Chapter Fourteen #2
I gave him a rundown of what had happened. Even though the entire encounter had only lasted minutes, it seemed like an eternity had passed since he’d left for his cache.
“I fucked up. Didn’t lock the door.” I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“Don’t blame yourself.” He weaved his fingers through my hair, forcing me to look at him. “It’s not your fault.”
There was the possessive gleam in his eye again, the one that made me feel like I was important and I mattered.
I nodded, accepting that he was right. We couldn’t control the psychos in the world, only how we dealt with them.
“What are we going to do?” I glared down at Michael, still knocked out cold on the floor.
“We’re going to teach him a lesson. Come on.” Valen’s tone was murderous, making my heart flutter in my chest for all the wrong reasons.
Twenty minutes later, Michael was tied to a chair in Valen’s workshop when he woke with a gasp, his head flying up, eyes wide. Spit had formed in the corners of his mouth, and he licked his lips as he took in his surroundings.
Valen had used Michael’s rope to tie him to the chair, but only after zip-tying his hands and feet together. He’d been stripped down to his boxer shorts, and there was a tarp laid out underneath him.
“Valen Creed.” Michael’s voice was slightly groggy, but he was definitely awake now.
Valen stood in front of him, arms crossed over his chest. He appeared in control, but I knew what was simmering deep inside of him. At any moment, Michael could be taking his last breath. And I wasn’t the least upset about it.
“Let’s start real simple.” Valen sounded deadly calm as Michael stared at him with adoring eyes. “I assume those were your footprints I found at my garage and around my lake?”
Wait. What footprints? A chill ran through me, and I wrapped my arms around my knees. Someone had been watching us? Fuck, for how long? The realization that all those moments I’d felt safe in the cabin hadn’t actually been real made bile rise in my throat.
Michael’s face lit up like it was Christmas morning and Valen was his present. “Man, you’re even more intimidating in person. This is amazing…”
“Answer the question.”
“Right, right. Sorry, I’m just… star-struck. Geez. Valen Creed.” His head bobbed up and down. “Yeah, that was me. God, you’re smart. Most people would have missed that.”
“How did you find me in the first place?” Valen’s back was tense, like he was ready to strike at any moment, but his face was a mask of calm.
“I knew you had property up here from the county real estate records. Took me weeks of searching these mountains to find the right cabin.” Michael didn’t even stutter, like it was all normal behavior.
“How long have you been watching me?”
“Well, you don’t have to make it sound creepy.
Not long, just before that stupid blizzard rolled through.
I was waiting for the right moment to introduce myself is all.
Then I saw you in town with her and knew now was the perfect time.
” His voice pitched higher with excitement, making my skin crawl.
“And why is that, Michael?” Valen’s jaw clenched as Michael stared up at him like he was a god.
“Obviously, because you’ve kidnapped Seraphine and kept her here. Keeping her alive is genius. I mean, the psychological torture she must be going through has to be exquisite.”
A shudder ran through me at the way he spoke. This was a very sick individual. A predator in sheep’s clothing who’d been planning murder for God knew how long.
“But now that I’m here and we’ve officially met, I can help you. I’ll make a great apprentice, Valen. I’ll do whatever you say. And you see I came prepared.” He nodded toward the tarp and zip ties lying on the ground. It was like it hadn’t registered that he was the one in serious trouble, not me.
“My apprentice?” Valen said the words slowly, throwing me a look over his shoulder. “Then tell me, Michael. Did you tell anyone where you were going?” Valen’s tone never changed, but something was shifting in the air.
“Of course not,” Michael scoffed like he was offended. “I’m not stupid. I left my car at that old logging place. Hiked up here on my own. Plus, my editor thinks I’m researching a story in Chicago.”
“Your editor?”
“For my podcast. Serial Killers Anonymous.” Michael’s face twisted in annoyance. “But I got tired of just talking about the greats of our time. I wanted to experience the real thing. To work with a master like you.”
Valen and I exchanged looks again. The admiration in Michael’s voice made me want to scrub my body in the shower for weeks. He genuinely believed Valen was this master murderer who would take on some type of apprentice. And they’d, what, kill together? What a sick fuck.
“Nobody knows you’re here,” Valen said, but it wasn’t a question, it was a statement.
“Nope. I set my own schedule. I could disappear for weeks, and nobody would think twice about it. It’s nice being your own boss, ya know?” Michael grinned. “Perfect set-up for an apprenticeship if you ask me.”
Valen nodded slowly. Michael had covered all his tracks, come alone to try to commit murder, and nobody was coming to look for him anytime soon.
He’d just sealed his own fate and hadn’t even realized it.
Valen walked over to where I sat on the recliner and kneeled next to me. His eyes searched mine as he reached up, pushing a strand of my hair behind my ear.
“He’s insane,” I whispered.
Valen nodded. “Sick in the head. Should have been institutionalized long ago.”
Something shifted in his expression. Institutionalized. Just like Cyrus had been, but Cyrus had still managed to escape and kill.
Our eyes met in a silent communication, like we were both asking and answering the same question. I squeezed my eyes shut for a brief second, nodding slowly.
“I want you to go inside,” he said.
“No.” I scowled at him. “We’re partners, remember? I’m not leaving you to deal with this on your own.”
“Seraphine…”
“Valen.” I cradled his face in my palms. “I’m not afraid of what has to happen. We both know he can’t leave here.”
Valen nodded, pressing his lips to mine in a kiss so gentle I wanted to weep.
When he pulled back, something dark flashed in his eyes. “I’ll handle it. Go inside. Wait for me.”
There was a finality in his tone that told me this wasn’t up for discussion. I glanced over his shoulder at Michael, who was glaring at me like I was the enemy in this situation, then back to Valen.
“OK,” I whispered.
I walked back toward the cabin, Michael’s voice carrying through the night.
Until suddenly, it stopped.