No one spoke, and I half thought I imagined the knock.
“Hey,” Jared whispered, and for once, his sultry voice didn't sound as smooth as I believed it to be.
Instead, it was rough and grating against my ears. I quickly brushed the tear that stained my cheek and pressed my hand against the door. I was so strong at Hera’s Palace. I held it together so well when he caught me by surprise, and I didn't allow him to see the hurt he caused me, but now, he said one word—only one word and I snapped.
I had to physically fight back the tears as the flood of our memories soured and tainted my mind.
We dated for a year. One fucking year. It hadn't even been two months yet when I stopped by his place to surprise him after my shift with his favorite pasta in one hand, and a bottle of red in the other.
Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw next. When I caught him with someone else in the same bed I told him I loved him. The same bed I woke up in that morning, and kissed him passionately.
In that same bed, there was someone else wrapped around his body—entangled in the sheets as they devoured each other like wild animals.
I was surprised I didn't puke at the sight of them, but I did drop the bottle of wine, and it shattered on the wooden floor and stained the walls and my work clothes.
I was soaked, and just as shattered as the wine bottle.
He tore my heart out, and I didn't think it could get worse from there.
I guess I was wrong.
I bit my tongue and whispered back, “Fuck off.”
He sighed, and I could almost imagine his defeated expression.
He was silent for a second and I thought maybe I had said enough.
I started to turn back to the bed until I saw a hand phase through the door, then a leg, and then a torso—until Jared was completely in the room.
His tall but athletic frame towered over me as his piercing blue eyes locked on mine. He was in a similar suit to the one I saw him in at Hera Palace, but this one was as black as his curly hair and fit just as well as the other one.
I hated myself for still being attracted to him.
I stumbled back but landed safely on the bed. I gawked in disbelief. I should have put two and two together that Jared could be a vampire as well—if vampires could also phase through walls.
“No.” I pointed my trembling hand at him. “You can't do this to me right now.” I looked away, inhaled, and regained my composure. “You drugged me, kidnapped me, and let's not forget the attempted murder! Get the hell away from me.” I said, vehemently.
My anger and sadness were muddled together and I was blinded by rage and despair.
He put his hands up and crept closer towards me. “I'm not going to do anything. Addy, just hear me out.”
It didn't seem like I had a choice in the matter. “Fine but stay where you are and don't fucking test me.” I glanced around the room and snatched up a deep purple candelabra that was on the vanity dresser. “I will hit you if you get any closer.” I pointed it at him.
It was a threat that I fully planned on keeping, no matter how ridiculous it was, or if I could even hurt him. I still had no clue what kind of monster he was.
He stood still and looked as if he was contemplating what to say next.
Then he spoke and it was as soft as freshly spun silk. “I didn't know when we started…” He rubbed his fingers through his hair and broke eye contact with me. He had dark circles under his eyes like he hadn't slept in days—he looked like a wreck, which was a heavy contrast to his normal put-together appearance. “I knew Valoria wasn't going to kill you. She has a weakness for humans ever since her clan murdered her lover. And once Ryas found out about you, I could only text you until he gave the order. I owe Kaschel my life. I couldn't… I couldn't disobey him.”
He fidgeted with his hands and was oddly high-strung. It was making me uncomfortable.
His explanation was absurd, and I could hardly understand what he was trying to say. “Whatever your excuses are, they can't change my mind. Now if that's all, please leave.”
He took another deep breath and continued to fidget with his hands. “That day—”
“Don't even go there. I'm not in the mood,” I snapped back.
“It wasn't for pleasure.”
I scrunched my face and glared at him. It's like he's gone completely insane. What the hell does that even mean?
No, he was insane, and a disgusting narcissistic monster. “Get out. I have more important things to worry about, in case you haven't noticed.”
“Please, just listen to this last part.”
“Get out,” I said again. I didn't care to hear any more of his excuses. I was done. He stepped closer and I screamed louder, “GET OUT.” I waved the candelabra at him like a mad woman.
Hell, I was a mad woman.
He threw his hands up in defense and said, “I’m sorry. I guess it was too soon, but I wanted to tell you before we had to travel together.” He gave me a sad look, turned away, and then phased through the door.
I crumbled to the ground from the weight of everything. My hands and knees pressed hard to the cold floors. I finally let out all my suppressed emotions.
I cried and cried until the chilly numbness overtook me and I was consumed by it completely.
This was not how I wanted to find out the answers to any of my questions.
Comments (21)
See all