She lightly shoves my shoulder, careful not to agitate my bruised and bleeding exterior.
“Why are you being kept in here? What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything. One minute, I was in the cave with you and Lukas and the next I was being pulled through the veil. Is Lukas here with you?”
She shakes her head no, and I feel a mix of relief and sadness. I wouldn’t wish this place on anyone, but I miss the shit out of my twin.
“Is he okay?” I ask and her face falls.
“I don’t know. We had an incident on the beach, but I think he must have made it out okay because he’s not down here.”
I nod, my stomach churning with worry.
“I’m going to talk to my father about getting you out of here.”
She makes to leave, but I wrap my fingers around her wrist, relishing the feeling of her skin against mine. She’s really here. “Stay with me a minute longer. Please.” I’m not above begging at this point. This place has flayed me of any pride I once held onto. I’m not afraid to show her how desperately I need her.
Her face crumples, tears spilling over her long lashes. “Shh.” I whisper kissing her tear-stained face with my cracked lips. She doesn’t seem to mind, leaning into my embrace.
“I’ll fix this. And once you’re out you can tell me all about how you set my room on fire.”
My face quirks up into a smirk, “You, uh… found out about that?”
“I learned all sorts of things while you were gone.” Her voice sounds bitter and angry. Everything in me wants to erase that feeling from her.
“I wish we could start over. Sometimes, to keep my mind busy down here, I’ve played out different scenarios. Like what if I didn’t make the decisions I did. No matter how good I thought the reasons were at the time, I regret it. I’m sorry for what I’ve done to you.”
She slips her hand in mine, rubbing her thumb over the back in a calming circling motion.
“Maybe if we ever get out of here, we can get you a tattoo that reads ‘No ragrets’. Right here.” She points to my collar bone. One of the only spaces that isn’t bruised right now. I manage a small smile.
“Are you going to tell me what happened to you?” She asks, eyeing the welts down my shirtless front.
“Pissed off the wrong guard. Their tails are quite the talented torture device.” She frowns, lips pursed like she’s stopping herself from saying something.
“What is it?” I run my fingers into her dark braid, still in disbelief that she’s real. I’ve dreamed of this moment so many times, I’m half afraid that I’ll wake up at any moment and find out that this has all been a fever induced dream. Maybe I died and my neurons are granting me one final moment of bliss before they carry me off to… well lower than here. I don’t imagine I’d make it into heaven. I don’t even know if one exists or if it’s just this place. I haven’t asked. The demon guards aren’t exactly chatty after the torture sessions that started up a little after my inquiry.
“I’ve just missed you. So fucking much.” I doubt that was what’s bothering her, but I’ll let it slide for now. It’s enough to just be able to hold her. All the wounds I’ve obtained, float to the background as she snuggles into me, her fingers gripping into my flesh. Her sweet vanilla scent engulfing me. I trail my fingers over her plush lips as her chest heaves in a shaky breath.
“Miss.” A guard calls to her. She goes to turn her head, but I grab her chin moving my fingers up to her cheeks, making her look straight into my eyes before I slam my lips down on hers. She melts against me accidentally grazing my wounds and making me wince. I can feel her tears dripping down onto my cheeks.
“Miss!” The guard says again, his agitation clear.
She pulls away and I let her. Comforted by the fact that I’ve at least been able to see her one last time.
“I’ll get you out. I promise.” She raises herself off the grime filled floor and wipes her hands on her crumpled dress.
I watch as she’s guided down the dim hallway. The cell door locks in place, and my heart splinters seeing her walk away from me. An ember of hope flickers inside of me. I might actually get out of this hell hole.
CHAPTER14
Chapter Fourteen
SALEM
SONG: SEE YOU IN HELL BY AD INFINITUM
Laying in my room, I can still feel the sting from Pierce’s jagged fingernails that were digging into my cheeks as he held my face. A phantom caress reminding me that I’ve found Pierce, after all these months of thinking he was dead. I don’t care about the pain because it lets me know that he’s truly here. He’s alive. I’ve found him.
