Page 49 of Fractured Souls
CHAPTER17
Lorcan
Screams of agonyechoed through my ears, rattling my brain and making everything spin around me. My body felt like it was soaring at light speed while also slamming into a cement wallagain and again.I let out a small gasp of pain, feeling it burst from my throat before I could control it, and the taste of blood filled my mouth, the copper tinge making me feel sick to my stomach.
It was like the stars had been waiting, watching for me to make my return to Earth realm, and now that I was within reach—at least in their mind—they were screaming out for me. I knew they were scared; I could feel the horror and fear associated with the dark ones…but I couldn’t help them. Not yet.
Hell, I’m not positive I would be able to help them at all if they continued to nearly kill me with shit like this. When they lessened just a fraction, I was able to inhale sharply, flooding my lungs with oxygen as the vision behind my eyelids turned static.
“Do it!” a familiar female voice encouraged me. “Do it, do it!”
I didn’t think twice, appeasing the human as I shot back another lit of hard liquor. I couldn’t even tell you what number this was. It didn’t matter. Unfortunately I was existing on the same level of desperation to escape as I normally did, and yet I had zero solutions.
“You are so fun,” the same voice cheered, wrapping her arm around me. I looked up at the friendly face. She was one of the models on this trip with me, our week-long summer beach shoot finally coming to an end. Most of the others had stopped talking to me at this point, but she didn’t seem to care.
What was her name again?
“I’m glad you think so,” I mused, shaking my head and taking another swig of my drink.
“I’m not the only one—they all think it, they’re just intimidated by you,” she whispered loudly, sitting next to me.
I smirked. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m just a bitch.”
“No way.” She shook her head firmly before taking a swig of her own drink. “Let me tell you, I’m from a town of like two thousand. I’ve met petty bitches, and you aren’t it.” The sincerity in which she said it almost had me smiling.
It was rare that you could see the earnest truth coming off of someone like her—it also made me worry about her future in this industry. That type of honesty and innocence made her an easy target for those who would take advantage.
Before I could make any further strides in our conversation, a prickle of awareness went up my spine. I snapped my head around, not having to look far to find Toris approaching. I had no idea how the hell he’d gotten here, but I wasn’t surprised—the bastard was always trying to take away any shred of goodness in my life.
Even if it was only a second of friendship.
“I’ll be right back.” I tried to stand up, wanting to meet him instead of letting him within proximity of my new friend. He knew that though.
“Wait, where are you going?” she asked, turning as Toris rounded to stand next to me. “Wait, who are you?”
“I’m Lorcan’s boyfriend.”
Is that what we were calling it still?
“Oh wow.” The girl’s eyes went wide as Toris offered her a charming smile. “And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?”
“Melanie.” She thrust her hand forward, and I had to stop myself from grabbing his hand away from hers, not wanting her to be touched by his toxicity. I also knew that if I made a big deal out of it, it could possibly jeopardize her future….like heractualfuture, as in he would kill her.
“Beautiful name.”
“Melanie, do you mind if Toris and I have a moment to talk? And then maybe we can dance?”
“Oh yes! Let me go warm up the dance floor. Nice to meet you, Toris!”
I breathed out in relief as she snuck towards the dance floor, but it was short-lived. Toris’s dark chuckle and hand that came to the back of my neck had me shuddering as his lips brushed my ear. “You didn’t think that would keep her safe, did you? I have men everywhere on this island. If I want her gone or hurt, all I have to do is say the word.”
“She’s a girl, not even eighteen,” I replied as if his words didn’t bother me. Showing my true feelings would only egg him on.
“Don’t have to be of age to die.” He smirked. “But don’t fear, Lorcan. If you want her protected, you just need to come with me.”
“I have a shoot tomorrow,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes.
“I promise they’ll understand.”
