This is the story of Kuchisake-Onna.
Hayami yawns loudly, and I almost drop the journal.
“I can’t possibly type anymore about gene influence.If I do, I think my brain will explode,” she says, shutting the lid of her laptop.“Oh, I forgot to tell you.Willa texted and said she’s getting the next flight back here.I told her not to bother and that we’re okay, but I’m wondering ifyouareokay.You look a little pale.”
“I’m fine,” I reply, though I’m anything but.How can I be after that entry in Junko’s journal?
Kuchisake-Onna.
Who or what is Kuchisake-Onna?I can’t risk asking Hayami, as I don’t want to alarm her about something that could be nothing.But my gut is telling me this isn’t nothing.Something is at work here in this house, and it has everything to do with what I’ve just read.
THIRTY-THREE
HAYAMI
PRESENT
“Have you slept yet?”I ask Fenrir.His features look drawn.Worry lines are etched across his brow that mingle with the scarring down the side of his face.I wonder if our confinement is getting to him.
“No,” he answers quickly.
“Why don’t you take a shower and then get an hour’s rest?You can’t keep functioning on so little sleep.”
He’s about to argue with me, so I add, “I’m fine here, but if it makes you feel better, I’ll sit in your room whilst you shower and rest.”
To my surprise, he nods, shoves the book he’s been reading into his back pocket, and rises from the chair.
We make our way up the stairs and into his room, which is smaller than mine with less lavish furnishings.The bed is neatly made.A towel hangs on the radiator, and his large duffel bag is the only thing littering the floor.It smells of him, and it feels odd, being here, like I’m invading his personal space.
Grabbing a towel, he then roots around in his bag and pulls out a fresh set of clothes.
“I won’t be long,” he tells me.“Don’t leave this room.”
“I won’t.”I sit in the chair in the corner and watch as he disappears into his en suite.
I don’t hear the door lock.
And then the thought of walking into the en suite to watch him in the shower takes over.The hot water running down his tight chest, the knowing look as I stepped under the water fully clothed.He’d take my head in his hands and kiss me so fucking hard that I’d grasp onto the side of the cubicle to hold myself up.He’d be hard for me.I’d press my hands against his chest and push him back.His eyes would narrow until I lowered to my knees and took him in my mouth.
Shit.I need to stop this.
Maybe we’ve both been in this house too long.
But as I pick up my book, I can’t keep the fantasy from playing out.I can almost feel his length hit the back of my throat.It’s just a hormonal reaction with him being the only male in the vicinity.But I’m starting to wonder how true that really is, and whether my attraction to Fenrir has been brewing since the day he pulled me out of that pool.
I’ve never been in love before, which is as much my father’s fault as it is anyone’s.You have to get to know someone to fall in love with them, and I’ve never been allowed to be close to or spend time with anyone for long enough for love to take root.
The only lust and longing I’ve ever felt has been in the books I read.I’ve never felt this attraction for a real person, one who’s living, breathing, existing.How can I when I have a security team on my heels twenty-four-seven?
Fury burrows from within my chest and explodes across my skin.
As soon as I get out of this house, my plan will resume.I don’t care how.I don’t care at what cost.I won’t comply with my father any longer.
But to achieve this, I’m going to have to tell either Willa or Fenrir what’s going on; otherwise, I’ll never manage it.
Willa isn’t here.
That leaves Fenrir.
