Prologue
Inara
For years,I’ve dreamt of my own death.Not any details, just the feel of an explosion, of sparks and smoke blasting into my face.Pain and the sensation of falling.
Love feels like that.Maybe not for everyone, but to me, it feels like dying.
As I face my death,I hold on to that.My life may be bookended by pain and tragedy, but there was a moment when I was loved, and I loved in return.
In the end,nothing else matters.
1
Rex
The nightmy parents died was the worst night of my life.Until now.
I stand with my little bird in my arms.Her eyes are wide with terror and sadness.We’re surrounded by cop cars and crime scene tape, but Inara trembles like she’s trapped in a nightmare.
And there’s nothing I can do to help but hold her.
I swore on my parents’ grave that I’d make my city safe for innocents.I honed my strength and power so I could make a difference.I protect the weak.
But I can’t protect her from this pain.In the span of a few moments, she faced a gruesome crime scene and then found out she’s the target of a stalker calling himself BK.The same initials the Bondage Killer used.She must feel like she’ll never be safe again.
I can’t stand it.
Her legs give out, and she crumples.I swing her up into my arms.I love to carry her and keep her close, but with every step, her breath hitches, and it’s tearing me apart.I want to hide her away from the world forever.
I want to tear off my suit jacket and howl.I want to use every bit of tech and surveillance equipment and weapons I have at my disposal and hunt the killer down.Eradicate this monster from the face of the Earth.
It’s what I was born to do.I was born to own her.Protect her.Fight for her.
She came to me.I’ll never let her go.
I carry her from the crime scene to my waiting ride.
“Ivan,” I call to alert him.He’s already scrambled around the car to open the back door.I slide both Inara and me into the seat.
She looks dazed.She’s still clutching the letters the stalker sent her.There’s a stench rising from the paper, like smoke and filth.I want to rip them from her fingers and throw them out the window.And if they weren’t important evidence, I would.
Damn the Bondage Killer for targeting my little bird.Damn him for rising from the dead to torment new victims.If it is him.It might be a copycat.
Whatever it is, it’s a threat to my little bird.Hunting the killer down takes second place to making sure Inara is safe.
“Back to the helicopter,” I order Ivan.
First, though, I need to get us both home.And then, once I know she’s safe and secure, I’ll figure out how to destroy the one who’s threatened my little bird’s life.
Inara
I’m trapped in a dream,standing in the yard in front of a house.The front door hangs open, swinging in the wind.The family is inside, still alive, but they won’t be for much longer.A long, crooked shadow creeps up the hall.
I’m not too late; I can stop it.Stop him.
My legs sink into the concrete walk.I struggle, but I’m trapped, buried up to the knee.I can fight all I want, but I can’t move.
I open my mouth, but no sound comes out.I’m helpless, stuck, with no way to warn the family.No way to stop their murder.
