Page 105 of Ashes

I parted my lips.

I was scared.

“Don’t be,” he murmured, cradling my cheek with his other hand.

Butterflies flapped wildly in my chest.

How did he hear me?

“My head hurts, Rinny,” he said, his voice choked. “So much. I think they’re drugging me through my food or something. I really need you to stay. Can you do that for me?”

For him. Seth.

He wanted me to stay.

The light felt nice. But I was scared. I was so scared. I didn’t want to get put into another box.

“The next time you’re in a box with me, I’ll be buried deep inside you,” he said fiercely. “And you won’t be screaming out of fear, I can promise you that, Rinny.” He shifted closer so his nose was nearly touching mine. “Stay. I need you.”

You need me? Where were you when I needed you?

I wanted to scream it at him, but my voice. . . not for him. He didn’t get my voice.

“We get your screams,” he finished softly. “They belong to us. They always have. They always will. If you don’t stay, Sully gets them. Stay, Sirena.My pirate princess.”

My eyes prickled with tears.

He remembered.

“How could I ever forget our pirate princess?” he asked, bringing my hand to his lips and placing a soft, warm kiss on my knuckles. “We’re supposed to get married.”

I remembered that promise.

But then he’d broken it when he’d tried to kill me.

“I love seeing you here with me,” he continued. “Your eyes. I’ve always loved your eyes.”

I swallowed thickly at his words.

“Things are going to get really scary, Rinny. OK? When you’re with me, stay. When Sully comes and it scares you, hide. I’ll protect you from him. You can shimmer in and out and be whoever you need to be to stay safe? My sweet pirate princess or. . .” He cocked his head at me.

Your vicious little monster.

“My monster,” he murmured. “Yes, you’re the monster we created, aren’t you?”

He winced and shook his head before he looked back at me.

“Sometimes it’s loud in my head,” he said, grimacing. “Sometimes it’s hard to. . .hearyou.”

We stared at one another for a minute. I willed myself to hold his gaze rather than retreat back into my mind like I was tempted to do.

“Just play the game, Rinny. It’s all we can do until we’re free. Can you do that? For me? For Stitches?”

I contemplated his words. I wanted to go home too. Being here was hurting me. My body was so sore now that I was in the light. As much as I wanted to dart back to my safe spot, I knew I couldn’t. Not if Stitches needed me. Not if. . . Not if Seth did.

My killer.

Or attempted murderer.

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