Page 7 of Unhinged

Fear can cripple even the brightest minds, but whether she is bright remains to be seen. She intrigues me. With her wide, innocent eyes and trembling lips, she exudes a certain vulnerability that I can’t resist.

“Come closer,” I demand.

She hesitates, her eyes wide. And then, finally she relents and steps closer to the bars.

I reach through them and touch her cheek gently with the back of my hand, relishing in the softness of her skin. “It’s wind,” I say softly, my voice devoid of the menacing tone I’d used earlier. “The wind dances without legs, whispers without voice, and bites without teeth. And it dies when it stops blowing.”

I watch as a flicker of understanding passes through her eyes before being drowned out by fear again. She pulls away from my touch, huddling closer to her friend for protection. I glance at the friend. She, too, is beautiful with dark ebony hair and tanned skin. However, no one’s beauty outshines Alice’s.

Her eyes are a brilliant shade of sky blue, with a spark of determination flickering in their depths. Each strand of her wavy brown hair shimmers in the scarce light in the room, giving her an ethereal glow. Her lips are full, tempting me to erase the fear etched onto her face and replace it with red-hot desire.

Her skin is as delicate as porcelain, so perfect it could easily crack. She stands out like a diamond amidst stones. In all her fragile beauty, Alice has claimed a corner of my mind in two seconds flat. A part of my mind I’d believed was impervious to distractions.

“W- What are you going to do with us?”

I tilt my head, considering her question. A whirlwind of chaotic thoughts and images grace my mind, many too perverse to put into words. I would delight in breaking this girl and putting her back together again, making her fit against my broken pieces like a jigsaw puzzle.

“Your eyes are open, and I’m there. Close them. I’m there, too. What am I?”

The other girl snorts. “That’s easy. It’s the dark.”

I glare at her. “Did I ask you?”

She retreats a little at the tone of my voice. “No.”

“Then stay out of it.” I turn my attention back to Alice. “Shame you didn’t answer any of my riddles, little bird. Maybe next time.”

I lean closer, wishing the bars weren’t between us and counting the heartbeats that drum against my chest.“Come here,” I demand again.

She steps forward and I reach through and cup her chin, forcing her eyes to mine. My thumb brushes across her trembling lips, and she visibly swallows. “You’re an enigma, little bird. And I intend to unravel every layer until you’re completely in my grasp.”

She looks at me with wide eyes, fear, and curiosity, battling for dominance. “What do you want?”

I lean in even closer, my face squashed against the bars. “You.”

Her breath hitches again, but her gaze has a spark of defiance. Despite her fear, she refuses to cower. I’m intrigued by her strength and resolve. “What do you intend to do with me?”

I smile, whispering in the space between us, “Whatever I please.”

I can feel the tremors running through her body, but I also sense something else. Desire. She may be afraid of me, but a part of her also wants me as much. And I will use that to my advantage.

I release her chin, breaking our intimate connection. “But for now, I’ve business to attend to.”

As I turn to leave, I can’t help but wonder how long it’ll take for her to succumb to me. How long before she realizes she belongs to me, body and soul? The only spanner in the works will be Ileana. She’s selfish and wants me all to herself. If she knew I had eyes for Alice, she’d murder her in front of me.

A foreign, possessive feeling stirs at the thought of Alice in danger. A primal instinct drives a need to protect what’s mine. I’ve never felt a pull like this, a powerful urge to claim, possess, and protect.

It’s as if Alice has suddenly become a vital part of my existence, and the mere thought of her being harmed raises a fierceness within me that could burn entire worlds. I’ll have to tread carefully, keeping Ileana and Alice in the dark until I can ensure Alice’s safety and claim her openly.

4

ALICE

“What the fuck was that?” Luna asks, eyes as wide as saucers.

I shake my head, my eyes pinned to where that man questioned us, or more like me. He barely looked at Luna. It was clear from one look in his eyes he wasn’t sound of mind, but when he spoke. I tremble. The memory of his voice haunts me.

“I can’t believe this is happening.” Luna’s voice breaks as she speaks.

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