Page 10 of His Dark Cravings

Without anything else to do but settle in, I shrug off my bag, My hands tremble as I open it. My worn journal settles into my palm as I pull it out, a small thread of home in this strange place. I set it carefully on the bedside table, its worn leather looking out of place amid the sleek surfaces of the room. A picture of Talon peeks out from the side pocket. My heart aches at the sight of his goofy grin. He's why I'm here.

I wish he didn't ask me to take responsibility for him.

I remove a couple of changes of clothes, placing them in the drawers of the dresser, then zip it back up and tuck it into the closet.

This is all so odd.

The interaction with the women downstairs replays in my mind. Lila, so bold and teasing; Winter, her cool exterior barely concealing her sharp gaze; and Sable, with her contained anger. Do they hate me already? The way Lila looked at me felt like a violation. What does she want? A shudder runs through me from the memory. I smooth my hands over the skirt of my dress, trying to calm my racing pulse.

What do they think of me? I'm nothing like them.

Xavier's words come back to me. Treat Everly with respect, or face the consequences. A strange mix of fear and anticipation bubbles in my chest. It shouldn't excite me, that word. Why is it so enticing? He hadn't looked at me the way he looked at Lila, though. What could that mean? Or was I overthinking everything?

I sit on the edge of the bed, my eyes traveling to the small window. A sliver of the city is visible, a distant world from this self-imposed prison. What will Max think? If he knew where I was, he’d be disgusted. He wouldn't understand what I’ve done. I imagine his kind brown eyes widening in concern, his gentle smile replaced with confusion. The thought sends a wave of shame through me.

I will not let him find out.

My old life feels so far away now, and my year has barely begun. I remember the scent of old books in the charity shop, the gentle buzz of conversation as I helped people who truly needed support.

I lie back in bed, flat on my back and stare at the ceiling, letting these thoughts wrap around me.

Later that evening, after doing anything I could—arranging, rearranging—I remain restless. This personal space of mine, it's opulent, more impressive than any home I’ve ever known. But I feel suffocated instead of comforted. The plush fabrics and expensive décor do nothing to ease the knot of tension in my stomach. Unable to stay put, I find myself leaving and wandering through the silent hall, up the steps to the main floor, my steps hesitant.

I stumble into the main living area, where I find Xavier sitting in the dark. He’s watching the city lights, a glass of some dark liquid nearby.

"Can't sleep?" he asks, his voice low, not looking at me. I wonder if he even knows it's me.

"No," I admit, embarrassed that he caught me roaming around.

He turns, his green eyes catching the light. "It's a lot to take in, isn't it?" he says, the corner of his mouth lifting into a half-smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.

“Yes,” I mumble, glancing around the room.

"I know that you found it hard accepting this," he says as he picks up the glass, swirling the contents. "But I hope you'll find that it's a place where you can be safe, without any worries."

His words offer a strange comfort, a twisted promise that wraps around me, yet they also unnerve me, prickling my skin with a sense of unease. I don’t need to be safe with him. I’ve never needed this kind of safety. But wouldn’t Xavier also seek to control me with that very safety? If he has ultimate power here, he'll want to control the way I feel, how I move. This feels like a trap, a gilded cage made of whispered assurances and promises that may not be worth their weight. A shudder goes through me at the thought of being completely in his grasp. I can't quite parse what he wants and that makes him feel more dangerous than any outright threat.

“I’ll try,” I whisper as I back out of the room. There's no way I can roam freely now. It's like he's a silent threat, warning me against doing anything he wouldn't want me to do.

Besides, I don't want to find out what consequences he might have in store for me.

Back in my room, I flick off the lights and slide under the crisp covers. I pull the comforter up to my chin, my thoughts running a mile a minute. Fear, curiosity, and a strange sense of excitement battle within me.

What is this year going to be like with Xavier, Lila, Winter, and Sable?

Chapter 4

Everly

The alarm buzzes in my ear, jolting me awake. It's the same time as always, 6:30 a.m., but everything feels different. For a moment, I forget where I am—the softness of the bed and the faint scent of lavender in the air throw me off. Then memory crashes over me like a wave—Xavier, the agreement, this new life.

I rise, the silk sheets cool against my skin as I throw my legs over the side. When I get to the bathroom, the mirror reflects a face I barely recognize. My eyes look darker, more shadowed, from the lack of sleep. I splash some water on them, trying to shake off the weight that seems to press on my chest.

Upstairs, the house thrums softly with activity. I spot Lila in the kitchen, her dark curls tied back in a messy bun as she sips coffee. She gives me a brief nod, no smile. I return it, feeling the awkwardness between us. We don't talk much, just the necessary exchanges.

That's how it's been the past few days. Uneventful. So much for a year of submission.

Work is a refuge. At Ember's Glow, I lose myself in the familiar routine. There's a donor meeting at 10, and I manage to charm them into a hefty contribution. The smile I wear feels genuine, but somewhere deep down, it doesn't quite fit. There's a disconnect, as if part of me is elsewhere, still trapped in Xavier’s world.

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