Page 191 of House of Lilith

Boy, the strange, terrifying fox called me.

And it made me so pissed, I balled my hands into fists, spitting out, “My name isDahrianand that’s what you’ll call me.”

I remember it all so clearly. There was a moment of silence before I heard that mocking, playful laugh of his.I’ve been around for longer than you’d be able to comprehend. I’ve gone through more bodies such as yours than I can even count. And once you shrivel up and die, I’ll still be here, growing more powerful by the day.

He paused before he let out this chuckle.So until you earn my respect, I’ll call you whatever the fuck I want,boy.

I thought I did, I think to myself as disgust twists my face, my teeth gritting. But I never did, didn’t I? I still deserve to be called ‘boy’ and nothing else.

I see his ears prick up even before I hear him say,I’m not letting this slide so easily…

And it sends a flood of relief coursing through me, just hearing his voice, however exhausted and hopeless.

But you only needed to stop running from it to make me able to come back to you. And you’ve just done it.There’s a moment of silence before he says,Dahrian.

“Thank you,” I tell him, simply yet earnestly.

And I know it should make me happy, but it’s not exactly a joyful reunion. I may have started repairing my relationship with him, but that only makes the two of us — waiting in front of her door, fearing the worst as we slowly lose our minds.

And now that I’m finally waking up, only one thing seems to be certain. If she dies, I’m as good as dead myself.

Chapter 33 - Nyx

It’sabeautifulsummerday outside, when it should be a gloomy, stormy one, I think as I gaze, numbly, through the window from my bed, bombarded with images of Ricky’s hyena lunging at me, Nikolay’s terrified face, the look in Howe’s eyes when he rushed over to me.

Twenty four hours, it’s been only twenty four hours since it all happened. Just yesterday, I thought I’d be home by now, putting this entire school year out of my head.

And there’s this terrifying unease in me that’s worse than the memories of the pain after that thing exploded in my face and the hyena attacked me. It flares up every time my mind tries to feel out the future. Because the future seems to have been destroyed.

Nikolay is about to be locked up. Fiains are about to leave for good. Vasilisa is about to force me to burn her or something. And Max…

I glance at my hand, where the ring used to be… This morning I happened to find out he lost all that money he said he bet on me winning. Turns out he actually bet on himself.

That led me to learning it washimwho spread all those rumors about me after we broke up. And now… Now it feels as if it was all a lie, all along, from the moment Nikolay introduced me to him three years ago to the moment I broke up with him yesterday.

And now the silence in my room is only broken by the sounds of his once again incessant calling and texting.

Except when it’s a call or text fromHowe, coming from a number no longer saved.

“Hope you’re feeling better. And I know it must be hard for you right now, but I’d really appreciate it if you’d let me pay you a visit.”

“Just five minutes of your time, that’s all I ask.”

“Or a reply at least.”

I know them all by heart, that’s how much I’ve stared at them. But I ignore them all.

I won’t let him ruin it, I think with unwavering determination. It took all I had, to part with him the way I did yesterday. I thought he deserved at least as much after the way he behaved after the Game. And back in that hallway with Ricky, he only proved he did.

But thinking I’dbewith him? It makes me let out a scoff. I don’t evenknowhim. And he may think he wants menow, but I’ve seen exactly how quickly he can discard me and go back to sleeping around. And even ifthatweren’t the case, I mean…

Bitterness floods my mouth as soon as I recall it.

He’s already told me exactly what he thinks of me. And whatever I end up doing with my fucking life, it sure as hell won’t involve being with anyone who feels I’m a lot, which is exactly why I was so determined when I told him to leave me the fuck alone.

It’s just that I thought he’d respect it.

And I don’t know why he’s being so persistent in doing the fucking opposite, especially considering the fact they’re practically already on their way back home, at least according to Mother’s latest from this morning, the news that the Fiains would be leaving at five PM.

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