Page 31 of Unhallowed

“Well fucking enlighten me.”

“I just did.” He mocks.

How fucking convenient. So Killian did this to get back at me all along. For what? Not telling him about Firefly? Sometimes we keep our secrets, guard them with our lives, because it’s all we have left of ourselves. Mine sure are. I’ve given every other piece of me toThe Family, to the fucking Heathens. As my wife, I would’ve kept her as far from this as possible, unless absolutely necessary. It’s not like The Fellowship brings their wives into their business and rituals. They keep them in the dark except for what they must know. It’s a need-to-know basis.

“Fuck this shit.” I sigh. “I’m going home.”

I’m going home to Angel, to the love of my life. Truth is, I’m lucky as fuck to have her right now. The council could’ve said no, they could’ve denied my request, they could’ve not felt generous that night. The fact that they gave Angel the right to choose is astounding to me, even if they pissed me off by saying she could act like a whore if she wanted to. But she shouldn’t have been forced into the marriage. My father was wrong for that one. I don’t care about the damn rules, he should’ve never given Killian any kind of blessing. He should’ve looked for me before letting my soulmate have her. Or maybe that’s the problem. The Fellowship firmly believes we share everything and that’s why we’re paired up. It’s not uncommon for them to share wives. It’s like soulmates are fucking married to each other too.

This cult isfucked.

And yet I know there’s no way out of it. One day I’m going to finish law school and have a big fucking responsibility on my shoulders, a job of their choosing, and my life will be completely orchestrated by them. I’ll be their puppet, and I know there’s nothing I can do about them pulling my strings no matter how disgusted I am. As it stands, I’m going to be a judge in the Supreme Court of Virginia one day, then maybe even the federal government eventually. Everything depends on what they want and need from me.

“Can you even drive home?” Asher asks, but there’s no concern in his voice, only a snicker.

“I walked here, dumbass.” I retort. “I live two doors down.”

The Heathens all live on Mortem Drive. It’s a cul-de-sac that houses all of us. No spare houses. No one to know our damn business. And our parents and other influential politicians live in the rest of the neighborhood.

The District.

“Alright.” Jagger says. “See ya.”

I nod once and get off the couch, opening the front door as I take another hit of my joint. Except I come face to face with Killian, and I drop my weed on the floor and stomp on it. He has some fucking nerve smiling at me after what he ruined for me, what hedidto me.

“Hey fucker!” Jagger yells at me. “Not on my fucking hardwood floors!”

“Shut up.” I growl.

Grabbing Kill by the collar of his shirt, I punch him in the face. My fist connects with his temple and he rears back. I smile as I do it because damn it feels so fucking good to let the rage out, to finally be able to express it. I’ve been wanting to beat his ass since the basement, and now I finally get to do it. Not surprising me in the least, he immediately hits me back right in the mouth. Even though it hurts, I don’t stumble, I hit him again.

This is for taking Angel.

And again.

This is for locking me up in the basement.

And again.

This is for making me want you and ruining everything.

He made me fucking want him, and now I can’t get him out of my sick and twisted thoughts anymore. He’s ruining my life in every way possible.

Jagger and Asher grab me by the shirt and pull me back.

“You motherfucker.” I pant. “You thought you could just fucking steal her from me and we’d be okay?”

“Go inside.” He tells the boys. “Close the fucking door. Let us deal with this.”

“Fuck, no!” Asher yells. “Just look at you bitches, fighting over some girl you barely even know.”

“Shut the fuck up—” I snap, and Killian says, “Go inside.” At the same time.

I look back to see Jagger dragging Ash inside the house, whispering something and then slamming the door behind me. Killian takes three steps forward, caging me in with his forearms.

“You know how soulmates work,baby.” Killian spits out with venom in his voice. “We. Share. Everything.”

“Not her.” I shake my head.

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