Page 34 of Eat Me

"I'm fine," I said stiffly, even though we both know it’s a lie. I push myself closer to the wall, my back pressing against the cold concrete as I wish I could sink into it and disappear.

Elijah's studying me intently, seeing right through my facade. "Are you now?" he murmurs. "Because from where I'm standing, you look far from fine, darling."

“I’m fine.”I stress out again, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing how shaken I truly am.

Elijah raises an eyebrow, clearly not believing me. "Really. I don’t think fine is the word I’d use.” He pauses as he glances over me causing his lips to curve into a cold smile, “Because from what I hear, you've barely eaten and have been rather... emotional."

Clenching my jaw, anger flares inside me at his condescending tone. "Gee, I wonder why," I snap. "Could it possibly have anything to do with being kidnapped, tortured, and forced to watch you murder someone? How am I supposed to be 'fine' after that?"

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I regret them. Elijah's eyes harden, taking on a dangerous glint. "Watch your tone," he warns softly. "I understand this is difficult for you, but don't forget your place here."

I bit back the retort that sprang to my lips, knowing it would only make things worse for me. Biting my lip, I hold back all the words and names I’d like to call this man.

“I know thedemonstrationwe had earlier has left you distressed...” He doesn’t get to finish before I cut him off.

Clenching my jaw, anger flares inside me at his casual tone. "Distressed? Of course, I'm distressed, as any normal and sane human would be!"

Elijah's eyes hardened slightly. "With the level of strength and composure, you've shown so far, don't disappoint us now by letting your emotions get the better of you."

"You're insane. No. All of you are insane.” Taking a deep breath, I know my eyes are almost glowing in my rage. “And let’s not forget the drug you slipped me.” Hardening my expression to show the level of anger still burning brightly inside me. .

Elijah hums as he quickly moves closer, pinning me against the wall. “If I remember correctly, you enjoyed that….” He pauses as he leans down his hot breath by my ear, “You fell apart so prettily on my fingers.”

A shiver reminds me that he’s not wrong. Just because my body reacted doesn’t mean I gave him consent either, “Yes and you can thank the drug for that.” I know I’m being mouthier than I should be, but I’m tired of this.

“I’m sure with time that drug won’t be necessary before you willingly welcome our touch.” Elijah brings his hand up, and gently touches my cheek letting his finger run down my neck. My body breaks out in goosebumps, and a shiver goes up my spine at the single touch.

Elijah chuckles darkly as I glare at him. He leans so close that our mouths are almost touching, his forehead hovering just above my own. “You’re reacting now….so I’m sure it will be fine.” He quickly moves away, letting me take a breath of relief.

“You are doing great so far. We know there’s going to be an adjustment period as you get used to things, so let’s not fully break down.” Elijah hums, with an almost feral smile on his lips. “My brothers and myself are very much becoming attached to you and want you to make it through all the tests.” Elijah’s being sincere to me but the dark look on his face makes me pause in the words I want to say. The look he has on his face is making me second guess saying anything else.

Swallowing hard, I’m trying to calm my racing heart. Elijah's words and intense gaze are making me deeply uneasy. The idea that they’re becoming‘attached’to me after everything they've put me through is disturbing on so many levels. Mix that with Elijah's words and actions have me feeling off-balance and unsettled. The way he can switch between cold threats and intimate touches is deeply unnerving.

"I don't want you or your brothers to be attached to me," I say softly, forcing myself to meet his eyes despite my fear. "I don't want any part of this." I feel anger leaving me as I’m speaking, and it being replaced with weariness.

“I also know I don’t get any choice in the matter…” I can feel Elijah’s eyes boring holes into me the whole time I’ve averted mine. I know escaping from them if I passed the tests here is close to impossible. It doesn’t mean I can’t fight them along theway. I also know that if I fight too much or say things they won’t like, there’s a possibility they'll hurt me. I don’t trust them.

Elijah's eyes darken. "You’re right, you don’t get a choice in that matter. If you make it through to the end, youwillbe ours.” Hearing the possessive tone to his voice makes my chest tighten in dread. .

“Will I be able to have anything from before I got kidnapped, or will my life be completely new with you if I make it?” It isn’t like I had a lot going on in my life. I don’t have very many people who would notice me missing or for that matter, even care. I just want to see what his answer is.

Elijah regards me with a calculating look, his green eyes intense as he considers my question. "If you pass the trials and become part of our family, you'll be starting fresh. A new identity, a new purpose." His voice low and firm makes the hairs on my neck stand on end.

Once again, it’s like Elijah flips a switch and his expression softens slightly, though his eyes remained intense. "I understand this is difficult for you to accept right now. But in time, you'll come to see that this is where you belong if everything goes as I think it will.”

His voice is soft, but it has a sharp edge to it. "For your safety and ours, we can't allow any connections to your past. But we can give you so much more here - purpose, family, power. Everything you could ever want or need."

Again, I find myself shaking my head and fighting back tears. My heart sinks at his words, even though I was expecting his words. Closing my eyes, I fight back the wave of grief that’s threatening to overwhelm me. Even though I don't have many close relationships, the finality of never seeing anyone from my old life again was devastating. "But it's not what I want. You can't just erase my entire life and expect me to be okay with it."

I hear Elijah sigh, but I refuse to open my eyes till I feel fingers brush a strand of hair from my face. I flinch away from his touch, not expecting it. “You will have a very good life with us. You won’t want for anything, and we would make sure to shower you with affection.” His smile was almost soft as he looked at me.

“That won’t make up for what I’ll lose.” Turning my head away from him, I hear him take a deep breath, before I feel myself being made to look at Elijah. His fingers grip my chin firmly, forcing me to meet his intense gaze. His green eyes burn with a mix of frustration and determination.

"Listen to me very carefully, Victoria," his voice having a steely edge to it. "I know this is difficult for you to accept right now, but you need to understand that your old life is over. There's no going back, no matter how much you might wish for it.

I tense as I’m jerked forward so he could be in my personal space again. “What you had before - that life, those people - none of that matters anymore. This is your reality now.“ Elijah's grip on my chin tightens slightly as he forces me to fully meet his gaze, making sure he has my full attention. His green eyes are so intense, almost hypnotic as they bore into mine.

I tried to jerk away from his grasp, but his hold was like iron. "How can you expect me to just forget everything and everyone I've ever known?" I asked, my voice cracking slightly despite my efforts to stay composed. "To act like my entire life up until now never happened? To erase my entire identity?""

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