Page 130 of Barinov

“Water,” I whisper, the word catching on a deep exhale. “I see the water.”

She hums. “Where she’d sink her worries deep in the clay and watch as the darkness floated away.”

I nod.

“Then you have your answer,” she whispers, removing the red dress from my fingers.

I carefully dress the little Bella doll in the blue dress.

“Now, where do I place her?” I ask quietly, looking between the rooms in the house. The bedroom, the bathroom, kitchen, all places where Luca and Zeke could do terrible things to her.

“That’s it!” Luca shouts. “Pick a room right now, Cade. Or I’ll pick for you.”

I sit the little doll down quickly on the couch and step back from the dollhouse.

“Very good choice,” Luca chuckles. “I’m looking forward to this one. Go ahead and get yourself ready, Whitmore. We’ll be right back.”

Chapter 30

BELLA

Day 36 in Eden.

“Izzy,” Luca calls from the hallway.

“Ugh,” I groan as I shove my Izzy cheat sheet under my pillow. “What does he want now?”

“Izzy,” he repeats, his voice growing closer. “Baby, are you in there?”

“Of course I’m in here, fuck-face. You’ve got me under house arrest. Where else would I possibly be?” I mutter under my breath, pushing myself upright.

“Yes,” I say softly, smoothing my expression before the dickhead opens the door. “I’m in here.”

“Good,” he says with a sickening smile. “Put this on for me.”

He tosses me an ugly blue skirt and a sparkling golden top that says—fuck no.

“The Revenants?!” I bark before I can stop myself. “What the—”

Breathe, bitch. Don’t overreact.

“I mean, babe!” I correct quickly, forcing a small and curious smile. “Where did you find this?” I nearly gag on the high pitched squeal that comes out of my mouth.

“Had it for a while, love,” he says, letting his emerald eyes roam over my body. “I need you to change into it and then meet me in the living room.”

“What for?”

“There’s just something I need you to do for me.” He winks. “It’ll be fun.”

Sure it will.

“I promise,” he adds before hurrying out of the room.

I change quickly into the monstrosity of a uniform and throw my hair up into a high ponytail. Growing more and more thankful for the fact that we have Rico each time I glance at my reflection in the mirror.

This thing is hideous. I guess now I understand why Maddie Rae and her little mean girl ducklings always have bitchy attitudes. I would too if this is the kind of shit they forced us to perform in.

Damn. Is this place making me soft for Maddie? I need to get the hell out of here. Now.