“Are you here to let me out?” I ask.
“Why would I do that?”
“To send me back to my life. Back where I belong.”
“I think you’re exactly where you belong.” He says with a chuckle, disappearing into the dark.
I pull at my chains with a scream of frustration. My eyes slide over to the mirror as I watch Salem brush her hair.
For the first time since I’ve been here, I allow myself to feel the despair I’ve kept at bay. It permeates my every cell, this knowledge that I might not ever get out of here.
ChapterSixty-Six
SKYE
SONG: SOUR CHERRY BY THE KILLS
“And you didn’t happen to mention that there’s a demon dog running loose on the island.” I ask, as we try on dresses in the boutique downtown.
“It slipped my mind while he was being all threatening. Plus, it didn’t help that I’m pretty sure I walked in on him getting a blowjob, and I’m pretty sure I had a concussion too.” Salem says, spinning in a black tulle dress.
“Thanks to Emmet.” I say.
“Yep. Thanks to Emmet.” She stops spinning, and grips at the fabric.
I watch my best friend to see if she’ll betray how that makes her feel, but she’s shoving it down, a clear sign that she isn’t ready to talk about it. She grabs another dress from off the rack and stalks back behind the changing curtain, peeking her head through a minute later.
“I like that one on you, what do you think?” She asks, changing the subject. Pointing at the dress I’m currently admiring.
I look in the mirror at the lilac gown that accentuates my curves and is studded with rhinestones.
“It’s gorgeous, but I don’t love the price.” I say, flipping the tag over.
“Let me get it for you. You guys helped me out so much when my family was being awful.” Salem says.
“You already paid me back.” I say, running my fingers over the dress.
“Come on. It’s gorgeous and it looks like it was made for you. Help me out here, Javelynn.”
Javelynn emerges from the dressing room in a white linen suit that hangs perfectly off their frame. “Ohh, I love that one.” I say to Javelynn.
“Do you think it screams wedding?” They ask.
“Nah, it’s totally something I’d expect to see at a winter formal.” Salem says, coming up next to Javelynn and sliding her elbow through theirs.
We pay for our outfits, Salem snatching up the bill. Javelynn heads back to their dorm with plans to meet up tomorrow and a warning to stay out of the woods.
“Okay, but really, what are we going to do about the demon dog?” I ask once we’re back at the house.
“I think we’ll need to lure it back to the tunnel and then close the opening. I just don’t know how to do that without going all ‘I must open the veil’ mode.” Salem says making her voice sound deeper, mimicking the demon.
“I can’t believe I live in a house full of possessed people.”
“Aww. Are you feeling left out? This island seems riddled with demons. I’m sure we can get you one too.”
“Pass.” I say with a giggle. “I’ve seen the side effects and they’re not pretty.”
“I don’t know, the Lust one seems like a good deal to me.”
