Page 45 of Bloody Kingdom

The only reason I haven’t dropped it and let the men after me have it is because whatever’s inside of it is important to Silas. And despite my best efforts and countless reasons not to—the biggest one being the possibility he’s a fuckingvampire—I have a crush on the man, and I don’t want to fail him.

Yeah, I admitted it.I have a silly crush on the big scary, king of New Orleans. Just add it to the list of reasons I’m going to hell. Turns out I’m more morally gray than I originally thought.

Horns blare at me as I sprint across the main road. The drivers here are notoriously bad, but with some luck I make it across without being run over. More honking echoes behind me, alerting me that my assailants are still close behind. One of them curses loudly and then there’s a loud bang that sounds like they slammed their fist into the hood of a car. I don’t turn around to confirm this.

The cemetery is in front of me. I could either run around it or run through it. The choice is made up for me when I see the wrought-iron gates are wide open, as if beckoning me inside. The concrete tombs that sit above ground shield out what’s left of the setting sun, making my path dim, but I still don’t slow down as I weave through the narrow walkways.

I’ve always hated these aboveground cemeteries in here. The stone is stained from all the storms and hurricanes. Moss grows on them, so much so that the names are no longer visible. Some have fresh flowers left on them, but many of them are so old, any of the loved ones that may have visited here are also long gone. Death, in general, doesn’t scare me, but there’s something so eerie about being in here.

Footsteps follow behind me in the distance. They’re in the cemetery with me, but they’re not as close behind as before. My legs burn with exhaustion and the panic makes me tire faster. I don’t know how much longer I can run, and my knee is screaming in pain. With each erratic beat of my heart, more blood pours from the cut and down my shin.

A horrible idea comes to mind and my skin crawls with disgust just thinking about following through with it, but this may be my last chance if I have any hope of hiding from them.

A tomb that is meant to hold two coffins is empty. Whoever was laid to rest here originally has been moved, the narrow compartments are just big enough for me to climb into and hide. God knows what else could be hiding in there, all sorts of insects I’m sure.

Thinking fast on my feet, I pick up one of the rocks on the ground and hurl it toward the metal fencing that circles the graveyard. The loudclankof it hitting the metal draws their attention in that direction.

With a shutter, I climb into the dark tunnel, moving as far back into it as I can so I’m out of sight. If this doesn’t work, I’ve just gone and single-handedly trapped myself.

“She’s not over here!” one of the men calls out. “Did you see what direction she went?”

“I heard something over here,” the other replies in a gruff voice.

“She wasn’t supposed to be here.” Their voices get louder as they wander close to where I’m hiding. My hand covers my mouth to muffle the sound of my breathing. My heart beats so fast in my chest I worry they’ll be able to pick up the noise. “Where’s the old broad? He said she’d be here. This was supposed to be an easy grab.”

“I’ve never seen the new girl before. I’m not sure where Laurent found her.”

“Are you sure we have to kill her? She was hot, hate to see a sweet ass go to waste like that. Do you think he’ll mind if we play with her a little before we deliver her body to him?”

“Who says it’ll be a waste if she’s dead? The way I look at it, she can still be put to use.” The other man snickers. “At least that way she won’t put up a fight.”

Bile builds in my throat and fear slides down my spine like a cold caress.

“I like it when they fight.”

“Fine, you take a run at her when she’s breathing.”

I have to force myself to swallow the vomit that fills my mouth. My eyes water and my hands shake uncontrollably as I listen to their cruel words.

When their shadows come into view, I freeze in place and hold my breath. They’re just mere feet away from me.

“She must have made it through the gate on the other side,” one mumbles. “Let’s go, I don’t want to report to him that we lost his target.”

I don’t breathe until I hear the metal gate slam closed behind them.

The fearthat the second I move from this spot they will show back up keeps me in place. For all I know, they’ve got someone watching the cemetery, and when I exit, someone will be waiting to snatch me up.

So, I stay in the tomb as the day grows darker and darker and only the faintest bit of sun remains in the sky.

I’m dirty, bleeding, and scared. I just want to go home.

Home?

Where even is home to me anymore? Lucy’s apartment was never home. I would rather eat rocks than return to my mother’s trailer. Silas’s house… that’s not home either. My apartment in Boston isn’t mine anymore. Nothing is mine, hell my life isn’t even mine anymore.

First my own father sold me off as collateral to Gallo and then Silas purchased me from him. I’ve been traded and bartered like I’m nothing more than a piece of livestock. The right to make any decision regarding my own life has been taken away by these men.

My life wasn’t sunshine and rainbows before all this happened. I’m not completely sure what I’d be doing now if Silas hadn’t stepped in, but I know for a fact I wouldn’t be hiding—fearing for my lifeagain—in a dark graveyard.

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