Chapter Twelve
A familiar tune drifted through my subconscious, lulling me from the depths of my slumber.
I didn’t want to wake up though. Sleep was safe.
Sleep was familiar. And sleep was peaceful.
I didn’t want to have to face my mom again after finding out about the vile things she’d done.
She was callous, vindictive, fake, and vile.
When I told her about what nearly happened at the party, she was so excited for me to attend, she barely batted an eye. Instead, she blamed me for it. Sleep was a much better alternative than looking her in the eye again.
With as much courage as I could muster, I attempted to let sleep take me again. Just as my eyes grew heavier, a sharp scream penetrated the darkness and jolted me awake completely.
My chest heaved violently with the shock of the sound, my mind racing as it worked to piece together what had just happened.
The last time I heard Mom scream like that, it was when she found Dad dead.
Adrenaline raced through my veins at the thought as my mind took a darker turn. Losing my father, I could handle. But despite how shitty my mom was, I wasn’t sure I was ready to completely hate her just yet.
Or worse … Isabella.
I swallowed thickly before shoving the comforter from my body and rising on weak, shaky legs.
Just as I reached the hallway, Isabella’s cries pierced the air. My stomach dropped, but there was a hint of relief from knowing she was still alive.
I quickened my pace, practically jogging down the hallway until I reached my sister’s bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, my mom’s heavy breathing clouding the space in the silent moments between Isabella’s sobs.
“Mom?” I called out, unable to keep the fear from my tone as I reached for the doorknob. “Is everything okay?”
I waited for a response, but none ever came.
Blowing out a nervous breath, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. However, I wasn’t prepared for the scene laid bare before me.
Alistair stood next to Isabella’s bassinet, holding my swaddled sister between his arms as he gently rocked her from side to side. A few feet away from me stood my mother, a hand clasped over her mouth as she watched the demon in horror.
His lips twitched when he met my gaze, malice swimming through his blue irises. “You’re just in time for the party.”
A mixture of emotions flooded through me: desire, anger, horror, lust, intrigue, disgust, and other emotions I couldn’t quite place.
There was something about this dark being that interested me.
He was a cold-blooded killer who killed my father.
He stole my virginity and forced me to ask my mom about Savannah.
All of this was tied to that woman. He was targeting us out of loyalty for her.
A flicker of jealousy spiked through me, but I quickly shoved it down.
I lifted my chin, my gaze sliding from my baby sister and back to the man holding her captive. “Release her,” I ordered with as much authority as I could muster.
He arched an eyebrow in return. “Release her?” he repeated. “Are you sure?” He tilted his head, a challenge in his gaze.
Unease snaked down my spine and coiled around my gut, pushing acid to the back of my throat. I glanced over at my mom again, who appeared to be rooted to the spot in horror. She wouldn’t be of any help. Her fight or flight instincts were kicking in, and hers were flight—always flight.
“Yes,” I hissed, returning my attention to Alistair.
His lips twisted into a sinister grin that promised nothing but pain and vengeance. Even his light blue eyes had darkened, contorting into two black voids.
“As you wish, Little Martyr.”
Before I had the chance to comprehend what was happening, he moved his hands.
My sister tumbled toward the floor faster than my mind could churn.
Panic sliced through my chest as I bolted forward, knowing deep down, I wouldn’t get to her in time.
My dark hair flew behind my shoulders, adrenaline pulsing through my veins with every sprint.
Just as I ate away the distance between us, I threw myself forward.
Desperation and fear drove me, but it wasn’t enough.
I fell to the floor, a good foot away from Isabella as she hovered an inch above the hard floor.
Shadows encased her delicate form, holding her in place right before she could meet her demise.
A strangled sob erupted from my throat, but there was relief there as well.
She was safe. At least … for now.
“Please,” I whispered, staring up at the monster above me.
Instead of responding, the shadows began to move around him. They carried my little sister back to her basinet and gently placed her inside.
Alistair’s smirk widened into a diabolical grin. “Your choice, Ember.” His voice came out dark and contorted, almost as if we were worlds apart. “You can save only one. Your sister or your mother. Choose wisely.”
My shoulders rolled forward, the heaviness of my situation getting to me.
“Ember,” Mom finally spoke, a shuddering breath expelling from her chest as she stared at me with glassy eyes. “I-I know we haven’t always seen eye-to-eye. I know I’ve made choices you aren’t proud of, but—”
Anger filled my veins at her fucking audacity. I leveled her with a sharp glare. “Are you seriously bargaining for your life right now?” The words slipped through my gritted teeth, disgust twisting my insides.
She didn’t waste any time. What kind of mother would choose her life over her child’s? She was diabolical. This woman … this bitch was the same parent I used to look up to and yearn for approval from. If anything, she wasn’t worth that kind of loyalty or devotion.
I glanced back at Alistair, my entire body shaking as I slowly rose on weak legs.
He was enjoying this way too much. It was na?ve to believe he’d spare me and Isabella once he killed my mom, but it would at least buy us a little more time. It wasn’t like she would ever change her ways if she was permitted to live. I saw her for who she truly was now—a vile snake.
“Don’t answer just yet,” Alistair told me, turning to look at my mother. “If the choice was up to you, who would you save? Your oldest daughter, or your youngest?”
“That’s hardly relevant, isn’t it?” she snapped. Despite her aggression, there was a hint of fear behind every word she uttered.
Alistair shrugged in response. “I haven’t entirely made my mind up yet. So no.”
Lies.
He knew exactly what he was going to do. This was all a sick game to him. It was written all over his stupidly hot face.
Mom glanced between the two of us before lowering her gaze to the floor. I already knew who she’d choose though. It was right on brand for her. If the choice was hers, I’d want her to make the same choice—just not for the reasons she’d choose it.
“I would choose to save Isabella,” she whispered, a lone tear trickling down her cheek.
“Interesting,” Alistair murmured, taking a step toward me, though his eyes never left my weeping mother. “Why is that?”
She blinked hard, attempting to expel the few tears clinging to her lashes. “B-because,” she stammered, finally meeting my gaze. “Somewhere along the way, I failed you. Raising Isabella would be the second chance I’ve been so desperate for.”
That wasn’t the sweet declaration she thought it was. In her eyes, she failed me because she couldn’t reshape me in her image. She wanted a carbon copy—someone who would do her bidding and bring her pride. We were nothing more than objects to her.
“And what do you think of that, Ember?” Alistair asked softly, skating his fingers over the back of my neck. A shiver tumbled through me from the contact, but I swallowed it down.
“I think … that this isn’t a fucking therapy session.” I scowled, glancing over my shoulder to glare at him.
It was one thing to physically torture us, but another thing entirely to play twisted mind games. If he wanted to kill us, he might as well just get it over with. I already knew my mom was a selfish cunt. She did whatever she wanted and didn’t give a fuck who she hurt in the process.
Alistair smirked back at me in that annoying way he seemed to favor so damn much. How could someone so … ethereal and sexy be so black-hearted.
His hand closed around the back of my neck, his fingers digging into the skin firmly. My breath caught in my throat as my pulse skipped, but I was rooted to the spot. If he was bothering me, he’d leave them alone. For now, at least.
Alistair hummed softly, his warm breath feathering over the shell of my ear.
Unable to help myself, my body reacted, seeking out more of his warmth.
My back eased against his chest and my eyes fluttered.
This mysterious, violent man shouldn’t have brought me comfort in any way.
But there was something about him that just felt so right.
“Little Martyr,” he whispered, his voice slightly strained now. “Is that arousal I sense?”
My eyes snapped open, the fog in my mind starting to dissipate.
Embarrassment clouded my thoughts at having been called out for it so bluntly.
It wasn’t like I could control my own body’s urges.
Still, it wasn’t the time to be obsessing over some murderous demon who intended to obliterate my entire family.
Fuck.
Was there ever a time for that?
My gaze slid over to where my mom stood. She seemed to be in some sort episode—shock—maybe.
I swiped my tongue along my chapped lower lip before sucking in a deep breath. “I was fantasizing about how hot it would be watching you fail.”
His lips curled into a devilish smirk, his eyes sparkling with an unknown challenge. “Your lies aren’t nearly as sweet,” he purred. “How about we skip the dramatics, get rid of the trash, and let me fuck you one final time?”