Gradually, I feel the invisible noose around my throat loosening.
Sunlight. Glass. There’s a way out if I can keep a clear head.
Malcolm requires a specific hand to keep him level. Or at least, the version of him I knew a decade ago. If last night was any indicator, he’s become more calculating over the years, but there are two facts that still hold true.
He thinks we’re fated to be together, and he believes my actual mates were keeping me away from him.
I have to fight back a disgusted heave even considering playing along, but what choice do I have? Malcolm’s moods can turn volatile in the blink of an eye, and the only thing I have going in my favor right now is his obsession with me. Even all of the mutilation he put me through was out of a twisted sense of trying to help me unearth my dragon, and ensuring that everyone could see I belonged to him so they wouldn’t try to steal me away.
Raiden, Stone, and Kodiak have burrowed further under my skin than I realized because, for the first time, I’m looking at the man that’s terrorized me for years and actually feeling… kind of sorry for him.
Those sneaky sons of bitches Grinched me. Tricked me into giving a shit about other people with their stupidly endearing city at the base of the mountain.
I don’t want to feel empathy for the man that ruined my life. I want to watch him bleed out so I know without a shadow of a doubt he can’t hurt me ever again, and finally be free.
Some of the coiled tension in my chest unfurls, making it a little easier to breathe. With a wry smile, I admit the bitter truth. “A part of me always knew that you’d find me again.”
He beams at the misinterpreted praise, rolling out of bed and circling it to help me up. “It took me longer than I care to admit to pick up on your clues, but after I set my initial rage aside, I caught on. Why else would you hurt yourself if not to draw my attention back to you? And then you started stroking the falcon, marking her feathers with your blood like you wanted my attention onher.”
Oh gods, no.
Fear threatens to paralyze my vocal cords, but I have to know. “Is she… I mean, did you,” I trail off, afraid to put it into words like saying it will make it real.
“Kill it?” He snorts. “I should have. Such a noisy little thing.” Waving his hand in the direction of a door off to our right, there’s a barely perceptible ripple in the air. A moment later, whatever barrier he had in place falls, the sounds of Avery’s furious cries and a huge clatter sending relief slamming into me.
Before I’ve even taken two steps, he adds, “But the timing wasn’t right. I needed to get you settled in first before sending its body back to Raiden. He hurt something I loved, so it’s only fair that I reciprocate. Poetic justice, really.”
Leaving me with my heartbeat thundering in my ears, he casually strides over to the door and pushes it open to reveal a destroyed bathroom. The shower curtain is shredded, lying in tatters across the floor while the rod has been knocked into the bathtub. The mirror that once hung above the sink is nothing more than a scratched medicine cabinet now, shards of glass and feathers strewn everywhere. With a flick of his wrist, Avery’s body slams into the wall.
“Wait!”
Pausing midstep, he looks at me over his shoulder, genuine confusion on his face. “Don’t worry, darling, I won’t be gone long. Nothing can get in or out of this place without my permission, and I’ve made sure anyone that worked on the construction didn’t live long enough to tell another soul about it. You’re safe here.”
Turning to inspect the closest plant so he doesn’t notice the flash of panic in my eyes, I use my trembling hand to rub a waxy leaf between two fingers. “Maybe instead, I could keep her? Like a… a welcome home present. She was the only good thing about being locked away in that place, and I’d be so sad if she had to suffer because of them, too.” I swallow roughly. “I might be safe here, but you still have to leave sometimes, right? She could keep me company while I wait for you to come h-home.”
He turns back to Avery, wrapping his hands around her to pin her wings against her body and angle her beak and talons away from him. When he turns his attention back to me, there’s an unreadable expression on his blank face, and I frantically grasp at straws.
“Youdidsay in one of your notes that if I needed anything, all I had to do was ask, right? So, can I keep her? Please?”
His entire face lights up at the sound of me begging for something only he can provide. “If it truly means that much to you, of course you can keep the bird, darling. Not knowing what happened to his little pet and letting the theories drive Raiden crazy is still a satisfying form of revenge, I suppose.” Slowly passing her over to me with a satisfied grin, you’d think he was handing me a wedding ring instead of a pissed-off bird.
Knowing damn well her intentions based on the murderous glint in her eyes, I’m careful to replace Malcolm’s firm grip with my own so Avery doesn’t launch another attack and make him change his mind. While I arrange her more comfortably, Malcolm tucks a lock of hair behind my ear, and it takes everything I have not to flinch away now that Avery’s neck is on the chopping block, too. “Although I enjoy the thought of you missing me while I’m away, I want you to be happy in our new home.”
My breath hitches in my chest, but I manage not to puke or collapse into a sobbing heap.Don’t react. Pretend there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.
“Can’t be much happier than with my very own pet falcon. People pay good money for that kind of flex.”
With a chuckle, he shakes his head. “And here I’d already had a housewarming gift picked out for you. Such a greedy little thing, but I can’t deny you anything.”
Except leaving me the hell alone.
“Wait here,” he commands, suddenly serious. With clipped steps, he crosses to the only other door in the room, leaving it open behind him.
The temptation to make a break for it is strong, but I know better than to cave into it. Without any idea of the layout or what type of security he has in place, the best I’m going to manage to do is piss him off.
A few minutes later, he returns with a clear storage tote in hand, several holes poked into the white lid. Setting it on the floor beside me, he withdraws a small bundle from inside and sets it on the edge of the bed. Ignoring my protests, he takes Avery out of my hands and quickly traps her inside the makeshift cage.
“There.” He finishes latching the lid in place. “That should keep her from destroying the place until I can pick up a cage.” Giving me his full attention again, my heart leaps into my throat as he takes a step closer and the back of my knees hit the mattress, making me painfully aware he has me completely at his mercy.
