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“She likes you,” she whispered. “So do I. That’s why I’m giving you a way to be happy again.”
I swallowed, knowing this monster didn’t want me to be happy.
She pulled a green drink in a small shot glass out from her pocket, placed it on her palm, and offered it to me. “It holds unlimited happiness.”
“You’re insane if you think I’m going to drink that.”
Her horns reflected off the moonlight and brightened her face. If the dictionary had a picture for wicked, it would show Deidamia’s face.
“Don’t you want to be happy again?” she asked. “This will give you countless opportunities to be happy. To grow …” she chuckled. “Take it, Kellan. It’ll even give you the chance to avenge your little wife. Don't you want that?"
My nostrils flared in frustration, and tears pooled in the corners of my eyes. “If I don’t?” I whispered.
“I haven’t had dessert yet,” she whispered.
The green in her eyes flickered like candlelight.
If I let her eat me, I’d see my family again in the afterlife. I closed my eyes, a soft smile forming on my lips. But if I stayed, I didn't know what would happen. Would she call for my help? Or was this a ploy to harm me even further? I couldn't imagine her needing my help.
If I let her end me, Deidamia would be able to harm people over and over again.
“Take it,” she taunted. “You know you want to.”
The battle inside of me bashed against my insides until I felt dizzy and nauseous. Lifting my hand, I grabbed the drink and downed it before I talked myself out of it.
Suicide wasn’t me.
My family was gone, and I loved them dearly, but I couldn’t offer myself up to this demon. She deserved to die. If I ever had the chance again, I would do it.
Pain erupted in my throat and moved with the liquid to my stomach. I fell to all fours and began to vomit.
Deidamia stepped around me, looking down at my quivering body. “Here's your chance, boy. Be free,” she said, opening the door with the swipe of her hand. “Go, and know the next time I won’t be this compassionate,” she mocked.
I crawled toward the door as she ascended the stairs and left me to my torment. It wasn’t until years later when I was shot in the chest that I realized what she’d done to me.
Giving me immortality inside of death. Now I would live forever with the memories of what she did to my family.
“Kellan,” a soft voice said.
I opened my eyes, not realizing I’d fallen to the ground of the shower in a ball like a scared child. The chilled water was mixed with heavy rain, and it drenched Josephine’s hair and face.
She was hunkered down in front of me, her palms resting on my forearms. “You were screaming,” she whispered.
The pain inside of me erupted.
All of it spilled out like a dam.
Reaching forward, I interlaced my fingers around the back of her neck and brought her toward me.
She fell against my chest with a soft oomph, and her eyes found mine in the chaos. I’d relived so many bad memories through my nightmares. I’d never forget what she did to me or the ghostly look on her demonic face.
But Ernest was right. I couldn’t deny what was sitting right in front of me. Being happy would be the greatest slap in Deidamia’s face. She wanted me to live in my misery forever.
Her gaze lowered to my mouth and back up.
“Come here, angel,” I whispered. “Let me taste you again.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
