Page 43 of Unhinged Obsession

Elijah is already moving, kicking the knife across the aisle and grabbing Serena's wrists before she has any chance of recovering.

I don't even notice them anymore. I'm already on my knees beside Benjamin, trying to check Paris out. Ben snaps at Elijah, "Kill her or I'll do it my fucking self."

“I am, hold on. I don’t want to spook the horses with the gun, asshole,” Elijah grumbles like they’re bickering over a game of Monopoly.

When Elijah raises her knife, Serena’s eyes pop open and she lets out what can only be described as a squeal. “Die, you creepy bitch,” he says, plunging the knife directly into her heart. She smiles—actually smiles— and then her eyes stop moving. That isn’t enough for him. He pulls the knife out of her body and stabs her four more times.

“Elijah…” I whisper, and he immediately stops, turning to look at me, the bloody knife still in his grip

“She hurt you,” he says, his voice so low it barely sounds like him, each word controlled and deliberate. “She drugged you.”

“I know, but she’s gone now,” I say, taking the knife from him and tossing it on the ground. He pulls me into him, and I think we both just sink into the hug because it’s all finally over.

Just as I look over at Ben and Paris, who are very much wrapped in each other’s arms, the barn lights flick on.

“What’d I miss?” Noah stands there, bewildered.

“Where the fuck have you been?” Ben snaps, because he doesn’t know about Jonathan.

“Burying a body that was already supposed to be dead,” Noah snaps right back. “Where the fuck were you when we were playing zombie freeze tag with Jonathan in the cemetery?”

“Guys, please,” Paris says. “There’s a lot to unpack, and I’ve got a headache.” She stands up, brushing the dirt off of her and then lets Ben wrap his arms around her.

“Are we just killing everyone on campus, or what?” Noah says, pointing at Serena, having no idea what she actually did to us. “She was annoying as fuck, I’ll allow it.”

“I’m gonna kill you if you don’t shut up,” Elijah snaps, and Noah just laughs, walking over to start moving Serena’s body. I approve because Karin will be in to feed soon.

Paris moves up next to me when the boys, all three of them bickering with each other, take care of Serena.

“Please don’t hate me,” Paris says, leaning her head on my shoulder. “I’m going to leave campus for a while with Ben. I don’t feel safe here, and he agrees.”

I wrap my arm around her, “I could never hate you, Paris. I support whatever you want to do.”

“I knew you would.” She hugs me back. “I’m getting a new phone, and I’ll call you when I can.” I’m not sure why she needs a new phone because everything is wrapped up tight with The Society, but I don’t push her.

“You better call me. I’m going to be left here for the rest of the year with both Elijah and Noah,” I say, pointing to Ben carrying Serena by himself and Elijah and Noah having an actual slap fight with each other.

“I promise,” she smiles, holding up her pinky. I link it with mine, sealing our deal to always be friends.

BLAIR

EPILOGUE

For the first time in what feels like forever, walking across campus doesn't feel like I have a giant target on my back. Elijah is still glaring at everyone we pass and guiding me to the inside of the sidewalk so his body stays between me and everyone else. I think that’s more of a comment on who he is as a person and less about if we’re in danger.

Neither of us is looking over our shoulder every few steps, waiting for the next threat to find us before we've had a chance to catch our breath. Everyone who knew about the night on the cliffs is dead, other than the five of us and Annabelle. Our secret is safe, and so are we now.

Right now, Elijah is simply a hockey player bringing his girlfriend across campus so I can hang out and watch him get yelled at for not doing anything he’s supposed to before the game.

Nostalgia, if you will.

His fingers are laced through mine as we make our way toward the arena. It’s a big game, apparently, because Castlebrook University is visiting. Games between the Angels and Kings are always such a funny thing because both teams have a tendency to give very few fucks about the actual game. They’re more concerned with fighting, which I don’t love. Sometimes it can be comical, especially when it’s between teammates.

I glance down at our joined hands, smiling to myself as Elijah absentmindedly brushes his thumb back and forth across my knuckles. He's done it almost the entire walk without realizing it, as though he needs the constant reminder that I'm really beside him. If someone had told me a few months ago that Elijah Moretti would become the kind of boyfriend who couldn't stop holding my hand, I probably would've laughed in their face.

He follows my gaze before letting out a quiet chuckle, like he has thoughts on our newfound dynamic, too.

Something catches my eye, and I instantly shake my hand loose from his grip. The low rumble of his laugh tells me that he knows I’ve seen his sneaky little trade. Sometime during the night, Elijah must have switched the Saints-issued diamond ring and replaced it with a much bigger princess-cut stone.