60
Dread washes over me. It all happens so fast.
Mortensen uses a solid brass statue on his desk to clock Kieran over the head.
That tiny distraction was enough for Mortensen to get the gun from him.
His forearm wraps around my neck in a punishing hold.
Vesper and I scream at the top of our lungs as chaos breaks out.
Zain, Val, Silas, and Grey refuse to get any closer knowing Kieran would go ape shit if Mortensen pulls the trigger on me.
Kieran lies in a bloody, disoriented heap on the floor.
Blood beads down from his skull, cheek, and face.
His pupils are blown. If he ends up dying, I will never forgive myself.
“My sweet Offering, you belong to the Void. You're a gift to please the Elites. You are my redemption. Forgiveness will be imminent if I bring you back. I can hold order! I am the Sovereign! His choices will not taint our family line and what we stand for!
You will come voluntarily or I will blow his brains out.” He threatens. I assess my choices.
It's clear he is unstable and willing to murder his only male heir.
But would he? I refuse to have Kieran's blood on my hands.
He needs to live, he has to. He has so much more to offer this world than I do.
Little pieces of me break a little more.
Mortensen's words cut me down. I remember a time when I was innocent.
But that girl is long gone. With my last will and testament maybe I can free him from his father so he can rise to greatness.
“I'll go willingly.” I choke. Vesper pleads with her eyes. She can sense my fear. “No!” she begs. She falls to her knees.
Mortensen stands tall. “Good girl. Make yourself worth something.” He strokes the barrel down my tear-streaked cheek. “This cunt is all you have to offer.” He presses the barrel deeper into my cheek. I suppress the urge to cry out. My pulse races. Stay strong, Clara.
Zain's eyes drill into me from across the room.
He gives a subtle nod. He must have been formulating a plan.
Mortensen shuffles us backward. The barrel stings against my flesh.
“Back! Stay back!” he shouts. Everyone is on edge.
My eyes wander back down to Kieran. He stirs.
His hand instinctively massages his head.
Dried blood tangles his curls. “I'm gonna haunt you even in hell, Father.”
He slurs. He musters the last of his strength, forcing his legs to work. He gets to his feet.
Mortensen's eyes narrow. “I spent years molding you, preparing you. You are a failure of a son. It is clear she has your cock in a chokehold. Is this precious cunt made of gold?” He lowers his gun, jamming the muzzle in my crotch. I sob silently.
That murderous glint lights up Kieran's eyes.
“Get your hands off her. If you kill her, I will personally hunt you to the ends of the earth until I make you suffer. I am capable. Test me.”
His voice is too calm, more calm than he has ever been capable of being.
It scares even me. When Mortensen doesn't comply, Kieran surges forward and pummels him to the ground.
A loud pop blares through the small room.
In the scuffle I'm shoved by Kieran to the floor.
Chaos erupts. The boys scramble to Kieran's aid.
Vesper crawls over to me amidst the chaos.
“Clara!” She reaches out for me, but I'm torn between helping Kieran with his retribution or cowering in the corner like a useless kitten.
Vesper shakes her head at me. A silent warning.
My head flicks back over to the scuffle.
The gun gets kicked by Grey's foot. It slides across the floor.
I make a split-second decision. My body surges forward and grabs the gun.
I've never shot a gun in my entire life.
Loud pounding echoes from the French doors.
Time is running out. One thing is certain though.
No longer will I allow my past to dictate my future.
The weapon is heavy in my palm. Fate is in my hands. I turn my attention back to the fight.
Kieran has Mortensen pinned down. Blood spills down his bicep.
His blood-soaked shirt clings to his heaving body.
Val has a hold on Mortensen's ankles while Grey holds his arms.
Zain is a dark looming presence struggling to hold back.
Kieran's fist repeatedly connects with Mortensen's jaw.
Mortensen's bloody, toothy grin makes him almost unrecognizable.
He cackles wildly. He gargles and slurs.
His words are unintelligible. The gun shakes in my palm.
Adrenaline flows through my system. The pounding against the door grows louder.
There is no telling how much longer it'll hold.
Slowly, I raise the barrel. Kieran swings his head around mid-punch.
His eyes fall to the gun in my hand. His face goes stark white.
I have every reason to end this now. And the Void.
End the line of Grimshaw. I hold the power to put a stop to their sick and twisted games, the Void, all of it.
Vesper's voice rings out in desperation behind me, but I block her out.
Every time I think I'm safe, I'm proven wrong.
It's a painful illusion. It's time to end this nightmare even if it kills me.
I close my eyes and pull the trigger just as the door splinters open.