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* * *
I wake with a start, my mind cloudy and confused.
Where am I?
As I push up onto my elbows, my eyes strain against the darkness, trying to find my bearings.
The Electi house… I’m in the Electi house.
My hands curl into the soft sheets beneath me as I search my mind for answers. But everything is foggy, as if I’ve been drinking.
Clambering off the bed, I struggle to stay upright as I pad around the dark room, following the sliver of light into the bathroom. Sweat coats my skin as my heart races inside my chest. It’s as if I woke up from a bad dream, except I can’t remember anything.
I don’t flip on the main light switch, using the soft amber glow of the vanity mirror instead. It’s easier on my eyes.
My reflexes are slow, sluggish, as I pee, balanced precariously on the toilet, pressing my palm against the wall to steady myself.
When I’m done, I flush and stagger to the sink. The light on the vanity flickers, and a trickle of fear rushes down my spine. Forcing myself to take a calming breath, I dry my hands.
The room plunges into darkness and I scream, but a hand wraps around my throat, yanking me backward into the shadows and shoving me against the wall. “I’d think very carefully about doing that again, little mouse,” Cade seethes, his eyes glittering with dark intent.
I’m paralyzed, blood roaring in my ears as I stare into the eyes of the guy who raped me and left me for dead, and then murdered my parents.
Dark spots swim across my vision as his fingers tighten, squeezing the air from my lungs. I gasp, clawing and scratching at his hand, desperate to get him off.
“You were supposed to die out there.” He spits the words as I try to scream.
“Mia?” somebody yells from inside my bedroom. “Mia?”
“Guess our time’s up, mouse… for now,” Cade sneers, slowly releasing me just as someone bangs on the door.
Did I lock it?
I don’t remember.
“Mia?” Bexley crashes through the door.
“He’s here,” I cry, clutching my neck. “He’s in here.”
Bexley catches me right as I begin to crumple to the ground. “What happened?”
“Cade…” I tremble. “He’s here.” My eyes dart wildly around the bathroom, but I can barely see.
“What the fuck?” Channing and Brandon rush into the room.
“Cade, he’s here,” I shriek. “You have to get him. Don’t let him—”
“Shh.” Bexley smooths the hair from my face. “No one’s here, Mia. No one is—”
“He was right here. I saw him,” I cry, pain splintering me down the middle. “I felt him.”
“No one’s here, man,” Brandon says, and I lift my face to them.
“H-he was here.” My body trembles and Bexley lifts me into his arms, cradling me against his chest.
“Check the house,” he says. “Get security and check the whole goddamn estate.”
“Bexley, he isn’t—"
