Page 79 of Pretty Monsters

Sin looks like he's contemplating killing Ted just to be safe. I move next to him and slide my hand into his. He takes a deep breath through his nose and exhales. "You fooled me, and that never happens. I want to trust you, because the alternative won't go so well for you."

Ted smirks. "Don't write me off that quickly. I'm not nearly as passive as I led you all to believe. But I'm not your enemy. In fact, I've got plenty of reasons to help you kill Damien Blackthorne."

"When I met you at the bar you really worked hard to include me in your group. You knew who I was." Sin isn't asking him, only letting him know he's figuring it out.

Ted nods. "I noticed you as soon as you came in. The two guys who were with us were just a couple of assholes one of the other girls brought. I needed them gone, so I slipped one of them something to make him drunker knowing the bartender would ask his friend to take him home. I wasn't sure if you were there for me, and I needed to feel out what you knew."

"You're a scary motherfucker," Ford observes.

Ted just shrugs. "I can be." He points at Sin. "I've got nothing on him though. I had to make sure Blackthorne's ghost wasn't there for me."

Poor Amber watches the entire exchange with a trembling hand in front of her face. "I don't know you at all," she whispers.

A bit of the more familiar Teddy peeks through. "Yes you do. I was forced to be that guy, but I don't want to ever be that again."

He turns back to face Sin and Lucien. "I know what it's like to be coerced to do things you don't approve of. You might not trust me now, but I swear to you, I am on your side."

Sin and Lucien exchange a look, and seem to have an entire telepathic conversation. Sin finally addresses Teddy, "One chance. Cross me and no one will ever find you."

The threat doesn't phase Teddy at all. "I'd expect nothing less.”

* * *

Everyone standsaround in stunned silence after Teddy’s confession. I’m still trying to reconcile the two versions of him myself, and this world of darkness and monsters is less of a shock to me than any of our new friends. I can’t help but think that both sides of him are true. He is a lovable goofball, but that undercurrent of violence is also part of him.

Sin silently steps away to go change out of the clothes covered in dust from the drywall. I follow after him, needing a moment to reassure myself he’ll be coming back to me, and not just physically.

When we make it to the top I see that there’s a bathroom with at least the bare essentials already installed. It’ll need walls for privacy, but for now there’s a place to shower. I’ll definitely be using the toilet downstairs though.

Sin stands rigidly in the middle of the open space. I make sure he hears me coming before I wrap my arms around him from behind.

“I’m filthy,” he sighs. I don’t think he is talking about the dirt covering him.

“I don’t care.” Not about the dust or the state of his soul.

“I’m overlooking things,” he murmurs.

Moving around to face him I see real fear on his face. He’s trying to pull away from me again.

“If you are thinking that we can’t be together because of this you’re going to piss me off.”

“Can’t you see it? There’s a trained killer who’s been around us for the last week, and I didn’t see it. I can’t miss things, Raven. If I do it’s you who’ll pay the price.”

“Haven’t I already shown you that I can take care of myself?”

He shakes his head. “Not against these guys. I won’t risk it.”

“Don’t do this,” I beg. He’s reduced me to fucking begging and it’s pissing me off even more.

“I need to get ready,” his voice is flat. He’s turning back into the ghost I first met.

“Sin don’t–”

“Go downstairs, Raven.”

“Fuck you,” I seethe.

“You already did.”

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