Page 181 of Hexed
Besides, when I really think about it, beyond my being the equivalent of his annoying little sister, Bastien has no reason to stay loyal to me.
Nobody does.
The nausea increases at the thought of yet another person I put my trust in betraying me, and I swear if I puke all over myself when I’m chained down and unable to get away from it, I will be mortified.
Please don’t let me die covered in vomit.
The sound of a door opening sharpens my senses, but I don’t bother trying to lift my head. I’d rather save my energy in case an opportunity to escape this place presents itself.
Shoes click on the hard floor, and they sound like heels, and then Aria’s looking down at me, a wide grin spreading across her face. “Oh good, you’re awake.”
Surprise flickers through my middle. I didn’t expect to see her here.
“Hello, sweet Cousin,” I drawl, acting bored.
Damn. It’s embarrassing I’m going out this way.
Even in my perilous position, the need for vengeance booms like a drum with every beat of my heart, and I’m not giving up hope that somehow, someway, I’ll be able to get myself out of this. Seeing her face only solidifies the anger fueling me. I have a lot of years to make up for with her and her daddy.
“Where’s Bas?” I ask, keeping my tone neutral.
A look of confusion screws up her face. “Why would he be here?”
Relief drapes over me like a blanket. It may be surprising that Uncle T has her down here and working with him, clearly another thing he kept from me on purpose, but I’m not surprised she snatched up the opportunity when it came her way.
It wasn’t Bastien.
But if it wasn’t him, then who the hell got me down here?
I home in on Aria’s hands and realize she’s holding a knife from the collection Bastien keeps in the room. But her hand is shaky.
Amateur.
“That’s always been your problem, hasn’t it?” she says. “You think I’m stupid, that I’m not useful to Daddy the same way you are. Well,surprise, Urch. Guess who’s been his real sidekick for the past year?”
I laugh, because she’s wrong. I actually think theonlyperson she’s useful to is her daddy, but I don’t tell her that.
Her free hand reaches out and smacks my cheek. “Quit laughing at me!”
I open and close my jaw, trying to stem the burn, because who knew Aria had it in her to hit like that? Honestly, if she were anyone else, I’d be mildly impressed.
“I’m not laughing at you,” I reply. “I’m laughing at your delusion. Do you really think bringing me here is the smartest choice? I know this place better than anyone.”
“Better thanalmostanyone,” she corrects.
The words falter and die on my tongue when she says that, an eerie tingle working its way through my limbs.
“I can see you’re confused.” She leans in close, her nose almost touching mine. “Let me help you figure it out. You took something from me, so I took something from you.”
My bruised heart misses a beat, aching.
She straightens, her hand still trembling with the knife. “Although I guess Fisher was technically mine first too, wasn’t he?” She looks at me, and her face screws up in disgust. “God, what is it with you and my sloppy seconds?”
I won’t believe it. He wouldn’t. “You’re lying.”
She tilts her head. “You sure about that?”
Panic infuses my breaths, and it’s difficult to get it under control, but I try like hell anyway. And I almost have it, but nothing, and I mean nothing, prepares me for the betrayal that slices through me when Fisher walks out from the shadows and into my line of vision.
