* * * * *
Dusk crept silently across my carpet.
The tentative darkness sucked the light from glittering sequins, sinking into rich velvet from the fabric bolts on the walls. Every minute its gloomy fingers made their way stealthily from window to bed, reminding me that my world might’ve ended yesterday, but the rest of the globe didn’t care.
The sun still rose.
The moon still set.
And my heart still beat regardless.
My ears pricked as the harsh scrape of a key echoed from the opposite side of the room. I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes, grabbing my dirk from the covers.
The door swung open.
I shifted to my knees, wielding the knife. After my shower last night, I’d dressed in black leggings and an oversized cream cardigan. But no matter how many layers or quilts I snuggled beneath, I couldn’t eradicate the chill of loneliness.
My ears still echoed with gunshots.
My mind replayed the moment when Kes collapsed with blood blooming on his shirt, and Jethro dove to protect his sister.
The sister who didn’t deserve to be saved.
My jaw clenched.
Jasmine.
She was in equal running for my dislike with Daniel. In fact, she was worse. Always coming across as gentle and removed from her mad family—when, in actual fact, she’d been the instigator and in cahoots with Bonnie.
Flaw appeared.
Peering around the door, he wore his typical outfit of jeans, black t-shirt, and Black Diamonds jacket. His gaze drifted to the knife in my hands, raising an eyebrow. “If you don’t want that confiscated, I’d hide it if I were you.”
My hands shook. “Why are you here?” I didn’t see any trays of food. A social call was out of the question. Shuffling higher, I narrowed my eyes. “Why do you care if they take my knife or not?”
He ran a hand through his hair, opening the door wider. “Don’t like this situation any more than you do.”
His voice sounded loud and obtrusive, spilling secrets. It was the first time I’d spoken to someone since I’d been locked up; I’d forgotten how to do it.
My heart ached. “You miss them, too?”
Jethro...
Kes...
The only ones not tainted by Hawk insanity.
He nodded. “Kes has been a close friend for years. Didn’t have much to do with Jethro until recently, but he proved he was a good bloke. Almost as good as his brother.”
His comment hurt irrationally. To me, Jethro was better than anyone. Then again, my heart was biased. Kestrel was a genuine, caring friend who’dsacrificed far too much for people who didn’t deserve him.
Myself included.
I hugged my knife, stroking it with the thought of spilling Cut’s blood. “He was the best. His death won’t go unpunished.”
Flaw came closer, his boots silent on the emerald W carpet. “Words like that can get you into trouble.”
I ran my thumb along the sharp blade. “I don’t care. All I want is for them to die.”
