He's back. He always comes back. Never stays away for long.
His presence presses against my chest, dark and oppressive. He's taken everything from me in such a short time. I'm falling. I'm craving…
"Something wrong?" he asks calmly, tilting his head like he knows something I don't.
I let out a slow, shuddering breath. "What do you want now, Ghost?"
His expression doesn't change. "Say my name. Myrealname."
My pulse stumbles. No.He's dead.This whole dungeon ordeal proves it. Only the monster remains now. Ghost. NotDominic.
It has to be this way. I can't remember Dominic. Not now, while I'm in the monster's claws.
The name sits at the back of my throat, heavy and aching, like something old and rotting.
I refuse!
His smirk deepens. "Say it."
I shake my head. "That man is dead."
His gaze darkens, danger flickering across his expression.
His tone changes to something softer. Colder. "You killed him, didn't you?"
I clench my jaw. "Yes."
He doesn't even blink. Doesn’t react at all. But something passes through his eyes. It's something I don't want to see. For a split second, just a split second, I think maybe he hates himself for what he's putting us through.
Then he smiles and brushes his knuckles against my cheek in a mockery of comfort. A memory from so long ago.
"Say my name, Adora." It’s a whisper. Soft as a blade drawn slowly across skin.
I'm losing myself.
"You said never to use it again. All while trying to drown me. Or did you forget?"
His smile doesn't break but his eyes narrow, something predatory surfacing behind them.
He leans in, watching me struggle under the weight of his shadow.
"You don't get to erase me," he murmurs.
I let my gaze go cold.
"I already did. The man that you were no longer exists."
The softness vanishes.
He grips my hair hard and pulls — sudden, no warning — yanking my head back until my throat is bared to him like an offering. His other hand curls around my neck, controlled and unhurried. My pulse reacts instantly, spiking fast beneath his fingers.
Ghost
She is still fighting. Even now. Even after everything.
She still has teeth, claws, a razor-sharp tongue that could cut deeper than any knife.
I fucking hate it.
