Page 125 of All Your Bloody Lies

She isn’t wanting them to take her because as I watch tears stream down her face, my entire body goes numb. My girl is crying for the first time, terrified, and I’m not there to protect her.

“No…”

Her eyes meet the phone, and I shake my head in disbelief that this is happening.

“Find me please, I l—” Even with as fast as she speaks, she doesn’t finish her statement. Not before the soft thud of her head hitting the ground filters into my ears.

I shake so violently I can’t keep my grasp over Sydni’s mouth.

She screams, and so do I.

“Xera!!!!!!”

“Oops. That’s unfortunate. Didn’t even get to say goodbye.” I stop hearing what Marcos is saying because a high pitch noise blares in my ears.

I don’t register the impact on the car, and it’s conceivable that I momentarily lost consciousness until this very moment. My vision is clouded as I struggle to focus on Sydni who is suspended upside down, blood streaming from her neck.

When I try to move my leg, it’s completely crushed between a light pole and the seat. My body is nearly cut in half; I groan and attempt to move my free arm toward Sydni.

That’s when the passenger door is torn off its hinges.

“No—”I cough out and pull at my arm which is lodged between the door and what I think is a beam. “Stop!” I can’t let them take her.

A set of hands grab at her, tearing off her seatbelt.

I’m losing consciousness, my body failing me.No…

“Xera!!!” I scream so loud my ears pop, and then darkness sweeps across my vision.

I lost the battle.

Just like I lost her.

45

Xeraphine

Fifteen minutes earlier

Idon’t pray, but I’m sure it looks like I am the way I’m huddled over myself in front of the fireplace. Every piece of me hurts because how could I have been such a fucking idiot to act that way? I subconsciously begin seeking his scent, his aura, to watch for all the lies he was going to spill the moment he began eluding to that word. That fucking Mundane word.

The look on his face when I stopped him.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him hurt. Stupid idiot. Stupid idiot prick.

My nose is tingling, and I can feel heat behind my eyes. The foreign feeling of prickling needles across my cheeks, and soon, tears down them.

Why am I so hurt for stopping him? I should be happy that he listened to me for once! Yet, I’m not—I’m angry at myself for doing it. Because, if there was anyone in this world that wouldn’t lie to me about how they feel for the sake of my feelings, it would be Kairhyse. He wouldn’t tell me he cares about me, likes me… loves me, if he ever had doubts.

He tells me howinfuriating I am.

He calls me an idiot.

He doesn’t shy away from yelling at me and bringing me back a notch when I get out of control.

Damn him for knowing exactly how I need to be cared for.

I hate myself for being the way that I am, but love him for embracing me as I am.

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