Finishing what I started cost me several more droplets of crimson life force, but what can one accomplish without sacrifice?
Women kept sacrificing pieces of themselves daily anyway; I justified my actions as I let it flow.
The sense of accomplishment at watching my plan come to fruition was priceless. Though it dulled at the sharp ache of my insubordinate stomach. Making sure the coast was clear, I headed toward the room that usually bustled with life and was now deliciously peaceful.
The sharp yellow light of the refrigerator illuminated numerous vegetarian-safe options. Without a doubt, these were for Ava. Her lack of originality was pathetic at best andirksome at worst. I decided to change my diet one day, and what happened mere weeks later? So did the annoying shit.
Not to mention her eagerness for other kinds of my leftovers.
Avari’s scream tore through the manor, giving me a fright. I nearly dropped my salad.
Fuck’s sake, there was always something wrong with that girl.
A hollow thud followed suit, and loud footsteps rushed somewhere upstairs. Were we under attack? If we were, I hoped the shadow cretin sacrificed himself whilst defending us, though it would mean I wouldn’t get to see his reaction to step one of my revenge. And that was a shame.
I remained focused on my food and then dessert before slowly heading back upstairs, looking out for trouble.
The room they gave me was bleak, bland, and tasteless, utterly lacking in basic amenities.
Tossing myself onto the massive bed, I shrieked as a toad jumped out from behind one of the pillows. ‘What are you?’
It was black and smoky at the edges, like its shape was only temporary and could dissolve into a cloud of inky shadows any moment.
‘Are you a spy for that fuckwit?’ I hissed, pointing a finger in his face. ‘Or are you a friend? I must warn you, how you fare here will depend on your answer.’
It croaked loudly as I snatched it into my palm to assess its odd nature. ‘Not much of a talker? Figures. Best company I’ve had all day.’
More croaks.
There was something about it that resonated with me. It writhed in my hand, trying to set itself free, clearly distressed. It sensed a predator—perhaps it was the one sane being in this house.
‘Okay then, you can stay but only because you at least don’t speak foolishly,’ I responded, looking into its black beady eyes.
Setting it down on the floor, I covered myself with the bedding, feeling a sense of accomplishment. What I had done today was only the beginning of what I had in store for these people.
The frog jumped around, smacking into furniture all night, disturbing my sleep. It was clueless to consequences or logic and kept banging into a mirror until eventually, upon taking several calming breaths, I snatched it from the ground and locked it in a cupboard.
The plan was great until it started banging into the wooden sides, creating a ruckus like no other. ‘Oh for the love of…’
I opened the cupboard, and it sat there, seemingly happy to see me. ‘Do you have a brain?’ I asked, not expecting a response anymore. ‘Just lay here and sleep, or I will throw your ass out of the window.’
There was a toad in my bed, but I’d be lying if I said it was the strangest thing I’d slept with.
This week couldn’t get any weirder.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Avari
The flaming star high in the sky burned my skin in the most delicious way. I smiled in relief when I realised I finally had some time to spend on my own. The heat spread through my body, the skin of my arms prickling in delicious warmth that soothed something deep inside. Blinking rapidly, my attention shifted to the waves crashing against the pearly shore as I lay on the soft blanket, soaking in the sound, the warmth, the stillness.
‘Alec!’ Father’s roar shook the estate, making me wake startled. My heart thudded uncomfortably in my ears, as I feared in the three decades of my life I might have already used whatever stash of adrenaline the Gods rationed per individual. Could adrenal glands just give up and leave me to cope on my own?
Forcing myself to get up, I cursed the fact that not a day could go by without drama. I sighed, leaving the comfort of the soft bed while it still looked rather dark outside. The alarm clock on my dresser indicated only six am.
Why would anyone willingly get up this early? It felt like torture, and my eyes stung like somebody had thrown sand in them.
I turned the tap lever to hot and waited for the bathtub to fill halfway so I could go in. The joyous splashing sounds did nothing to distract me from the ruckus outside.
