Ruin (The Rhodes 1)

I stomp on the breaks, drawing the car to a halt outside the estate.

So what if she’s in danger? She can die by Celeste’s hands for all I care. Whatever happens to her because of me is collateral damage.

‘No. You should be the one to kill her,’ Aunt scolds.

‘You haven’t wasted so much time reading and recording her details to let another take the joy of spilling her blood.’ Father’s voice is firm.

Exactly.

I set the car back in motion. The blowing wind whirls inside and slaps me across the face as I drive to the city.

Several streets away from Mae’s house, I park the car and climb out to scrutinise the area for the merest trace of Celeste. The longer I walk the empty streets, lit by bright bulbs, the calmer I become.

Nothing. As expected.

If she’s watching me, and from a short distance no less, I would’ve noticed her. The good thing about being a tracker is having the intuition to prevent being tracked back.

Since I’m already here...

I proceed to my usual ritual of watching the human being who conquered the majority of my thoughts. I can already form images of her in my head.

Obsession.

That’s the right term. I’m fucking obsessed.

Not long after I settle in a dark corner across from her house, Mae’s graceful chuckle reaches me. Arm encircling her father’s waist, they climb the stairs towards their house. She throws her head back, laughing at something he said. My senses are unwillingly drawn to the feathery sound of her laughter.

How can someone be so full of... life?

Worse, why am I transfixed on a neurotypical person?

I spent my entire existence observing people. Reading. Recording. Analysing. I always, without a doubt, have a clear course of action: if I didn’t seek blood, I plotted manipulation. This is the first time where the situation falls in between.

There must be something special about Mae that makes her paintings speak to my soul.

The need to delve deep into her and unravel that darkness overwhelms me.

My phone vibrates. A blocked number.

“Who is it?”

“Heeey, partner!” Celeste’s honeyed voice almost deafens me. “Or should I say, ex-partner? After all, you left me in The Pit all by myself. No worries, though. I get to reign alone now. Except for those pesky Team Zero, they keep stealing contracts from me. No worries, though, they’ll be gone sooner or later.”

My eyes dart sideways, but there’s no alarming feeling of being watched.

“What do you want?”

She laughs. “Are you ready for me? Because anything you care about will turn to ashes soon.”

“Are you sure you want to die by my hands? It will be very painful.”

“That should be my line. You better hide, Aaron.”

“You better run, Celeste.”

My grip on the phone tightens after I hang up.

My gaze strays to Mae’s house. She’s really in danger now. I’ve to do something about her.