Page 48 of The Price Of Possession

He's a victim of slow attrition caused by the unremitting cruelty of Mortensen. He will never be able to change. His nature is immutable. Can I accept him for who he is? Can I acquiesce? To whittle me down, allowing the dark waters to swallow me whole. Will he be the one to breathe life back into my lungs? Knowing one day he may very well discard me. “I can't stop. I won't stop. I need you for myself.” I hide a smile. “You won't let me go?”

“Nah. Never.”

I let out a sigh of relief. One more thing I can cross off my damn list. I need her to cooperate. I would have hated to tie her up, lock her away and make her hate me more. Lies, Kieran, you sick fuck, you would have enjoyed it. Still, it's easier having her not run from me so I can handle the shit going on at Grimshaw along with Mortensen. At some point I've gotta face the music and deal with this shit head on. It's easier without worrying about her running from me. Nowhere is she safe from me.

I kiss her forehead. Strangely, the gesture calms my racing thoughts. Now I get why Zain likes doing it with Vesper. Clara traces slow patterns over my scars. As much as I hate baring myself to her, gaining her trust is vital. Always a motive.

“Will you tell me about them?” Her tired baby blues look up at me and Goddamnit, my stomach does that flip flop bullshit. I gently move her hand away from my tattooed stomach. “Maybe one day. Right now, you need to rest. I have some damage control to handle at Grimshaw with Zain,” I explain. Her face falls and I hate that shit.

“You're safe here.”

“Where is here?” She looks around and I realize we never even got a chance to talk about where we are or what is going on at Grimshaw. It's probably best to keep her in the dark. I can't risk the Elites hurting her due to her impurity. I haven't a clue how this shit is going to play out. People are going to be looking to me for guidance. It would be a hell of a lot easier to take my girl and run away from this shit, but I can't leave Grimshaw in shambles like the original plan. As tempting as it is, Zain would never leave Grimshaw without Vesper, and I cannot guarantee their safety without me.

“This is Roland's place. Zain's father. He's one of the good ones. You're safe here,” I assure her. Roland is a good guy. We had plenty of time to discuss Mortensen's downfall. We already formulated a plan, but she doesn't need to know that. She would be too willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good. Fuck that. Lying is necessary. Those innocent lips pull me in. I trace my thumb over them. “Be a good girl and stay here. If you don't listen, I'll have to tie you up, sweetheart.” I threaten. She knows I make good on them.

Her eyes sharpen. There's my little fighter. I chuckle, amused by her resilience. She never ceases to amaze me. Her little arms grip my body tight like I'm her savior. Even after all the abuse. Shit, it makes me hard.

“I can help with whatever is going on,” she protests. Her gaze burns into my skin. If looks could kill . . .

I click my tongue. “Nah, sweetheart. Your body has been through some shit.”

Finally, reluctantly. she nods. I tuck her back into the bed, slip my shirt on and head toward the door. I pause, drinking her in one last time before I step through the doorway leaving her behind.

xxx

The hallway stretches on leading to a dark winding staircase. I take two steps at a time. My softening emotions harden again as I near Roland's study. The door creaks open. Roland is sunken into the armchair while Vesper and Zain are curled next to each other on the adjacent loveseat. Conversation halts the moment I pass through the threshold. “Don't stop on my account.” I cross my arms, letting my shoulder and hips fall against the doorframe.

Roland beckons me inside. “Take a seat.” Per usual, I stand with my arms crossed.

Zain's lip curls into a smirk. “He hates being told what to do.”

Roland lets out a long drawn out sigh. “How is she?”

“Fine.” It comes out short and clipped. I'm not here for chit chat. Vesper snaps at me. “Kieran. Be nice. He's helping us. Show some gratitude!”

I scoff. I owe no one shit, especially not Roland. He's straight as an arrow now, but that never used to be the case. He indulged in the Void before, albeit a long time ago, he still did. Fuck knows what sick shit he's done in his past. As if Vesper can read my thoughts she pipes up. “One's past doesn't define their future, Kieran.”

Roland pinches the bridge of his nose. “Alright, let's get down to business then.”

I nod in agreement. “Lets.”

Roland's face is nothing less than terrified once we get back on track. “I'm sure you've heard of what is happening at Grimshaw? Your father’s past indiscretions have caused an uprising. The Elites are painting a picture that it is acceptable to bring all impure into the Void as playthings to breed.”

I hiss out a curse. I should have known that this would snowball. Mortensen has essentially freely given permission for Elites to fuck and breed with impure, and while purity means shit to me, their consent does. Rape on campus has been a problem before but now amplified. I am well aware the Offering at least consents to be a fuck-toy, but never to be bred mercilessly. Breeding with the impure is forbidden. I know Mortensen didn't expect his actions to lead to this. He's a purist.

“What is your plan?” I ask, knowing they've had time to formulate something.

Vesper gets to her feet. “You could voice your grievances.”

I snort. So diplomatic of her, but nothing about the Void is that simple. “Mortensen had power in his grasp and was unable to control the Elites after his admission. What the hell makes you think I can? I never asked for this shit. Killing him only grants me ownership and full authority over Void. I don't want it. I want to shut this shit down. Put that responsibility on someone else.”

Zain slams his fist on the table. The guy rarely loses his temper. “Christ, Kieran. Man up. They used our girls. They fucked her, did you forget!? Stop letting your hatred for your father steer your decisions,” he shouts.

I explode in his face. “Shut your fucking mouth, Z. I know good and well what they did to her, what the hell I did to her! It's my fault she's in this fucking mess. I showed weakness and Mortensen exploited it to force my hand! I am no leader,” I shout back.

My fists shake at my sides. I'm a hair away from punching something—anything. Rage saturates my insides, seeping onto my skin. I wanted to leave this life behind but couldn't leave Zain alone with this shit. I knew one way or another we'd find ourselves in this situation. Not quite as deep, not involving females we feel something for. Zain tips his chin up at me. Vesper doesn't say shit. Smart.

“Time to man up, Kieran. Like you said, you always knew you'd be forced into a role you never wanted. Tell me, why don't you want it? You don't give a shit about the girls they use or how they use them. Is it because you lack sensibility?” he taunts. I'm on him in an instant. The loveseat tips backward sending all three of us flying to the floor. My fist connects with his cheek. I wrestle him to the floor. I faintly hear Vesper shout at me to stop.