CHAPTER ONE
I walk into my home, closing the door behind me as quietly as I can. I’m sure that by now the au pair is as sound asleep as Shiloh.
I won’t wake up either.
Instead, I walk into the living room where the teenage girl is sleeping soundly–with one arm draped dramatically across her forehead, mouth slightly ajar–and I smile down at her.
But the smile only lasts a moment because as I tilt my head, I notice that something is off.
Shiloh, I think grimly as I narrow my eyes toward the edge of the blanket gently laying across Adriana’s neck.
I briskly lean down andmove it slightly–no more than an inch–then let it fall back against her skin.
A fire begins to kindle inside of me.
I don’t understand why Shiloh can’t do as she’s told when I’m not here. I’ve gone over it so many times, teaching her how to treat others, and she still doesn’t seem to grasp the concept.
I’ll talk to her before I leave again tomorrow morning, I decide as I walk over to the small closet door in the living room.
Shrugging off my jacket, I loop the right sleeve through my purse strap before I reach for a hanger and secure both onto it.
Once I’ve closed the door, I run a hand back through my hair, smiling slightly at the smell of copper still coating my skin.
It enriches the very core of my being, and taunts it at the same time.
“Mm,” I mumble tiredly as I finally decide to head toward my bedroom. I walk in, flip on the light, and close the door behind me before I begin to peel off my sticky clothing. I have to stop making the nights longer than they need to be , I tell myself as I make a neat pile of my garments.
Not for them—those who come to me deserve everything that I can afford them and more, but for myself. Playing the part of the dutiful mother and hostess to our au pair can be a little strenuous when I’m so damned tired.
Rubbing my face, I walk over to my dresser and pick out a pair of silk sleep shorts, a plain-white fitted t-shirt, and a pair of boy shorts. I cradle them against my chest before I walk back to my pile and pick it up. Holding it out in front of me, I march it straight across the hall to the bathroom. I use a foot to push up the lid of my hamper and drop the grotesqueries into it. Laying my fresh clothing on the now closed lid, Isit on the toilet for a moment to collect myself.
My body hunches forward as I reach down to touch the tips of my toes, stretching as best as I can, then let out a sigh.
Tonight is over.
The monsters are no longer whispering in their respective rooms, taunting their victims, giving them glorious endings.
If only they would allow my monster to rest.