AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After I—
I’ll never deserve her, but I want to give her the same gift. Everyone who hurt her.
There are so many names on the list.
I still put myself at number one, but I’ll take my punishment in servitude.
Whatever Lilac needs.
Whatever she wants.
That’s why I don’t let go until Atlas reminds me. “Her knuckles are bleeding. Let us take her home.”
Finn and Hunter haul me to my feet.
“Told you.” Finn hits my shoulder.
I finally understand his madness. How she can be the anchor we both lack.
As Atlas carries Lilah—my Lilac—away, head tucked against his chest, the ice creeps back, freezing me in starbursts of pain.
I’m only warm for her.
Hunter tugs me around to meet my gaze, flicking his eyes side to side. I don’t care what truths he sees.
He pats my shoulder. “You want to talk to her, or you want us to take care of it?”
“I have one question.” Then I’ll close this chapter, stake my demons, and start chasing Lilah’s instead.
“Let’s go.” Hunter and Finn each take an arm, supporting me down through the underground catacombs to our dungeon cells.
Smells like clay and metal.
Water and blood.
Hikaru leans against a cell door, waiting. He straightens when we near. “Do you have something to say to me?”
“No.” My past is between me and Doctor Jakob.
Lilah if she wants to hear.
He nods, ending what passes as a Wyvern heart-to-heart. “She’s yours.”
“Always was.” I should’ve taken her out years ago, but I liked knowing where she was. Knowing that I had her under my control the way she wanted me under hers. It kept me from digging too deep and remembering the rest of the past I couldn’t bear.
“Tag team?” Finn licks his lips.
I yank him back so I can enter. “You can clean up.”
He and I have a routine for breaking prisoners.
Renee’s already broken.
She groans against the floor, flinching when my footsteps stop in front of her face.
I wait for the rush of memories, of pain, of shame.
Nothing comes but disgust.
