Steel Princess (Royal Elite 2)

“Get off my property,” Daddy grinds out. “Now.”

I flinch at the tone, my nails digging into the rose.

Uncle Reg smiles and comes in my direction. I hide back against the tree, holding the rose close to my chest.

I’m so going to give Uncle Reg a scare.

“What do we have here?” Uncle Reg speaks from in front of the tree. “I can see your hair, princess.”

Uh-Oh.

I step out, pouting. “Not fair, Uncle Reg. I was about to scare you!”

He places a hand at his heart. “Oh, I’m terrified, princess.”

“It’s okay, you can stop being scared now.”

“Thank you, my lady.” He straightens and points at the rose. “Where are you taking that?”

I grin, showing him my missing tooth. “To Ma! She said she’ll read me a story today.”

He lowers himself so he’s crouching. “Your ma has been good, yeah?”

“Yeah! She’s putting red lipstick.”

Uncle Reg’s expression falls.

But why?

Ma is totally cool when she’s putting red lipstick and wearing red dresses. It means she’ll read me stories and put me to sleep. She’ll be there for me when them monsters voices start coming from the basement.

Ma is bad when she has no lipstick on and wears that white dress. That’s when she makes me sit on her lap and sings me that haunting song. That’s when them monsters come to take me away.

Uncle Reg motions at my rose. “Is that for her?”

“Yes!” I grin. “Ma loves red.”

A heavy sigh leaves his lips as he stands to his full height and pats my head. “Careful, princess. Red also means blood.”

Uncle Reg morphs into a shadow.

My heartbeat picks up.

No, no…

I shake my head.

It isn’t real.

Not real.

I need to take the red rose to Ma. She’ll read for me. She’ll put me to bed when them monster voices come.

The rose’s sharp thorn pierces my finger.

Ow.

The first droplet of blood hits the ground. Another follows.