Page 131 of House of Ruin
But they were horrible together, always playing games, teasing, scheming, and lying, looking for ways to manipulate and strike where it hurt most. They spent so much effort trying to hurt each other, Alecto was exhausted at all the time.
This will be a never-ending cycle of who’s gonna hurt the other more.
Blaze had told the truth Alecto didn’t want to hear last night. And she had to accept it. Rip off the bandage and leave all their shit behind. Or it would drive her mad.
We’re going to ruin each other.
Alecto closed her eyes.
But no matter how true those things were, how mature and healthy it would be to leave him and never look back, Alecto knew she couldn’t do it.
There was not a cell in her body willing to give up on what they had, no matter how much it hurt. It was as if she longed for that pain, the thrill she got when she hurt him or he hurt her and then they spiraled into their usual hole, biting and scratching until both of them were bleeding raw.
Val snapped her fingers, dragging Alecto out of her thoughts.
“Now let’s get you in fucking shape. We’ve got urgent business to discuss.” Val pointed at Jolene. “You help Alecto get ready and meet us in the kitchen. I’ll make coffee.”
When Andro and Val left, Alecto rolled out of bed and went into her bathroom. She didn’t look at herself in the mirror. She didn’t want to see the pain in her own reflection. How pathetic it made her look.
Crying about a boy who was the image of the King of Hel himself.
She splashed some water over her face, put on moisturizer. When she picked up the brush for her hair, Jolene appeared in the doorway.
“Are you okay?”
Alecto shrugged, brushing through the tangles in her hair so hard, she was surprised she didn’t rip it all out. Jolene winced as she watched Alecto do it.
“Maybe let me do it if you don’t want to end up bald.”
“It’s fine. I’ll buy a wig.”
Jolene offered Alecto a lopsided smile, her eyes filled with sadness. “You know, if you need to talk about it, I’m here.”
Alecto turned to her friend, a ball lodged in her throat. She bit the inside of her cheek, trying to swallow it.
“I know,” Alecto finally managed. “Thank you. I appreciate it, Jolene.”
Jolene nodded and pulled Alecto into a hug.
“You know, I love the guy and all,” Jolene said when she let Alecto go. “But I’m also gonna be the first to say that guy had it coming. Whatever it was you had planned.”
Alecto almost smiled at that.
Quickly, Alecto pulled on a black turtleneck, black pants, and her favorite boots. It was a funeral outfit, which fit her mood just right.
She did feel as if part of her had died last night.
When they entered the kitchen, Alecto was grateful Blaze wasn’t there. Val was pouring coffee into a cup, and Andro sat on one of the stools, sipping on his black tea.
“Here you go.” Val pushed the cup of steaming black coffee towards Alecto. “This will perk you up real quick.”
Alecto wrapped her hands around the hot cup, looking at the liquid inside. “Why?”
“Why what?” Val’s face was the perfect picture of innocence.
“Why did you do it?” Alecto asked. “What did I do to you that made you fuck me over like this with the truth serum? Are you jealous? Or did you need me out of your way? What was it, Val?”
At the end, Alecto was almost screaming the words at Val. She stood unflinching, waiting for Alecto to finish her tirade.
