Page 15 of Welcome to Carnage

Nyx gives her a cool smile. “Just thought I’d change things up a bit.” He glances at me. “You okay, Avina?”

I force a smile despite the fact my heart is pounding sickeningly. “Of course. Just discussing Halloween costumes with Luna.”

His eyes darken a fraction, that same dark and calculated man returning. But then he nods and turns to Luna. “Still going as Harley Quinn?” he asks.

Luna swallows and nods. “Yeah, you realize this is the most I’ve heard you speak since we’ve met?”

His eyes narrow. “Don’t be stupid. We’ve known each other since high school.” He runs a hand through his hair and smiles at me, a smile that makes my stomach flutter. “What about you?”

I shudder at his attention, wanting to disappear. This man murdered two men I know of, and I should have called the cops on him. He’s right that some of me is just as sick as he is, even if I don’t kill people.

“Me?” I echo, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’m still thinking about it.”

Nyx leans back in his chair. “It’s tomorrow, Avina. You better think quickly.”

Luna clears her throat. “What about you, Nyx?”

He smirks. “Me? That’s a surprise.”

“You are kind of creeping me out with this chatty attitude,” Luna says.

“I might not go at all,” I say, picking at my chocolate muffin to busy my hands.

Nyx’s expression darkens.

Luna sits straighter. “Why the hell not? You’ve got to come. You’re my date.”

I give Luna a piercing gaze. “Don’t say that, or you’ll wind up dead.”

Luna rolls eyes. “I doubt it. It’s not like I want to fuck you. Whoever is targeting you is jealous.”

“Is that right?” Nyx asks, brow furrowing. “Are they sure Avina is being targeted?” He is a psycho, sitting here talking about the murders he’s committed.

Luna nods. “Yeah.”

“Don’t let any of that scare you, Avina. You’re too strong to cower away at home.” His eyes bore into mine, making me feel numb. “Face your fears head-on. It’s Halloween, after all.”

I swallow hard, realizing he’s challenging me. “I’ll think about it.”

Luna stands. “I need to use the restroom.”

I want to beg her not to leave, but I can’t. Not when Nyx is staring at me like a hungry wolf stalking a rabbit. Once she’s out of earshot, his tone changes. “You will be at the carnival, Avina.”

“Or what?”

A manic smile spreads onto his lips. “Or you won’t like the outcome, believe me.”

I shudder. “Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what, my little hellion?” he asks.

I hate that he calls me that. I’m not the one from hell. He is. “You know what.”

“Because I made it clear the night in the House of Mirrors. You belong to me.”

My jaw clenches. “Why did you wait two years?”

He tilts his head. “It’s a good question. One I don’t even know the answer to.”

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