Page 34 of Cedar Edge
“This isn’t over!” Logan yells after me.
“I’m well aware Princess!” I call back, with a devilish smile painted on my face.
I hear him curse but ignore the sound as I make my way towards the barn before doubling back out of Logan’s line of sight and heading towards the house. I’m silent in my approach, my destination dark despite the other lights on in the house. My hand presses against the glass, the window giving way and sliding to the side. I make a mental note to have Law double check the windows, particularly Thea’s.
The first floor window isn’t too far off the ground but it still requires me to hoist myself up and brace myself as I drop into the dark room. I pause, listening for any indication that Law heard me. Their muffled voices are barely audible from behind the closed door and don’t seem to get closer. The space reeks of Thea, her lavender scent painted on damn near everything,though I highly doubt she’s actually sleeping here much. When I’m sure he isn’t about to bust me I make my way further into the room.
Thea’s bag sits on the floor, the only indication someone is using our guest room. “Let’s see what you’ve got in here.” I mutter to myself. It takes me no time at all to upend the contents and to findexactlywhat I’m looking for. And not a moment too soon as I hear approaching footsteps. Making a split second, admittedly impulsive, decision I tuck myself back into the shadows of the room and wait for my prey to arrive.
Thea
The moment I’m in the house I drop Law’s hand and try to get myself under control. The further I got from Ace the more confused and out of control I felt. His statement about my body is the only clear thing that my brain can focus on. Over and over his voice plays through my mind until the words are twisted and it’s Royce telling me how ruined I am.
“No one will ever want you. You are mine forever. My doll Theodora.”
“Thea?” Law comes up quietly behind me. He drops a towel around my shoulders gently, the fabric warm from the dryer still. And while I know he means well by it the feel of the towel against my skin is suffocating.
“You think that brand hurt… next time I’ll make sure you can’t hide it. Everyone should see how ruined you are.”
“I’m okay,” I manage, attempting to hide the wince as Royce’s voice hits me over and over again. “You should get yourself to work.”
“Thea look at me.” He demands.
“Yes, look at him, Theadora, so he can tell you to your face how he doesn’t want you anymore.”
Taking a deep breath I turn towards Law. He narrows his gaze as concern shoots across his eyes. I offer him the most reassuring smile I can give hoping he can’t see through the lie.
“Such a fucking whore. Letting them touch you. You are mine.”
My mind is already zeroing in on the small blade tucked away in my pack in the bedroom. The one thing that I know, without a doubt, will shut up the voices in my mind. My palms sweat and itch and the feeling is a living beast wrapping its way around my body until it’s choking the air from my lungs.
Finally Law presses a kiss to my forehead, oblivious to the spiral within. “We’ll talk about this later darlin'.” He says gruffly. “You understand?”
My eyes blink and I keep the soft smile on my face. “I understand.”
He gives me a smile that has guilt washing over me because I have no intention of following up to this conversation.
“I’m going to go take a shower.” I say, pulling free of his arms and letting the towel drop to the ground. “I’ll see you when you get home!” My voice sounds wrong but I do my best to smile before I’m backing away from him.
“Just come back to me, little doll. I know what you like. What you love even. They can never love you like I can.”
I don’t bother looking around the bedroom as I push through the door. My only focus on the small, hidden, zipper pouch in the backpack. My hands fumble with it, shaking with an embarrassing amount of need. A whisper of relief starts to crawl up my spine as my fingers find the pouch only for a cry of disappointment to fall from my lips when I don’t find my sharp escape.
“No, no, no, no.” I practically sob, ripping the meager contents from the bag. For good measure I even flip the whole backpack over, shaking it until every crumb falls free. But not my razor.
I can hear Royce laughing in my mind and I grip my head as if I could squeeze him out.
“No escaping me. Never again. I’ll always be in your mind. And someday I’ll be in your body again. You can’t carve me out.”
“Looking for this?” I whirl at the sound of Ace’s voice, eyes wide as I take him leaning against the wall next to the door I had carelessly flung myself through before shutting it. He cocks his head as he watches me kneeling on the floor, tears streaming down my face, and my belongings strung out around me. In between his fingers he holds the slim razor, the one hidden in that pocket.
“You had no right to go through my things.” I spat out. He cocks his head before prowling forward. The movement gives me the distinct urge to run, to flee, to escape this predator before he devours me. Ace stops close enough that I would have to drag my gaze up his whole body, head tilted back, in order to see him. So instead, I keep my eyes trained on his dirty, black boots.
“I had every right, Cricket.” Oh so slowly he bends down, two fingers under my chin forcing me to meet his eyes.
I shake my head. “Why do you care? What does it matter to you?!” I hate that it comes out more broken than angry.
He leans into my space, dangerously close to me, our breath mingling, those sinful lips a hair's breath from my own. “Because your blood ismineand if it spills it’s because I’m spilling it.” A flush of heat moves through my body with his words. A battle between anger, shame and lust swirls through me as liquid heat begins to pool between my thighs. “So when you want to hurtCricket, you can come to me on your hands and knees and I’ll give you the exorcism you're so desperate for.”
