Page 51 of Theirs to Rule

Having Kage for a little while longer would be worth the pain yet to come.

Chapter 23

Camille

After I'd told Kage to come home to me tomorrow, he continued to hold me for several minutes. Finally, he shifted. "I've been putting something off that I need to see to. Are you ready to leave?"

I should be. I didn't relish spending the night being stared at by anyone who had seen or heard what Kage and I had been doing in here. But I didn't want to spend the night by myself either. "I'm going to stay a little longer."

Kage nodded. "Okay, but stay with Bianca," he instructed as he stood and redid his pants, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Text me when you're done, and I'll send a car for you."

"I will."

He paused, cupped my face, then kissed me deeply. "Thank you for giving me another chance, Rebel. You won't regret it. Enjoy the rest of the night."

“Okay, Kage.”

With that, he helped me to my feet, made sure I was decently covered, then when I was ready, he unlocked the door. Hestepped out, his presence commanding enough to silence any lewd comments from the small crowd that was still gathered outside. “Get the fuck away from here. This room is closed,” he said. I heard grumbling and the sounds of people leaving before Kage turned to me and winked. “Coast is clear. I’ll see you tomorrow, Rebel, and the first thing we’re going to do is unpack your moving boxes.”

I was about to ask him how he knew about the boxes, but I figured Ty had told him. Or Kage had snuck into the chateau himself recently.

Whatever.

I tugged Kage’s shirt and fluffed my hair, figuring I’d find Bianca right away. Only when I headed toward the door, a painting caught my attention. It was a tree, one that bore a striking resemblance to one Ty had drawn after we'd fooled around. However, this tree twisted in a way that felt sinister, its branches like arms reaching out in torment. It was signed “MS.”

Mateo Sorrento.

My heart raced as I studied the other paintings beside it with the same initials, the depictions of blood drawing a line straight to the memory of Kage getting shot, the fabric of his shirt soaking in red. My stomach twisted with anxiety, renewed dread creeping up on me as I delved deeper into the collection.

Then, I saw it—a brutal depiction of a black swan, its wings and neck mutilated, blood dripping from its feathers. The MS at the bottom stood out like a flashing red light.

The connection was obvious. Ty used to call me his "sweet swan" and had a tattoo of a black swan inked over his heart. My breath caught in my throat, nausea swirling with realization. This wasn't just any art exhibit; it was a message, one meant for me, and it was horrifying.

The room started to spin, the air thickening around me as panic took hold. I had to get out, find some space to breathe.Pushing through the crowd, I barely registered the murmurs and looks of concern from those I passed. My only thought was to escape, to find a bathroom or somewhere I could be alone.

I leaned against the wall for a moment, trying to steady my breathing. The nausea was overwhelming, a physical manifestation of the horror and confusion churning inside me. With shaky legs, I made my way to the nearest bathroom, locking myself in a stall just before I threw up.

Ty

Watching from across the crowded hallway, I caught sight of Camille stepping out of the restroom, now dressed in Kage’s monster costume shirt, her raven mask held loosely in one hand, revealing her face. She looked pale, her usual vibrancy dimmed by whatever turmoil churned beneath those wide, shaken eyes. My first impulse was to close the distance between us, to demand what had happened to her, but I'd heard Kage fucking her in the Dark Arts room along with everyone else.

She was probably feeling guilty for giving in to him.

Simone and Bianca appeared, drawing her attention. Camille masked her distress with a smile so fake it twisted something inside me. They exchanged a few words and with a shake of her head, Camille turned and walked away. I waited, hidden by the throng and the dim lights, expecting Simone or Bianca to follow her. They didn't. They just stood there, lost in their own conversation, oblivious or indifferent to Camille's distress.

I knew Dante had bailed earlier, something about an emergency, and Kage—well, it looked like he’d fucked her andditched her, which made my blood boil. I couldn't just stand by and let her walk home alone.

Navigating through the crowd, I kept my gaze fixed on the exit Camille had slipped through, her figure a shadow merging with the night beyond the doors. The cool air hit me with the sharpness of a slap as I stepped outside, the sounds of the party dulling into a distant hum behind me. The campus lay stretched out, bathed in the pale glow of moonlight and sparse lampposts.

My steps quickened as I scanned the area. There she was, moving with a purposeful stride, heading toward the solitude of the campus gardens. The distance between us closed with each step, my mind racing with what I'd say, how I'd explain my presence without causing her further pain, something she’d expect from me.

The thought of her upset gnawed at me, a persistent ache that demanded action. I wasn't the guy who fixed things; hell, I was the reason they needed fixing. But seeing Camille like this, watching her alone and trying to shoulder whatever weight dragged at her, stirred feelings I’d thought I was no longer capable of.

What the fuck did she think she was doing, walking around on campus alone like this? She knew what darkness this place held. I wished I could just walk away, but she’d been attacked more than once. Chasing after her, I called out her name. She slowed but didn’t stop. When I finally caught up to her, I reached out and grabbed hold of her shoulder, spinning her around.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I snarled.

She narrowed her eyes. “Excuse me?”

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