58. Summer #3
Internally, I’m dying because I am sure that at that moment, it was what I wanted. I have no doubt, because at times I’ve wanted it even when I’m completely sober.
Unknown
I know. I have taken care of the party responsible.
I frown, some instinctual alarm making my shoulders tighten with tension.
Summer
What do you mean?
Unknown
Little fae, I shattered the skull of a pup who had a video of you changing. I’ll leave it to your imagination what I did to someone who drugged you.
My stomach flutters, and I can’t help but read the message over and over. Did he kill them? For me? And why does that make my center pulse?
Who was it? Did he kill Rick? No. He said he’d killed the person who drugged us, and that definitely wasn’t Rick. He was as much a victim as I was.
Unknown
No one touches what is mine without consequences. You should be aware of that by now.
The possessiveness in his message stirs up even more confusing emotions. Plus, he said, touches. Does that mean he hurt Rick?
Summer
I am not yours.
Unknown
Still lying, I see.
Summer
Drop this now.
Unknown
Why?
Summer
Because it’s not the truth.
Unknown
That you are a liar? Or that you are mine?
I can feel his smug satisfaction even through the text. It fuels my anger, and I welcome it, relaxing a little as it sets my confusion aflame.
Summer
I am not yours.
Unknown
Finish the potion.
Bristling, I stare mutinously at the potion. Alice groans, still miserable even in her sleep. I am starting to feel a little better, and I know it is because of whatever is in this bottle. Fuck, I do not want to ask him for a favor.
Summer
I need another potion for Alice.
Unknown
Oh? Is that so?
Gods, he is such an arrogant asshole.
Unknown
Finish yours first, and then we will discuss it.
I grumble and drink the second half of the potion. A cool wave washes through my body, like a healing balm on a burn. The effects of whatever I was given dissipate almost as if they were never there. The pain is gone, and I feel strong and well-rested.
Unknown
Good girl.
My stomach flutters.
Summer
The one for Alice.
Unknown
For a price.
I narrow my eyes at my phone, waiting for his terms. No doubt he will try to thoroughly fuck me over, but Alice doesn’t deserve to feel like this.
Unknown
Release the oath that keeps me from watching you.
I know we agreed he wouldn’t watch me. Why is that memory so fuzzy? What else have I forgotten?
Summer
Absolutely not.
Unknown
Do you want the potion, little fae?
I huff irritably and look at Alice. She has somehow managed to position Steve over her head as a sort of cold compress. He looks back at me, flicking his tongue contentedly.
“Al?” I call in a loud whisper.
She just groans in answer.
“How shit do you feel?” I ask, biting at my lower lip.
Alice’s groan is a little louder this time, and it ends on a whimper.
“So?.?.?. you’re good?” I ask hopefully, desperate to avoid making a deal with the devil. Though given the devil is now an actual threat in my life, I guess that saying has even worse connotations.
“Shhh. No more talking,” she whispers, her voice suffused with pain. It seems that whatever the headmaster gave us has long since worn off.
“Fuck,” I curse under my breath.
Summer
What do you mean by watching me? Be specific.
Unknown
I’m allowed to watch you in your house.
I think for a moment.
Summer
Only in certain rooms.
Unknown
Which?
Summer
Living room and kitchen.
The two least personal rooms in the house. I know it’s a long shot, but I have to try.
Unknown
Bedroom.
What a creep.
Summer
Absolutely not.
Unknown
Then no deal.
Summer
Why do you want to see my bedroom?
I ask the question, but the answer is glaringly obvious. Still, I’m going to force him to say it, force him to put in writing just how much of a pervert he is.
Unknown
To protect you.
I frown, a little surprised by his reply.
Summer
You do not need to see my bedroom to protect me. Plus, you can’t enter the house anyway.
Unknown
So when someone lurks in your bedroom planning to end you, you won’t blame me for being unaware due to your pride?
Summer
You are the only thing that lurks in my bedroom. Now tell me the truth about why you want to watch.
He starts typing a couple of times, and I hold my breath, anticipating his confession.
Unknown
It helps me escape.
I can feel his vulnerability through the phone. It reminds me of the few times last year when we connected on a personal level, when we truly understood each other. When we were friends. I know it’s the truth.
Summer
You can watch until I tell you to stop.
Unknown
Tell me to stop?
Summer
Yes. If I tell you to stop watching, you must stop until I give you permission to look again.
Nothing happens for a long moment, and then he starts typing again.
Unknown
Deal.
The palm of my hand glows again.
Unknown
It is done.
I swallow, looking down at the mark. It has altered slightly, a small line now dissecting the top of the circle. I brush my fingers over it before closing my hand into a fist, pushing down the uncomfortable feelings his honesty and vulnerability roused in me.
Summer
The potion for Alice.
The message has barely been delivered before a second vial appears next to my empty one. I take a breath. What have I just agreed to?