Page 28 of Prayer of the Damned

“You probably scratched that miserable girl when you burst in like an animal.” Liam gets to his feet. Why isn’t he ratting me out?

Valentina growls at him, but chooses to ignore his reaction and turns to me. “Are you okay, Belle?”

“I-I don’t know…” I honestly admit. I’ve never lost control like that. And the worst thing is that even though I have no memory of my momentary insanity, I feel no remorse at all. My stomach’s swelling with ecstasy and my blood’s roaring in my veins. I feelalivein a way I never have before. But I don’t think that’s something I should admit to aloud.

“I called your dad, he’s on his way.”

“What?!” I shake her shoulders hysterically. “What have you done?”

“I’m sorry, Belle. I didn’t know what to do, you were totally out of it and I thought Liam might hurt you.”

Liam chuckles. “I think the only one who got hurt here was me.”

“I’m sorry…” I’m not. Not at all.

He nods his head and leaves us alone. Valentina sends a furious glare at him until he enters the building. “What happened after his bastard siblings dragged me away from here?” She scans me with her eyes, making sure I’m not injured.

“I have no idea,” I immediately fire off the answer.

“Did he kiss you?” She runs her fingers over my swollen lips, and I gasp at the intimate gesture. Valentina notices my alarm and pulls her hand back. She’s enthralled by what’s left of Liam’s blood, even if she’s not aware of it, it must be that.

“Yes,” I decide to lie, to blur out what really happened here. “But I don’t think it was anything romantic or erotic… I think it was a prank.” I raise my eyes to her and again feel that I just want to weep and let out the horrible stress gathered up in my stomach.

“Son of a bitch,” she hisses. “Let’s get out of here, this place gives me the creeps.” Valentina helps me up and looks around nervously. Where are we? The side patio looks broken and neglected, and the blackened stone statue makes me queasy.

I don’t dwell on it because Valentina reminds me that my father’s on the way, and that he’ll ‘fix everything’. Fuck, that’s all I need. I can hide the truth and my twisted thoughts from her, but not from my dad…

Chapter Ten

Bellcolor

My father opens the door to our dorm room and doesn’t even bother knocking. I leap up like a cat finding a cucumber next to me, and grip the edges of Valentina’s skirt.

“Valentina, dear, please leave us be. I need to have a private conversation with my daughter.” My father’s voice is very clear. He’s more serious than ever. And the look he gives Valentina – I know it well. A deep disappointment exudes from him, directed at her for having failed at the role given to her, and I have no doubt she’ll be hearing from her father soon as well.

I silently plead for Valentina to not leave me alone with him, but she casts her gaze downward, whispers “I’m sorry” and leaves.

“It’s not her fault,” I declare before he can make a sound. “Dad, something’s happening to me and I don’t think even you can stop it.”

“I’m pulling you out of university.” He drops the bomb, and I leap up in an instant.

“No!” My skin heats up with fury.

My father’s eyes almost leap from their sockets and he pulls back in fear. I look at my hands, trying to figure out what’s gotten him so scared, and I see that my nails are long and sharp, the veins standing out against my skin like they’re about to explode.

What’s happening to me?

“Everything will be alright, Belle,” my father hurriedly calms me down, but he won’t come closer. Even my father is afraid of me, and I can’t bear it anymore.

“I think I understand now…”

“Understand what?” my father gently asks.

“That drowning feeling. I thought it was better than watching from the sidelines. I was wrong. This is much worse.”

My confession hurts him like I just drove a dagger into his heart. “Don’t give up yet, Bellcolor, we’ll get to the truth.” His cracked voice catches me off-guard, and melancholic thoughts slither into my mind.

“Then don’t pull me out of school,” I plead.

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