On accident, but still.
“Didn’t expect you to pick up,” Chadwick says, and I can still hear his awful drawl even though the phone isn’t pressed to my ear anymore.
I stab the red “end call” button, my heart in my throat.
Not two seconds later, it starts ringing again. I hit the red button to decline the call, then shove it across the counter away from me. I start pacing again, my head sojumbled after hearing his voice that I can’t even think straight.
Why would he call me?
Normally Chadwick sends a gloating text or picture, or a link to an article praising his business acumen and the massive amounts of money he’s made. I’m never impressed, but it is annoying to see how successful he is.
My phone lights up with a notification. He left a voicemail.
I stare at it across the counter until it goes dark again, then resume my pacing. I fist my hands in my hair and tug until I feel a sting on my scalp, wishing I could get away from them once and for all. Every time I’m reminded of my cousin, my mom or dad, it triggers the memories.
Memories of being blood-starved because I refused to drink from unwilling victims, and my parents locking me up. Not being allowed off the property to feed from other sources, and ultimately not being strong enough to resist. Memories of ripping into those victims when the hunger became too much. The deep red haze that would take over my vision and encroach on my mind when I couldn’t hold the hunger at bay anymore, when I became desperate and deranged, out of my mind with starvation and blood-lust.
The dry husks that I’d leave in my wake.
I always vomited when I came to and was faced with the reality of what I did. I was never strong enough to resist; there was always a point where I caved to my inner vampire, unable to stop the instinctual urge to feed, even though I would have rather died myself than take from an unwilling victim. Especially because I was starved to the point of losing control, so they rarely survived.
The phone lights up again with a reminder that I have a new voicemail, and it snaps me out of the dark spiral I’ve falleninto. When I reach across the counter to grab it, my hand is shaking.
I open my phone and press the play button, deciding I’m already in a terrible place mentally, so I might as well see what the bastard has to say. Still, I cringe when I hear his laughter.
“Hahaha, ohhhh Asher, Asher, Asher. I was so looking forward to having a little chat with you! No matter, but I wanted to make sure you knew—you made a mistake trying to leave this family. We’re making big moves, your parents and I, and everything I’ve been working toward is about to fall into place. Thought you might want to know, but I guess not. See you soon, baby cousin.”
I slam my phone down so hard the screen cracks, a single diagonal bolt from one corner to the opposite side. I don’t care. Chadwick has always had it out for me, wanting my place as heir to the family empire, and for all I care, he can have it.
This sounds different, though. This sounds like he’s planning something, and the fact he said he’ll see me soon…
My blood runs cold. I can’t go back to them. I can’t get stuck on that estate again, being forced to live like an animal, being tortured and torturing others in turn. I can’t, I won’t, but I don’t know how to prevent them from getting to me if I don’t know what’s coming.
27
NOT ALL SUNSHINE AND RAINBOWS
RAYA
“So, I was thinking…”Asher glances at me during our lunch break walk later that week, and I raise my eyebrows for him to continue. “Well, you mentioned wanting me to meet your roommate. We could do that tonight, maybe? Or this weekend?”
I stumble, unsure if I’m tripping over my own two feet. That is certainly not what I expected him to say. It’s been a pretty chill week, though Asher has been a little distant at times. While I can acknowledge it’s probably a good idea, my brain rebels at the same time. There are so many factors to consider; what will we all do, where would be best, do I include Reverie, and if so, that brings up a whole slew of other concerns.
“Raya? We don’t have to, I’m in no rush. But I know it’s been weighing on you, her not liking me.”
I shake the thoughts away at the concern in his voice.
“Yeah, you’re right. It’s a good idea, it just took me off guard.”
I’m quiet for a bit as I think it over, and he runs a hand along my back in silent support. Before I can make a decision,we loop around the block and are already heading back toward the office building.
“Okay.” I nod decisively. “Let’s do it. You can come over Saturday. I’ll talk to Zuri tonight, give her a heads up. Maybe we do a game day or something, that way it’s more lighthearted and chill.”
“Makes sense.”
“Okay, great. Cool. Perfect. So good. No worries at all.”
“Raya?”
