As I regain consciousness, I immediately recognize where I am. Not that I’ve been inside this cell before, but I’ve definitely seen it before while snooping around the mansion. It’d be near impossible to miss, honestly.
It’s technically hidden away, behind the conservatory garden, on the way toward those strange passageways. Still, the cell itself sticks out like a sore thumb.
I mean, how could younotnotice a giant birdcage?
Not kidding. This floor-to-ceiling cell of brushed brass, and maybe gold, bars, built directly into the framework of the house, was obviously designed with a very distinctlook, very different from the cells in the prison.
This is an honest to Godcage, more specifically like one of those old, antique bird cages. Only big enough for ahumanpet.
Several, actually. It’s the size of a room.
Coming to, I’m groggy at first. But it wears off quickly enough and, like an instinct, I scramble up and rush to the door. Unsurprisingly, it’s locked, but I had to try, right?
Expelling a breath, I rub my eyes hard, locating my last memory before lights out.
Hijo de fucking puta…
That’s me. I’m talking aboutmyself, because I’m afucking moron.
I had my chance, and I lost itagain.
I can’t believe I did this…
After months of stalking,yearsof self-destruction following my last blunder, I actually fucking blew it for asecondtime. I let The Ivory pull the wool over my eyes.Again.
What is really wrong with me?? How can I be so easily bested by him??
I know he’s el diablo and everything… It’s what he does.
But still, I knewexactlywhat I was getting myself into this time!
Four years ago, it was my first time seeing him in real life since he left me cowering in that closet as a child. I wassurethat was what tripped me up. I just wasn’t used to dealing with him face to face, and he used his top tier manipulation tactics on me.
But what’s my excuse this time??
I’ve been watching him for weeks uponweeks, preparing for my second andfinalattempt at killing him. And I was so close…
No. Evencloserthis time!
I had my father’s knife in my grip.Iwas in control.
The way he reacted to my presence, to seeing me again, wasn’t what I expected…What the hell was that, anyway??
He was begging me,pleadingon his hands and knees like a dog. It threw me the hell off. How hard he was coming at me, as if he… missed me. More than anyone’s ever missed anything.
“Dios, baby, you’re making me so hard… Give me another taste, sweet thing, and then you can kill me, I promise…”
A shiver runs over my flesh. My jaw sets and I growl at myself and this goddamnreactionI can’t stop myself from having any time he’s close. I don’t fuckingunderstandit.
It’s like every time we’re alone in a confined space, everything else in the world melts away.
I’m not me… And he sure as shit isn’thim.
We’re like two completely different people, separate from the history between us and what he’s done. When I’m near him, my body completely forgets who he is, and I get this hot, hungry ache from somewhere deep inside. A placeno oneelse has ever been able to reach.Not even me.
I’ve always known The Ivory has a hold on me. I’ve spent my entire life in search of some peace,closurefrom him stealing my family. And because of that, he’s become the focal point of everything.
But I always thought it was driven by anger, and hatred.
