Page 10

I’d been the darkness, and he was sunshine—of the stalker-ish, brooding variety. That’s how it was supposed to be.

Not like this.

Caressing his cheek, I let a couple of tears roll down my face. I’d once trusted this man with everything I’d ever possessed. My mind, body, and soul. Back then, I thought it wasn’t possible for him to hurt me.

I didn’t believe he could hurt me. I’d been so wrong.

My heart stopped as Severin’s eyes fluttered open. My entire body stilled, and tension filled the space between us, hotter than the fire currently ripping through the warehouse.

Severin’s gaze caught mine and held on to me like I was his life raft. And honestly, I was.

But I was also his devastation. His destruction.

His pupils dilated as if in recognition.

But there was no way he could see me, right? He was just dazed and confused.

Right?

He grimaced. He had to be in a lot of pain, and that fact tightened my heart. Even after all this time, I was far too soft toward him.

I studied his liquid blue irises because I missed them and him, but I would never admit that out loud; golden specks swirled within them. One time, after sex, I tried to count them all. It was impossible, but I loved staring into his eyes.

An emotion I couldn’t name stirred within me.

My lips twitched, and I felt exposed, as if he could see through me to my deepest vulnerabilities, to all my broken pieces. But he couldn’t actually see me… right?

I was in my void-form. Right?

“Xeniya?” he asked in a scratchy voice.

Every muscle in my body tightened. My shoulders tensed so much that a shot of pain ran through my back.

My hands came up between us, and I inspected them. Very much tangible.

Fuck.

“Am I dead?” he asked. “I must be dead.” He reached a hand up to caress my face, and I let him. “You still have resting murder face.” He let out a fractured laugh. “Moy Oduvanchik.”

My world paused, and the nickname hit me, cutting through my chest like a knife. For one awful moment, I was twenty years old again and in love. Innocent. Trusting. I believed he’d protect me and keep me forever. My palms pressed against the concrete floor, the heat soaking into them as I tried to ground myself. But a piece inside of me shattered, and so many emotions poured out.

Anger. Hurt. Desperation. Sadness. A touch of joy. Everything.

His eyes fluttered and drooped shut.

“Welcome to your hell,” I hissed.

My face scrunched, pain jolting through it. Fuck.

Leave him, Xen. Just walk away and let him die.

It could be over now. Let him breathe in the smoke and drift into a peaceful death.

You can do it. Just leave.

But I couldn’t do it.

We had unfinished business. I needed to hear his confession and know why he discarded me and, worse, sold me to a cult that raped, tortured, and killed me. I had to hear it all from his lips.