Page 68 of Echoes

I turn my head to look at him. "And now you're dragged into this mess."

"I've been assigned with protecting you. Therefore, who gives a shit? When are you going to realize that we're a force not to be fucked with. I'm not afraid of any of them—the staff, these morons and their society. No one. If souls exist, Avery, I don't have one."

"That's bullshit and you know it," I scold. "If that were true, you wouldn't want to protect me. You wouldn't care for me."

Theo lifts an eyebrow. "You're the exception, Avery. If I feel anything, it's because you put it there."

"Well, I'm glad," I say smugly. "So, deal with it. But I guess… that leads us to the next topic."

"Hm?"

"Grey is obviously struggling with this and he's as possessive as you are. Are you really okay with this? I've already made it clear to Grey that I won't give you up, but you should know that I feel the same about him."

Theo stares at me for a few seconds before shrugging. "You're a grown woman. You don't owe anyone anything. Don't you think we've given enough of our lives to other people? Why should you follow other people's rules? You should do what makes you happy."

I growl under my breath. "You're avoiding the question."

"What do you want me to say?" he shoots back. "That I won't share you… that I'll make you choose. Fuck that. At the end of the day, the truth is we've been through enough."

"What do you mean? What have you been through?" I ask, immediately scolding myself for being nosey. It's not ajudgmental question. There's no accusation in my tone—just pure curiosity.

He's here for a reason… just like the rest of us.

I want to know him better. I want to know his story.

Theo looks away, jaw clenching as he falls into a deep thought. "It doesn't matter."

"It matters to me," I say gently, squeezing his hand.

He stays quiet for a few seconds and I nearly cave in and offer to change the subject, but he lets out a breath, leaning his head back against the shelf.

"My sister died."

Clenching his hand, I shift closer to him, trying to offer silent support. I wait to see if he offers details, knowing that there's more to it.

"She committed suicide," he finally says in a dark, low voice. "Because she fell in love with two people."

"Oh," I mutter.

I'm completely caught off-guard, torn between feeling heartbroken for him, and realizing that perhaps this is the reason I've been trying to pull out of him. "I'm so sorry."

Theo looks over at me, resting his head on a faded green book. "Don't be. They tried to make her choose and it broke her. So, I slaughtered them without an ounce of remorse."

Chapter 23

Theo

Avery stares at me, stunned. I can see the waves of emotion swirling through her mind, while she fights to pick the correct one to navigate with.

"They deserved it," she says, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

I laugh, looking up at the roof. Even now, she's making excuses again. That's the beautiful thing about her—even with the darkest souls, she tries to find light.

Unfortunately for her, she won't find it here.

There's no good in me. And I'm perfectly fine with that.

Ripping them apart was the single best accomplishment of my life. They took Madison from me, and in return, I watched the life drain from their eyes while they begged for mercy.

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