Page 103 of Make You Mine

If I call the police—I almost certainly implicate myself in even more trouble. But maybe it’s worth the risk? All of this ending? I have no idea how I’ll explain Joseph’s condition. Let alone the fact his friend was the last one to see me before he ‘disappeared.’

Or…I could call Hannah. But I’ve seen what Devon can do, and I don’t want to implicate her in this. I couldn’t tell her any details about how or why I ended up here and who’s following me.

No. I’ve done enough damage.

Guilt rips through me, scratching me like nails along my skin. My stomach twists.

Maybe I should confront Devon. Get this over with. Let him have his way with me.

Except he enjoys terrifying me. This is the kind of thing that gets him off. And he’ll make sure I regret every second of it. Things won’t be easy or enjoyable until he sees my fear, until he provokes me and gives me an unforgettable chill.

“Madelyn?” The voice sends goosebumps through me. “Are you here?”

Kayden.

He came. He’s here. Calling out for me. Making his presence painfully obvious.

He shouldn’t be so loud. He could get himself killed.

I need to warn him. Get to him before Devon does and get the hell out of here—together.

I take a deep breath and count to three before pushing the handle of the door and running out of here.

Sprinting through the hallways, back to my left, and turning to the main hall, where I’m sure Kayden’s voice came from.

It’s only as I slow that the sight surprises me—because it isn’t subliminally dark anymore. I mean, it still is, but there are little flashes illuminating the floor of the halls, forming a straight path. They’re garlands with lights, reminiscent of those you hang up on a Christmas tree.

I squint my eyes and scan my surroundings.

What is this?

Did Devon do this? When? What does he want me to see?

For a moment, with my heart palpitating in my ears, I think about the possibility of this being a trap. Maybe Devon somehow has a voice imitation device and is pretending to be Kayden, as those demons do in movies.

Because he is a demon. A demon that’s craving for my soul and seems to be latched to me.

My thoughts vanish into thin air when a hard surface hits me, and I bounce back.

A big, strong surface. Muscles. Hard rock.

“K-Kayden.”

He presses his palms to my arms, holding me in place. “Are you okay?” His worried blue eyes stare deeply into mine, ignoring that I almost went headfirst into his chest. “I’m sorry it took me this long to get here. What happened? Why are all the lights off?”

“We have to leave.” I pull him toward the door. “Quick.”

“Madelyn.” He stops me, cementing us both in place. “Look at me.”

I gnaw at my bottom lip and do my best to control myself. I don’t want to get lost in his hypnotizing stare again.

“I need you to be honest with me. What is happening?”

There is no easy way to say this. I purse my lips.

“Tell me.”

My mouth opens and closes. Where do I even start?