Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
“We should stay away from our shadows.
Because there we hide our deepest desires.
And some of these desires?
Are deadly in their nature and demand our sacrifice.
A sacrifice that will inevitably destroy us.”
Lavender
Lavender
I move a little, the heavy chains locked around my wrist and ankle cutting into my skin, and I bite my lip, holding back a groan of frustration.
Showing a weakness in the devil’s den is not an option because he will use it against me one way or the other.
The delusional asshole probably has cameras all over this place. “I hate you, Levi,” I say, hoping he hears me.
I should have known better. I’m delusional too, and that’s why I ended up in this mess in the first place.
I’ve been stuck here for hours now, with Gavin periodically coming and going, bringing me food and offering blankets.
I told him to get out every single time, counting the time and hoping that my brothers would come and fix this.
In fact, I have no idea what Levi’s goal is here, anyway.
It’s not like he can force me to be with him or blackmail me into keeping my mouth shut, so isn’t this a waste of time?
Being trapped here also put in perspective a lot of things, and I came to the conclusion based on the comments he made that he probably kills all these people who deserve it.
Maybe that’s why he liked our discussions because he could find justification for his actions, so I don’t really feel sorry for the victims.
He might not be some bloody murderer who snatches whoever, but it still doesn’t change anything between us.
He used me, lied to me, and pretended to be someone he was not while playing the role of a dashing prince.
What a joke.
When, in fact, he was the villain all along.
My life got ruined once again.
I freeze when heavy footsteps register in my mind, the energy around me changing swiftly, and my fists clench.
Levi, wearing all black, comes down the stairs, flashing me a grin that doesn’t reach his cold eyes, and it contrasts with his mesmerizing handsomeness, which has women falling all over themselves around him.
If only they knew the truth…
I shift back a little, wanting to put as much distance between us as possible, but that’s useless because in a second, my back hits the cage’s bars, reminding me of my dire situation.
For I’m a prisoner in this monster’s dungeon, a monster who hides himself behind a perfect and beautiful mask, fooling everyone around him about his true intentions and trapping innocent souls in this hell of his own creation.
Lay off the dramatics, Lavender.
“Moy cvetochek,” he says, his voice seductive yet threatening and hypnotizing.
“Why are you shaking so much?” I pick up the water bottle lying nearby that Gavin left behind and throw it at him, rattling the cage’s bars.
“Ah, I missed your temper. I started to think you lost it along the way. It would have been such a shame since that’s what attracted me to you in the first place.
” Rolling my lips, I refuse to say a word and give him the satisfaction he so seeks.
He throws the golden key inside the cage.
“I have a proposition for you.” A beat passes.
“Unlock your chain.” Despite his voice sounding even, I do not miss the order lacing it, and although my hatred for the man right now is deep…
following orders when it comes to kidnappers is something both of my brothers engraved in me from a young age.
“Remember one thing, Lavender. When in captivity, focus only on your freedom. No matter what you have to do…it won’t be your fault. Only have one goal in mind. To escape. Because compassion doesn’t exist in darkness.” Rush palms my cheek. “Do whatever is necessary to survive.”
I grab the key, unlock the cuffs, and rub the bruised flesh while watching him carefully. He finally decided to end this stupidity?
“Good girl,” he praises, and I bristle at the endearment, barely holding myself back from throwing the cuffs at him. How dare he call me that now? “Let’s play a little game, shall we?”
“I’m not interested in playing any games with you.”
“Even if it means gaining your freedom back?”
He opens the cage door wider, his gloved hand holding the bar tightly and bringing attention to his muscular physique that warns me he can crush my bones with just a little pressure. “Get up.”
I do as he says and wince at the pain shooting through my legs from being in the same position for such a long time.
“Run, moy cvetochek. I’ll even give you a head start.
” He cocks his head to the side while my brow furrows and fear stirs deep in my stomach because such generosity means nothing good.
“If you reach the security guards before I catch you, you’ll have your freedom.
I won’t ever come to you again.” Since I stay still, only my labored breathing fills the air as our gazes clash.
The energy around us sizzles with tension and wickedness that sends shivers down my spine in waves, urging me to hide away in some corner from whatever he has planned for me.
I’ve seen firsthand what his cruelty is capable of. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to wipe away the images in my head, playing like a vivid horror movie.
Yet this is a different kind of anticipation and fear, as if participating in this game would change everything in ways that would ruin me.
Because then I’d have to face all my hidden demons that love his obsessive attention and want to discover what his darkness truly entails, and that’s a recipe for disaster.
I need healthy in my life, not fucked up.
“Lavender.” His harsh voice startles me as he opens the door wide and points toward the stairs. “Run.”
Monsters do not give you chances. They force you to play their games because they enjoy your soul slowly bleeding to death.
As your suffering is their only source of fuel.
Deciding to break my silence, I lick my chapped lips and push the question out through my dry throat since I refused to drink whatever Gavin brought me. “And if I fail?”
His eyes scan me from head to toe, the heat in them unsettling.
“Then you’ll belong to me. Remember one thing, Lavender.
It’s your last chance. If you fail…you’ll be mine forever.
No one, including your family, will be able to take you away from me.
All my previous crimes would seem like a warm-up.
” So much heat laces his promise, and fisting my skirt, I move closer to the door as he steps back, and says, “Run, moy cvetochek. I’ll count to ten.
” We stare at one another, and he mouths, “One.” With this, I rush outside, ignoring the pain shooting through my entire system.
Taking two steps at a time, I get to the empty hallway, my bare feet slapping soundly against the perfectly polished marble as I race toward the exit.
An owl hoots in the distance when I push through the double doors and fly outside, ignoring the hot concrete bruising my skin.
A gasp slips past my lips at the sight of the enormous maze garden greeting me, spreading horizontally, lit by the moonlight shining brightly on the mesmerizing fauna, promising you hell on earth, for the creatures who live inside it are cursed and vicious, craving only one thing.
Your complete surrender.
Grabbing my skirt tighter, I speed up my pace and focus on one thing only.
To win this game, even if it seems impossible right now.
I have to believe in the impossible and use all my strength to find a way out.
Because a hunter chases me.
And he’ll stop at nothing to catch his prey.
This is my only chance because, despite everything, I believe he will keep his word to me.
My last chance at being normal and putting all my past behind. I might join the convent after this, though, since my taste in men is clearly shit, and I seem to be attracting the crazy.
I race through the garden with all my might, passing the magnificent flowers as thunder shakes the sky and rain starts to pour, darkening everything, while the lights make my eyes blur.
My dress and hair become instantly soaked, and my lungs burn for oxygen as I navigate through the confusing maze and cry out when I see Levi in the distance. I dart to the side, getting myself into another opening, and huff in frustration when I reach a dead end.
“Think, Lavender, think.”
I see a small alley leading somewhere and run quickly, sobbing with relief when I manage to get out of the maze and notice a light far away, which must be the security cubicle.
Despite my whole body throbbing in pain and my feet burning while every gasp of air becomes unbearable, I speed up, ready to reach the finish line and…
“No!” I scream when strong arms grab me from behind and lift me, my feet kicking the air as I thrash in his hold. “Let go of me!”
“No can do, moy cvetochek. I caught you, so you’re mine,” he whispers into my ear right before turning me around and throwing me over his shoulder.
He marches back toward the mansion. “You put up a good fight. I’m really proud of you.
You even managed to pass the maze. And it’s more confusing than the one at my childhood home. ”
I hit his back with my fists, but freeze at these words, lifting myself from his shoulder a little, removing my wet hair from my face, and gasp. “It was you who found me?”
“You’re funny, Lavender. Nothing happens in your life without my knowledge and permission. I think we’ve established that. There was a reason Hardy watched you like a hawk.”
I bristle at this. “Permission? I don’t need your permission for anything, you obsessive psycho!” And I knew I was suspicious about Hardy for a reason. He doesn’t even look like a butler! Another traitor to avoid.
Or maybe I can get him fired. Call me vindictive, but fuck him too.
“Shhh, all this screaming will hurt your throat, and I have better plans for it tonight.”
The audacity!
“If you think I’m going to sleep with you again after—”
“I don’t think. I know.”