Something about that disembodied voice felt familiar. Kind.
Do you hear me, Baz?It calls again. Louder this time—no, I’m not imagining it. It’s a woman’s voice.We’re right here with you! Don’t you dare give up!
Janelle sidles closer to me in bed and purrs, parting her lips and sucking the tip of my finger between them.
The otherworldly voice fades into oblivion.
I snatch my hand away and close my eyes, wishing I could bring that voice back and make Janelle fucking disappear instead.
“Don’t do that,” I snap, wiping my finger on my pants, but my command falls on deaf ears. Janelle does whatever the fuck she wants. Tonight, last night, tomorrow night,everynight.
Her house, her rules—a fact she never lets me forget.
“Hmm. Someone is in a mood tonight,” she teases, but her tone is anything but. She’s well past annoyed now, sliding dangerously into pissed off she-wolf territory. “Maybe I should’ve brought drinks.”
“No drinks.” My mouth sours at the thought. Vodka and orange juice—her favorite drink, and her favorite trick. Get me drunk, then convince me none of this ever happened. That it’s all in my fucking head. That I need help—serious help. That she’s worried about me. That Charles will be so upset to learn that I’m making up such terrible stories.
Rage boils in my blood. I feel like I’m on fire from the inside, and if I don’t destroy something soon, I’ll explode.
Fight it, Baz. Whatever it is, fucking fight it!
It’s another voice—definitely male. Familiar. The tone, the urgency… It’s someone I know. Someone who cares.
Your brothers are here with you,he calls again. We are the Keepers of the Grave, and we are with you.
Keepers of the Grave?
It feels so familiar, like a dream I just can’t quite remember.
Baz!It’s the woman this time.You still owe me a rock-climbing date. Don’t think you’re getting out of it!
The words make no sense, but whoever it is, I believe they know me. They’re here to help me.
My heart leaps, hope mixing with the rage in my veins, but…
No. It’s fucking impossible. Who the hell would be here to help?
My brother is in jail. My parents are who-the-fuck-knows-where. The woman who signed up as my de-facto guardian is lying right next to me, her cold feet sliding down my calf, her every touch making me wish I could boil myself alive.
No one is coming to help me. No one gives a shit.
With this monster, I’m on my own. Always.
“Does this mean we’re done with our little tantrum?” Janelle slides her leg across mine, her hand seeking me once again. Stroking. Burning.
“I hate you,” I grind out.
“Shh.” She nuzzles my neck. “We both know that isn’t true.”
Hold on, Baz!The woman calls again.We’re not going anywhere, so you just hold on!
Suddenly, Janelle freezes, her breath hitching.
She heard it that time. She fucking heard it.
I pull back and look into her eyes, and for the first time since she started making these nighttime visits, I see something new there.
Fear.
