Page 54 of Evil Eyed
“There won’t be a battle this time, Stoneheart. You’re free to go.”
Doran dropped his hand on my shoulder, his claws digging into my skin through the sweatshirt. “I don’t go anywhere without her.”
“Fine with me.” Boss Man stood and gave a tug on his suit jacket to smooth it. “You’re welcome to attend, all of you. I don’t mind whatsoever. In fact, that makes everything so much easier.”
I didn’t like the way Boss Man looked at me and then Vivi. A kind of greasy, oily stare that made me feel ill.
“I worked for you for years,” she cried, whimpering and hiccupping with choked sobs. “I poured myself into the job, helping you win. Building the business. ‘Burn that midnight oil,’ you’d tell me, and I did. At the cost of my friendship and my life. The cost—”
Her voice caught on an aching inhale as she finally understood. “You betrayed me. You used me. All along.”
His head tipped slightly to the side. “I did. I am. Be glad that I had a use for you that didn’t involve tossing you into the darkest pits beneath Dún Bhalair.”
Her shoulders quivered, her arms wrapping around my waist in a fierce hug. “I’m so sorry, Ri.”
I patted her hand. “I’m sorry that I left you behind. Go home and live the happiest of lives with Hammer, okay?”
She squeezed me harder. “What about you?”
:I wish—:
“Don’t you fucking dare!” Aidan roared, swinging around toward me with both swords over his head.
:That Viviana is safe in the Summer Isle until she can return home to her happy life.:
Warwick sucked in a harsh breath and then whispered, “Granted.”
And Vivi disappeared.
31
AIDAN
Red. Everything dripped blood, painted and coated and burned.
I slammed my blades against the table with all my force, cracking it in half. Broken cutlery and disgusting dishes of moldy, rotten food slid onto the floor. I hacked at the table again and again, breaking it into smaller pieces. Then the chairs. The walls. I slammed my fists into the stone, tearing them apart. Heaved giant blocks over my shoulder. Off the rocky cliff. It didn’t matter.
Nothing mattered.
Hands jerked at me, but they couldn’t stop me.Once I’m revealed, there’s no escape. Even from myself.
I had enough sense remaining not to turn the weapons on the ones who loved me, but not enough will to stop fighting and destroying everything in my path. I burned to kill and rage out of control. I ran toward the edge of the cliff, determined to throw myself into the sea so I could attack the water guardians of Dún Bhalair.
Talons tore into my skin, a massive mountain crushing me to the ground. Refusing to let me leap out over the cliff.
“Don’t hurt him,” Riann cried.
Oh, but I wanted to be hurt. I needed to be hurt. I needed to die. Now.
Before I had to watch what Evil Eye would do to her.
“Be still, lad,” Doran growled in my ear. “You’re scaring her.”
I couldn’t. Wouldn’t. Blades sliced in my mind. I roared and bellowed out my rage. Slammed my head down into the ground, tasting blood. Wishing he would twist a little harder and yank my head clean off.
“Aidan.” Her voice was close. Too close.
I didn’t want to hurt her, but I couldn’t stop flailing. Fighting. I had to find something that could kill me. Now.:Please.:
