Chapter 30 – VENOM
Chapter
Thirty
VENOM
Ipull up to my gate and let out a sigh. This damn gate. I take a mental note to get it upgraded asap.
It’s dark, but I'm picturing my beast waiting for me in my greenhouse and I smile at the thought.
I never had someone who truly loved me to come home to when I was growing up.
Eventually things changed and Ev would be the one waiting up for me some nights, making sure I was alright.
It was different having someone care like that about me.
And now, knowing Ivy is the one waiting for me to come home, it’s a feeling I never want to get used to.
To see her eyes light up when she sees me, take in her familiar summer scent, to feel peace amidst the chaos of my mind and work life in the arms of my favorite little viper.
My home within a home.
My headlights catch on my other car that Evelyn used today, still parked in front of the stairs like she usually does after coming home from grocery shopping, and the trunk is still open.
I reach into my pocket and pull out a knife.
Something isn’t right here.
I stop the car and step out, slowly walking the rest of the way, focusing on any little movement or noise.
Before I even make it to the trunk, my attention is pulled to a sound coming from the front steps.
My eyes widen as I see Evelyn lying in an awkward angle on the stairs.
“Ev!” I run to her, kneeling in a pool of blood beside her and pulling her into my lap. “Oh, Ev.”
I take in her injuries. Bruised, bloody face, bleeding wounds to the stomach and… her hands. Her fucking hands have been cut off.
No.
I can't fix this.
I can't fix this.
The realization steals my breath and forms a tight grip around my heart like a boa constrictor coiling its body around me and squeezing, tighter and tighter.
Evelyn looks at me with a pained and broken expression. Her face is splattered with blood, red tears streaming down her cheeks.
She lifts her arm, slowly moving it as if trying to sign but all that remains is a bloody stump.
My heart breaks even more.
“Fuck, Ev. Shh. You’re going to be alright,” I try reassuring her, or maybe it’s more for myself.
She shakes her head at me. She’s always been able to tell when I lie.
A gurgled cough escapes her, more blood seeping from her mouth.
“Where’s Ivy? Is she okay?” I ask through a trembling voice.
Evelyn points her arm straight toward the driveway.
And I nod in understanding.
Taken.
Someone came here and took something precious from me and hurt the only real mother figure I ever had.
I squeeze my eyes shut and swallow back the lump in my throat. I caress her hair as I stare back down at her. “I’m going to help you now, darlin’. You won't be in pain any longer,” I say, barely able to keep a steady tone.
She nods, and a tear escapes my eye.
“Christ, Ev. Who’s gonna keep me in line now?”
The corner of her mouth ticks and she lifts another bloody arm pointing toward the driveway again.
Ivy.
“I’m going to get her back. I promise; I’ll get her back.”
I tip my face to the sky, blinking hard, refusing to let the tears win. Not yet.
Not until I tell her. I look back to her, my sweet Ev, and my chest cracks open. “You’re the only real family I’ve ever had. The only one who stayed and showed me kindness, love. Thank you… f-for everything, you crazy old bat. I-I love you. Christ, I should’ve said it sooner.”
Her brows pinch, tears streaking down her face, mixing with the blood smeared across her cheeks, but her eyes—those eyes—hold me like always. Like I’m hers. Even when I’ve been a thorn in her side. She remained an anchor for me.
My stomach twist and my hands tremble as I pull out a syringe of aconitine, from her favorite plant.
It takes three tries to steady my hand enough to press the thin needle against her neck.
My throat burns like shards of glass have been placed inside me as I whisper, “It will be quick, darlin’.
The purple wildflowers will take you to Frank.
” A strained small smile grows across her blood coated mouth. “I’ll see you soon, Ev.”
The plunger goes down. And my world goes with it. She trembles once. Twice. Her smile falters, before she exhales a last, rattled breath.
“No,” I choke, pulling her against me, my forehead pressed against hers. “Please, don’t—” My body heaves, but she’s already gone.
A soft breeze blows and everything becomes eerily still, no noise, just a suffocating silence as if Death himself has arrived to take my Evelyn away forever.
I kiss her cold forehead; my lips wet with my own tears. “Goodbye, old friend.”
I hold her a few moments longer before I compose myself, steeling my emotions and carry her inside to place her on the couch. I cover her with a blanket, then make a call to someone who will assist with her body with care and respect.
There’s another important matter that needs my attention now.
Getting my little beast back and making whoever took her suffer.