Rory
Sixty-Seven
Iwas happy, but guilt clawed at me because Cinder was missing.
It didn’t matter who I was with, I needed her here.
I wanted her to see how happy I was because of Hades.
She deserved to see her little sister smiling bright and enjoying life once more, even with the shadow of despair lingering over us.
I might not have liked being called a princess, but that was what she treated me like.
She also didn’t treat me like a broken woman in need of saving.
She felt too perfect to be true, and it terrified me. I wasn’t a romance queen or anything remotely close, but Hades felt like home. Her name did her justice because she was a warm blanket next to a cozy fire, engulfing me in her.
Hades was at work, which meant I had to enjoy her bed to myself until she got home to hold me.
I was fantastic at sex and shit at romance, but I wanted to do something special for Hades.
She should have everything I needed here, and if not, I could have it delivered.
I didn’t know Crestview like that nor did I have my bike, so I wasn't taking a risk walking the streets.
My phone vibrated, and thinking it was Hades, I grabbed it immediately before the smile left my face.
UNKNOWN
She doesn’t deserve you
You’re mine. Not hers.
And just like that, my good mood flew out of the goddamn window.
I didn’t feel like dealing with him, but he also had some information about my sister and if she was actually dead.
ME
Did you kill her? Is Cinder dead?
UNKNOWN
Wouldn’t you like to know.
ME
Please. Just tell me. If she’s dead, where is her body?
It felt like an eternity waiting for him to respond.
UNKNOWN
I’m not done with it yet.
He didn’t confirm or deny that she was alive. Cinder could be out there, injured and dying. I needed to find clues. Something that would tell me she was alive, and if it involved playing with him, then so be it.
I would risk my life to save my sister. I just hoped there was something to save.
ME
What do you want? Obviously you want me. If you had me, would you let her go?
UNKNOWN
Then our game is ruined.
I didn’t want to play any fucking games.
ME
You won’t like me when I’m pissed. Tell me where she is.
UNKNOWN
*video*
this is how I like you, princess.
My hand shook as I watched the video. I remember this. I was sixteen and Jude carved me like a Thanksgiving turkey, but in this video there was someone else. It wasn’t Jude. I couldn’t see his face, but he wasn’t big enough to be Jude. He used my blood to write something on my skin.
Mine.
UNKNOWN
Red is such a beautiful color on you.
I locked my phone and tossed it across the bed.
Nope. He wasn’t going to ruin anything else.
I would talk to Hades tonight and see if there was something she could do to help me.
Regardless of how everyone else felt, this was my life and I would take the reins and take control of my future.
This person wouldn’t hold onto my past or use it against me.
I might scream, I might cry, but he wouldn’t break me.
I wasn’t the fragile princess that he wanted.