Chapter Nineteen
Aaron
‘Kill her. It’s about time.’ Aunt Ariel’s voice is screechier than usual.
‘You’re only delaying the inevitable.’ Father hisses.
Turning my gaze from Mae’s sleeping form, I run a hand over my face.
Ever since I stumbled to tasting Mae’s luscious lips, I’ve been in this constant intense war with my demons. The type that even drawing blood wouldn’t soothe. The kind I’m doomed to lose.
I steal a glance at Mae’s peaceful face. Screw it. I would’ve done it all over again if I had the chance to replay. I held myself for so long. Even after the kiss, I had to keep containing the urge to take her whole. My dark desire would’ve scarred her for life. That’s why I closed off and avoided her for three whole days.
The crowded meetings and the business talks were a good idea to take my mind off her. But even those didn’t work. All I could do was think of her.
Here I am, back to her room at the early hours after spending a sleepless night. It’s impossible to fight the itch to be near her, to breathe her citrus scent, and see my reflection in her eyes.
‘And eventually kill her.’
Go away.
They don’t. Their voices echo in my head like a chant. Their mind eyes gape at Mae’s porcelain skin. Hypothetically ripping her apart. They dance to her screams and bathe in her blood.
It disgusts me.
The mere memory of her bloodied face sends my temper raging. I refuse to do something remotely similar. But with the persistent way the demons chant, it’s only a matter of time before I’m driven crazy. Where are the soft voices when I need them? Were they finally driven to their demise?
‘Are you going to fight us over some girl?’ Frost seeps into my veins at the shadow of Aunt Ariel’s voice. ‘Will you jeopardise your well-being for an insect?’
You’re dead. Leave me alone, Aunt.
‘Not until you do the right thing. I didn’t sacrifice myself for you to become pathetic.’ I can almost see the scowl on her face— thankfully I don’t.
A soft moan pulls me from the hypothetical war with my dead family members. Mae’s sleepy face morphs into a little smile as she sits up in bed. She tucks some of her rebel strands back. My fingers twitch to do the same.
She’s so beautiful I yearn to devour her whole. In every bloody aspect.
“Are we going horse riding?” she asks, voice joyful.
I refrain from clearing my throat at being caught off guard. “No.”
She releases an exasperated sigh. All the excitement washes away to leave place for a scowl. Witnessing her fast changeable facial expressions sends a curious sensation through my veins. It’s similar to the rush of hunting. If not more powerful.
“It’s been five days since I’ve seen Silver and Jet.” Her voice has an edge to it. “I miss them.”
I make a beckoning sign. “Come with me.”
Mae narrows her eyes, pinches the bridge of her nose, but the kitten in her asks, “Where?”
With one last glance, I exit her room. She follows me, her steps are quiet. Careful. As if afraid I’m leading her to her hanging— which I should have done the day I met her. I wouldn’t be in this internal chaos if I’d finished her in the alley or the day after.
All this mess clouding my head is a payment for my impulse to keep her. After all these years, I invited a weakness into my life.
And now, I don’t know what to do about her.
I open the door to the room she occupied before.
“No.” Mae halts, gluing herself to the wall. “I won’t go in there again.”