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I kept my arm under the water, trying to keep her words away from me. I didn’t want them to plant themselves, the pain and hurt becoming part of me. It took everything I had to push forward as it was. Knowing I was hurting her would only make me self-destruct.
When some paper towels were handed to me, I looked up, meeting Stocke’s eyes. “Thank you.” I dried my arm, holding it to the skin to apply pressure.
Deciding I’d rather be with Darren than this heartbreak, I turned to leave. Lark’s hand reached out, stopping me. “Please, Cami. Don’t do this.”
“I have to, Lark. It’s… it’s not what you think, but I can’t come home yet. I can’t until I know you’ll be safe.”
“Safe? What are you talking about?” She turned me around, and the tears in her eyes killed me. I could smell her jasmine scent this close and it invaded my nostrils. Shaking my head, I begged her not to ask. “What about your cousin? The scary one? Can he help?”
“I—”
“Listen to what she’ssaying, firecracker. Come on, we need to get back.”
Stocke guided me out of the bathroom, and I looked back once more, cataloging everything about her in case it was my last time. Mouthing the words, “I love you,” I didn’t get to see if she said them back as the door closed.
Seven
CAMILA
Darren was giddy,and I didn’t like it. He waved an invitation in front of my face, his smile wide and creepy. “Do you see this, pet? Do you know what it means?”
“No. What does it mean, Dare?” I leaned forward across the table, trying to catch a peek. Darren had let me out to eat dinner with him more this week, but it only meant I got one meal instead of two. Just more of the game.
“It means,” he said, smugness ringing through, “all my dreams are about to hatch.”
I didn't know what it meant, but I had a feeling it wasn't what Darren thought. Inwardly though, I cheered, excited for the opportunity to see my family.
“I’ll make a scene and announce to his family that I'm in charge now. Finally, I can take credit for everything.” Darren carried on talking, his lunacy unfolding before me, but I barely heard, too busy with my own plan and eating the food in front of me.
“Oh?” I asked, playing dumb.
Darren slammed his hand down on the table, the utensils bouncing with a clang. Jumping, I spilled the bite of pasta I’d aimed for my mouth, and it fell to my lap. Darren glared at me with a look of disgust on his face.
“This time, you’ll stay home. I don't trust you not to try something.”
I started to protest, but he grabbed my thigh, digging his hands into my flesh. Biting back the cry of pain I wanted to make, I stared at him. “Of course, Darren. You’re the boss.”
He smiled, liking my submission, and I hated myself at that moment. But with every new technique, he broke me. The meals were the worst, though. With each meal he cut, he left me weaker and weaker, slowly killing my spirit. I knew it was part of his psychological torture at this point, but it didn’t stop it from hurting. He’d given me a bit of freedom, to yank it away when he felt like it. There wasn’t any rhyme or reason other than he was a sadistic asshole. My meals, my clothes, my bland room, and the limited interaction I got with others was the worst kind of torture.
No matter how much I told myself to lock it away, to ignore it, to find that strength I had in me, I kept falling into his trap. Darren was far more skilled at this game than I was, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could play. My continued brokenness aided his plan, and I had nothing left to even pull Enigma forward.
* * *
A few days later,a knock on my door had me looking up, hopeful it might be Stocke, but instead, it was my tormentor. Sighing, I sat up, using all the energy I had. My body ached, and it took so much effort to do the small things.
“Pet, I just wanted to kiss my best girl bye before I go and annihilate her family. Anything you'd like me to share with them?” he asked, but I knew it was rhetorical. His smile was so smug I really wanted to wipe it off his face. But I didn’t even have the energy to lift my arm.
“Show them you're the best, and they’ll fall in love with you as much as I did.” The words tasted bitter on my tongue, but I managed to get them out.
Unfortunately, Darren didn’t buy it. Scoffing, he sneered at me as he looked down at my body. “Just wait, little pet. I'm going to show you who your family really is. After tonight, you're going to need to get on board if you're going to be my queen.” He’d said the words with some affection, but his eyes and lip told me what he thought of me with my greasy hair, pale skin, and sunken cheekbones. He turned to go, and I couldn’t seem to help myself.
“Why do you want me as your queen if you hate me so much?”
He stopped, not even turning around. “Honestly, you're beautiful when you try, and I've already spent so much time making you the perfect little pet. I don't want to waste all that effort. You’re almost just the way I want you. It’s just your mouth that still seems to be the problem.” He flicked his eyes over at me, clearly not pleased with my dishevelment. It was his fault I barely had any energy to stand in the shower. Excuse me if I wasn’t clean enough for him! “Now, be a good little pet, and tomorrow, maybe I'll let you out for longer.”
The way he said it was clear I really was a pet to him, and this was him rewarding me for good behavior with a walk. Nodding, I tried to hide the tears that fell, not that he’d noticed since he was already closing the door. I kept thinking I could take him down, that I’d find my chance to outplay him. But maybe all I was good at was being a pet?
How disappointed my mother would be. I failed her as a daughter and as a Siren.
