Page 10 of Wicked Revenge

“Holy fuck, this place is insane. It’s like a fucking fairytale threw-up in here. All you need is your witch’s broom in the corner and a cauldron bubbling over a fire,” she chuckles as she places her backpack on the kitchen counter and unzips it.

She pulls out containers of the delicious stew I smelled earlier at Twisted and a paper bag full of baked bread and places them on the stained wood.

My stomach gives an appreciative grumble when the aroma of hearty goodness hits my nose. She starts rummaging through my cabinets and drawers, looking for bowls and spoons.

She must see that my kitchen is damn near empty, of even items needed to actually eat with because she looks at me with sympathy and more questions in her eyes.

“Rae, why is there nothing here? When was the last time you ate?”

“I ate earlier, I just ran out of my supplies today,” I walk in the foyer by the front door and pulling out two plastic spoons from my own backpack. Thank God I still have them from my journey from White Harbor. “These will work for now. I think we have to eat from the containers though,” I say, feeling a little embarrassed with myself.

“Well, don’t you worry, I’ll fix this shit first thing tomorrow morning,” she states with her familiar sass that I miss so much. She grabs the containers, I grab the bread, and we make our way to the candle-lit table.

“It’s just… I can’t be spotted in town, and while I can somewhat stick to the shadows and avoid being seen here and there, actually going into a store and shopping, the risk is too high.”

“The risk is too high for what?” She asks with confusion. “Raena LeRoux, what the fuck is going on? I think it’s time you tell me where the fuck you’ve been and what the fuck is going on. Now.”

Emotion fills her voice. I can hear the fear and heartbreak, but also a hint of protectiveness. I know I can trust her with this.

“Have a seat. I’ll tell you everything, just let me eat first.”

Chapter 5

Ella let me eat until I was so stuffed I thought I might burst. She packed the food away and stuck it in the refrigerator before pulling out a bottle of wine from her backpack and following me to my room.

We sit cross-legged on a fuzzy blanket with pillows from my bed in front of the fire, passing the wine bottle back and forth.

After ensuring my emotions are locked up tight and stuffed down in the “do not touch” part of my soul, I start at the beginning. The day I was taken.

“Do you remember the last day I saw you? It was my 18th birthday, and I came into town for Grams to get apples for her famous Apple Crisp. It was my favorite. I stopped by Twisted and you gave me two sandwiches for Grams and I, promising to come over later to celebrate with us.”

She nods along with me, tears already pooling in her eyes. I can’t look at her, fearing my own will well up too. So I stare into the orange glow of the flames, focusing on them as I continue.

“When I approached the house, I knew something was wrong. The front door was wide open, and the whole house was dark. I rushed inside, needing to find Grams and make sure she was okay. I found her in her bed. Oh God, El… there was so much blood. I tried shaking her, screaming for her to wake up… then someone grabbed me from behind and covered my mouth with a rag soaked in chemicals or something. I never even fucking saw them.

“The last thing I did see before the darkness took me was Grams… her throat had been cut. She must have been taking a nap when they came in.” Ella grabs my hand but doesn’t say anything, and I keep my gaze on the flames. “When I woke up, I was in a concrete room. There was a bed in one corner, and a toilet and sink in another. I was cold and alone, just thrown onto the stone floor, still covered in Gram’s blood. I beat on the metal door until my hands were bloody, yelling and screaming to be let out, but no one came for what felt like days.”

“Oh my God, Rae,” she whispers, squeezing my hand and making me lock my eyes with her. That was a mistake. The emotions I’ve kept stuffed down come rushing at me all at once. She pulls me into her arms and rubs her hands down my hooded head. I’m oblivious of it still being on, since I’ve spent so much time in it. “What happened next? Who was it? Who took you?” She questions me gently like I’m a frightened child.

I pull back and look into her tear-filled eyes, gripping her forearms to prepare her for what she is about to learn.

“It was the ‘Monster’… Kingston Wolfe.”

“What the fuck?” Her face scrunches up into confusion and rage. “Why would he do that? What is his motive? I mean, I know he’s a fucking cuntwaffleous gang leader, but he fucking kidnapped you? Why the fuck did he kill Grams? Did you get those answers? I’m shocked– confused… I’m so sorry, Rae.”

It’s a lot to process all at once, so I wait patiently and let her get all of her questions out. I need a minute to myself after speaking on the trauma I’ve buried beneath layers of locks inside my mind. I take a steading breath before speaking again.

“I don’t know. Ella… I don’t know why he kidnapped me or why he killed Grams. But the things he did to me and what he let his men do, what he stole from me– I’m going to kill him. I’m going to dismantle his entire operation, piece by piece. The Kingsmen will fall until the streets run red, and he is the only one left standing over his corrupt kingdom. Then, and only then, will I take his life. It will be a slow and painful death. After everything he's done, he doesn't deserve the courtesy of a quick death. ”

“Sign me the fuck up! Let’s kill King,” she spits out, her rage slightly overshadowed by her newfound determination.

She has always been protective of those she loves, but this is too dangerous. I can’t lose her; I just got her back. I would never forgive myself if she got caught in the crossfire of my war against King.

“El, no. You can help me by giving me information, but I won’t have you hurt in this. This is my battle, and I can’t ask you to get involved like that.”

“Bitch, if you don’t shut the fuck up, I’m going to slap you. I’m going to help you, and you damn well will accept it. You’ve been gone for five years. But don’t forget, I can take you any day, even in a princess dress and plastic high heels.” She isn’t wrong, and from what I saw in Twisted today, she can take care of herself just like I can. “Also, let me remind you, I’m protected by the Shadows. The Kingsmen know not to mess with me.” She pulls me up and snatches the empty wine bottle from the floor. “We need more wine, and you need to fill me in on everything that's happened since you left, and what the plan is now.”

“Come on, let me show you what I have on King so far, and you can tell me more about these elusive shadow angels you have protecting you.”

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