My breathing turned shallow. That was why she left me on my own these past days. She couldn’t get caught and risk stalling communication with their friends who were on their way, which I understood, but she wanted to see what would happen with Will and me. Maybe for her own interest or maybe for his.
He didn’t want to leave. Why?
Alex stepped toward him, staring hard into his eyes. “Damon’s second child is on the way,” she said. “Michael and Rika are getting married on Devil’s Night. They’re getting ready to tear down the Cove and move forward with the resort. We need to leave.”
“Sounds like everything is going pretty well without me, actually.”
She swatted him twice, not really hard, but I could hear her palm hitting his chest. He reared back.
“I almost prefer you wasted,” she growled in a low voice, “because I have no idea who you are right now. When we met, what did I say to you?”
He stood there—silent, contrite, and not spouting another word.
“I can take anything as long as I have enough lipstick,” she recited. “I just shove it all underneath an extra coat, like you always did with your smiles. Rika, Michael…all of them, they’re my family.” She softened her voice, nearly choking on the tears. “But you… you’re my reflection. Now snap out of it. You’re coming with me or…”
“Just trust me, okay?” he said suddenly, finally standing tall again and turning to face her. “I know what I’m doing. Just trust me this once.”
He took her face in his hands, and I dropped my eyes, backing away, because I couldn’t watch it anymore.
She was better for him. She was worlds better for him.
And even though I knew it was reckless just like all the times I did things in high school, knowing Martin would find out and knowing the consequences, I ran. The toe of my sneaker banged into a pipe, a clang piercing the air, but I didn’t care if they heard. I ran and ran with every intention of getting out of here once and for all. It was time.
I didn’t know where I was, where I was going, or how I would survive in the cold forest, but that was the thing about me—somehow I always made it through.
Climbing the ladder back up to my room, I bolted down the tunnel and slipped through the portrait again. I grabbed the sweatshirt Aydin brought me, slipped it on, and stuck the knife in my back pocket, leaving my claw glove and darting out of the room. Heading down the stairs, I looked quickly around the foyer, the statues and candles flickering and looming as if there were a presence I couldn’t see, and I dove into the kitchen, snatching my bundle from the cupboard.
Pulling up my hood, I ran for the back door.
But just then, the panel on the wall popped open and slid over as Alex slipped through, blocking my way.
Will walked in behind me, both of them breathing hard and fast like they’d been rushing to cut me off. They must’ve heard me stumble over the pipe in the tunnel.
“Emmy, you have to be quiet,” Alex whispered, peering over my shoulder in case anyone else came. “I won’t be able to get you out if he locks me up.”
He. Aydin.
“You want to leave, then?” I challenged her. “Then, let’s leave now. You chose to be here. I didn’t. I want to go home.”
I didn’t want to be here with them both. I didn’t want to be here at all. I didn’t give a shit if I died out there right now.
You’re my reflection. The backs of my eyes burned.
She shook her head at me. “I’m not leaving without him.”
“Fine.”
I rounded the island, shoved the only apothecary jar left at Will, and he jumped back as it crashed on the floor
I bolted from the room, racing back through the house and toward the front door. If he wasn’t ready to leave, I wasn’t
waiting. I made my own choices.
I didn’t know why I was so pissed, because I knew what had happened between them, and he had no obligation to me, of all people, but seeing the bond up close…it was stronger than I thought.
It never occurred to me it was strong at all. How could I have been so stupid.
It hurt.