He throws the bottle towards the kitchen, smashing it into the kitchen island. He stands up as I sit quietly on the sofa. I have dealt with his rages before, but never as someone he hates. He walks over to the sink and splashes water onto his face. He doesn’t say anything. He just stands there, hands on the side and breathes out slowly before lifting his head, not turning towards me. “I’m not going to betray my family and if I have to use your power, I will.”
A coldness settles over the room.
He walks towards the bedroom and shuts the door behind him.
Still spoilt. Throwing a tantrum because he didn’t get his way.
I haven’t got time to deal with him right now. I need to call Granny. I scramble to the kitchen where I know a phone charger is. I plug my phone in and wait for the screen to load. It feels like a lifetime, but the loading logo appears, and it turns on.
I have missed calls from Granny, Sam and my mother.
I call Granny and she picks up within one ring. “Harri, darling, where are you?” Her voice is panicked but a comfort to listen to. “Sam came after you this morning because you left your purse at his and, well, you are not here. Where are you? Sam is out in the woodlands searching!”
I whisper so as not to stir suspicion from Greg. “I’m in London.” My throat bobs with emotion.
“What’s happened?” Her voice changes from slight worry to full-on concern.
“I was walking back to the cottage and Mrs Belfour, she turned up. She knows about Lola.” I feel shaky speaking about it.
My granny is silent on the other end for a moment.
I can’t stand the silence so carry on blurting out the word vomit that follows. “I had no choice, Granny. I can’t let them hurt her or Sam. If this is what I must do, I will do it to keep you all safe.”
“How does she know?” Her voice is cold. “How does she know about Lola?”
“I don’t know, she wouldn’t say, but someone is not who they say they are. Look, Granny, I need to keep them all safe. Everyone. And I need you to tell Sam…” My eyes well up. “Tell him I love him, tell him that I will always love him, and I will spend my life keeping him safe.”
“Harri,” Granny interrupts. “Harri, we can keep you safe.”
“It’s easier this way. Only my life gets affected.” I see the bedroom door open in my peripheral. “Look, I need to go. I love you.” I put the phone down in time for Greg to come back into the room, in a suit, hair brushed and cleaner than he was.
He picks up his keys from the kitchen side. “I’m going out.” His voice is stern and cold, his eyes not even looking at me.
“Where?” I ask.
He turns to me, face emotionless. “I need to sort things forthis ball. You’ve probably forgotten.”
I had, kind of. It was in the back of my brain, but I didn’t realise it was tonight. “Oh, OK.”
“You don’t have to pretend you’re interested, Harri. You have made your intentions clear. But you will show up, you will act the part, and you will not fucking embarrass me anymore.” His voice raises and he steps closer in an almost threatening stance.
“Don’t you come any closer to me, Greg.” I raise my hands, my power ready at my fingertips. “You’ve seen a small amount of what I’m capable of.”
He laughs. “Yeah, go ahead, expose yourself and your weird little family and your grubby boyfriend. You wanted this. You got it. I’ll treat you how you deserve. I own you now.”
He laughs again and walks away.
How can anyone change emotions as quick as that? I am guessing the nice I love yous were just a ploy to make his life easier.
The slight pang of guilt I have for him follows him out of the door. Sure, he’s also being forced to be this crapbag of a man, but his family have basically kidnapped me and are forcing me to marry their son so that they can be in the bloodline of witches with our offspring. Saying it aloud would surely get me locked up in a padded cell.
With Greg gone, silence fills the room. I can see the light of my phone flashing up on the kitchen side. Probably Sam.
I can’t even bring myself to pick up. He will come for me, I know he will, but I want him as far away from these people as possible. I can’t risk them knowing any more than they already know. I can’t.
I hate myself for not giving him a goodbye or telling him how in just a few weeks he has made me feel more alive than I have ever felt before. He has made me realise what love is. What desire is. What home is. I feel sick with the thought of what mylife will be without him. But if this is what it takes.
I would sacrifice my life for eternity.
