Once.
Twice.
Everything is muffled, distorted like I'm underwater and the world's above the surface. Even the vibration humming under me seems strange.
I stare at the window, but it's covered with a mirror. My reflection is blurred. All I see is the bright, scarlet V loudly staining my chest, burning through my dress to mock me.
Brax shifts next to me and strokes my cheek. "Valentina."
I turn and stare at him. Fresh tears glide down my face. My pulse races to the point of dizziness.
He wipes the tears off my jaw and states, "We're home."
"Home?" I ask.
He nods. "Back in Chicago."
I don't move.
"Come on," he gently says, then helps me to my feet. He guides me off the plane.
The cold night air slaps me in the face when I exit the plane. It only pulls me out of my trance for a moment. As soon as I get back into the SUV, I stare out the glass and succumb to new numbness.
"So this is where you live," Brax says quietly.
I blink, realizing I'm in my home. I glance around my living room, but all I see are the red accents.
Just like the V.
My hand flies to my stomach. I used to be so proud of my skull being shaded red. It's only for members of the Underworld that the Omni feel are dangerous in ways rules can't contain. Now, I'm as far from that as possible.
"Nice place. Very classy," Brax offers.
The words tug something inside me. Something sharp and painful. Before I can stop myself, I grab my favorite red vase and hurl it at the wall. It shatters into pieces, flying across the room.
"Whoa!" Brax blurts out.
My voice barely comes out. "You can go now."
"No."
I force myself to meet his gaze. My hand trembles as I point at the door. "Go."
He shakes his head. "Like hell."
I swallow. "Brax…"
"No. I'm staying, Minx." He crosses his arms.
"Suit yourself," I whisper, exhausted, not able to find any fight left inside me. I brush past him and go into my bedroom, then freeze, staring at my pillows.
Why did I put red all over my house?
"Go to bed," Brax murmurs behind me.
"I didn't invite you inside my house," I remind him.
"I never invited you into mine either, Minx." He moves toward the bed, pulls back the comforter, revealing scarlet silk sheets. He wiggles his eyebrows. "Come on. Slide in."
