Page 146 of Ashes

Please make Sin leave. I want my sister. I’m afraid of him. Please. Make him go.

“Sinclair, get the fuck out of my room,” Asylum snapped as soon as the words were floating around in my head. “Now.”

“Whatever,” he muttered after a moment of silence. “Come on, Claws.”

“She stays. You leave.” Asylum adjusted his hold on me.

“I’m not leaving both of them with you,” Sin said, his voice wavering.

He was worried.

“I don’t believe you were given an option. If you don’t leave, I might spill your little secret. Pretty sure you’re not ready for that to come out.” Asylum’s voice was low and threatening as he enunciated each word.

I shuddered against him, remembering the betrayal. Remembering Sin shoving that pill into my mouth that made my body weak and tired. Remembering that mirror on the wall as I was violated in front of it.

Sinful.

So fucking Sinful!

“Go. They’ll find out soon enough. Let’s not be so hasty in our reveal, Sinclair.”

Sin’s heavy boots thudded across the floor before the door closed softly.

What secret?

“The one with the box, firefly,” Asylum murmured. “You remember.”

Did the watchers know he was doing it?

“No, my love. They did not.”

I swallowed thickly at his words. The watchers hadn’t known. Sin did it on his own. Dante. . . he hadn’t wanted me hurt. Ashes. Stitches.

“You’ll see them soon,” Asylum assured me softly. “For now, let’s see Cady cat, OK?” He lifted me and placed me back into my wheelchair and leaned in and licked away my tears before his lips brushed against mine.

“There’s our princess.” His blue eyes sparkled as he pulled away and we stared at one another. “I’ll be right back, OK? Have a visit with your sister.”

He got to his feet without another word to me. “I’ll be right outside. Don’t try anything. I’ll know if you do.”

Cady said nothing as Asylum backed away. He disappeared through the doorway a moment later, leaving me alone with her.

Immediately, she kneeled in front of me.

“Hey, Rina. I-I’m sorry if I scared you. I didn’t mean to. I know Asylum is really scary, but if you want to leave, we can. I know we can make it.”

I gave a slight shake of my head.

She sucked in a sharp breath and took my hand in hers.

“You want to stay?”

I squeezed her hand. A tear trickled down her cheek.

“Rina, there are so many monsters here. It’s not safe for any of us. Church told me about his father. He’s. . . terrifying. If he hurts you. . .”

I gave her hand another squeeze.

“Please,” Cady whispered, wiping at her eyes with her other hand. “Stitches. That guy? He’s so messed up over you being with Seth. He-He tried to hang himself. He almost died from it.”

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