Page 14 of Welcome to Carnage

She jerks away, her breath coming out in harsh pants. “I’m not afraid of you, Nyx. You can’t control me.”

My laugh is cold. “We’ll see about that, my little hellion.” I turn on my heel and walk out, leaving her trembling with fear and anticipation. “I can’t wait until the carnival,” I call back, as I will have her.

Two years after our first moment together will be the day I finally lay claim to my girl. And it’s going to be one hell of a ride. This year will be a Halloween she’ll never forget.

AVINA

Isit opposite Luna inThanks a Lattein Carnage town center. I can hardly focus on what she’s saying.

Ironically, I’ve been a zombie since Nyx cornered me in my bedroom. Maybe that’s what I should dress up as for Halloween. If I’m honest, I think I might pretend to be sick and stay home wrapped in bed, hoping Nyx doesn’t come and find me.

Who the hell am I kidding?

The sickest parts of my soul desire him. They want him to chase me down. Kill for me. Fuck me like the dark beast I know he is while he wears that mask. I shudder.

“Earth to Avina!” Luna waves her hand in front of my face.

I shake my head. “Sorry, what?”

“I said are you going to take a date to the Halloween Carnival?” Luna asks.

I glare at her. “What the fuck do you think after what happened to James?”

“Unfortunate coincidence, but—”

“No, it’s not a coincidence if it happens twice.” I sip my apple cider latte. “The police think someone’s targeting me.” I swallow hard. “They even wanted to put me into fucking witness protection.”

“What?” Luna asks, her eyes wide. “Why am I only now hearing of this?”

“Because I told them no.”

Luna shakes her head. “If they think you’re in danger, you should take them up on the offer.”

I narrow my eyes. “According to you, it’s a coincidence.”

She sighs. “Look, it sucks. I liked James. He was a good friend.”

I roll my eyes as the guy had been head over heels in love with her. She can be beyond clueless at times, but I still love her. She’s been there for me through thick and thin. “Yeah, and I do not intend to get another guy killed within a week.”

The fact is she’s completely unaware that the quiet bad boy of our high school year is a possessive psycho killer who murdered both of those men because ofme.

Luna takes a moment to process what I’ve said. “You’re not responsible, Avina,” she says quietly, reaching across the table to grasp my hand. “The cops think you’re being targeted, but they might be wrong.”

“Believe me, I wish they were.” I shake my head. “I just know I’m being targeted, and don’t ask why.”

She falls silent, picking at her blueberry muffin. Luna would normally have kept pushing and arguing until I saw her point. But not today. Today, she looks at me with sympathy in her eyes.

I take a deep breath. “Anyway, let’s talk about something else. How about your costume for Halloween? Have you decided for sure?” I ask, trying to sound lighthearted.

Just as Luna opens her mouth to reply, the door to the coffee shop swings open, and in walks Nyx. He scans the room before his eyes land on our table and heads our way.

“Mind if I join you?” he asks, pulling out a chair before we answer him.

Luna’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise, but I just shrug.

“Sure, Nyx. Have a seat,” I say, trying to maintain a casual tone. I can’t let him see how much his presence unnerves me.

Luna clears her throat, her eyes flitting between Nyx and me. “This is unexpected,” she finally says.

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