Chapter 27 #3
"What are you doing?" I gnashed my teeth as Connall slumped onto the edge of the bed. Jenny let out a sleepy whimper.
Connall's jaw tightened.
"You had your chance for nice, but you chose the hard way," Ellington snapped, offering the third mug to Connall.
My former friend downed it with a grimace, refusing to meet my burning gaze.
"Now, this sweet innocent is going to wake up to Connall here, removing her toenails."
"Don't hurt her. I'll do whatever you want." Fear made the words small and hard, like little pellets. They marked me to the bone.
Ellington tilted his head.
"What did I tell you, Connall? I said all she needed was a push in the right direction."
Sweat prickled on my upper lip.
"I'm sorry, Lara." There was death in the silence that followed. Heavy and layered with regret. Connall's choppy breaths roared like waves crashing on the shore. His fingers crept over the bed, closer to Jenny's feet.
"Don't touch her." I steeled myself for what was to come.
Ellington clapped his hands, and his smile was grotesque.
Connall sagged. "He threatened my sister." His voice cracked. "He'll kill my Tessa."
Of course, he did. This was why it was stupid to form connections. They were always a weakness. I locked my knees tight. Against the pocked motel wall, part of me withered. The sun gained height, but there was no dawn for me. Only darkness. My breath roared in my ears.
"You're making me sound like a monster." Ellington clicked his tongue.
"I'll comply. Just let her go." I could barely get the words out. "Before she wakes up."
"Now you want kindness?" Ellington crossed his arms over his chest.
"I'll make sure she obeys." Connall's bitter voice bruised me.
Muted morning sunlight painted a mottled pattern on Jenny's face. The hairs on her arms stood, and I couldn't focus. Her teeth cut a white line into her bottom lip. She was stirring, as whatever Ellington gave her wore off. If Jenny woke in this room, she'd be scarred for life.
"Oh, you'll be a good girl, won't you, Lara?" Ellington pulled out his phone and showed me a camera feed. It was blurry, and I squinted, not recognizing the cozy apartment. Until an older lady shuffled into the room, glasses perched on the end of her nose.
"You're fucking insane," I breathed.
It was Bernice, Jonah's neighbor and best friend.
"I'm just covering my bases in case you feel tempted to speak about this with anyone.
Ray's weak link walking right into my hands was a delightful surprise.
And Lyra? If I find out you've breathed one word of this to Beck, I will put the only person he loves in a shallow grave, too.
Do you have any idea who I'm talking about? "
I racked my brain, trying to think who. He was incapable of processing emotions like most people. He didn't have the same connection to any of The Unseen as he did me. Did he? My stomach dropped.
It was me he cared about the most. Enough to put his job in jeopardy to track down.
Acid blistered up my throat, and I choked on the heavy, sour tang. Ellington smiled again, the stuff of nightmares.
"That's right, you lucky duck. Amazing to think he's capable of feeling for anyone. Ah, the look on your face almost makes up for the hassle you've put me through. I won't keep you, but I'll be in touch. Remember. Not a word." He waggled a finger at us both and sauntered from the room.
My thighs burned with my full weight. I was on my knees to a god that didn't exist. There was nothing holy in this world. Only shades of black. I drowned in the waiting. Choked on the unknown.
"I can drop her off at Ray's before she wakes." Connall interrupted my spiral.
Tears gathered on my lower lashes, but they didn't fall. What was the use? They balanced on the rim of my eyelids like purgatory. Ellington was driven, brutal, and without a conscience. He wanted me on his team, and I had no fucking choice.
"He's—" I gulped as the words lodged in my throat.
Connall crouched down next to me, frowning. "You can't say a goddamn thing, do you understand?" He was vicious with terror.
I let out a bark of laughter, and though brittle, it was loud enough to make Jenny startle, even with her headphones on. She would be awake soon, so I had to pull it together. My insides were a storm of crashing lightning. I'd done this. All my secrets choked me.
"What the fuck are we going to do?"
"Just breathe." Connall avoided the question.
"Connall?" My voice rose, but he refused to answer me.
"I'll leave this here." Connall pulled a knife from his pocket and placed it on the bed. He retreated before adding, "I'm in the same situation you are, and we need to work together now."
He slipped out the door, taking the last shreds of my sanity with him. I couldn't make my brain process anything. There was only terror. The kind that made birds quiet. My knees were stiff. Champagne lingered on my tongue, tasting like bile, not alcohol.
A jester behind a king.
That was who I tried to be, but now I was dancing to a displeased crowd with strings tied around my limbs.
I was the court's fool.
And each step I took was closer to ruin.