The word set every nerve in my body on fire. The bastard gave me that name to remind me that my existence is nothing more than aflawin Fate’s grand plans.
I hate the smugness in his tone. He’s so sure he can break me, so sure his threats will have me begging at his feet. would scare me enough that one day I would beg to return to him. The thought of returning to that life snaps something in me until I forget about the fear choking me, and rage takes over.
“I’mnevergoing back.” I spit.
His head snaps to me, the shadows around his face shifting to let me see anger blazing in his eyes. He turns and straightens to his full height to tower over me, forcing me to take another step back, but it makes no difference.
Tiberius still hovers over me like a curse.
“No?”
It’s a challenge. And when I don’t budge, he tilts his head and laughs softly, like I’m a stubborn child who doesn’t understand the consequences of my choice.
The darkness around us suddenly ebbs, and suddenly I’m standing in the living room of the Horseman Castle, my favorite place in the world.
Just the reminder of this place slows my racing heart, even though I know it’s another one of his tricks.
I feel him behind me before a shove sends me stumbling forward, a splash echoing in the eerie silence.
Something wet coats my feet, and when I look down, a scream lodges in my throat.Blood.
I’m standing in blood.
The dark red liquid flows like a river. My eyes follow it, feet moving closer to the source without my permission, but I freeze at the sight before me.
My hand flies to my mouth to keep myself from throwing up.
Bodies lie in chopped-up pieces, scattered across the room, every surface soaked in red. I turn away before I can see the faces of people I’ll recognize with my eyes closed.
It’s just a dream. He can’t hurt them here. It’s not real.
The sound of a child crying cuts through the ringing in my head.
“Hazel?” A small voice whimpers, and my stomach drops.
Is that—
“August?!” I run toward the sound, but the darkness keeps stretching endlessly, pulling him farther away. He calls for me again, the sound of his cries piercing through my heart, but no matter how fast I run, I can’t reach him.
All of a sudden, everything turns black, and I slip, hitting the ground hard, my head bouncing off the floor with a sickening crack.
I try to push up, but my hands slip, unable to find purchase.
A spotlight appears directly above me, my eyes stinging from the sudden change, but when my eyes open again, a strangled gasp tears out of my throat.
I’m lying in a pool of blood.
Shiny black shoes step into view, but I don’t dare look up. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing the panic and fear on my face.
Tiberius crouches. Forcing me to meet his gaze.
The harsh light sharpens his features, making them appear even more cutting. His silver eyes gleam with amusement, like preying on my fears is prime entertainment for him. That soft, deceitful smile could fool anyone into believing he’s just a man… until they see the darkness within him.
He dips two fingers in the blood soaking me before bringing them to eye level—thick, red liquid running down his wrist.
“This is how it will end, Flaw. The Horsemen will pay for stealing you.”
“They didn’t steal me. I ran away because you’re a monster.”
