Page 98 of Red King

I wish I could.

I’d give anything for peace.

I press the button a few times and run faster and faster still. I run until sweat pours down my face, stinging my eyes and making it hard to see, but I don’t stop. I can’t.

I run until exhaustion takes over. Only then do I stop. My body feels numb.

Good.

I go to the bathroom and get into the shower. The water is hot. I soap up and then quickly wash off, seeing blood swirl down the drain. I look at my hands, and my knuckles are already starting to heal.

As I leave the shower stall, there is a buzz at my door.

I’m pretty sure it’s Steel. Why isn’t he getting the message? I don’t want to talk. There isn’t anything to say. I’m in no mood.

Maybe if I ignore him, he’ll go away. There is another buzz, followed by another much longer buzz. He isn’t giving up.

Fuck!

Why can’t he take a hint?

I wrap a towel around my middle, not bothering to dry off, and I go through to the reception area. I look up at the camera and take a step back, my eyes narrowing as shock fills me.

He brought her here.

Why?

I soften just looking at Paisley. I can’t do it. I can’t let her in. She can’t be here. I’m too wound up, so filled with all of these conflicting emotions. I’m wired. My dragon is pacing.

I push down on the button on the intercom. “Go away.” I release it immediately so that I can’t hear them.

Then I put my hand on the wall, too tired to stand upright without support.

Steel and Paisley exchange words for a long minute, and then Steel nods and presses the button again, making the buzzer sound.

I crack just the barest hint of a smile. Paisley is a force. How did she convince Steel to bring her here in the first place?

He presses the buzzer again, and I very nearly let them in. I can’t! I just can’t! I fist my hand instead.

They exchange words, more heated this time; Paisley gets up in his face. I’m sure she’s having to stand on her tippy toes. My mouth twitches.

Steel shakes his head.

Paisley keeps on at him.

He shakes his head again, and the argument continues. He puts an arm around her and tries to usher her away, but she ducks out from under it and runs back to my door, pressing on the buzzer again.

She sure is a feisty little thing.

Steel puts his arms around her, but she wriggles, fighting him. He picks her up and turns, walking away. I can see that she is screaming, even though I can’t hear her. She reaches an arm out toward me; it’s like she’s looking straight at me. Steel keeps walking, and I see fucking red.

My dragon wants me to tear Steel limb from limb.

I open my door. “Put her down right fucking now,” I snarl, feeling my vision narrow. My teeth have sharpened, and my nail beds are tingling. I hold on to either side of the doorjamb to stop myself from attacking him.

Down, boy.

Steel is my friend. He’s my best friend. I will my dragon to calm down.

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