Steel Princess (Royal Elite 2)

I can wash it later.

I approach the boy. My heart squeezes at the red marks surrounding his ankle from the cuff.

He flinches back when I’m within arm’s reach.

I wipe the side of his eyes where there’s a beautiful mole.

He remains still, watching me intently as if he’s about to snap any second.

“I’m Elsa. What’s your name?” I frown “Wait. You have tape.”

Slowly, I remove the duct tape from around his mouth.

He winces then licks his dry lips. His eyes meet mine for a second as I wipe the side of his face with the handkerchief.

He grabs my hand harshly. I gasp and the handkerchief falls to the dirty ground.

Eli’s look-alike whispers in a scratchy, haunted voice, “Help me.”

38

Aiden

When Knight sent me a text saying that he drove Elsa back to the Meet Up, I thought he was fucking with me.

He’s not as vindictive as Nash, but he’s still holding a grudge about how I hugged Reed — and every time I used her against Elsa.

It’s around five when I step into the house. It’s pitch black.

Everyone else left.

The rain is the only sound that can be heard inside the house.

I head upstairs with slow steps. I don’t know why Elsa went to her shrink right after that fucker Nash told her something she didn’t need to know yet, but my instincts tell me it’s not good.

As soon as I walk into the dark room, I hear the sound of running water coming from the bathroom.

With quiet steps, I stalk to the door and push it open.

A shadow stands in front of the sink.

I hit the switch. White light bathes the bathroom.

Elsa doesn’t squint or move. It’s like she wasn’t even aware that she was standing in a pitch-black bathroom.

She’s scrubbing her hands under the water over and over again. Her expression is serene, peaceful almost.

It’s so similar to her expression.

I hate that expression on Elsa’s face. My Elsa isn’t a washed-up version of someone else.

Elsa is Elsa with her infuriating stubbornness and breakable innocence.

She’s not that woman.

Her hands have become red, which means she must’ve been at it for a while now.

“Elsa,” I call her name.