“Oh my God,” I’m barely breathing, my hands cover my mouth and nose, trying my damndest to avoid the smell. I stumble backwards into the entry table and brace my hand on the smooth, cold surface for support.This isn’t real. This isn’t happening. They’re alive. Lilith is just trying to scare me. Breathe.
Ryder takes calculated steps further into the house, his gun aimed in front of him as he carefully checks the corners, and I read the words over and over.“He who seeketh the Devil,”and that’s all it says. The blood droplets continue to track down the wall. This just happened, and they knew they were coming. This whole time, we expected them to target Ryder. We increased security around his properties, all while my parents were left completely vulnerable.
This isn’t real. Just wake up, Kelsey. It’s just another nightmare.
“Stick with me,” Ryder calls out from the kitchen.
The kitchen is in total disarray. My mom’s elegant kitchen is now a disaster. Her favorite vase that she filled with fresh flowers from a local florist is shattered into tinypieces on the wood floor. I hug my arms around my waist, watching Ryder round the island and hearing the oven door’s glass crunch under his black boots. Blood is smeared along the white cabinets and countertops. The fingers look small—my mom’s. My heart falls to my feet. This is all my fault. If I hadn’t left with Ryder, none of this would have happened. My parents would be safe, and Ryder could have moved on and forgotten about me.
“I need to clear the rest of the house. Follow me.”
I follow behind him in silence. Tears stream down my face, and I remain clutching my shaking body. I’m afraid that if I let go of myself, I’ll collapse and succumb to the self-destructive thoughts. I have to remain strong…for my parents. The way Ryder, Hayden, and Jess remained strong to find me.
My knees buckle entering the living room. Ryder grabs me by the elbow before I hit the floor. There’s another message in blood. “Will suffer.”
“Ryder,” My voice breaks. I don’t know why I’m calling him. Reassurance maybe? I need him to tell me this is some kind of twisted joke. Why are they targeting me? My parents?
Ryder shifts his weight and looks at me over his shoulder. His eyes are no longer the bright green they usually are. They’re dimmer. Darker. A storm is brewing within him, and he’s trying to remain composed. The look he gives sends a waive on uncertainty through me. He toys with his tongue behind his tightly closed lips.
From the looks of the house, my parents put up a fight.We still need to check out the upstairs, but my feet feel as if they’re made of lead. My steps are heavy and slow, and I’m afraid of what I may find up there. My stomach grows heavier, and my lunch threatens to come up with each step I take. Ryder has already made it to the top of the staircase, and he waits patiently for me.
The coppery stench grows stronger up here, and dread hits me like a semi truck. Without a second thought, my feet lead the way. I open the door to my bedroom, and I throw my hand up covering the guttural gasp. All the breath leaves my lungs, and I heave as my knees hit the floor.
Ryder trails in behind me, hissing under his breath at the scene before us. “Fuck!” He kicked an empty box I had stored in my room from college, then rushed to me, helping me up.
“Come on, you have to get up. They could still be here watching.”
I scream, shoving him away with my elbow. “Stop!!”
“Kelsey,” He stares at me in warning. “You need to tell me what you know about Lilith.”
I avert my eyes to the floor, “I don’t know her.”
He makes his way towards me, his steps slow and intimidating. He pinches my chin and lifts my gaze to meet his. “You’re going to tell me. Now.” He grits between clenched teeth.
I swallow thickly, a lone tear falling down my cheek, which he swipes away with his thumb. I proceeded to tell him everything I know about the demon, which isn’t much,and told him about my dad always being away as a child until after she visited.
I get to my feet on my shaking legs and walk towards my parents’ hanging bodies. Hanging from my bedroom ceiling. Their bodies limp and face blue. Dried blood clings to the cuts along their arms and faces from their fight. My mom’s left eye is split, black, and swollen shut, the bruising spreading down her cheek. My father isn’t in much better condition. His arm hangs at a stomach curdling angle, and dried blood covers his mouth, chin, and white shirt. A piece of paper sticks out from his shirt pocket. Curiously, I grab it, expecting to find a letter from Lilith.
Dear Kelsey,
Firstly, you have been the best daughter I could have ever asked for. I wish I could have fulfilled our dreams of restoring that ol’ classic we always talked about. Truth is, I thought I had more time than I did. I’m so thankful you found your place with Ryder and Jessie. I am thankful to Hayden for providing what I was unable to. You don’t realize, but I have had eyes on you this entire time. Not once did I worry, because I knew the hands you were in. Your mother, on the other hand, I’ve had to talk her down a few times, especially when Lilith took you.
Anger floods my system as I continue to read this letter. He had beenwatching.Heknew.How!? I take a deep, steadying breath in and exhale slowly. Ryder had been on the phone, but after he hung up, he came to stand over my shoulder, reading with me.
I wish I could say I didn’t know this time was coming, but I did. I never told you, because I didn’t want you worrying yourlife away. I was also threatened by Lilith to never speak a word to you about the arrangement, or you would be the first one hurt. I waited for you to ask me about her after you were taken, hoping you would ask. If I can depart this world with only one request, it would be to stay with Ryder. Listen to him. He will keep you safe. He knows what this kind of life is like and will do everything necessary to protect you. I see it in his eyes. He may not have said it yet, but he loves you.
My eyes sting as the tears well at my bottom lashes, and my heart beats faster. I chance a look at Ryder. His green eyes glossed over. He presses a soft kiss to my temple, sending butterflies through my belly. He didn’t confirm nor deny my father’s statement.
There’s a stack of letters that we have written over the years for you. Everything you need to know is in them. It’s very important that you get to them as soon as possible. Behind our family photo in the living room, there’s a safe. Your birthday is the code. We love you, and we’re so sorry you’re finding out this way.
“Did you know?” I turn, my lip quivers, and tears fill my eyes. Ryder doesn’t answer, his hand runs through his thick black locks as he paces the room. “Did you!?” My voice cracks as I scream. The taste of betrayal is bitter on my tongue.
“I didn’t know Lilith and your father had anagreement. I knew your family had roots in the underground world, though.” His eyes lift to mine, “I tried to protect you from Lilith, but all along you were who she wanted. I just don’t understandwhy.”
He steps closer, and I take two steps back. “Don’t.”
“I’m sorry. I should’ve spoken up, but I had no idea she would do this.” He motions around the room.
