Page 86 of Perilous

“No. Just watching my best friend turn into…this…”

“Molly, I don’t know what you want me to say to that,” I tell her. “Something bad is happening in my life and right now, whether I like it or not, Perilous is the only one who is protecting me.”

“That makes no sense!” Molly cries out. “Explain that to me. Right now. Do it. Your father is filthy rich. Why can’t he help? Who is trying to hurt you? Huh? Where is this mysterious person. And why?”

“So you think Perilous is making it all up?” I ask. “For what reason? Just to mess with my head?”

“Maybe. Maybe it’s a game. Or maybe it’s some kind of… I don’t know. A ritual or something? Like he has to do this to you so he looks better to all those other fucking psychopaths.” Molly moves closer to me and takes my hand. “I’m really worried about you. This isn’t you. This isn’t the Annika I know.”

“Who is Annika then?” I whisper. “The shy, nerdy friend who never does anything crazy? So you can sort of parade me around as that friend and tease me?”

“Tease you? How have I teased you?”

“No matter where we went, you always tried to get me to fuck someone.”

“That’s not teasing. That’s just enjoying life.”

“And that’s what I’m doing,” I say with a bitchy grin on my face. “I found something I enjoy. I found a side of me that likes this. There’s danger in it and I…” I swallow hard. “You’re telling me you don’t have some fantasy that’s a little edgy, that makes your panties soaked?”

“I’m not wearing panties,” Molly smirks.

“Neither am I,” I throw back at her.

“When was the last time you got fucked?”

“Which hole?”

“Annika!” Molly yells and she starts to laugh.

I don’t know why I start to blush.

I’ve never been able to talk like this to Molly and have it mean something.

“You didbutt stuffwith him?” Molly whispers.

I put a finger to my lips and keep blushing.

Outside the door there’s a sudden commotion.

Voices growling, muffled by the heavy door.

A large thud hits the door and shakes the walls.

I grab for Molly and pull her out of the way. Whatever this is, it has nothing to do with her. This is me. This is my life. Molly does not need to be hurt as some kind of friendly casualty to whatever war is waging around me.

The door opens and in rushes Perilous. Fire in his eyes. His body puffed, flexed, muscles rippling, almost as though he’s about to turn into some kind of actual beast.

He looks at me. He looks at Molly.

“I invited her,” I say. “I needed to—”

“Get the fuck out of here,” Peri growls at Molly.

She jumps and gasps, not just startled but instantly terrified. I look at her and see that she’s crossed her legs.

Is she about to piss herself because of Peri?

I don’t have time to think before Peri charges at Molly. She lifts her arms to protect her face. I bring my hands to my face as I am now in complete shock over what I’m witnessing.

---