Page 35 of Thorns Laced In Blood

I watched him as he talked and ate, not focusing on his words but on his energetic hand movements and expressions. His cracks and inner torment were gone, and he was like a different person.

Was it that easy to mimic a normal person?

“You know you’ll have to talk to me at some point, sugar. I don't want to call you Jane,” he said softly, forcing me to focus on his words again.

I could feel the walls closing in on me, and I avoided the hard green eyes that didn't match his tone. The truth was I didn't like him calling me Jane either. He made us so scared that I never shared my name with the girl for two years. Not even a whisper in case he found out. She would have told him. The thought of saying it out loud made my hands tremble.

Master took the mug from my hand, and I noticed a dark stain on the white covers. I gasped, grabbing some napkins frantically, trying to minimise the damage. The more I stared at it, the more it reminded me of the girl’s blood seeping onto the mattress. Her neck gaped open by the devil’s blade. My heart beat faster, wondering if he would get angry at me, punish me or worse, toss me aside. He covered my hand with his. The instant warmth gave me comfort while the pressure stopped my tremors.

“It’s only bedsheets, sugar. They can be replaced. You can't,” he said, and I cautiously glanced at him through my lashes, but his expression was solemn.

I bit my lower lip as my eyes roved down his naked chest towards his—

He snorted and pulled his hand away.

“Three meals and two snacks. Finish all your food first,” he scoffed.

I smiled and picked up my plate.

???

The warmth of the sun shone on my face, and a gentle breeze tousled my hair. The scent of spring’s damp soil and sweet cherry blossoms filled the air. Master hugged me closer to him, trying to fuse our hips together, and I smiled, leaning into him. I had the freedom to venture outside anytime I wanted, but I'd wait for him by the door.

His towering strength chased away the tendrils of dread in my belly. I tried, but I stood in the doorway for so long that Master came up behind me, placing his arm around my waist and dropping a kiss on the top of my head. There was no mockery or snide digs, only silent, unconditional support.

I walked, and he talked, but I loved the sound of his voice—gruff, soft, and happy. I snaked my arm around his waist, making him pause as he talked about the 600-year-old oak tree in his garden. My fingers tightened around him as we walked past his pride and joy. I longed to speak to him, but fear held me back. My lonely existence from my past was too overwhelming—fear of his questions.

We stepped onto the soft grass close to some flowerbeds. I’d never appreciated the busy bees or the flutter of butterflies before. It was difficult to admire them when my own wings had been clipped. Master spoke about the doctor who showed himmy picture and told him my story. When he paused, I glanced up at him.

“Your eyes haunted my dreams,” he said softly. “I didn't know why until now.”

I held my breath, but he didn't continue. When I yanked on his sweatshirt, he began to chuckle.

“If you want to know, you have to use your words, sugar,” he said, smiling as we reached the pond.

I wondered if it was deep enough to drown him.

Chapter 22

Saul

I stood by the window with my binoculars, following her every step in the garden. When she stopped at the giant oak tree, she touched the rough bark, staring up at the branches. Her lips moved, and she patted the trunk before moving on.

Her days of reprieve since that morning were up. The way she reacted to spilling her tea left me in a murderous rage. I saw the moment she left me—her eyes gone, her hands clawing at ghosts. The wound I couldn’t stitch. There was no word back from Grayson. The useless cu—

She bent down to pick something up. I zoomed into her hand to see the tiny ladybird. I read all her medical files until they were memorised. She hadn't been outside in years. When I got my hands on that sick bastard—

My hands began to crush the binoculars, but I took a deep breath and focused on my nameless girl. She placed the ladybird on a leaf, waving to it and saying goodbye.

Goddammit. I wanted to hear her melodic voice, too.I bet she talked to the bear when I wasn’t in the room.

Her head moved from side to side, looking for something. She swivelled around, and I hit the floor. I needed to get a grip on reality. I pulled my phone out to speak to Grayson. If he couldn’t get me an update soon, I would drive myself crazy. He answered as I peered through the binoculars again.

???

He got what he wanted.

Stuffed between us with the permanently stitched smirk on his face. His evil black button eyes taunted me as I climbed into bed. I gave her a generous week to adjust, but her time ran out tomorrow morning. She smiled at me and put the bear on the other side of her pillow to snuggle up to me. I wrapped my hand around her waist, moving it to stroke her hair while giving the bear my middle finger before sneaking my hand back to her waist.

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