To make matters worse, as the Domnus, Bass could punish me for assaulting him—even if the bastard had it coming. He could lock me up in the catacombs, torture me, even strip my privileges until I was little more than a Neophyte.
Lexi noticed the anxiety suddenly drowning me and rested her hands on my back, pulling herself farther into me. “It’s okay, Kill. Just take deep breaths. Smell the flowers and blow out the candles.”
A strangled laugh burst out of my mouth. “Did you really just use that little kid trick on me?”
“Well, did it work?”
I pulled away, staring into her worried face. Lexi was slowly chipping away at the fake persona I’d built over the years, reminding me of who I used to be. It pissed me off. I couldn’t afford to be that powerless kid again.
But I also couldn’t allow anyone to hurt her. Except for me, of course. I’d protect her only to ruin her myself.
At least that was the lie I kept repeating, hoping it would take hold and dig in.
We needed to get off Bass’s radar for a while and turn his attention elsewhere. Maybe the self-absorbed prick would fall for the old out of sight out of mind trick.
Best case? It would give his anger some time to cool.
“Be ready in an hour,” I said.
Lexi frowned. “Ready for what?”
“We’re going away together, Red.”
“What?” she screeched. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
My fingers slid around her jaw, tilting her mouth toward mine. “We’re going on our trip for the Geology project. Get packed. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
CHAPTER 28
WHEELS UP
Lexi
This was insane. Absolutely, fucking insane. No, I take it back,Killianwas insane.
I tossed a few tank tops and a tattered pair of jean shorts into my suitcase. Then I grabbed a bathing suit and a handful of socks. I was going through the motions without really seeing or feeling anything.
How could Killian order me to pack my bags and just leave like that? And more importantly, why was I doing it? I stared at my half-full suitcase and the mess of clothes strewn across my side of the dorm room.
What was wrong with me?
Oh right, meeting Satan’s spawn after all these years had clearly broken something inside. And the possibility of him realizing I was the girl in the mask that night was the fucking icing on the shitstorm cake.
Memories of the look on Sebastian’s face when he recognized me earlier sent an icy chill up my spine, like a corpse’s fingertipsdancing along my back. Probably that poor girl who Sebastian murdered and I didn’t do a thing about. Dammit, Lexi, by staying quiet you were no better than an accomplice to the heinous act. It’s not too late, I could still dosomething.
Yeah, if you want to join her six feet under.
I’d tried fighting back once, and it had gotten me nowhere. On the contrary, it had nearly ruined my life. Would I risk that again?
I slumped down onto the bed and buried my face in my hands. How had my life gotten so royally screwed? I never should have come to this damned university. I reached for my phone, tempted to callPapá. I’d been a terrible daughter, not staying in touch as much as I should have.
Ugh, I was failing left and right. Tossing the errant thought away, I vowed to call him later. He’d know something was wrong by the sound of my voice, and I hated to worry him when he was so far away.
My thigh brushed my battered old suitcase, and I stared at the mountain of outdated clothes. And now I was letting Killian whisk me away to who the hell knew where for who the hell knew how long. Cordelia was going to kill me.
Nah, who was I kidding? She’d be fucking ecstatic for me.
I reached into my pocket, pulled out my phone, and shot her a quick text. I had to at least tell someone where I was going in case I mysteriously disappeared. Two seconds later my cell pinged.
