. The Humdrum is above us now, sitting on a low branch, watching. Baz’s head hangs low. I rush forward. “Baz!” He lifts his face, and it’s wrong, too. Twisted. His eyes are dilated and black, and his mouth is full of white knives—his lips have retracted to make room for them. I should back away, but instead I squeeze between the trees to try to get to him. It’s Baz who backs away from ...more
81%
Flag icon
“What?” I demand. “What do you give them?” The Humdrum shrugs. “Nothing. I give them some of my nothing.” Baz lifts his face to me, all pupil and fang. He takes a step forward. “Get away, Simon. I’m hungry.” “I give them some of my nothing,” the Humdrum says again, “and then they’re drawn to the biggest of all somethings—you. And then you give me more nothing. It’s a great game.” Baz keeps coming for me. I stand my ground. “Get away, Simon! I’m hungry!” “What are you hungry for, Baz?” “For you!” he shouts. “For magic, for blood, for magic—for everything. For you. For magic.” He’s shaking his ...more
81%
Flag icon
“I think I’d know if I were the Insidious Humdrum,” I say. “I wouldn’t give you that much credit, Simon. You’re exceedingly thick. And criminally good-looking—have I mentioned that?” “No.” He leans in like he’s going to bite me, then kisses me instead. It’s so good. It’s been so good every time. I pull away. “I’m not the Humdrum! But why does thinking so make you want to kiss me?” “Everything makes me want to kiss you. Haven’t you worked that out yet? Crowley, you’re thick.” He kisses me again. And he’s laughing again. “I’m not the Humdrum,” I repeat, when I get the chance. “I’d know if I ...more
84%
Flag icon
We follow her up the stairs. Baz knocks against me with his shoulder and elbow. “All right, Snow?” he asks softly. “Yeah. You?”
94%
Flag icon
We sit there, together, I’m not sure how long. All of us past the point of sorrow and exhaustion and relief. Then Simon takes off his suit jacket—it tears around the wings—and spreads it over the Mage’s torso. He starts crying again, and Baz pulls him into his arms. Simon lets him. “It’s okay,” Baz says. “It’s all okay now.” One arm is tight around Simon’s back, and the other is smoothing his hair out of his face. “You did it, didn’t you?” Baz whispers. “You defeated the Humdrum. You saved the day, you courageous fuck. You absolute nightmare.”
94%
Flag icon
“I gave him my magic, Baz. It’s all gone.” “Who needs magic,” Baz says. “I’m going to turn you into a vampire and make you live with me forever.” Simon’s shoulders are heaving. Baz keeps talking. “Think about it, Simon. Super strength. X-ray vision.” Simon lifts his head. “You don’t have X-ray vision.” Baz raises an eyebrow. His hair is in his face, and his hands are bleeding. “I killed him,” Simon says. “It’s going to be okay.” Baz wraps both arms around him. “It’s all right, love.” Everything is starting to make sense.
96%
Flag icon
“They’ll know that we’re gay.” “There go my job prospects,” Simon says flatly. “What will my family say?” I’m not sure where the joke is. He looks at my face and huffs, exasperated. “Baz, you’re actually, literally the only thing I have to lose. So as long as doing gay stuff in public doesn’t make you hate me, I don’t really care.”
97%
Flag icon
“It was brave. It was brave and selfless and clever. That’s who you are, Simon. And I’m not going to get bored with you.”
97%
Flag icon
I shove back. I let go of his hand to hold his neck. He smashes into me, and I take it. I don’t give an inch. (It’s a mess, honestly, and if he cuts his lip on my teeth, it could be a disaster.)
97%
Flag icon
“You can change your mind,” he says. “I won’t.” I shake my head against his forehead. “I’ll always be less than you,” he whispers. “I know; it’s a dream come true.” That makes him laugh a bit, pathetically. “Still,” he says. “You can always change your mind.” “We both can,” I say. “But I won’t.”
1 3 Next »