Page 52

There aren’t many of us down here. I think I counted five other occupied rooms, and they’re all locked. We signed up for this; you wouldn’t think they would be concerned about us leaving. My heart sinks, and there’s a twist in the pit of my stomach. None of this was discussed beforehand, even in the fine print.

But this will be worth it, right?

The rooms are small and simple. A single-size cot, a small desk with a single drawer, a chair, and a low bureau. There’s a hopper window, only instead of glass, it’s open with four vertical bars, letting the elements and cold weather in. There is a communal locker room and a kitchenette down the hall, where we can get water, snacks, and take a bath. There aren’t any showers down here; we fill tubs with a pail and heat water over a wood stove so that the bath isn’t freezing. That’s where I warmed this pitcher of water. I pour it into a large bowl that sits on the bureau and soak a towel in the miniature oasis, wring out the excess, then spread it over my face. The heat seeps into my skin, and I release a sigh and roll my shoulders. I can do this. I promised I would try.

Once I’ve finished washing away my makeup, I brush my hair, then change from my velvet gown to my white cotton nightdress. Brushing my fingertips over Cain’s bite, I close my eyes, and I can almost feel him near me. I open the top drawer of the bureau and grab Cain’s sweatshirt. I wasn’t going to, I shouldn’t have. It’s not mine, and neither is he. But when I slip it on and pull the material to my nose, taking a big inhale, I feel safer. Maybe he won’t notice it’s gone, or he will think it got lost in the laundry.

“You stole my shirt?” I freeze for a beat, the little hairs on the nape of my neck pricking at the deep timber I’m so familiar with. Turning on my heel and looking at the window, my gaze is captured by Cain’s.

This world is filled with predators. According to Dean and Cain, Cain is the worst of them all.

Then why does seeing his dark gray eyes peering at me through the window feel more like a guardian angel looking out for me than the threat it is?

“I’m sorry.” I cross my arms in front of me and grab the hem.

“Don’t. Keep it; I like you in my clothes.” I move my hands, wrapping my arms around my middle in a hug, then walk to the window.

“What are you doing here?” He pulls out one of his tools from the forge out of a duffel bag.

“I came to get you out.”

“What? Cain, no!” My protest is a whisper, but even if I yelled, I don’t think it would stop him. Cain works away at the bars, careful not to cause noticeable damage. When he finishes, I swallow. My heart pounds against my rib cage as he extends his hand, breaking the threshold of my chambers...

Reaching for me…f

“Take my hand, Violet.”

I want to.

“I can’t.” I take half a step back. His hand comes a little closer.

“Take my hand, Violet.”

“No.” I shake my head. “You’ll take me away.”

“You’ll come with me.”

“I’d follow you anywhere…” My words come out quiet, breathy. I don’t like feeling; when I do, it’s too much. I try forcing my heart to sink into the numb pit deep inside of me. But this man seems to know how to keep me from retreating into the comfort of feeling nothing and instead placing myself in his hands to find solace. And that has to stop. I can’t let myself feel anymore.

“Then come with me.” His voice is gentle, like he’s talking to a scared, injured animal.

“No, Cain.” I swat his hand away, and he pulls it back. “I promised her I would try. Building a family is better than being hidden away, than being a secret. I might be invisible, but my name isn’t invisible on paper. They would care about where I am. Where would you take me? Hide me in some basement, never to see the sun again? I’d wilt.”

Gravel crunches beneath his quick, harsh steps. My heart sinks as they fade, then jumps back to life when they return, cutting, raw. I step forward, lift onto my toes to peer out. His shadow is dark against the moonlight, looming like my impending doom.

Or my dark knight.

Cain paces back and forth, ten feet one way, ten feet back. Eyes locked in on me, head turning to keep me in his sights as he moves over the dirt and gravel path. He lifts his arms, running his hands through his hair, huffing and puffing through clenched teeth and flared nostrils. The way he watches me, how he takes the aggressive energy the night is offering him, it’s like he’s a predator in a cage, and I’m the one who put him there.

My heart jumps, my entire body flinching when Cain comes down onto the ground in front of me. His fist pounds against the beaten path once, twice, three times. Blood breaks through his knuckles, painting his skeleton hands.

I don’t think as I reach out to him, taking his hand in mine. His eyes meet mine, as dark as the clouds in the night sky.

“It’s okay, I’m okay.” Cain’s jaw twitches, nostrils flaring as he releases a broken exhale.

“Nothing about this is okay, Violet.” I swallow, releasing his hand and backing up into my room.

Grabbing the window frame, Cain slips through feet first, landing in front of me. His head tilted downward, dark eyes devouring me from top to bottom. And all I want to do is run my fingers through his messy hair.