Page 109 of Eternal
I almost step forward, almost make the mistake of helping, but I don’t. Ican’t. And again, for the first time in forever, I hate beingViperand not Damir at that moment.
“What are you looking at? Watching me from up there wasn’t enough of a distraction for you that you came down here to look at me better?”
I did want to look at her better, but I said nothing. I’ve gathered everything I need tonight, so I step back again, my gaze can’t move from her.
I didn't finish the fight, I didn’t need to. “We’ll see each other again, sooner than you think.”
I turn toward the window, my exit, and I feel her watching me, her eyes burning into my back.
I’m out before she can say another word.
I got the intel, I can think about it now. The injury, though... I’ll leave that up to Damir.
NotViper’s problem anymore.
I don’t look back even if I want to catch a last look of her face.My partner…
31
AZRA
“Smother” by Daughter
Past
“STOP FUCKING CRYING!”
A slap.
It hurts. I hope they won’t put me in the box this time.
“I-I’m sorry,” I stammered, my voice shaking.
Why am I even sorry? It’s not like I did anything wrong, he laughed, a mean sound that made my stomach twist, and slapped me again.
Harder this time.
My head hit the wall, and everything went fuzzy for a second.
“Sorry isn’t enough. I told you not to go to the kitchen without permission, you stupid little brat.”
I was hungry.
He punished me last night, and I didn’t eat anything. I just… I just wanted something to eat.
I knelt on the floor, my knees hurting against the scratchy carpet. I didn’t look at anyone, my hands were pressed against my lap, gripping my dress so tight that my fingers felt numb, but I didn’t move. The bruises on my legs, fresh from the belt, throbbed like they were alive.
He loved using the belt every time something didn’t make him happy.
I stared at the floor, pretending I couldn’t hear the sharp click of Brittany’s heels or the way Christian let out a slow, deep breath and stood up.
Focus on the stars, Azra. Look up. Focus on the stars.
But it hurts to lift my head up, I’m too tired…
“They’re coming soon, aren’t they?” Brittany asked, her voice all sweet and fake.
She was already getting ready, smoothing out her apron and fluffing her hair, like everything was fine. Like she didn’t see the monster right in front of her. Like she wasn’t a monster herself
