Page 95 of Royal Havoc

Stepping from the corner, my nails gripping the inside of the material, confining me. “You stayed.”

He nods. “Becausesheasked me too.”

“She’s obviously mental. But, why was he here?” I ask, hesitantly stepping toward the middle of the room again.

Nolan smiles awkwardly, rubbing a hand over his face. For a second, I question if he’s going to answer. His head falls forward as he chuckles. It’s as if he’s embarrassed for me to see him laughing.

Clearing his throat, staring at me through his lashes. “She’s the silence he’s never had. I’ve never seen him satisfied until he found her.”

“Not an answer.”

“Voices, Onyx. Hateful, rotten, voices. He’s an evil son of a bitch.”

“Lovely,” I mock. “Although, he doesn’t seem disturbed,” I tell Nolan thoughtfully.

“Are you bleeding?” he asks out of nowhere.

I glance down to where he’s staring, eyes bulging. “Amethyst reminded me about an old scar.”

Now that I’m becoming somewhat lucid. I should probably give myself a moment to assess myself. With the numbnesswearing off, I know my ankles are raw and sliced from the zip ties and straps. The bloody footprints, which I didn’t realize I was leaving, is another indicator.

“Turn around. We should check your arm,” Nolan instructs, walking towards me.

Instinct kicks in, and I back away. “I’m fine.”

“Onyx, that’s a lot of blood.”

“Stop!” I screech, scurrying backward until I hit the wall.

“Ollie!” Amethyst cheers excitedly like a kid on Christmas morning. “You did it! You brought her back. Now we can play,” she squeals, bouncing on her toes.

“She needs a doctor,” he argues.

“Shhh… Go away, Ollie. It’s my turn to play.”

“You’ve played enough,” he scolds, ignoring her pouty face.

Mr. Brickman appears in the doorway, and instantly, I notice something’s off. Amethyst bites her lip, wiggling her finger at him. He’s at her side in three short steps. All I can do is silently watch what I fear’s about to happen.

“Someone’s not sharing,” Amethyst pouts, forcing out her bottom lip.

“Look at her, Brock. She needs a doctor before she bleeds out,” Nolan tries to reason with his brother.

Mr. Brickman seems confused as his head whips between them. I know the moment he decides. “Leave,” he orders.

“Brock, listen to —”

His eyes narrow a fraction before his fist lands on Nolan’s temple. He staggers back, but Mr. B follows, something shiny reflecting off the light. Nolan’s hand flies to the side of his throat, blood already seeping through the cracks of his fingers.

“I told you not to talk to her!” Mr. B shouts, leaning over Nolan, who’s fallen to his knees.

Her arm snakes around Mr. B, grabbing his chin and twisting his head around. “My turn,” she cackles, stepping in front of him.

“I never liked you, Ollie. I used you because Onyx trusted you,” she tsks loudly. “Now, I don’t need you anymore.” She laughs.

fifty

Sister Talk

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