Page 87 of Little Nightmare

I remembered moments with her.

The pregnancy that never happened.

Wanting to get married.

Being willing to do anything to keep the baby, to help her to.

My blood ran cold. “She trains…everyone?”

Louis leaned down and patted me on the shoulder. “She’s very skilled at psychological manipulation. You don’t even realize that every day she adds another layer until she places certain scenarios and triggers—all possible—that could make you do anything and I do mean anything—to not only belong—but in your mind—be redeemed. It’s part of the sickness she spreads—she leaves just enough of a starving heart, layered and peppered with pieces of longing and betrayal that when you see a tiny flicker of light you go—this will fix it—and you believe it will until it doesn’t.”

I slumped to my knees. “I would never hurt Raven or Lily.”

He shrugged. “Does it really matter?” He pulled out a UV light stick and turned it out then held it up to my face.

I couldn’t see what everyone else saw but I imagined it was bad.

“The N tattoo is only visible under black light.” He shrugged. “It spreads across your neck and crawls down your back. Whatever has control of the head can turn it, whatever controlsthe spine can move it—your tattoo represents exactly where your loyalty lies.”

I opened my mouth to yell when something hit me on the back of the head. Dark spots appeared as I fell to the ground and looked up. Raven stared at me, then over at Louis.

He took two steps toward her.

I fought to keep my eyes open.

Tried to will my body to remember we had a family to protect, to love.

But it gave out on me.

The last thing I saw was Louis reach for my wife’s hand.

29

RAVEN

“The one where there’s nothing left to lose.

Ijerked away from Louis. “You left me.”

“I had no choice.” He shook his head. “They kidnapped me and sent me back. I came as soon as I broke free.”

“How do we know you’re good?”

“Because I’m marked,” he said. “A walking target.” He lifted the UV light to his face. A giant X was tattooed across his right cheek in UV ink. “I’m an outcast, because I fell in love with you.”

“Why come back now?” I asked.

Dad dropped Ace to the floor with a dull thud. He’d been hit so hard he got knocked out—by my own father. I knew everyone was mad and confused, but as far as I was concerned that was the father of my baby—despite his blood saying otherwise and my husband. I refused to believe anything else.

“Take him downstairs,” Dad snapped. “And that’s what we asked as well. It seems he has some unfinished business, with you.”

Louis reached for me again.

I took a step back.

“I tried to stay away.” Tears filled his eyes. “I watched you, tailed you often, and then Lily was born.”

He dared say her name? Out loud?

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