Page 24 of Serpent & Saviors

He led me down the hall to the lift, through the lobby and to the waiting car. Each step took me further away from my emotional breakdown.

“Do you mind if I ride up front?” I asked hesitantly. Something about sitting in the back felt weird after the moment we shared.

“Not at all,” he said, smiling. He opened the door, and I climbed in. “Do you have a music preference? I’ve got several playlists to choose from. Why don’t you scroll through them?” he offered.

He then gestured to the huge touchscreen display on the dashboard. I clicked on the Apple CarPlay and started scrolling. My finger immediately stopped when a playlist titled “Kinsley’s Favorites” appeared.

I hesitated for two-point-three seconds and then hit the playlist, curiosity winning out. He chuckled, shaking his head in amusement at my choice. Tears filled my eyes as the first song played.

“Fight Song.” Instantly, I was in the kitchen with my mum. Tears filled my eyes. God, we’d loved this song. So much for wanting to hate this Kinsley girl. Each subsequent song on her playlist only made it more difficult.

“Seems Andrew’s Kinsley has decent taste,” I remarked.

Marcus raised his eyebrows. “Andrew’s Kinsley?”

“Yes, I know he’s in a committed relationship. Don’t worry, I may have fucked her man twice, but she can keep him.” I smirked, even though I was dying on the inside. A part of me was still playing the game. Just not the new one Cameron wanted me to play. No, this was a jealous woman’s game now.

“I’m sure she’ll be thrilled when things get back to normal,” he offered.

“I will too, truth be told,” I murmured.

Even though the thought of returning home made me nauseous. I was prepared to suffer for the next month, but Cameron would eventually get around to letting me out. The holidays were coming up. He would want to humiliate me in front of others any chance he could get.

“Victoria,” Marcus called my name. Another song had come on. It reminded me of my mother, but I was having a hard time placing it.

“Sorry, what was that?” I replied.

“Where were you just now?”

“Daydreaming. Is that against the law?”

He laughed. “No, not necessarily. Marcel is not fond of the habit. He says it can often lead to dissociation.”

“I guess it can, but sometimes life calls for a little dissociation.” I plucked at the hem of the dress to distract from my embarrassment.

“You’re not wrong.” His voice took on a faraway tone.

He gave me a genuine look of understanding before turning his attention back to the road.

“So, where are you taking me?” I ventured.

“To Nan’s house,” he said with a grin.

“Andrew’s nan?” I asked, feeling tremendous amounts of butterflies in my stomach. Why was he bringing me there?

“The one and only. Don’t worry, she’s phenomenal.”

I took him at his word. I was too afraid to ask anything further. We drove in silence for a bit and got further and further away from the city. The landscape gradually changed. Eventually, he pulled down a private drive and parked in front of an impressive-looking mansion.

Stepping out of the car, the gravel underfoot instantly filled me with memories of my grandmother’s house. It seemed today was going to be a non-stop rollercoaster ride.

“Come on, no need to be afraid,” Marcus said.

My chest heaved. There was no way to put it off any longer.

Go in and get it over with. You can do this. At least he isn’t taking you to entertain a bunch of sexual deviants. It could be worse.

I nodded and followed Marcus through the front door. My steps slowed as I took in the grand foyer. The space was warm and inviting. It gave off a ‘stories in every corner’ kind of feel, holding generations’ worth within its walls.