Page 78 of Teach Me How To Fly

“I’ll get you out of here and my driver will take you to my house. Once you’re there, I want you to take a shower, then sleep, or do whatever you want, just don’t leave the room you’re going to be put into,” I whispered close to her to avoid any other ears hearing what I’m saying.

“Sure,” she replied, her eyes big round eyes looking at me attentively.

“You’re not going to be harmed again. You’re safe now. Once I get back home, I’ll come back to you and we’ll see what I can do to hide you from these awful men.”

Her lips parted, curving into a light smile that only hid a deep fear. I knew she wasn’t going to trust me so easily considering what hideous things she must’ve been through, but the least I could do was try to comfort her.

“Let’s take you to a safer place,” I told her, grabbing her tiny hand in mine and starting to walk to the exit door.

I knew this hall better than anyone and I also knew that my driver would wait for me here because this was the door through which I always left. There were always armed attacks when the auction was over, so Lukyan and I always wanted to avoid these situations.

I opened the door, letting little Lysandre go out first, then I followed her and the chilly wind hugged us both, announcing to us that November took the lead over the atmosphere outside.

We walked towards my car and the driver hopped out of it, welcoming us as we stopped in front of it.

“Take her home and lead her to the guest’s bedroom. Make sure she eats and protect her at any cost.”

“Sure will, Mister Brown.”

She eyed me before entering the car and making herself comfortable on the back seat. I gave her a comforting smile, then I stepped back from the car and once its tires squealed on the wet ground, my attention got caught by a laughter that made my skin itch.

“You know, Maksen, this is the night the war will begin,” Ender’s voice welcomed me as I turned on my heels, looking at him attentively.

“Then I shall prepare my weapons.”

He laughed again, in the most devilish way he could do it. “We’ll not fight with weapons, but with souls.”

“May the most wicked soul win.”

“Then you’ve already lost, because you’re not wicked. Not even a bit, no matter how hard you’re trying.”

We looked at each other deeply, and I felt my heart pounding harder in my chest.

He wasn’t ready for the war. And I wasn’t ready either because I didn’t know how deep I could dig in the darkness.

But the way his eyes flashed with a spark before going back in the hall made me realize that I had to prepare for the worst.

I had to be the wickedest to beat the wicked.

24

ANNALISE

Iwoke up when the sound of the wind breaking through the opened window filled the room, making the temperature cooler than I could endure. I stood up from the bed, moving my feet to the window to close it.

I scratched my forehead, then yawned and put my hands on my chest as I looked around me.

I missed being here again, in the place I used to call my safe place. It was my room since I was little and every moment of my life happened here. And now I couldn’t explain to myself why I didn’t feel good here anymore.

I blamed it on the truth that came to the surface. I couldn’t find my place anywhere I went, only when I was with Maksen.

He could make every place feel like home because he was the only one with whom I felt safe.

I sighed deeply, then I brushed my face with my palms and moved my feet to the bathroom. I spent several minutes under the hot water of the shower, and then I cleaned my face and moisturized it with my favorite products.

That’s what I truly missed.

I blow-dried my hair in large round curls that fell on my back, and as soon as I caught a little glimpse of my naked body in the mirror, I noticed how skinny I became.

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